In 1993, in response to an expressed need for educators and consultants to gather and share ideas related to religious education, the Religious Education Network (REN) was created. In the last fifteen years, it has proven to be a significant forum for collaboration with a strong influence in shaping Catholic education in the province of Alberta.

The Religious Education Network is an advisory body and a vehicle for action for the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA), communicating with and reporting to the superintendents. Its members are accountable to and take direction from the CCSSA in all matters that it addresses. On the other hand, the organization also serves as a source of expertise and assistance to the superintendents in regards to Catholic education.

The Religious Education Network is comprised of representatives from each of the Catholic school boards in Alberta as well as representatives from each of the dioceses. Associate members include individuals from other institutions that offer religious education, such as Newman Theological College and the Religious & Moral Education Council (RMEC) of the Alberta Teachers' Association. A representative of the CCSSA also participates in meetings. For the last several years, the religious education consultant from Yellowknife, NWT has attended their meetings.

The Religious Education Network has a self-directed structure with an elected executive consisting of the following roles: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. Members meet three times annually, typically once in Calgary and twice in Leduc. There are usually between 20 and 25 members in attendance at every meeting. Members contribute to the development of a meeting agenda, bringing concerns and issues, questions and ideas that are important to them. Because members come from all corners of the province, meetings begin on a Monday afternoon and conclude in the early afternoon the following day. Most meetings include a professional/spiritual development component for members. At times, guest speakers are invited to make presentations to the group.

As a network, the members of the Religious Education Network share ideas, function collaboratively, and provide support for the work each does to further the kingdom of God in Alberta Catholic schools. The group manages any projects and priorities that are established by the CCSSA. In the past, it has been involved in the re-writing of some curriculum, specifically the Alberta Health and Life Skills curriculum and the Career and Life Management (CALM) curriculum, so as to permeate faith and reflect gospel values.

REN's mandate is to support and enhance religious education in Alberta Catholic Schools and to respond to the needs of our Catholic school stakeholders in all matters of faith development and spiritual formation. REN members share promising practices in areas such as:prayer in our schools, spiritual retreats for students, faith development days and other faith formation opportunities for staff, implementation of the religious education curriculum, liturgical celebrations, Sacred Scripture in our schools, participation in the life and mission of the Church, the partnership between home-school-parish, permeation of faith in all curriculum areas and in the overall life of the school, sacramental preparation, social justice issues and service projects, and evangelization of all stakeholders.

(Information provided by current REN member, Louis Kloster.)