CTR celebrates 30 years of faith and learning

Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools is celebrating a significant milestone – 30 years of faith-filled education, community growth and unwavering dedication to students and families through the gift of Catholic education. 

Established in 1995, CTR Catholic was formed through the amalgamation of Okotoks RCSSD #346, Drumheller RCSSD #25 and Assumption RCSSD #50, bringing together Catholic communities that had been advocating for faith-based education for decades. 

While CTR Catholic has officially existed as a division for 30 years, many of its schools have even deeper roots. Assumption School in Oyen was founded in 1955, St. Anthony’s School in Drumheller in 1959 and the Catholic school system in Okotoks was formally organized in 1989 before joining the new division. 

Over the years, CTR Catholic has expanded, strengthening its presence in seven communities across Alberta and extending its reach through The Centre for Learning@HOME, offering virtual education, home-schooling and distance education to more than 3,000 students in communities throughout the entire province since 1989. 

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the perseverance, faith and commitment of the many educators, families and students who have shaped CTR Catholic over the past 30 years,” said superintendent Dr. Andrea Holowka. “From our humble beginnings to serving thousands of students today, we remain dedicated to fostering a strong Catholic identity, academic excellence and a deep sense of community for generations to come.” 

A key moment in CTR Catholic’s anniversary celebrations took place on Feb. 18-19 in Okotoks during the division’s annual Faith Days, where all teachers and administrators gathered for faith formation and development. 

The event opened with mass celebrated by Bishop William McGrattan, during which he blessed commemorative crucifixes that have since been gifted to each CTR Catholic school. 

The crucifixes are crafted from olive wood from the Holy Land, contain soil from Bethlehem, stone from Jerusalem, and olive leaves, frankincense and incense from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. 

The Fourteen Stations of the Cross are carved on the back, making each cross a lasting tribute to the faith and dedication that have shaped CTR Catholic over the past three decades. 

“This gift is a tribute to the faith that has guided our journey and will continue to strengthen our schools for years to come,” said Dr. Holowka. 

Since its formation, CTR Catholic has continued to expand its reach, opening new schools and outreach programs to serve Alberta’s growing Catholic community. Today, CTR Catholic operates 13 traditional schools, four outreach schools and The Centre for Learning@HOME, serving more than 10,000 students across seven communities. 

With over 500 teachers and 300 support staff, the division continues to provide high-quality Catholic education while adapting to the evolving needs of students and families.