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Join us on this quick look back at our activities in 2016!

On September 25, 2019, Catholic Social Services (CSS) hosted its 2019 Annual Public Meeting at the Edmonton Expo Centre to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and highlight goals and plans for the year to come.

Catholic Social Services' CEO, Dr. Troy Davies introduces the new Care-a-Van program. A service to help bring essentials to the most vulnerable in our communities beyond the city core centre.

300 people from across our Community Outreach and Disability Service gathered to celebrate at their annual Caring and Sharing Christmas party.

Click here to see a message from the Board of Directors of Catholic Social Services | Catholic Charities | Sign of Hope.

"The doors that we open at Catholic Social Services are precisely doors of mercy that enable an all-important transition for the people we serve. A transition from what can be very tough places into a space of welcome, of love, and of assistance."

The annual conference was an opportunity for staff from across the Agency to connect and learn new key skills. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Wainwright Spaghetti Supper on Saturday, October 20th!

During his homily at our Mass of Thanksgiving in January, Archbishop Richard Smith of the Edmonton Archdiocese draws on the similarities between the house blessings our Agency has been conducting over the last several months and that of a rebirth through baptism.

The staff of Catholic Social Services gathered at the newly renovated Grovenor office for a blessing ceremony performed by Archbishop Richard Smith on Thusrday, July 7.

Edmonton (February 23, 2023) – Catholic Social Services (CSS) is making an urgent appeal to Albertans for help. With hundreds of Ukrainians arriving in central and northern Alberta each week, alongside an influx of refugees from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Syria, the agency needs to raise at least $100,000 to help meet the increased demand for services. 

The new home is the first of multiple projects for our Agency’s Project Building Hope initiative, a $10-million, five-year plan to renovations to existing group homes.

A Central Region disability group home in Camrose was renamed Trinity House in a blessing ceremony at the end of last month.

Pregnancy can be a precious time, but it often brings stress with it. Physical issues, financial concerns and emotional worries can make it difficult to focus on self-care.

Fortunately, Catholic Social Services’ Gianna Centre is available to provide information, support and advocacy for vulnerable pregnant women. It helps women find housing options and income support, and offers resources such as parenting classes, maternity clothes and baby items.
 

Tickets now on sale for the 2024 Evening at the Mac!

We hope you can join us for our annual Evening at the Mac gathering this summer in the beautiful ballroom at Hotel Macdonald! 

'I had nothing': South Sudanese refugee shares his story to help raise money for Sign of Hope campaign

The three-day conference was a gathering for professionals, volunteers, and partners of various Catholic charitable organizations across the United States and Canada, looking to innovate and strategize new methodologies for advancing their work and reducing poverty within their respective communities.

Our Board of Directors have appointed an interim CEO for our Agency.

A special farewell celebration was held at our West Office on Friday, July 14, to give thanks for his wonderful efforts and service as CEO to our Agency over the years.

Catholic Social Services’ staff face unprecedented demands for assistance as they face crises both locally and international. In just one area of the agency’s work, refugee resettlement, over the past year, CSS has resettled more than 800 Afghan refugees, and supported hundreds of Ukrainian Nationals across central Alberta. This is in addition to the agency’s typical refugee caseload, which involves resettling as many as 900 government assisted and privately sponsored refugees each year, from across the globe.  

Catholic Social Services partnered with Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples this past World Day of the Poor.

Troy Davies to Lead Catholic Social Services.

Catholic Social Services attended the 21st annual Catholic Family Conference this Canada Day long weekend, and our CEO Stephen Carattini was invited as a guest speaker for the event.

"I am grateful to each of you for your willingness to share your talents with our Agency and with the people in our care. "

We are offering an in person couples counseling group session in Red Deer and surrounding communities. The in person group will consist of one session per week for three consecutive weeks, starting on March 14.

We are offering a virtual couples counseling group session in Red Deer and surrounding communities. The virtual group will consist of one session per week for four consecutive weeks, starting on February 24.

Catholic Social Services is pleased to announce the release of “Our Neighbour’s Keeper,” a biography honoring the agency’s founder, Father Bill Irwin. The biography was commissioned in celebration of the agency’s 60th anniversary, and was co-authored by Graham Hicks and Jeananne Kathol Kirwin. 

Sign of Hope, the charitable fundraising arm of CSS, provides funding for multiple programs each year, many of which are solely funded through donations. From September 21 to December 31, 2024, CSS runs its annual Sign of Hope fundraising campaign. Our goal is to raise $2.8 million to help meet the needs of vulnerable Albertans.

We held our Uplift: Day of Mercy event on Saturday, October 1, supporting those in need within the Edmonton community. Approximately 800 guests came down to St. Alphonsus Parish and Eastwood Community League, along 118 Avenue, where they enjoyed live entertainment and fun activities for the entire family.

The award, for Leadership in Prevention of Elder Abuse, was handed out for the first time, and was created in honour of November being the 30^th anniversary for Family Violence Prevention Month.

Staff in our four Edmonton-based Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ministries hosted a Family Day Carnival that formed a stronger community with the people we serve. 

This Giving Tuesday, donate to Sign of Hope’s ‘Fill a Fridge’ campaign and help Alberta families facing food insecurity.

A group home in Wetaskiwin that cares for women with cognitive disabilities was recently renamed St. Faith House during a blessing ceremony on Wednesday, September 7.

The House of St. Raphael held a special renaming ceremony on Tuesday, August 23. The residence, situated in Wetaskiwin, was renamed after St. Raphael, the patron of travellers for geographical and spiritual journeys.

Sign of Hope, the charitable fundraising arm of CSS, provides funding for multiple programs each year, many of which are solely funded through donations. From September 21 to December 31, 2024, CSS runs its annual Sign of Hope fundraising campaign. Our goal is to raise $2.8 million to help meet the needs of vulnerable Albertans.

House blessing and renaming ceremonies have continued into 2017, with a focus on Community Outreach and Disability Service homes in Edmonton.

The public open house was an opportunity for staff and Agency's supports to tour the new space and learn more about the services offered at Immigration and Settlement Service.

An important message from Catholic Social Services CEO, Dr. Troy Davies, regarding the Agency's response to COVID-19. 

We are greatly saddened by the news of the death of Sister Annata Brockman.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support shown by members of this wonderful community here in Wetaskiwin. Thanks to all who joined us for our inaugural event!

Every year on September 9, we observe International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day.

Six-Week In-Person Group starts September 20, 2023. Click Through for More Info!

Catholic Social Services is holding a five-week group to help children ages 9-12 and their parent(s)/guardian(s) learn how to manage their child’s anger and angry behaviours.

Red Deer Six-Week Group - Starts January 31.
For ages 11-14 and parent(s)/guardian(s). Click Through for More Info!

Red Deer Six-Week Group - Starts March 20.
For ages 7 - 10 and parent(s)/guardian(s). Click Through for More Info!

Red Deer Six-Week Group - Starts September 18, 2024.
For ages 11 - 14 and parent(s)/guardian(s). Click Through for More Info!

Red Deer Six-Week Group - Starts November 13.
For ages 7 - 10 and parent(s)/guardian(s). Click Through for More Info!

Staff and volunteers with our Community Outreach and Disability Service celebrated McDaniel Manor’s 10 year anniversary on Thursday, July 14.

Catholic Social Services mourn the passing of our Archbishop Emeritus, Joseph MacNeil. He was 93.

These renaming ceremonies are part of our Agency’s on-going effort to more accurately express the identity of our ministries through our names.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.” – Kofi Annan

From April 7 to 13, Catholic Social Services (CSS) will join thousands of other not-for-profits across Canada to celebrate the tremendous contributions and impact of volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

May the Lord bless all families, and may they exemplify God's love to the world.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Boston Hope Party in Wetaskiwin on Thursday, October 20^th!

Local community organizations and parishes gathered together at the Chateau Louis in Edmonton for our Making a Difference In this Changing World luncheon on Saturday, February 18, and our CEO Stephen Carattini was the featured guest speaker for the event.

Catholic Social Services offers our deepest condolences to the family of Norman Sande, who passed away on August 21, 2017.

Joan, an avid dog-lover and former Pediatric Nurse, spent much of her career gaining fulfillment through helping sick children. When her health began to decline and it became clear she would have to sacrifice the career she loved to take care of her physical well-being, she was desperate to find a way to still uplift children in need. This was the moment where a friend mentioned an organization she was volunteering with – Catholic Social Services (CSS) – and suggested Joan reach out about Pet Therapy.

Sign of Hope, the charitable fundraising arm of Catholic Social Services (CSS), today announced the launch of its annual fall fundraising appeal.

The house that once served as the main office in Wetaskiwin was renamed after St. Dymphna, during a blessing ceremony on Wednesday, September 7.

We are beyond grateful to St. Joseph's High School in Red Deer for their support of our St. Zita program!

Dave and Alex Bouferguene are students at the University of Alberta. They are both active runners and are aiming for careers in health sciences.They’re also considered well-known volunteers at Catholic Social Services, having supported the agency since they were 12 and 13-years-old.

Red Deer - 2 Hour Workshop for Adults - October 30, 2024.
Click Through for More Info!

This #GivingTuesday, help us fill the stockings of our clients in need. 

Held at Blessed Sacrament Church, the event is a yearly fundraiser in support of our Agency’s Fall Sign of Hope campaign.

Happy National Volunteer Week! Throughout this week, we will share stories of some of our incredible volunteers from across the agency.

Proceeds from this tournament will support the Lurana Shelter in providing refuge for women and children seeking to escape domestic violence.

The Spring Art Walk is returning for its fifth year on March 29, 2019 at the Telus International Centre (11104 87 Avenue NW). This special event features original artwork produced by students from St. Joseph's College and youth receiving support from CSS. Here's how the Spring Art Walk helps supports young women, like Elizabeth, through art. 

On Wednesday, April 10, the Honourable Kevin Feehan will be recognized with Catholic Social Services’ (CSS) first inaugural Archbishop J.H. MacDonald Distinguished Lifetime Contribution Award for his outstanding contributions to the agency and those it serves. 

Held at St. Joseph’s Women’s Residence in partnership with the college, the auction event featured over 30 original pieces from the featured artists.

During their visit, the representatives had the opportunity to tour both our Reception House and East Office buildings, where they met with several Government-Assisted Refugee families and local Sponsorship Agreement Holders.

Catholic Social Services in Red Deer is holding an evening workshop for parents on Understanding Anxiety in children and youth.

This event was created by our Agency to extend a helping hand to members in the community who are in need of extra assistance and resources.

On September 28, 2019, Catholic Social Services (CSS) hosted the 4^th annual UpLift Day at St. Alphonsus Catholic Parish and Eastwood Community League in downtown Edmonton.

The Veronica Villa staff celebrated a renaming ceremony of their residence on Tuesday, July 26. The home was renamed after St. Veronica, patron of photographers and laundry workers.

With her youngest daughter off to university and a few years after retirement, Maria Hicks was looking for a new way to spend her time. “I needed a mission. I needed to do something that would give me a feeling of purpose and fulfillment,” Maria says. “I’m not gifted to be a leader, and I don’t have a lot of money that I can share. This is what I can do. It’s the feeling of mothering, of nurturing, helping someone who needs it.”

Happy National Volunteer Week! Throughout this week, we will share stories of some of our incredible volunteers from across the agency.

A joint effort across the globe, International FASD Awarness Days educates and inform others about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who are living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Individuals in our Adult Disability Ministry (Residential and Supported Independent Living) were welcomed to a Christmas supper at the Wainwright Catholic Social Services office last week.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Wainwright Spaghetti Supper and made the event such a wonderful success!

Hosted at the old Royal Alberta Museum, we were joined by several of our colleagues, board members, and community partners for an evening of fellowship and reflection.

Earlier this month, our Welcome Home program gathered to celebrate Christmas. For individuals who have experienced homelessness, these opportunities to develop and deepen connections are critical to remaining housed and off the streets.

Staff at a Wetaskiwin group home unveiled the new name of their residence during a special house blessing ceremony on Tuesday, August 23.  The residence, formerly known as Group Home 1982, is now named the Mother Teresa House, in dedication to the late Sister.

Your donation to Sign of Hope’s annual Fall Appeal supports vulnerable people today, tomorrow and beyond.