CISVA Schools Join Archbishop’s Annual Dinner: Building Ethical Foundations for the Next Generation
Principals and representatives from many CISVA schools joined hundreds of guests at the annual Archbishop’s Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Among them were senior female students from St. Thomas More Collegiate, invited to learn about the charitable work RCAV is leading to support women through initiatives such as the new Living Waters Fund. Their participation reflected the importance of forming young women who understand and engage with the Church’s mission of compassion and justice.
Students from St. Thomas More Collegiate
Archbishop Richard W. Smith’s address called for a “spiritual earthquake,” not one that destroys, but one that transforms hearts and rebuilds lives on stronger foundations. He spoke of the instability and division present in today’s world; economic, social, and personal, and the need to rebuild from a place of faith, compassion, and justice.
For CISVA, this message aligns deeply with our mission. Catholic education is not limited to academic formation. It is the shaping of moral character, empathy, and discernment in young people who will one day lead families, communities, and organizations. When students are raised in ethical environments, surrounded by examples of service and integrity, they learn to look beyond themselves and work for the common good.
The presence of CISVA Principals and students underscored this shared purpose. Events like this remind educators that every classroom is a place where moral formation begins. They also remind students that faith calls them to action, to care for the poor, to build peace, and to pursue truth in a complex world.
CISVA Principals and admin staff
The Archbishop’s reflection on the Church as “mission, not bricks and mortar” echoed strongly among attendees. CISVA schools embody this mission daily. Through outreach programs, environmental stewardship, and acts of service, our students live the Gospel in practical ways that strengthen both their hearts and their communities.
St. Augustine School staff
The newly established Living Waters Fund, supporting women facing hardship and violence, further reflected the Church’s call to stand beside the vulnerable. For our students, this serves as a living example of faith in action, a model of how Catholic education must always be rooted in compassion and justice.
As we reflect on this gathering, CISVA remains committed to nurturing students who are both academically prepared and spiritually grounded. The work of Catholic education is to build strong moral foundations, encourage discernment, and cultivate leaders ready to make ethical choices in service of others.
Our students’ presence at the Archbishop’s Dinner was more than symbolic. It was a visible reminder that the next generation of Catholic leaders is already rising, formed by faith, shaped by education, and inspired to help renew the world.
Read more about the Archbishops’ Annual Dinner