13 Most Read Stories from the Alliance for Catholic Education

For the Alliance for Catholic Education, the past year was full of blessings and accomplishments, of rememberance and celebration. Here are our top 13 stories from 2013:

13. Two ACE Grads Ordained

After two grueling yet rewarding years teaching as a part of ACE, graduates move forward on a wide variety of paths. In 2013, two were ordained to the priesthood, responding to God's call to help lead His church.

12. Teacher in New Orleans Draws Inspiration as Students Share and Serve

ACE teachers are able to witness and are often witnesses themselves to God's love as they serve communities around the nation. One teacher in New Orleans experienced the gift of giving first-hand during the Christmas season at her school.

11. ACE Graduate Has Ministry Role as Cardinals Plan Conclave Mass

2013 was a transition year for the Catholic Church as a new Pope was elected. Tony Hollowell, a Notre Dame and ACE graduate, played a special role in the celebration of the new pope, and took the time to reflect on his time in Rome.

10. Sr. Mary Paul and the Grace of Growth

Sr. Mary Paul was named the superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2008, and has drastically shifted the state of play in the nation's third largest city—a once declining Catholic school Archdiocese is now thriving. Check out this two part story.

9. ACE Graduate Chairs White House Meeting on Academic Mindsets

An ACE grad and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. David Yeager, collaborated with colleagues at Stanford University to demonstrate that how a student sees and feels about school affects his or her ability to learn. Yeager led a conference at the White House to share the research.

8. Bishop McFadden Memorial

After the passing of Bishop Joseph McFadden, "a singular witness to hope" for Catholic schools around the country, Fr. Tim Scully, CSC, reflected on the life of a great man.

7. "Getting the Word Out" Helps Boost a School's Enrollment

A Remick Leadership Program graduate utilized basic principles of marketing to increase enrollment at her school in Naples, Fl and spread the gift of Catholic schools to children throughout the area.

6. 20th ACE Summer in Review

Even after twenty years, each ACE summer provides a wonderful reminder of the vibrance and motivation of the mission to serve Catholic schools - as seen in this photo essay of the 2013 summer at Notre Dame.

5. Congratulations and Welcome ACE 20

In a year celebrating twenty years of ACE, remembering the past and looking forward to the future, the ACE 20 cohort represents the past, present, and future of the Alliance for Catholic Education.

4. Values Guide Notre Dame Irish Safety and Catholic School Teacher's Career Path

From major college athlete to high school teacher to trial lawyer in Chicago, Bill Gibbs has been inspired and has inspired others through the ministry of teaching.

3. ACE Marks 20th Anniversary with Bus Tour

In celebration of twenty years of strengthening, sustaining, and transforming Catholic schools, ACE set out on a 50-city national bus tour spanning the 2013-14 academic year. Through forums and halftime shows, blogs and photos, ACE is increasing awareness of the great work of Catholic schools throughout the country.

2. Fr. Scully Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

What started as a simple idea at a graduation party in 1993 has become a nation-wide program that impacts thousands of children each year, and Fr. Scully, the founder of the Alliance for Catholic Education, was honored for this visionary achievement by the Manhattan Institute.

1. Notre Dame ACE Academies Close the Achievement Gap

A unique partnership between inner-city schools and the University of Notre Dame, founded on principles of Catholic School identity, affordable education, and rigorous academics, is succeeding in changing the lives of students.

Bonus: Pope Benedict's Support for Catholic Schools Will Be Lasting Legacy

When the Pope speaks about Catholic schools, you don't put the remarks in a ranked list. Catholic educators, especially those serving in K-12 Catholic schools, will never forget Pope Benedict's encouraging words and pastoral visit.