A Word of Thanks

ACE is a Eucharistic community, and we're mindful that "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving." The Thanksgiving holiday gives us a chance to pause and look back upon 2011 with deep gratitude to divine providence.

This was the year when we moved into our new home, enjoyed a weekend of memorable dedication events, launched Notre Dame's "Forum" series "reimagining" K-12 education, sent forth young teachers for service in classrooms for the eighteenth time, and welcomed a number of distinguished visitors.

• Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who visited with ACE on Nov. 19, on the day that he delivered the keynote address to a Notre Dame Forum event on "Educational Innovation and the Law." See Gov Christie's keynote address with video coming soon.
  
  
• Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who offered his blessing and words of encouragement in ACE's new home on Sept. 17, during the weekend of dedication celebrations.
  
  
• Gov. Bob McDonald of Virginia, whose keynote address in the rotunda of the Main Building on Sept. 16, offered a government leader's perspective on ACE during the weekend of dedication celebrations. See Gov. McDonald's speech about ACE and education, with an introduction by Father Scully.
  
  
• Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who presided at Mass for the dedication of ACE's new home on Sept. 16. Look back at the Mass and other dedication events. At this centerpiece of dedication events, Bishop Rhoades also made comments about ACE and hope for Catholic education. See the full comments by Bishop Rhoades about ACE and Notre Dame.
• Juan Sepulveda, director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, who served as our ACE Commencement speaker on July 9 and encouraged ACE's Catholic School Advantage efforts. Hear the address of Sepulveda to ACE, introduced by Father Scully.
  
  
• Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento, who presided at our Missioning Mass on July 22, inspiring educators in ACE Teaching Fellows and the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program.

Special thanks also go to the Sandner, Remick, and McGlinn families, who were so generous in making our new home possible. As always, the ACE community joins in thanking the men and women who daily work to sustain and strengthen Catholic schools, especially those with whom we've collaborated in ACE's many programs.

We ask the Lord to bless all our collaborators, benefactors, and friends. In summation, we proclaim the words of gratitude to God in the Eucharistic liturgy: "It is right to give Him thanks and praise." And in the new Missal: "It is right and just." Amen!