“It’s an important reality in the life of our whole community that I always want to take every opportunity to encourage those who engage in the great mission of Catholic education,” he told The Register.

Collins said schools can nurture the faith of Catholic schools in many ways, not just in its religious curriculum. They can also teach students about having an “attitude of faith and reverence for each person and a concern for people in the world who are in need and who we reach out to with the Gospel.”

According to the board, the initiative seeks to enrich the faith experience of students, parents and staff. The three-year cycle includes studying the Bible, especially the Gospel message, and its “prominence in the life of the faith community” in the first year, the board said in a statement. The second year would look at highlighting the ministry of worship. And its final year encourages the practice of community outreach and witness in light of the Catholic Church’s social justice teachings.

Geoff Grant, acting superintendent for the board’s downtown schools, said new Bibles will be given to each school as a symbol of the new initiative’s focus on the Gospels next year. He said the initiative builds upon the current religious education curriculum which highlights a Catholic virtue each month.

“What we’re hoping to do is to make the Scriptures come alive and having them converted into everyday action,” said Angela Gauthier, the board’s associate director for academic affairs.