Catholic Education Matters

The positive impact of Catholic post-secondary education is evident at Corpus Christi College and St. Mark’s College.  In this episode, host Troy Van Vliet chats with Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President of Corpus Christi College and Principal of St. Mark's College. An experienced post-secondary educator and administrator, Dr. Turcotte shares his insights on the unique offerings of these institutions, th...

Would you move your whole family for the right school? In this powerful conversation, host Troy Van Vliet sits down with Darren Watt and Jose Vargas—two dedicated parents and volunteers at St. John Paul II Academy—to explore why Catholic education is worthwhile. From their first impressions of the school,  to one family’s decision to relocate and get deeply involved in school leadership, they refl...

What does it take to build a Catholic high school from scratch—and why does it matter more than ever today? In this heartfelt episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Troy Van Vliet reconnects with his former teacher and the founding principal of St. John Paul II Academy, Michel DesLauriers. Together, they reflect on the leap of faith it took to launch the school, the stories of students trans...

Can faith and philanthropy work together to transform communities? In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Troy Van Vliet sits down with Tom Cooper, founder of City in Focus , to discuss his journey from Presbyterian pastor to devoted Catholic, his passion for serving the unchurched, and the transformative power of philanthropy in Catholic education. They explore the critical role of...

What does it take to design and build a brand-new Catholic high school from the ground up? In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Troy Van Vliet sits down with architect Mark Blackwood of Ekistics to discuss the incredible journey of bringing St. John Paul II Academy to life. From early feasibility studies to overcoming budget challenges and designing a space that fosters faith, comm...

Faith, growth, and transformation fuel Catholic Higher Education at Catholic Pacific College. This week, Troy Van Vliet sits down with Scott Roy, the acting president of Catholic Pacific College at Trinity Western University to explore his journey from trades to ministry and his passion for integrating Catholic formation within higher education. They delve into the innovative Catholic formation tr...

How do faith, education, and politics shape our society? Listen in as host Troy Van Vliet sits down with Brent Chapman , MLA for Surrey South, for a candid conversation about the role of Catholic schools, the challenges facing modern education, and the values that unite strong communities. Brent & Troy share personal anecdotes, insights into his political journey, and his vision for supporting...

Every Catholic school is a continuation of the mission of the church, to shape lives and build faith. - Father Augustine Obiwumma In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Troy Van Vliet sits down with Father Augustine who leads Star of the Sea Parish to discuss the vital role of Catholic education, the importance of building strong faith foundations in students, and the challenges of t...

What makes a thriving Catholic School? Discover the inspiring journey of building St. John Paul II Academy , as Archbishop J. Michael Miller and host, Troy Van Vliet discuss the vision, challenges, and triumphs. From shaping values and faith to fostering servant leaders, this episode highlights the transformative power of Catholic education and its role in preparing students for both academic succ...