Catholic Education Week 2026
May 3 – May 08, 2026
Each year during Catholic Education Week, we join together with Catholic communities across Ontario to celebrate the gift of publicly funded Catholic education. This year’s theme, “Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope on the Path to Holiness,” invites us to journey in faith, guided by the hope we find in Christ, and to walk together in love, resilience, and purpose.
This year’s theme is grounded in the scripture passage:
“As God who called you is holy, be holy yourselves.” (1 Peter 1:15–16)
As pilgrims of hope, we recognize that our path is rooted in faith, shaped by learning, and directed toward service. Through prayer, reflection, and community, we are reminded of the role Catholic education plays in nurturing the hearts and minds of students, staff, and families.
Throughout the week, schools across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be marking the occasion with special events and activities that reflect this year’s theme. These may include school liturgies, classroom reflections, acts of kindness, artistic displays, and service projects that express our shared mission.
The daily sub-themes for Catholic Education Week 2026 are:
- Monday: Peace be with you
- Tuesday: God loves you
- Wednesday: Christ saves you
- Thursday: The holy spirit lives in you
- Friday: Together on the journey
We encourage families and community members to take part in the celebrations and to reflect on the enduring value of Catholic education in nurturing faith-filled, hopeful, and compassionate citizens. Together, let us walk forward as pilgrims of hope.
Public Celebrations
Planned province-wide activities include:
Catholic Education Week Mass
We are all invited to celebrate a Catholic Education Week Mass scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 am. You are invited to participate “virtually” in this celebration of the Eucharist.
CEW Mass Livestream
Ontario Catholic Student Youth Day
May 6, 2026 at 9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Hosted by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), this province-wide event features inspiring keynote speakers and interactive virtual workshops designed to empower our next generation of leaders.
Resources for Catholic Education Week:
Catholic Education Week Resources are available on the following website and include:
- Electronic Prayer Card in both English and French
- Catholic Education Week Song audio and lyric sheets in English and French and sheet music
- Catholic Education Week Video
- Daily lesson plans
- Secondary & Elementary Prayers
- CEW Logos
- CEW 2026 Poster
Elementary Book List
The Elementary Book List: These books are linked to the daily lesson plans provided by OCSTA for teachers in grades 1 – 8. You may consider purchasing these books for your schools and book rooms. Online read-alongs are available for the following books:
| Daily Theme | Book |
| Day 1: Peace be with you | Say Something by Peter H. ReynoldsRead Aloud |
| ISBN: 9780545865036 | |
| Day 2: God loves you | Mostly What God Does Is Love You by Savannah Guthrie Read Aloud |
| ISBN: 9780310160281 | |
| Day 3: Christ saves you | The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt Read Aloud |
| ISBN: 9780745917436 | |
| Day 4: The Holy Spirit lives in you | The Invisible String by Patrice Karst Read Aloud |
| ISBN: 9780316570879 | |
| Day 5: Together on the Journey | Growing God by Karen Kiefer No Read Aloud – Book Trailer |
| ISBN: 9781640609082 |
