December 03 marks the first Sunday of Advent for 2023. Together, we all await the birth of a baby boy, the light of the world, coming to transform us, so that we can transform the world. The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8th. The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season of Advent and are represented by the colour purple. During Advent it is fitting that we celebrate the virtue of patience, for we recognize that we are patiently awaiting Jesus’ coming.
Advent Prayer
Dear Lord,
Send down Your Spirit to guide me during Advent this year. May the Holy Spirit help me journey closer to You and lift me up when I feel down and led me when I feel lost. I may stumble at times, but I know my ultimate journey is to draw closer to You and build Your kingdom here on earth–a kingdom that Jesus’s birth, life and death helped secure.
Amen.
Candle The first Sunday of Advent represents the Candle of Prophecy and symbolizes Hope.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held its inaugural meeting on November 21, 2023.
During the meeting, both Michael Bellmore and Raymond Desjardins were re-elected to the roles of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful to be re-elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic School Board,” remarked Michael Bellmore. “The trust bestowed upon me by my fellow Trustees is both an honour and a responsibility that I embrace with enthusiasm. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with the entire board, the Director of Education, and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community as we pursue our mission of nurturing the minds, bodies, and spirit of all students within our Catholic community. I am excited to support and uphold the exceptional work happening in our schools, contributing to the growth of a resilient and vibrant Catholic education system.”
“It is an honour to have been re-elected as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” say’s Raymond Desjardins. “As I continue to be a steward of our school system it is important that all those of us in positions of leadership acknowledge the excellent work of our employees.”
The meeting began with a mass which was officiated by Father Rex Lumine. Board meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year at 6 p.m. and are open to the public. Please visit us at www.sudburycatholicschools.ca to learn more about our many programs and offerings.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to announce that 25 international students have joined the Board’s International Education program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
These students have come to Sudbury from China, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sudbury Catholic remains committed to providing our new students with a rich and authentic Canadian experience, fostering English language proficiency, and preparing them for success within our inclusive, compassionate, and innovative Catholic learning environment.
Currently, The Board’s international students are enrolled in the following schools:
Holy Cross: 1 Student
St. David: 4 Students
St. Benedict C.S.S: 11 Students
St. Charles College: 4 Students
Marymount Academy: 5 Students
International students and their host families were treated to a barbecue event held on September 28, 2023, at Marymount Academy to celebrate their arrival and extend a warm Sudbury welcome.
Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education expressed his enthusiasm at this event, emphasizing, “Our Board is excited and proud to welcome 25 extraordinary students from nine different countries into our school communities. Together with our staff and host families, we eagerly anticipate the connections we’ll forge with these students as they enhance their English proficiency, establish enduring friendships, and discover the rich tapestry of experiences Sudbury offers.”
Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, also shared his excitement, saying, “We are delighted to welcome students to the International Education program. Our program continues to expand as more schools across the Board welcome students into their communities. The Board of Trustees is honoured to support a program that embraces diversity, fosters connectivity, and promotes inclusion.”
The program’s success relies heavily on the generosity and support of local families who open their homes to international students. The Board is always eager to welcome more families to join the growing host family community at MLI Homestay. Interested families can contact Devon Crossgrove at dcrossgrove@mlihomestay.com or 705.507.8052.
International Heritage & Language Classes are back at St. Albert Learning Centre!
These programs are designed for children in Kindergarten to Grade 8 and provide the opportunity to speak, listen, write and read any international language, while learning about the culture and heritage associated with the language. This year, St. Albert is offering Italian, Yoruba, and Igbo. Register now!
Sudbury Catholic Schools are holding in-person Welcome to Kindergarten Nights. We’re thrilled to offer an in-person experience where you and your child can explore our schools, meet our dedicated Kindergarten Team, and participate in fun classroom activities. This event is not only an opportunity for your child and family to become familiar with their new school, but also a chance for us to warmly welcome you and your family to our SCDSB family. No matter if you’ve already registered or not, we invite you to attend and look forward to seeing you soon!
Attend a Welcome to Kindergarten Night
Below is a list of all the dates and details available for upcoming Welcome to Kindergarten nights at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Please contact the appropriate school for more information and to register.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.
The week will be divided into five sub-themes:
When we see
When we listen
When we reflect
When we learn
When we act
OCSTA Resources
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.
You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:
Board-Wide Celebrations
Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.
Toonies for Tuition Day
On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.
Catholic Education Week Mass
A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.
May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.
Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions
Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.
What a wonderful day for St Charles College students and staff as they celebrated the various cultures and diversity at the school by hosting their annual International Dessert Fair.
There were over 40 student booths with a variety of countries being represented. Students travelled to Nigeria, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Mexico, France, Canada, Brazil, China, Japan, Lebanon, Norway, Philippines, Honduras, Austria, Korea, Spain, Chile, Zimbabwe, Bahamas, South Africa, Germany, Tibet, India & Israel, and go to enjoy bite sized desserts from each country. School Principal Mr. Aaron Barry was blown away by the various desserts and booths, after spending the afternoon conversing with many students and learning about their culture & foods, he said he has definitely added a few places to travel on his bucket list.
The event was a huge hit raising funds for the Northern Cancer Foundation. The event was planned by the schools’ international clubs, student council, foods classes and the amazing teaching staff involved.
Registration is now open for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation.
When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
Address: 2993 Algonquin Drive
Carousel topics will include:
Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming. Click here to view our session descriptions!
Save the date for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation.
When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
Address: 2993 Algonquin | Sudbury, ON | P3E 6K2
Carousel topics will include:
Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming.
