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.
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.
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
In honour of International Day of the Girl, Marymount Students attended the ‘For Girls, by Girls’ conference on October 11 at Science North. The conference was designed for girls in Grade 6-8 and provided them with the opportunity to discuss the trades and technology and the various career options available to them.
Heather Walinga (left), Roselyn Urena-Tejada (middle) and Jade Goodson (right) participated on the panel discussion of the For Girls, By Girls Conference.
The conference included a blend of workshops and panel discussions. The keynote speaker was Kendra Liinamaa, a local welder who has completed various apprenticeships with Vale. The panel discussion was moderated by Danielle Robb, a millwright apprentice, and included Marymount students Roselyn Urena-Tejada, Jade Goodson and Heather Walinga. In addition, participants were allowed to participate in three different workshops. Workshop options included:
Boombox Kit Build, hosted by Skills Ontario (English)
Exploring the Skills Ontario Trade and Tech Truck (Bilingual)
Tools 101, hosted by Milwaukee Tool (English): Showcasing the latest Milwaukee innovation from hand tools to power tools including safety products.
VEX Code VR (bilingual), hosted by Michael Frankfort
Electrical Bugs (Francophone), hosted by College Boreal
Students left feeling inspired and motivated by the conference, and are eager to further explore their career options.
“I feel like I know more about jobs that I never would have considered before, “ Alana, Marymount Student
“I thought it was very hands on and interactive. I loved learning and being inspired by the women at the workshop“ Maddie, Marymount Student.
On Friday, October 14th, 2022, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is inviting students and staff from all sites to increase their civic responsibility by participating in a fall fundraiser that gives back to the local green space!
SCDSB Leaves of Changewill recognize climate change during the changing season, as well as provide a teaching opportunity for Indigenous Education and caring for Shkagamik Kwe (mother earth). On this day, students/staff are encouraged to wear fall colours (red, yellow, orange, green, purple, and/or brown) and donate a toonie, where possible, to support the continued efforts of the Junction Creek Stewardship Community in Sudbury. The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee is an integral part of the Greater Sudbury community, working to improve the health of the unique urban waterway that connects us all and to promote the livability and value of our natural environment.
The goal of the fundraiser is to help our community engage in civic and environmental responsibility by bringing attention to climate change and how we can protect the earth for future generations. Throughout the day and the month of October, students and staff are encouraged to make more sustainable efforts. This includes cleaning green spaces by picking up trash and litter, recycling, using a water bottle, etc.
October is also where we honour Binaakwe Giizis – Moon of Falling Leaves. As this event is taking place during Binaakwe Giizis – it also serves as an educational opportunity to understand, acknowledge and respect Indigenous perspectives on caring for Mother Earth (Shkagamik Kwe).
Why Are We Doing This?
As a school board, it is our responsibility to create opportunities to teach the importance of protecting the earth for future generations.Environmental degradation affects the health and well-being of all peoples of North America and the world in many ways. For instance, industrial contamination and disruption of wildlife habitats combine to reduce the supply and purity of clean drinking water, traditional foods, and medicines. In addition, environmental degradation erodes the quality of life dependent on the purity of the land, water, flora and fauna. Further, this disruption greatly affects Indigenous peoples culture, languages, spiritual health, and well-being along with the life of all living things. By participating in this fundraiser, we help our community engage in volunteerism and create hope through environmental restoration.
