St. Benedict students were treated to interactive presentations by award winning author Eric Walters, thanks to the Writer’s Union of Canada and St. Benedict staff. Students were entertained, but also came away inspired with several important messages. For example, when his first manuscript had been rejected, he stated that this only motivated him to keep writing. Walters now has more than 70 books published, which often contain the recurring theme of overcoming obstacles. The characters in his novels also encourage young people to make positive changes in the world. Walters too, is a role model for making a difference. While doing research in Africa, he encountered one of 500 orphaned children, which resulted in the Creation of Hope in Kenya. As a result of his visit, students and staff at St. Ben’s are now proud sponsors of this project.

Parents, principals, vice-principals and other Sudbury Catholic staff gathered at the board office on October 18 to come together as a catholic community to take part in the annual Parent Council Commissioning celebration. After a short prayer service, parent council members each contributed a small school banner which served as a puzzle piece which, when connected, created a cross that represented all of the Sudbury Catholic Schools. “The cross really shows how our schools are a part of a bigger picture – a sign of our faith,” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education said. “By coming together, our school communities are represented and we are responding to God’s call to journey together.” After the presentation of banners, the parent council chairs were blessed and asked that they work together with the schools towards the common goal of creating Sudbury Catholic Schools…Schools to believe in.

The grade 7/8 students at St. James Catholic school in Lively participated in a celebration of Thanksgiving, lighting candles in a symbolic gesture to thank God for providing them with what they need and sometimes granting wishes for things they don’t really need.

Recently students and staff at St. Mary Catholic School in Capreol had class in their pyjamas – all for a great cause. October 5, 2010 was designated as “Toonies for Tuition” day by the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association (CCSTA). Their endowment fund assists students in Catholic schools in provinces with little or no public funding with the cost of tuition. According to Marli Kicz, Student Trustee, although October 5 had been selected as the main celebratory day, school and individual donations will gladly be accepted by CCSTA until October 31, 2010.

When Rick Osborne was fourteen years old, he didn’t realize how much his life would change by connecting with the wrong people. After being bullied, Osborne decided to befriend people who tore his life apart. At this very young age, he was introduced to drugs and this turned into years of violence, crime and gangs. After making Canada’s Most Wanted List at the age of twenty and landing in jail at twenty-one for robbery and weapons charges, Osborne knew he was at a cross-roads in his life. Even upon his first release, he landed back in jail after six weeks. When back in, he contemplated suicide, but made the decision to not take his own life – even if it meant dying at the hands of another inmate. Osborne eventually began to turn his life around – entering rehab and then getting his first university degree while still incarcerated. After leaving prison a decade ago, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to talking to children and youth about the dangers of gangs, drugs and criminal activity. “Ozzy’s Garage” is a program in which Osborne works with disengaged youth in communities by inviting them to join him on a build whether it be a motorcycle or hotrod. This past summer, he was invited by the Sudbury Regional Police to partner with them on a bike build that took place at St. Albert Adult Learning Centre. Young adults were invited to the build where they met daily to assemble a brand new motorcycle. “It is not even about building the bike,” Osborne said. “That just gets them in the door. It is about the relationship building to breakdown barriers and then the conversations that begin to repair what is damaged, that is what is important.” At a special presentation to Sudbury Catholic Trustees on September twenty-first, Osborne spoke of the power of giving children a hands-on example of what can happen without romanticizing his experiences. “It always starts by just talking with kids, and then, once they feel comfortable, great conversations start from there.” Osborne will be visiting several Sudbury Catholic Schools over the next few days to continue to educate students on the real life dangers of drugs, gangs and violence.

The Facility Services Department at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board walked into the boardroom on Friday, September 17 to a chorus of cheers and claps as the surprise event marked their last day at the D’Youville location. Board office staff surprised the group with a buffet luncheon to celebrate the department and wish them well as they officially move to 199 Travers Street beginning September 20. Denis Faucher, Manager of Facility Services thanked all for the warm send off and remarked that this was not good-bye – “we are all still part of one family” and invited all to stop by to see the new location.

To contact facility services, the new phone number is (705)-674-1919 or fax (705) 674-7878.