Marymount Academy students have undertaken a 25 hour fast to promote this year’s theme, “ THIRST FOR JUSTICE.” The fast started this morning at 7:00 a.m. with students having their last meal together at the school. The students will not eat again until Friday morning, April 2, 2004 at 7:30 a.m. The purpose of the 25 hour fast is raise awareness about issues of injustice in the world.

Participants will spend this time together focusing on issues facing people in other parts of the world such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. Students recognize that people in these countries are thirsting not only for the basic necessities in life such as clean water but also education, health care and even the right to vote in elections. THINKfast is designed for youth from 16 to 25 years in age.

Trustees of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board began their accommodation review process at the January 20, 2004 meeting of the Board. Consistent with the direction given by the Trustees at their October 7, 2003 meeting for the 2003-04 accommodation review, there will no new consolidation of the schools within the Sudbury Catholic Board. The consolidation of St. James School and Our Lady of Fatima as per the Board decision of December 17, 2002 will proceed as planned in September 2004. Expansion of the St. James school is almost complete.

Trustees decided to review the realignment of the busing boundaries that will affect schools in the south end of the city. A decision regarding the boundary reviews will be made in April 2004.

NET Ministries, (National Evangelization Teams) is an international youth ministry that is committed to challenging young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. The NET group is unique in that it uses drama, music, games, small group discussion and large group encounters to present basic Gospel messages in an exciting and dynamic way. The National Evangelists Teams train 125 young adult volunteers, serve in 90 dioceses and facilitate over 1,500 retreats annually reaching out to over 100,000 young people. The NET team has spent the first 12 days of their tour presenting to four elementary schools, all Catholic High schools as well as two parish based retreats. Appearing in the above photo, (front row) the NET team #2 which includes members from all across Canada and Australia interact with Marymount Academy’s Grade 8 students at a retreat held at the Diocesan Centre recently.

Students at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School were recently honoured by The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179, Capreol, for their efforts in the Legion’s Literary Contest. Mr. Gerry Sorel, President Branch 179, and Mr. Brian Way, Past President and Legion Life
Member, congratulated all students who participated in the contest. Finalists in the competition received a certificate of appreciation from the Legion. Abby Skirten placed first with her poem, “Untitled,” Shawn Marcoux took second place for his poem, “Remember the Soldier’s Cry,” and Phil Bolduc placed third with, “We Remember,” in the Poetry
competition. Bryan Bazinet was awarded an Honorable Mention for his poem, “9/11.” Pictured in the above photo (L-R) are; Jimmy Watters, Shawn Marcoux, Bryan Bazinet, Mrs Waszczylo, Phil Bolduc, and Abby
Skirten.

St. Charles College will be exhibiting the religious artwork of Jason Flammini, a Grade 12 student at St. Charles College along with vestments and Church furnishings on Friday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the St. Charles school Chapel, 1940 Hawthorne Drive.

Jason Flammini began his artistic career at St. Charles College in Grade 9. Over the past four years Jason has created many beautiful and awe-inspiring pieces of artwork which have to be seen to be appreciated. Some of his artistic masterpieces include; the Last Supper, (done in Italian Renaissance style), (Cavaggio), Deacon’s Dalmatic, Cope, and a seventeen foot alter screen depicting the Annunciation as the central focus and many saints and believers paying homage to the Christian Faith. These and many other items will be on display for this show.

Jason will graduate from St. Charles College this June and plans to study art at the University of Ottawa. The main purpose of this event is showcase the work of one of Sudbury’s own, a fine young talent and a rising star.

For additional information please contact Deacon Steve Callaghan at St. Charles College, ph. 566-9605.

Peter Williams, (back left) master of ceremonies for the Art For Heart Billboard Contest and Mayor David Courtemanche, Honorary Chair, cheer on the students of St. Bernadette during a “fitness for heart demonstration” held at the school to kick off the event recently. Cardiologist Dr. Ron Baigrie, and superintendents of Education Rossella Bagatto and Brian Slychuck of the Sudbury Catholic and Rainbow District School Boards were also in attendance to celebrate the 5th annual Art For Heart Billboard Contest.

The contest runs from March 23rd to April 29th, and invites students to design a unique billboard that helps demonstrate what you can do to stay physically fit. The grand prize winning poster will be prominently displayed on a City of Greater Sudbury Billboard for three months. The school represented by the grand prize winner will receive 5 tricycles for the kindergarten class.

St. Charles College made their second annual appearance at the Kiwanis Music Festival in Sudbury this year and quickly established themselves as a leader in the performing arts. Under the direction of music teachers; Mrs. Stephanie Van Druenen, Mr. Carlo Pastre and drama teacher Mr. Mike Dagastino, students performed in 19 categories, winning a total of 2 double gold awards, 25 gold awards, and 2 silver awards. Major group performances included the Senior Stage Band, Senior Concert Band, Saxophone Quartet, Percussion ensemble, A Capella Quartet, and Junior Band. Several soloists also received awards in a variety of categories including voice, percussion, guitar, and speech arts. Kiwanis judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of performances exhibited by all the St. Charles College students.

In addition, a number of St. Charles students received a range of scholarships and awards presented at the Highlights Concert. The drama department received the Annette Watkins Memorial Scholarship and both the percussion ensemble and bands were awarded the Beverley LaPierre School Music Scholarship. Also in drama, Julie Falconi and Erin O’Reilly received the Beverley Lapierre School Music Scholarship, Brennan Chislette received the Gwen Robbins Award, while Seth Mann took home the Gaye Schmidt Memorial Award and Jacob Greene won the Steven Leonard Memorial for International Guitar. A number of St. Charles College students were recommended by the adjudicators to take part in the Provincial Music Festival to be held at McMaster University in Hamilton in the spring.

The annual Sudbury Regional Science Fair will be held in the 2nd floor Science Cafeteria, Fraser Building at Laurentian University, April 2 to 4, 2004. The fair is open to the public on Saturday, April 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 and on Sunday, April 4 from 12:00 to 1:30. Presentations will follow from 1:30 until 4:00. The event is a fun and educational way for families to support the great work of our local junior scientists.

The full itinerary follows:

Friday, April 2

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

– Registration in Fraser Auditorium Entrance

– Project setup -2nd floor, Science Cafeteria

Saturday, April 3

9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Judging takes place

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Open to the Public

Sunday, April 4

12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Open to the Public

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Presentations in the Fraser Auditorium

For more information please contact, Pauline Therrien at the Catholic Education Centre by phone at 673-5620 Ext. 405 or by email at therrip@scdsb.edu.on.ca.

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) will be holding its Annual Awards and Appreciation Night Ceremony on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at Sudbury Secondary School’s Sheridan Auditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Council for Exceptional Children is a non-profit organization that is committed to advancing the education of learners with special needs and to foster the professional excellence and personal growth of its members.

The evening ceremonies will be dedicated to recognizing those special students who have “gone that extra mile” despite their exceptionally. These students will receive a Yes I Can Award which consists of a certificate and a medallion. Two students selected will go on to receive Yes I Can Awards at the Provincial level from the Ontario Council for Exceptional Children in the fall. The Awards Night also recognizes outstanding school staff, parents and community people who work with these exceptional students by presenting them with Appreciation Awards. Peer Tutors are also recognized with the “Peer Tutor” Awards.

It promises to be an exciting evening especially for the exceptional students who have worked so hard and have earned to be recognized for their efforts. Entertainment is provided as well as refreshments after the award ceremony. For more information on the evening or on The Council for Exceptional Children, please contact Kim Taylor Horeck, President of Sudbury Chapter #503, Council for Exceptional Children at 673-5620 ext. 217 or by email at
taylork@scdsb.edu.on.ca.