As the joyful Christmas season unfolds, Sudbury Catholic Schools have taken center stage in spreading warmth and compassion throughout the community. Amidst the many heartwarming initiatives – faith, community, and the spirit of giving have certainly been visible throughout the school board. It is my pleasure to showcase some of the wonderful initiatives that have taken place during this time of year. 

We Are Called to Love – 2023 OCSTA Video Contest

At Sudbury Catholic Schools we take pride in nurturing our students’ growth and providing platforms for them to express their faith creatively. Once again, OCSTA has launched its annual Short Video Contest, aligning with the theme of Catholic Education Week – “We Are Called to Love.”

This year’s theme invited students to a gain a deeper understanding of how we exemplify God’s love through acts of Christian service that shape the identity of our Catholic schools. In their video submissions, students from St. Albert Learning Centre, Pius XII, and Immaculate Conception School explore this theme, showcasing school-based activities that bear witness to their faith and exemplify the power of love.  Their beautiful videos below are witness the profound ways in which they demonstrate love for one another.

Immaculate Conception

Pius XII

St. Albert

CEC Staff Raises $1,400 for Sudbury Food Bank

In December, the Catholic Education Centre (CEC) staff joined to support the Sudbury Food Bank. Many events were organized throughout the month to help staff reach fundraising milestones and to build community. They encouraged donations during CEC events like a Christmas breakfast, a Christmas Sweater Day, a delicious soup for lunch hosted by the second floor staff and many other opportunities.

A fundraising thermometer in the lobby, created by Charlie Large, a coop student from Marymount Academy, tracked their weekly progress. As the CEC met fundraising goals, incentives were provided for staff:

• $300 Raised – Candycanes for all
• $400 Raised – Hot chocolate for all
• $700 Raised – Baked goods prepared by the Senior Team
• $1,000 Raised – Christmas concert hosted by the CEC.

The efforts were successful, surpassing the initial goal of $1,000, with over $1,400 raised. 

It Takes a Community: St. Benedict’s Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Sets the Stage for Annual Food Drive Campaign

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School kicked off its first ever annual Food Drive on Thursday, November 30th, with a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser that emphasized the spirit of community, giving, and parental involvement.

Guided by the leadership of Mike Sipos, the school’s Foods/SHSM teacher, and Robert Pappin, the Faith Animator, St. Benedict’s students served over 250 delectable spaghetti dinners, resulting in a total fundraising amount of $2454.00. Every dollar raised during this event was donated to the Sudbury Food Bank, supporting St. Benedict’s ongoing dedication to volunteerism and civic responsibility by encouraging students to make a positive impact through charitable actions. 

The resounding success of the fundraiser was made possible by the unwavering support and generosity of the community. Local businesses, including Messier’s Independent Grocer, Regency Bakery, Vito Meats, the Caruso Club, and the Knights of Columbus rallied behind the cause by generously providing all the necessary food for the event, a demonstration of the collaboration between the Sudbury Catholic DSB and our community for a meaningful social impact.

Reflecting on the event, Grade 9 student Logan Ratelle shared, “Being part of this event was awesome! Serving the food we prepared that took our class two days, seeing the smiles on everyone’s face, made me very happy. Helping families at Christmas makes me very glad, so everyone will have a nice Christmas.”

Now almost a month later, St. Benedict is thrilled to report that their 1st Annual Food Drive raised $21 503.95 for the Sudbury Food Bank! The school is thankful to all of the students, parents, staff, community partners, from St. Benedict, Holy Cross, and St. David for coming together for this great cause! Looking ahead they are hopeful about continuing their tradition of community service and encourage everyone to actively participate in the Sudbury Food Bank Food Drive, ensuring a lasting impact on the less fortunate during the holiday season and throughout the year.

St. Charles College Raises Over $18,000 and 111,000 Cans for Sudbury Food Bank

St. Charles College is proud to announce the success of its 2023 Canned Food Drive, where the combined efforts of staff, students, and community members resulted in an impressive collection of $18,104 and 111,089 cans for the Sudbury Food Bank.

This annual fundraiser, organized by staff and students at St. Charles College, supports the Sudbury Food Bank’s mission of “reaching out to those in need with tangible food and support and ensuring that every person in the City of Greater Sudbury has enough to eat.” 

Throughout this fundraising campaign, St. Charles College students engaged in community service activities such as canvassing neighbourhoods, bagging groceries, and organizing in-school fundraisers. These initiatives not only significantly contributed to the Canned Food Drive’s overall success but also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose among students and staff. 

Principal Aaron Barry emphasizes the crucial role of the Sudbury Food Bank in the community, expressing immense pride in the dedication and passion demonstrated by the St. Charles College school community. He states, “Our annual Canned Food Drive is an eagerly anticipated event, and our efforts to engage both our school and local community for support continue to grow and evolve. I am immensely proud of our students and staff for their creativity, collaboration, and dedication to this important cause. Their efforts mean so much for others, and we hope this contribution will make a difference for many families this winter.” 

Alexis Texeira, Student Council President at St. Charles College, had the opportunity, along with fellow student council members, to present their cheque to the Sudbury Food Bank on Tuesday, December 5. “I am so honoured to be a part of this long-standing tradition that began in the 80’s and to help those in need. It was heartwarming to see our student body working together to feed our community.”

St. Charles College extends its appreciation to all contributors in the Sudbury community for their unwavering support. The school is committed to making a positive impact and encourages others to help alleviate hunger in the City of Greater Sudbury by donating to the Sudbury Food Bank. To donate, go to www.sudburyfoodbank.ca/donate/.

Bishop Gives Back to CTV Lion’s Christmas Telethon 

The Bishop Alexander Carter boys’ and girls’ hockey teams took center stage on Saturday Dec. 2^nd during the CTV Lion’s Children’s Christmas Telethon. Prior to their television appearance, the hockey teams engaged in a week-long fundraising effort, combining their efforts with a dress-down day that proved to be a game-changer.

Together, their charitable endeavors resulted in a commendable donation of $1000, dedicated to brightening the holiday season for local children. The teams express their gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause.

A Symphony of Smiles: Marymount Carolers Spread Holiday Cheer at Red Oak Villa

In the spirit of spreading joy, on December 18, Marymount Academy’s students visited Red Oak Villa to spread holiday cheer to the residents. Dressed in their winter clothes, the students sang Christmas songs with their beautiful voices, filling the air with festive tunes.

The residents at Red Oak Villa couldn’t help but smile as the young carolers shared the joy of the season. The event was a special moment for both the students and the residents, creating a heartwarming connection between generations.

The simple act of singing together reminded everyone that the holiday season is about coming together and spreading kindness. The students left Red Oak Villa with happy hearts, and the residents were left with a wonderful memory of a day filled with Christmas spirit.

Holy Cross Catholic School Joins Forces with St. Patrick’s Parish and SudburySocks.com in Sock Donation Drive

This winter, Holy Cross School partnered with St. Patrick’s Parish and SudburySocks.com to make a difference in the lives of those in need. The joint effort involves donating socks, a basic necessity, to support vulnerable individuals in Sudbury. 

As of Dec. 1^st, the school with the help of the parish was able to donate many socks for vulnerable individuals in Sudbury. 

This collaboration highlights Holy Cross Catholic School’s commitment to community service and compassion. The initiative, aimed at addressing the immediate needs of those facing challenges, reflects the school’s dedication to fostering empathy and unity among its students.

Commending Holy Cross Catholic School for their involvement, this initiative serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness can collectively have a significant impact. Way to go, Cubs!

St. David School’s Heartwarming Advent Celebration at Christ the King Church

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, St. David School recently attended a special Advent mass at Christ the King Church, hosted by the welcoming Sudbury Catholic Schools Christ the King Community. The event, attended by students, staff, and families, was a testament to the generosity and hospitality of the church community.

The sacred atmosphere of Christ the King Church provided the perfect backdrop for a shared celebration of Advent, fostering a sense of togetherness that left a lasting impression on all attendees. The warmth of the welcome extended to St. David School created a truly special and memorable experience for everyone involved.

St. David School expresses sincere gratitude for the kindness shown and the spirit of community. This genuine embodiment of the true essence of the season left a positive impact on the school community, and they eagerly anticipate future opportunities to come together in fellowship and celebration.

As the Advent season unfolds, St. David School extends warm wishes to everyone for a blessed and joyous season. Special appreciation is extended to Father Raymond and Deacon Roland for their contributions to making the event a meaningful and spiritually enriching experience. Here’s to fostering more moments of connection and celebration in the future!

2023 Christmas Card Contest Winners

Each year, we invite students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to submit artwork to complete our annual Christmas cards. Below are this year’s winning submissions:

We would like to congratulate all those who participated in our contest. Please see below a video highlighting all the wonderful submissions we received this year. Thank you to all those who participated.

As we navigate through this season of giving, Sudbury Catholic Schools stand as beacons of faith, community, and compassion, inspiring us all to make a positive impact on those around us. May the spirit of Christmas bring peace, hope, love, and joy to your heart, and throughout the year. On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we extend heartfelt blessings to you and your family. See you in 2024!