Service That Speaks!
Director's Corner
Merry Christmas!
Throughout the year, our schools are guided by a deep commitment to faith, service, and care for one another. But during the Christmas season, these values take on even greater meaning. As the days grow colder and the nights grow longer, it is the warmth of our hearts—and the love God has for each of us—that we are called to share with others. These acts of service—whether large or small—reveal the very best of who we are as people when we live our faith with intention and purpose.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us continue to carry the same spirit of compassion, stewardship, givingness, and care into the new year ahead. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every student, staff member, family, and community partner who continues to serve with such generosity. May the peace, hope, and joy of Christmas fill your hearts and your homes always.
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Yours in Catholic Education,
Morris Hucal
Director of Education
2025 Christmas Artwork Contest 🎄
As in past years, we invited all students, Kindergarten to Grade 12, to submit artwork for our annual Christmas cards. Students were very enthusiastic as we received over 50 submissions! With so many wonderful art pieces to choose from, the selection process was challenging. We ultimately chose three designs this year from three schools. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all those who submitted!
- Elementary: Juan John Thazhekadon – Holy Trinity
- Grade 7/8: Maryse Tano – Marymount Academy
- Secondary: Ravi Aguilar – St. Charles College
Threads of Faith & Service: Knitting Hope & Healing at St. Albert
Kicking off our blog with some excitement, I’m proud to announce that St. Albert Learning Centre has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Michael Monk Award from the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario, receiving a $4,000 grant to support an innovative, faith-centred student initiative.
Launching in January 2026, Threads of Faith & Service will invite students to knit handmade blanket squares that will be assembled and donated to patients receiving treatment at the Northern Cancer Centre—offering warmth, comfort, and a heartfelt reminder that they are not alone. Inspired by the late educator Richard Pelland, the program blends service, creativity, and compassion while supporting student well-being and leadership.
“This is a tremendous honour… and our second year in a row receiving this distinction,” shared Principal Christina Raso. “We can’t wait to bring this initiative to life and partner with our community to comfort and uplift others.”
Through partnerships with Christ the King Church, Sweet Yarns, and local seniors, this meaningful project reflects St. Albert’s ongoing commitment to service, stewardship, and living faith in action.
Moustaches With a Mission!
Bishop Alexander Carter’s Movember Campaign Celebrates 3rd Anniversary
The Annual Movember campaign at Bishop Alexander Carter was a powerful example of how fundraising and volunteering can unite a school community, spark meaningful dialogue, and support critical health initiatives — all while having a little fun along the way.
Now in its third year, the campaign — led by Grade 9 Business teacher, Patrick Lezun — continued to grow as a fun, meaningful, and impactful school-wide tradition. Thanks to Mr. Lezun’s leadership and the enthusiastic support of staff and students, the school proudly surpassed its $1,000 fundraising goal, raising an impressive $1,250 in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (Northeast Cancer Centre).
“It’s always been important to make this fundraiser engaging for students, while helping them understand why the cause matters. When students are excited to participate, the learning and impact both grow.”
– Patrick Lezun
Male staff members committed to not shaving for the month, with fundraising milestones unlocking creative moustache transformations along the way. One teacher pledged to shave their head if the goal was reached, while several others — including Mr. Lezun — agreed to shave their beards at school in celebration of the community’s achievement. This year, female staff also joined the fun, proudly wearing fake moustaches in a show of solidarity.
Beyond the humour and excitement, the campaign opened the door to meaningful discussions about cancer awareness, men’s health, and mental health — both in classrooms and throughout the community. Students also demonstrated remarkable generosity, with several contributing more than $50 each to support the cause.
The campaign culminated in a cheque presentation at the school’s December pep rally, where staff followed through on their bold pledges and the school celebrated the collective effort that made this year’s Movember initiative a memorable success.
Sudbury Catholic Student Senate Supports Pop-Tab Initiative
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) Student Senate continues to lead with service through its ongoing support of the pop-tab collection initiative led by local philanthropist and Deluxe Hamburgers owner, Billy Zografopoulos, in support of the Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation. Over the past decade, this small-but-mighty initiative has collected more than 38,000 pounds of pop tabs, raising nearly $20,000 to help purchase lifesaving handheld ultrasound devices for the ICU at HSN. Since unifying the effort as a Board-wide campaign in 2022, Sudbury Catholic secondary schools have proudly supported this meaningful cause each year.
“We are deeply grateful for Billy’s ongoing generosity and commitment to our community,” shared Student Trustees David Akero and Lily Yeomans. “We also extend our sincere thanks to the Student Senate members whose dedication makes these initiatives possible.”
The Student Senate will once again launch its Can Tab Campaign in December, continuing to support local healthcare while also expanding its focus on environmental and community-based initiatives. Pop tabs can be dropped off year-round at Deluxe Hamburgers on Regent Street.
Food Drive Frenzy
Food drives are a cornerstone of many giving initiatives across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board—and for good reason. The holiday season offers a meaningful opportunity to support local food banks at times when the need is greater than ever. According to the HungerCount by Food Banks Canada, in March 2025, there were nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks in Canada — the highest number in history. This unprecedented level of usage is consistent with record-high rates of food insecurity.
We are proud to share a few highlights from food bank and food drive initiatives that have taken place across Sudbury Catholic Schools this year.
St. James School Gives Thanks Through Record-Breaking Food Drive with Knights of Columbus
After celebrating 19 remarkable years of giving through their annual Terry Fox Fundraiser this fall—raising an incredible $5,151.25—St. James School had no intention of slowing down its commitment to helping others. This past Thanksgiving season, St. James Catholic School partnered with the Knights of Columbus to hold their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Thanks to the generosity of students, families, and staff, more than 4,000 non-perishable food items and over $750 in cash donations were collected — a record-breaking year for the school.
Donations were delivered and blessed at the church before being distributed to families supported by the Walden Food Bank, whose shelves were nearly empty ahead of the holiday. This meaningful initiative reflected the true spirit of Catholic education, showing students firsthand how faith, service, and compassion can make a lasting difference in the community.
Immaculate Conception School Community Doubles Food Drive Goal
Immaculate Conception Catholic School once again demonstrated the power of faith in action during its annual Canned Food Drive in November, in support of local families through St. Vincent de Paul at St. Kevin’s Parish. Launched during the school’s Pilgrims of Hope Walk on November 10, the goal was to collect 1,000 food items—but the Cougar community more than doubled it, donating an incredible 2,350 items.
Leading the effort were Mrs. Bradley’s Grade 6 students, who proudly gave their time at recess to collect, count, and organize donations—demonstrating outstanding leadership and service.
“Our food drive is always a tremendous success thanks to the kindness of our Cougar families. Our Grade 6 students take great pride in their leadership role, and it’s a beautiful way to begin the season of giving.”
— Mrs. Bradley
“It’s great helping those who need it most.” — Max Carter
“I love to help make someone’s Christmas special.” — Vaughn Paradis
40 Years of Giving: St. Charles College’s Legacy of Service
This year marked an extraordinary milestone for St. Charles College as the school proudly celebrated the 40th Annual Canned Food Drive in support of the Sudbury Food Bank. What began four decades ago as a simple act of service has grown into a powerful tradition of compassion and community leadership.
Over the past 40 years, the Sudbury Food Bank estimates that St. Charles College has donated more than $821,000 and approximately 5.2 million non-perishable food items—a remarkable legacy built through the efforts of generations of Cardinals.
“The Sudbury Food Bank was built by the citizens of Sudbury, for the citizens of Sudbury. Partnerships like this one show what’s possible when a community comes together. St. Charles College is one of our largest supporters at this time of year. We simply couldn’t do this work without them.”
— Dan Xilon, Sudbury Food Bank
While the drive has evolved over time, its spirit has remained the same: students helping neighbours in need. From door-to-door canvassing and grocery store collections to partnerships with feeder schools and community events, SCC students have consistently shown what it means to lead through service.
This year’s campaign partnered with Holy Trinity and continued that proud tradition in a big way, raising $17,515 in monetary donations and 109,813 non-perishable food items—a powerful reminder that even in challenging times, the Sudbury community steps up for one another.
Teacher and SCC alumna Jessica Demore reflected on the meaning of the milestone:
“I participated in the Canned Food Drive as a student, and now I get to bring that same passion to my students—alongside my own son, who now walks these same halls. It’s incredibly special.”
A heartfelt thank you is extended to teacher moderators Mrs. Jessica Demore, Mrs. Jennifer Humphrey, and Mrs. Amanda Montgomery, along with the dedicated members of the Student Leadership Committee, whose commitment makes the drive possible year after year.
As St. Charles College celebrates 40 years of giving, the school honours not only this year’s incredible success, but the lasting impact of a tradition that continues to shape compassionate, community-minded leaders.
“Being part of something bigger, especially in my last year at SCC, has been really meaningful. Getting involved in school traditions and volunteering makes you feel like what you’re doing actually matters. My advice for future students is to volunteer when you can, be part of your school, and give back — it’s something I know I’ll continue doing moving forward.”
— Kashton Martin, Grade 12, St. Charles College
Here’s to 40 years—and many more still to come.
Bears Leading the Way: A Pantry Full of Hope
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School is proud to share the incredible success of its annual Bears Food Drive, which raised an impressive $28,256.55 in support of the Sudbury Food Bank. This remarkable achievement reflects the power of student leadership, collaboration, and generosity in action.
Led by teacher Emi Mardero and Educational Assistant Michelle Dey, the initiative inspired students to learn about the importance of giving—especially during the Christmas season. Through classroom conversations, friendly competitions, and daily encouragement, students were reminded that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference for families in need.
A highlight of this year’s drive was the collaboration with St. Francis, St. David, and Holy Cross. St. Benedict students took on leadership roles by visiting elementary schools to promote the drive, inspiring younger students to get involved and contribute with pride.
The experience extended beyond school walls, as students volunteered at Messier’s Independent and Chris’ Independent, bagging groceries and collecting donations from the community. Their enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated the impact students can have when they come together to serve others.
“I am deeply grateful to our dedicated staff, our amazing students, supportive families, and generous community partners. Together, we have truly lived our faith by reaching out to those in need and sharing the spirit of hope and kindness. This compassion and commitment remind us that the greatest gift we can give is our faith in action.”
— Mrs. Belanger, Principal
Communities of Kindness
St. David Staff Volunteer at the Festival of Lights
Alongside preparations for the school’s annual Christmas Feast, a cherished tradition that brings students together in celebration, St. David staff stepped up beyond the school walls to support of the Festival of Lights at Science North. While at the festival, St. David staff members volunteered their time and encouraged donations to the Sudbury Charities Foundation, which supports the Ten Rainbows Foundation—one of the generous sponsors of St. David’s Christmas Feast.
People who attended the Festival of Lights on the evenings of November 28, December 6, and December 13 between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. spotted some familiar St. David faces on site collecting donations and sharing the joy of the season through service.
Through their generosity, time, and leadership, St. David staff continue to model compassion and stewardship for students—showing that the true meaning of Christmas is found not only in celebration, but in giving to others.
🎬 – Brandon Antonioni
Marymount Academy Leadership Students Bake for a Cause
Students in Mrs. Gattoni’s Leadership class at Marymount Academy are making a meaningful difference through their community outreach project in partnership with Go Give, a local non-profit organization supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in Sudbury. Driven by compassion and a desire to serve, students Ellie, Mabel, and Abi took the lead in organizing a highly successful bake sale, rallying a team of volunteer bakers from across the school community.
Thanks to the generosity of the school community, the bake sale raised $800, which will be used to purchase everyday necessities and create care baskets for individuals experiencing housing insecurity.
“It feels really good knowing that something as simple as a bake sale can make a real difference for someone in our community,” shared students.
St. Charles’ Giving Tree Brings the Spirit of Giving to Life for Families in Need
St. Charles Catholic Elementary School continues to live out the values of stewardship, compassion, and community through its annual Giving Tree program. This meaningful initiative brings families and staff together to support members of their school community who may be experiencing financial hardship during the holiday season. Over the past several years, the Giving Tree program has been a wonderful learning initiative that highlights how those in need are not always who we expect — they could be right beside us, and we may not even realize it.
Donations collected through the Giving Tree are used to purchase toys, clothing, and grocery items for families in need within the school community. Each contribution—big or small—helps ensure that every family feels supported, valued, and cared for.
“The Giving Tree teaches our students that someone in need may be closer than we realize,” said principal, Christine McCracken. “It reminds us that hardship isn’t always visible, but that true compassion means reaching out to one another with empathy, dignity, and care.”
Sweet Acts of Stewardship at St. Paul Catholic School
This December, Mme Hayes’ Grade 2/3 French Immersion class at St. Paul Catholic School is spreading kindness through a heartfelt Candy Gram fundraiser in support of local seniors in need.
From December 8–16, students, staff, and families can purchase Candy Grams for $1 each—each including a small treat and a personalized message. With posters in French and English, daily announcements with Mr. Radey, and student helpers coordinating delivery on December 17, students are leading every step of this initiative.
All proceeds will go toward purchasing warm essentials, holiday treats, and care packages for seniors in our community. The final total will be announced at the school’s Christmas Concert on December 16.
Through this simple but powerful act of giving, St. Paul students are living out the true meaning of stewardship—showing that small gestures can make a big difference.
Community Partners in Faith
Thank You, Knights of Columbus!
Sudbury Catholic Schools are deeply grateful for the continued generosity and faithful service of the Knights of Columbus, whose long-standing partnership with our Catholic schools supports students and families in many meaningful ways throughout the year. In 2024/25, they impacted our schools through variety of initiatives including:
- Coats for Kids Program
- Shrove Tuesday Celebrations
- Annual Basketball Free Throw & Hockey Shootout
- Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
- Youth Retreat Support
Through every coat donated, meal served, competition hosted, and faith initiative supported, the Knights of Columbus continued to make a profound difference in the lives of our students. Thank You, Knights of Columbus! We are sincerely thankful for your unwavering generosity, time, and commitment to our school communities.
Conclusion
These stories represent just a small glimpse of the generosity, leadership, and faith in action that take place across Sudbury Catholic Schools year after year. While the Christmas season invites us to pause and place a special emphasis on giving, true leadership is lived daily—through showing up, serving others, and caring deeply for our communities in every season. Giving is about more than dollars raised; it is about offering our time, our compassion, our love, and our presence. When we give of ourselves in these ways, we not only strengthen those around us—we allow the love of Christ to move through us, shaping hearts, building community, and making God’s presence visible in the world. May this season remind us that when we give freely and live faithfully, we receive something far greater in return.
Merry Christmas and God’s blessings in the New Year.
