Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Catholic Education Week (May 6-10)

Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education. This year’s celebration is entitled, “Catholic Education: We Are Called to Love” and will be celebrated during the week of May 5 – May 10

The five sub-themes for Catholic Education: We Are Called to Love are:

  • As people of hope
  • As people of faith
  • As people of mercy
  • As people of justice
  • As people of joy

Catholic Education Week 2024

Activities & Events Planned for Sudbury Catholic Schools: 

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Ontario to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic Education. There are always a variety of activities and events that Sudbury Catholic Schools have planned for this special week.

Board-wide activities involving families and students include:

May 6: Toonies for Tuition Day 

On May 6, schools are invited to come together to “fan the flame of hope” by dressing in bright colours like red, orange, and yellow to make Sudbury Catholic Schools shine bright for Catholic Education Week. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.

May 8: Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. His Eminence, Gerard Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines and President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

May 8: OCSY Day Conference

Secondary Students from Sudbury Catholic will participate in the 2024 Ontario Catholic Student Youth (OCSY) Day Conference. This event will also take place on May 8th and is being planned and coordinated by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association’s Catholic Board Council, with support from OCSTA. The 2024 OCSY Day Conference will be hosted virtually.

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 6-12 is Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. This year’s Mental Health Week is cantered on the healing power of compassion. #BeKind 

May 10: Wear Green for Children’s Mental Health Week

Schools are encouraged to wear green on Friday, May 10, to promote children’s mental health and show support for children with emotional disorders.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Secondary Students from Sudbury Catholic will participate in the 2024 Skills Ontario Competition. The Skills Ontario Competition will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre on May 6-7 followed by a closing ceremony on the 8th.

Love Rocks!

Classrooms will receive supplies to craft rocks adorned with inspiring messages to spread love, kindness, hope, and encouragement throughout the community for Catholic Education Week. Help us promote kindness and positivity within our community by sharing your Love Rocks with us on social media! Tag us @sudburycatholicschools #SCDSBLoveRocks

Hope Clouds Activity

On May 6th, the SCDSB Mental Health Team has organized an inspiring activity for schools centred around the theme of Hope. Students can craft their own “Hope Clouds,” reflecting on their aspirations and dreams. They will also consider actionable steps toward achieving these aspirations and identify sources of support.

OCSTA Resources

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.

Note: Resources are available in both English and French.

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24 marks the fourth 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 Fourth Sunday of Advent represents the Angel’s candle and symbolizes peace.

Advent Resources

The Jesse Tree

Best Advent Ever

Pray as you Go

Children’s Advent Calendar

Busted Halo

Second Sunday of Advent

December 10 marks the second 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 Bethlehem symbolizes Faith and Love.

Advent Resources

The Jesse Tree

Best Advent Ever

Pray as you Go

Children’s Advent Calendar

Busted Halo

First Sunday of Advent

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.

Advent Resources

The Jesse Tree

Best Advent Ever

Pray as you Go

Children’s Advent Calendar

Busted Halo

Pius XII Community Gives Generously Through Smile Box Campaign for Sudbury Women’s Centre

This year during Catholic Education Week, the focus is “We Are Many, We Are One”. To demonstrate this, students and families at Pius XII School donated new and unused toiletry items. Students in grade 5 and 6 decorated shoe boxes and filled them with these toiletry items. The “Smile Boxes” were then donated to the Sudbury Women’s Centre. 

“I am forever grateful to have so many students and families at Pius XII that were giving of their time and supportive of this initiative. It is very important to me for our students to understand how integral community partnerships can be,” said Amanda Schiafone, Grade 5/6 Teacher at Pius XII.

The Sudbury Women’s Centre was so appreciative to the community at Pius XII and the generosity they showed during this fundraiser!

“We are incredibly grateful for the many shoeboxes donated by Pius XII Catholic School this past week. Our clients have shared with us the impact these boxes have had on them. In particular, the various inspirational quotes and sayings in the boxes have left clients feeling cared for. We are so grateful for community partnerships such as these that provide our clients with dignity,” said Giulia Carpenter, Executive Director of the Sudbury Women’s Centre. 

Holy Cross Students Prepare for Catholic Education Week

It was “buddies day” at Holy Cross School ! In preparation for Catholic Education Week next week, classes decorated their own fish art. Like a school of fish, we are many, we are one! 🐠🎨

This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes: 

  • When we see
  • When we listen
  • When we reflect
  • When we learn
  • When we act

Catholic Education Week: We are Many, We are One

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes:

  • When we see
  • When we listen
  • When we reflect
  • When we learn
  • When we act

OCSTA Resources

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

Board-Wide Celebrations 

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.

Toonies for Tuition Day 

On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.

Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.

Holy Cross Students Learn About Forgiveness Through Collaborative Art Project

As we continue our journey through the Lenten Season, we have been reminded of the transformative power of FORGIVENESS.

Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School students had the chance to deepen their understanding of this vital lesson by exploring the story of Joseph and his coat of many colours alongside their classroom buddies. This unique experience not only allowed students to deepen their understanding of forgiveness but also to build meaningful connections with one another while working on an inspiring art project. We’re proud to see our students stepping up as leaders and embracing the values of compassion and empathy.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Welcomes Bishop Dowd for Ash Wednesday Service

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board began our Lenten Journey! We celebrated this occasion through prayer services led by our incredible parish partners. This year we also had the privilege of welcoming Bishop Thomas Dowd to our celebrations!

One of the highlights was a prayer service at Marymount Academy, where our Catholic Education Centre staff joined students to pray alongside Father Raymond, Deacon Roland, and Bishop Thomas Dowd. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Church of Christ the King, school organizers, families, and student volunteers who helped arrange this fantastic event and make it a success. We also thank all our Parishes for helping welcome lent together with our schools. It is a pleasure to have you celebrate with us in person once again!

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