As a Catholic school board, we are called to live out the Gospel message of love and service to others. One way we do this is by encouraging our community to regularly engage in community service and social justice activities. These initiatives provide us with opportunities to put our faith into action and to make a positive impact on the world around us. We have much to be proud of, as we witness our students and staff come together in service to others and to make a difference. Whether it is volunteering, donating, or bringing awareness to important issues, Sudbury Catholic Schools always go above and beyond to find new approaches to giving back. It is my pleasure to share with you examples of our community’s charitable and faith-based endeavours in our following blog, “Faith in Action at Sudbury Catholic Schools.” 

We Are Many, We Are One – OCSTA Video Contest

We are proud to support the growth of our students by offering opportunities to showcase their faith in different ways. Once again, OCSTA launched their annual Short Video Contest that celebrates the Catholic Education Week theme for the year – We are Many, We are One.

This year’s theme provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how the life of Jesus Christ and acts of Christian service help define our Catholic schools’ identity. Engaging in charitable initiatives not only has a significant impact on the communities we serve, but it also helps reinforce how we can support our faith together as a family and as individuals. Grade 7 students at Marymount Academy in Ms. Dutrisac’s class emphasized this theme in their video submission highlighting some of the unique acts of Christian service that give witness to their faith. Watch their beautiful video below! 

Annual Giving Campaigns

As a school board community we work with charities each year to give back to those in need. Participating in regular, annual initiatives has been a valuable way for students to grow as leaders in both learning and faith, and helps to foster a sense of purpose, connection, and meaning within our school communities. As students and teachers come together to support a common cause, their united efforts create a positive and supportive school culture and help to build a sense of shared purpose and meaning. The organizations our school board community regularly supports this time of year include:

• Salvation Army Toy Drive
• Sudbury Food Bank
• Fill a Crib Campaign for the Infant Food Bank
• TD Toy Drive
• Christmas Cards for Veterans
• CTV Lions Children’s Christmas Telethon
• Local Parishes
• Junction Creek

St. Charles College Cards Collect over 100,000 Cans for the Sudbury Food Bank

Each year, the staff and students at St. Charles College work together to support the Sudbury Food Bank through their annual Fall Canned Food Drive. St. Charles College is proud to announce that they have once again pushed the envelope having collected 101,402 cans and raised $16,143! 

The Sudbury Food Bank relies heavily on the staff and student’s generosity to help meet the growing needs in our community. Year after year, students canvass neighbourhoods, bag groceries and complete in-school fundraisers to help support the local food bank.

“Helping out with the SCC canned food drive is a fantastic way to serve our community. It feels good to help. It was also fun collecting cans with fellow Card classmates. Not only did I help my community, but I have memories that will last a lifetime,” said Alexis Texeira, Grade 11 student at St. Charles College.

Holy Trinity Families Fill a Crib for Local Children this Christmas

Holy Trinity school collected essential items to help local children in the Infant Food Bank “All I Need for Christmas Campaign”. The Infant Food Bank is a non-profitable charitable organization funded through individual donations and food cards from the Sudbury Food Bank.

“These contributions help families in need in Sudbury and is a beautiful way our Red Bird family can give back and make a difference for others. It also helps our students develop a stronger sense of spiritual purpose and connection to their faith and can provide opportunities for them to grow in their understanding of what it means to be a person of faith in the world.” – Liane Proulx, Holy Trinity Vice Principal

St. Benedict Students Host Hockey Buyout for TD Toy Drive

In December, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School created a fun way to support the annual TD Toy Drive. The school, under the guidance of Ms. Mardero organized a hockey buyout for students, which successfully raised $1200. In addition, the school collected 526 toys that will be distributed through the Salvation Army to families in need this holiday season.

In addition to the TD Toy Drive, the proceeds raised from this hockey buyout will also go toward The Downie Wenjack Fund. The goal of the Downie Wenjack Foundation is to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. At the event, it also provided a meaningful opportunity where St. Benedict hockey team players added the symbol for the Downie Wenjack Foundation on their jersey as a pledge to be actively involved in reconciliation.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Celebrate Advent!

During Advent, Sudbury Catholic Schools hold various activities and events to help students prepare for the celebration of Christmas. These include prayer services, special lessons on the meaning of Advent, and opportunities for students to engage in acts of service and charity. These activities are meant to help students focus on the spiritual aspect of the season and prepare their hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus. Below are some examples of activities we have seen at schools this year.

St. David Community Gathers Together for Advent Mass

The students and staff of St. David Catholic School were warmly welcomed at Christ the King Parish to celebrate the second week of Advent with a mass. A huge thank you to Deacon Roland and Father Raymond for their warmth and generosity and for always ensuring that our students feel invited to actively participate in our Catholic faith. Classes also completed Nativity artwork to present to Deacon Roland and Father Raymond on this occasion.

Pius XII Combine Creativity and Environmental Responsibility

The Upcycle Club at Pius XII School celebrated Advent by creating egg carton wreaths and geodes. The Upcycle club uses gently used or recyclable materials in activities to help their school community learn how they can reuse to create other items! It was a great way for students to act as stewards of the Earth and give back to the environment this Christmas. 

St. James Students Spread Cheer at Elders Brunch

In the spirit of “Giving Back” the St. James Ojibwe Language students along with their teacher Tina Trudeau and Indigenous Support Worker Jessie Gorman brought the Christmas Spirit to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Elders Christmas brunch earlier this month. What began as a simple Christmas Card making activity, deepened into a full act of service to community thanks to the outreach of the school Indigenous team. The students in grades 3-8 assisted the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Diners Club with table set & decoration, greetings and welcomes, and even contributed by making fresh and healthy yogurt parfaits to be served up. The Bears assisted the Elders with making their plates and handing out desserts. All hands were on deck when it came time to clean up and take down! 

The students got to mingle and chat with various Elders and truly live the meaning of Christmas by giving back. The students experience allowed them to appreciate Indigenous Culture by honouring the Elders and building and strengthening “Community Connection”.

Chi Miigwech to Atikameksheng for allowing the St. James Ojibway Language staff and students into your space and Chi Miigwech to the St. James students for an excellent job, NIISHIN!

2022 Christmas Card Contest Winners

Each year, we invite students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to submit artwork to complete our annual Christmas cards. This contest combines creativity and Catholic faith to help our young leaders in learning and faith share their creative gifts with our community. Below are this year’s spectacular submissions:

Closing Message

As a Catholic school board, participating regularly in charitable initiatives is an essential part of our faith journey. It allows us to put our beliefs into action and make a real difference in the lives of others. Whether it’s through volunteering in a food drive, participating in a social justice campaign, or simply offering a kind word to someone in need, every act of charity is a step towards building a better world. Participating in charitable initiatives is not only a way to fulfill our obligations as Catholics, but it is also an important part of personal growth and development. So let us embrace the call to serve and make a commitment to participate regularly in charitable initiatives as we look forward to a new year ahead. Together, we can make a positive impact on our communities and bring the love of Christ to those who need it most.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic community, we wish everyone a joy filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends and many blessings in 2023. To wrap up this blog, the Board has created a short video, capturing the true spirit of Christmas at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Finally, we wish everyone a safe and happy new year and look forward to welcoming our families back in 2023!