December 20, 2019

Strengthening our Community

In December, we celebrate the virtue of patience as we wait for the arrival of Jesus. We light our advent candles with anticipation, recalling the journey that Mary and Joseph experienced as they reached Bethlehem to fulfill God’s plan.

December is also a time of giving back to those in our community that are in need. It is a time to be grateful for what we do have, and to strengthen the community around us.

We are called to strengthen our faith-based, inclusive and equitable community. Our staff and students live out this pathway year after year through their various community projects and fundraisers. During this past month, there were numerous examples of this pathway in action.

Celebrating the Advent Season

Staff and students across the system celebrated the Christmas season by taking part in various advent celebrations!

Students at Holy Trinity School visually demonstrated the themes of hope, peace, joy and love.

St. Paul School gathered as a school community to celebrate the advent season in a mass led by Father Celestine.

Father Celestine leads a Mass at St. Paul School.

Holy Cross School holds an Advent celebration.

For their Christmas campaign, staff and students at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S are collecting “wellness items” for the CMHA Off the Street Emergency Shelter campaign. Father Ken Gauthier helped celebrate mass and delivered a beautiful message about joy and the importance of knowing Jesus.

Father Ken Gauthier brought the Bishop Alexander Carter community together in an Advent Mass.

Father Dennis presided over a mass at St. Charles College where staff and students came together to celebrate and reflect.

St. Benedict Students Complete Another Successful TD Toy Drive

St. Benedict students have once again demonstrated the Catholic School Graduate Expectations by giving back through their annual TD Toy Drive. The Bears brought in over 600 toys throughout the Advent season which will be given to families who are in need of extra holiday cheer!

The toys will be delivered to the Salvation Army who will distribute the toys. St. Benedict school has participated in the Toy drive initiative for many years. Staff and students always look forward to contributing to the cause and continuing to grow the numbers.

Way to go Bears!

St. Benedict Student Council organizes the collected toys along with representatives from Salvation Army.

Marymount Students Prove They Have Warm Hearts!

Students at Marymount Academy braved the cold temperatures to participate in the Warm Hearts for Warm Soup initiative this month. The students and staff covered Elgin Street and formed a human chain to pass over 200 containers of soup to the Samartian Centre to help feed those in need.

“What a fantastic experience for Marymount Academy to come together with members of the downtown businesses to serve the most vulnerable members of our community. It was great to see all staff and students living out the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations!” said Principal Lori Holden.

“I am so happy that I was able to participate in this special event. I feel so good about helping others!” said Anna Weiler Grade 12 student.

Parent Council representative Shannon Morin was also thrilled to participate! “ I was honored to be part of the Warm Soup for Warm Hearts campaign. I am looking forward to participating again next year.”

The Student Senate Makes the Community of Sudbury a Little Warmer this Winter!

The Student Senate at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has helped make winter a little warmer for our community! Throughout the month of October, the Student Senate spearheaded a campaign to collect gently used winter coats in all sizes. The Senate, which is comprised of 15 secondary students, encouraged all schools to participate in this initiative.

Together, Sudbury Catholic Schools collected over 574 coats and winter accessories, surpassing last year’s number of 200 coats and winter accessories. Working with Derek Cashmore of Cooper Equipment Rentals, the coats will be donated to those in need throughout the Greater Sudbury community.

“The Student Senate are seen as leaders and innovators not only in their schools but across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” said Amanda Barry, Teacher Facilitator of the Student Senate. “They are truly difference makers and I am honoured to work alongside them year after year.”

“It was amazing to see our schools all come together and support such a wonderful cause,” said Ryan Scarpellini, Student Trustee and member of the Student Senate. “We are excited to continue to grow the campaign year after year and continue to make a difference in our community.”

The Student Senate helped to collect nearly 600 winter accessories and coats for those in need.

Inaugural Meeting Held

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held its annual Inaugural meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

At the meeting Michael Bellmore was re-elected Board Chair and Ray Desjardins was re-elected Vice-Chair of the Board.

“I am thrilled to be re-elected as Board Chair,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “It is inspiring to sit on a Board that encourages diversity, collaboration and leadership. I thank our Trustees for their continued work and guidance and look forward to continuing to work alongside them during this term.”

The meeting began with a mass which was officiated by Father Samuel D’Angelo. Board meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year at 6 p.m. and are open to the public.