Catholic Education Week 2016 will be celebrated this year from Saturday, April 30 th beginning with the evening Masses in our local parishes and ending on Saturday, May 7 th with the system staff retreat at Andy Lake Resort with Archbishop James Weisgerber as retreat director, speaking on the theme of opening the doors of mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation to all around us. Pope Francis has declared 2016 a Holy Year of Mercy as a way for the Catholic church to make more its mission to be a witness of mercy. The Holy Year began on December 8, 2015 when Pope Francis opened the Vatican s Holy Door to evoke in our hearts the need to be people of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation and will continue to be celebrated until November 20 th, 2016. The Catholic schools in our parish and across the province of Ontario will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly funded Catholic education. What we enjoy today is due to a history of sacrifice, perseverance, and the extraordinary work of bishops, sisters, priests, brothers, and lay men and women to build and preserve Catholic Education in the face of all forms of opposition political and legal.
Our responsibility is to protect, nurture, and ensure that this precious gift of Catholic Education is available to our children and grandchildren for years to come. This year s theme is Catholic Education: Opening the Doors of Mercy. There are five sub themes for each day of Catholic Education Week and they are aimed at helping staff and students to reflect and explore more fully God s heart of compassion and mercy, and our call to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful : Monday... Mercy that Welcomes Tuesday... Mercy that Loves Wednesday.. Mercy that Forgives Thursday... Mercy that Lives the Gospel Friday... Mercy that Rejoices We are truly grateful to OCSTA for all the wonderful resources they have provided. We invite you to participate in one or other of the school activities as your personal time or work schedule may permit. We hope to see many of you during our school activities and liturgical celebrations. If you have any questions or require further information, kindly phone the school.
École Ste Marguerite Bourgeoys (Tel. # 468-6618) Sunday, May 1 st / 2016 11:00 a.m. Mass at Notre Dame Church SMB/PJPII school/parish connection through ministries Monday, May 2 nd / 2016 Mercy that Welcomes Music Monday & SMB Festival of the Arts Highlights. 9:15 a.m. in the gym Tuesday, May 3 rd, 2016 Mercy that Loves * 9:00 a.m. 12:00 Grades 3 & 4 Retreat with Mme Froese/Mme Lundin/Mrs. Martineau Ukrainian Catholic Church * 1:40 p.m. 3:20 p.m. Junior Speeches in gym Wednesday, May 4 th, 2016 Mercy that Forgives * School wide activities led by Mme Sewell s Gr. 5 students, celebrating May the Fourth (of God) be with you Day * 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Book Fair * 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social & Spring Fling Flea Market & Book Fair Thursday, May 5 th / 2016 Mercy that Lives the Gospel * OPP Kids Grade 6 Games Day & Jump Rope for Heart Day * Portfolio Day Parents/Guardians are invited to view their child s portfolio * 9:00 a.m 3:00 p.m. Book Fair & Zumba in Gym, 2 nd Nutrition Break Friday, May 6 th /2016 Mercy that Rejoices * 12:05 p.m. Catholic Education Week Liturgy of the Word Prayer Service * 2:15 p.m. La Reine de la Récré (Mean Jean the Recess Queen) Theatrical Presentation in gym * Portfolio Day Parents/Guardians are invited to view their child s portfolio Sunday, May 7 th, 2016 * 8:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. System Staff Retreat at Andy Lake optional
St. Louis School (Tel. # 547 2829) Sunday, May 1 st / 2016 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Louis Church school/parish connection through ministries Monday, May 2 nd / 2016 Mercy that Welcomes * Bible Reading: Psalm 5:11 12 * Writing: Where do you find/see joy as you share your gifts? Tuesday, May 3 rd, 2016 Mercy that Loves * Book ripple Effect by Shawn Achor Discussion Wednesday, May 4 th, 2016 Mercy that Forgives * Think / Pair / Share Why does our attitude/actions have such an impact or make such a difference in living community? Thursday, May 5 th / 2016 Mercy that Lives the Gospel * Sharing in Groups comprised of students from JK to Gr. 6 (Wednesday s Question) * Book Fair all day Friday, May 6 th /2016 Mercy that Rejoices * Wisdom Gather * 2:25 p.m. CEW School Liturgy of the Word Prayer Service St. Louis gym Saturday, May 7 th, 2016 * 8:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. System Staff Retreat at Andy Lake.optional
Pope John Paul II School (Telephone # 467 8910) Saturday, April 30 th / 2016 3:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Family Swim at Kenora Recreation Centre Sunday, May 1 st / 2016 11:00 a.m. Mass at Notre Dame Church PJPII/SMB school/parish connection through ministries Week Long Activities: Monday, May 2 nd to Friday, May 6 th * Daily Catholic Education Week prayers & reflection * Foyer Music & Display: Opening Doors of Mercy faith based artwork/writing * Friends of the Earth classes pick up litter in our area to care for God s creation * Drive Away Hunger collecting non perishable foods * Student led Portfolio Days Come and see your child s portfolio * Student Council Spring Basket Raffle for those impoverished in our community & for school faith based projects Monday, May 2 nd / 2016 Mercy that Welcomes * 9:00 a.m. Opening Catholic Education Week Prayer Service * 8:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Books for Breakfast Families welcome! * 11:30 a.m. In school Speech Arts Competition Tuesday, May 3 rd, 2016 Mercy that Loves * 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Book Fair in Library * 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Faith by the Firelight Evening of Faith/Family/Friends Campfire Songs S mores... Arts & Crafts Entrepreneurial Adventure Fair items for sale Wednesday, May 4 th, 2016 Mercy that Forgives * 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Book Fair in library * 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Entrepreneurial Adventure Fair select classes Thursday, May 5 th / 2016 Mercy that Lives the Gospel * Faith Play Day led by Student Council * 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Evening with Sheldon Kennedy/Leading Child Welfare Advocate/CMHA
Friday, May 6 th /2016 Mercy that Rejoices * 11:30 a.m. Closing Catholic Education Week Prayer Service * Soup for the Soul Chicken noodle soup & crackers $2.00 * 1:45 p.m. J Factor Talent Show Saturday, May 7 th, 2016 * 8:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. System Staffs Retreat at Andy Lake optional
St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Telephone # 548-8282) Sunday, May 1 st, 2016 9:00 a.m. Mass at Notre Dame School/Parish connection through ministries Week Long Activities: Monday, May 2 nd to Friday, May 6 th * Contemporary music connected to the themes of the day being played over the PA prior to the second bell before school begins * Daily prayers read over the announcements * Various movies being played in chapel reflecting theme for the week Monday, May 2 nd, 2016 Mercy that Welcomes * Neighbourhood Trail Clean Up * Introduction of Doors of Mercy door decorating initiative Tuesday, May 3 rd, 2016 Mercy that Loves * Door decorating ongoing throughout the week * We are Silent Free the Children awareness campaign Wednesday, May 4 th, 2016 Mercy that Forgives * Mercy Bingo Activity (house challenge) * Matinee for elementary students Storied Thursday, May 5 th, 2016 Mercy that Lives the Gospel * School Pancake Breakfast * Doors of Mercy voting during lunch * Matinee for St. Thomas Aquinas High School students Storied * 7:00 p.m. Drama Performance Storied Friday, May 6 th, 2016 Mercy that Rejoices * Regular commitment to service at Agape Table * Build your own Sundae bar. Proceeds to initiative from Door Decorating Challenge * 7:00 p.m. Drama Performance Storied * Colour Run Saturday, May 7 th, 2016 * 8:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. System Staffs Retreat at Andy Lake optional * 7:00 p.m. Drama Performance Storied
St. John School (Telephone # 727-2365) Saturday, April 30 th / 2016 6:00 p.m. Mass at St. John the Apostle Church with ministries from school community Saturday, April 30 th to Saturday, May 7 th /2016 SJS Bulletin Board at St. John the Apostle Church Monday, May 2 nd to Friday, May 6 th /2016 * Parent Lighthouse Team * SJS celebrates teachers * Appreciation Week Thursday, May 5 th / 2016 * 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. SJS Leadership Day * SJS Kicks Off Crowdsourcing Friday, May 6 th /2016 * 11:30 a.m. School Liturgy of the Word Prayer Service SJS Gymnasium