Catholicity

 

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Theme for the 2023-2024 School Year

We are called to love / Appelés à aimer

"If we love one another, God lives in us." (1 John 4:12) / « Si nous nous aimons les uns les autres, Dieu vit en nous » (1 Jean 4:12)

2023-2024 Prayer

We are called to love

Monthly Virtues

Rooted in Jesus Christ, we cultivate enriching opportunities that will deepen faith.

We strive to live the values of Jesus and support one another in our efforts to transform the world.

We are a Catholic learning community that strives to provide an enduring education that reflects the essence of our Catholic traditions and we are guided by the Spirit on our journey.

We are called and committed to develop the full potential of each child and to nurture a personal relationships with Jesus.

We strive to reverence the dignity of each person as a child of God.

We celebrate God’s love in prayer, at Eucharist and in all sacramental moments of life.

Dedicated to excellence in education and the desire to live the values of Jesus, we strive to proclaim Christ’s message throughout the curriculum.

We affirm the sacredness of all life and respect for all creation and create sacred learning environments.

Together with family and Church, we mutually, invite, encourage and support one another.

We are called and committed to develop Catholic leadership and affirm the sacredness of life and respect for all creation

Prayers for the first week of school

As people of hope – Dans l’espérance

Good and gracious God,

As we begin this new school year, let us journey as people of hope.

Guide us to reflect your love in all we say and do.

May our hearts fill our hallways with kindness.

May our hands reach out to friends in need,

And may our voices echo your love and respect for one another.

We pray this in Jesus’ name, the One who brings us hope.

Amen.

 

As people of faith – Dans la foi

Loving God,

Thank you for the gift of a new school year and for bringing us together as people of faith.

As we learn and grow each day, fill our hearts with a spirit of gratitude, recognizing the blessings around us and sharing them with others.

As people of faith, we are called to love with all our hearts, minds and souls and to love our neighbours as ourselves.

Fill our hearts with empathy and kindness, that we may embrace differences and celebrate each person’s unique gifts.

We ask for your guidance and protection throughout this school year.

As we share the Good News of the Gospel with others, may our words and actions reflect the love that you have poured into our hearts.

We ask this in the name of Jesus who is love itself.

Amen.

 

As people of mercy – Avec compassion

God of mercy and love,

You have blessed us with goodness and compassion.

Open our hearts to the possibilities of this school year.

Inspire us to live out your call to speak and act as people of mercy.

Help us to treat each other with kindness.

Teach us to be patient and forgiving.

Guide us to love as you love; to be merciful as you are merciful.

Make our school a place of warmth, safety, and welcome, where forgiveness and acceptance are modeled daily.

May our words and actions throughout the year reflect your mercy and serve as loving reminders that we are all your precious children.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

As people of justice – Dans la justice

Loving God,

You give us love in abundance.

With your love in our hearts, help us to work for a more just world.

Send us your Spirit so that we can treat people fairly and be a voice for those who are not heard.

In our work and our play, strengthen us to act with justice and mercy.

Lord, You show us kindness and love.

May we work for justice so that all may know You.

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace.

Amen.

As people of joy – Dans la joie

God of all goodness,

You fill us with the gift of your love.

We come to you with an open heart to receive your love.

With our open hearts full of joy, may we love generously.

May our joyful love be a beacon to our world of new life, strength and hope you offer us every day.

Glory and praise for calling us into your family of love, through Jesus our brother and friend.

Amen.

As people of hope – Dans l’espérance

Good and gracious God,

As we begin this new school year, we gather in prayer as a hope filled Catholic school community.

Our hope is firmly anchored in the promise of your enduring and unconditional love.

We will no doubt encounter challenges, disappointments, and frustrations this year, but our faith reminds us that you journey with us.

Help us to grow in the virtue of hope this school year, knowing that you will give us what we need.

Fill us with joy and peace and help us to inspire hope in others through our words and deeds.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

As people of faith – Dans la foi

Almighty and Eternal God,

In love, you give us the gift of faith and you continue to reveal yourself to us through your Holy Spirit.

Your Son, Jesus, modeled for us what it means to have faith in you and to trust you completely.

Jesus showed us that an authentic faith calls us to love and action in the pursuit of social justice.

Help us to grow in the virtue of faith this school year, by seeking opportunities to learn more about our Catholic faith through prayer, reading, studying, and asking good questions.

Help us to witness to our faith and demonstrate our love for you by loving our neighbours and sharing your Good News.

We make this prayer in your name.

Amen.

 

As people of mercy – Avec compassion

God of justice and compassion,

You call us to be merciful.

Instill in us the virtue of empathy for the poor and vulnerable and give ourselves unconditionally to the cause of justice and equity.

Empower us to listen to those voices calling us to be the change.

May we especially demonstrate care and compassion by serving those often not heard.

Inspire us as one body in Christ to persevere in our call to Love.

We ask this through Christ, our companion and friend.

Amen.

 

As people of justice – Dans la justice

God of justice and love,

You ask that we share your love with others.

Help us to remember that love, kindness and mercy are paths to justice.

Empower us to be a voice for the voiceless and to advocate for fairness and equality.

May we work for justice in our school community and in all aspects of our lives to bring about a more just world.

May we seek justice daily and walk with kindness and mercy, always humbly with You.

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace.

Amen.

 

As people of joy – Dans la joie

God who calls us unceasingly,

Love is the purpose for which you have made us—

Love for you, love for Creation, and love for all your children.

May we love lavishly and boundlessly, not grudgingly but with hearts full of joy.

May our joyful love be a sign to our world of the new life, strength and hope you offer us every day.

Praise you, for calling us into your family and into your service, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Catholic Graduate Expectations

CGE_montage

A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.

  • Illustrates a basic understanding of the saving story of our Christian Faith.
  • Participates in the sacramental life of the church and demonstrates an understanding of the centrality of the Eucharist to our Catholic story.
  • Actively reflects on God’s Word as communicated through the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.
  • Develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good.
  • Speaks to the language of life…”recognizing that life is an unearned gift and that a person entrusted with life does not own it but that one is called to protect and cherish it.” (Witnesses to Faith)
  • Seeks intimacy with God and celebrates communion with God, others and creation through prayer and worship.
  • Understands that one’s purpose or call in life comes from God and strives to discern and live out this call throughout life’s journey.
  • Respects the faith traditions, world religions and the life journeys of all people of good will.
  • Integrates faith with life.
  • Recognizes that “sin, human weakness, conflict and forgiveness are part of the human journey” and that the cross, the ultimate sign of forgiveness is at the heart of redemption. (Witnesses to Faith)

An effective communicator who speaks, writes, and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.

  • Listens actively and critically to understand and learn in light of gospel values.
  • Reads, understands and uses written materials effectively.
  • Presents information and ideas clearly and honestly and with sensitivity to others.
  • Writes and speaks fluently in one of both of Canada’s official languages.
  • Uses and integrates the Catholic faith tradition, in the critical analysis of the arts, media, technology and information systems to enhance the quality of life.

A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.

  • Recognizes there is more grace in our world than sin and that hope is essential in facing all challenges.
  • Creates, adapts, evaluates new ideas in light of the common good.
  • Thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situation and solve problems.
  • Makes decisions in light of gospel values with an informed moral conscience.
  • Adopts a holistic approach to life by integrating learning from various subject areas and experience.
  • Examines, evaluates and applies knowledge of interdependent systems (physical, political, ethical, socioeconomic and ecological) for the development of a just and compassionate society.

A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.

  • Demonstrates a confident and positive sense of self respect for the dignity and welfare of others.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability.
  • Takes initiative and demonstrates Christian leadership.
  • Responds to, manages and constructively influences change in a discerning manner.
  • Sets appropriate goals and priorities in school, work and personal life.
  • Applies effective communication, decision making, problem solving, time and resource management skills.
  • Examines and reflects on one’s personal values, abilities and aspirations influencing life’s choices and opportunities.
  • Participates in leisure and fitness activities for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.

  • Works effectively as an interdependent team member.
  • Thinks critically about the meaning and purpose of work.
  • Develops one’s God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society.
  • Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the common good.
  • Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others.
  • Exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals.
  • Achieves excellence, originality, and integrity in one’s own work and supports these qualities in the work of others.
  • Applies skills for employability, self-employment and entrepreneurship relative to Christian vocation.

A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish and the wider community.

  • Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner.
  • Recognizes human intimacy and sexuality as God given gifts, to be used as the creator intended.
  • Values and honours the important role of family in society.
  • Values and nurtures opportunities for family prayer.
  • Ministers to the family, school, parish, and wider community through service.

A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.

  • Acts morally and legally as a person formed in Catholic traditions.
  • Accepts accountability for one’s own actions.
  • Seeks and grants forgiveness.
  • Promotes the sacredness of life.
  • Witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society.
  • Respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world’s peoples and cultures.
  • Respects and understands the history, cultural heritage and pluralism of today’s contemporary society.
  • Exercises the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
  • Respects the environment and uses resources wisely.
  • Contributes to the common good.

Faith Based Resources

Enhancing the Religious Dimension of Catholic Education is an excellent resource for Catholic educators.

A pastoral Letter to Youth

Young people are important to the Church of today and tomorrow. Their faith, creativity, dynamism, and vitality are a surge of hope that can change the world. It is to young people that this Pastoral Letter from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is addressed.

Lectio Divina

Immerse yourself in scripture each week and develop a closer relationship with key passages. Quotes, Q&A and other dicussions.

The Roman Catholic Dioceses of Sault Ste. Marie is a great resource for spiritual resources, news, information on parishes in the area and more. They also stream recent masses online so you can watch them any time.