Board Pastoral Theme
An Introduction to Our Pastoral Themes
2020-2025
The vision of the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board is that we imagine a world where every person is empowered to reach their full potential through faith and service. Our mission is the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board builds faith-filled learning communities where each member is loved, inspired, and successful. The new annual pastoral themes for the ALCDSB call us to express our faith through our vision and mission statements.
Catholic education is nurtured by the home-school-parish relationship. The annual pastoral themes will support the ALCDSB's Multi-Year Strategic Plan and will continue to nurture the members of home, school, and parish. Each annual theme is enriched with connections to Scripture, song, prayer, the
Renewing the Promise pastoral letter, Catholic Social Teaching, the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The ALCDSB pastoral themes were intentionally selected in a particular sequence. Each subsequent theme is intended to build on the previous theme. The first theme, “All Are Welcome in This Place" reminds us that as a Catholic education community, our first step is to establish relationships and ensure that every person feels a genuine sense of belonging. Once this is established, we can learn more about what it means to be valued as “Beloved Children of God", called to celebrate the inherent dignity of each person who is created in the image and likeness of God. We then respond to God's invitation to be “Formed in the Faith", seeking God, growing deeper in our relationship with God, and accompanying each other along our faith journey. Recognizing that faith is a gift from God, we are “Blessed Beyond Belief", thankful for all of the gifts and blessings that we receive, which all come from God. Finally, once we are equipped with the tools that we need, we are “Called to Witness", fulfilling the Church's mission to carry out and continue the work of Jesus Christ on Earth.
2021-2022
Beloved Children of God
Description:
The second of five pastoral themes, “Beloved
Children of God”, calls us to delight in the
understanding that each and every person is
cherished, valued and loved unconditionally
by God. We are amazed by the love and
mercy that God freely offers all of us, without
exception. As a Catholic education community,
we celebrate the inherent dignity of each
person who is created in the image
and likeness of God.
The word beloved means
completely and fully loved.
This is a declaration of
our Christian identity as
a part of God’s family.
We understand that
we belong to a loving,
protective Father who is
always with us. God sees us
as forgiven, saved and full of
beauty and hope.
When we engage with a student, a staff
member, a community member, or a guest in
the ALCDSB, do we see them through God’s
soft and loving eyes? How can we ensure
that each person who feels alone, judged,
marginalized or disconnected sees themselves
as unconditionally loved and created in God’s
image? Our goal is to ensure that each
member of the ALCDSB community knows that
they are precious and loved above all else.
Logo:
The “Beloved Children of God” logo is
represented by the image of cupped hands
holding a heart with the crown of thorns
wrapped around the heart. The heart in the
centre represents the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Jesus serves as the model for love
and acceptance and is at the
heart of our faith. The thorns
represent the Passion,
Christ’s ultimate sacrifice
and victory on the cross
so we could receive the
gift of salvation. The
cupped hands remind
us that this gift is freely
offered, dearly held, and
protected. As faith-filled
communities, we are called to
joyously accept this gift. Above
the heart is a flame, representing
Christ’s passionate love for us. Encountering
the Risen Christ leaves our hearts burning
with his love, similar to the encounter shared
by the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We
are called to see ourselves as God sees us.
We are called to see Christ in each person we
meet. We are called to forgive and share God’s
unconditional love with others.
Overview: 2020-2021
Beloved Children of God
Scriptural connection:
| See what love the Father has given us,
that we should be called children of
God; and that is what we are.
(1 John 3:1).
|
| Theme song: | You Say Who I am
Hillsong Worship
|
| Renewing The Promise Focus: |
A Community Encourages
Engagement and Instils Hope
|
Catholic Social Teaching Focus:
| Care for God’s Creation; Solidarity
|
OCSGE Focus:
| A Discerning Believer
|
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Focus:
| End poverty in all its forms
everywhere.
End hunger, achieve food
security and improved
nutrition, and promote
sustainable agriculture.
Ensure healthy lives and
promote well-being for all
at all ages.
|
