Catholic Education
Faith-Based Education
The Catholic school is the vital and privileged place where students critically engage in a dialogue between faith and culture not only during religious education lessons but in all curriculum and events of the day. It is a place where they can be formed for roles of Christian service, vocations and responsible participation in the political and social spheres of community life. Students grow to understand that their faith brings meaning and direction to all aspects of human living. Through cross-curricular teaching, religious education provides a lens through which students can understand the world and their place within it. It will influence the way students understand history, the role of religion in culture, the person’s responsibility to care for nature, the values and attitudes that promote safe, inclusive communities, and the need for ethics in the workplace among other things of importance to a Christian way of life.
Page 23 of the Elementary Religious Education Curriculum, linked below.
Religious Education and Family Life
As a community of believers created in the image of God, we inspire and nurture strong communities of faith. Our Religious and Family Life Education programs impart the knowledge of our faith through Scripture, story, and tradition. The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, through the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE), provide curriculum policy documents which identify the expectations for each grade and describes the knowledge and skills that students are expected to demonstrate. Prayer, liturgy and the celebration of the sacraments are opportunities to demonstrate our thankful awareness of God’s presence in the world.
"Jesus provides the model for how our schools and parish communities need to accompany students and families with great respect, patience and love, inviting all to deepen their understanding of Christ and his Church," (Renewing the Promise, A Pastoral Letter for Catholic Education, Page 7, 2018, ICE). The collaboration of caring adults in the school, the home, and the parish supports students as they grow to become discerning believers and responsible citizens formed in Catholic traditions.
Our Catholic faith is made visible in all subject areas through the infusion of Catholic Social Teachings, virtues and gospel values into daily learning experiences. The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations guide the learning journey for all students.
Link to the graduate expectations: https://iceont.ca/resources/ocsge/
Board Pastoral Themes
An introduction to our Pastoral Themes 2025 – 2030:
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 annual ALCDSB pastoral themes 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, and imagery. Educators are also invited to make authentic connections to Catholic Social Teaching, the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, and the Renewing The Promise pastoral letter.
The ALCDSB pastoral themes (2025-2030) are connected through the overarching theme of the Scripture passage from the prophet Micah: What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8). The interconnectedness of these pastoral themes speak to our identity as disciples of Christ, our relationship with God, and how we respond to God’s call by bringing the Good News to the world, and in our particular context, to all Catholic education communities within the ALCDSB. These pastoral themes are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and show us how we are called to action.
2025-2026 Pastoral Theme: We Are Called
The first theme, “We Are Called” reminds us that we are called into relationship with God. As the people of God, we must fulfill the mandate given to us from the Lord as described in Micah 6:8. The proceeding pastoral themes will articulate this mandate and what is required to follow on the path of the Lord. “Do Justice” is a call to action to become the hands and feet of Christ in a world full of injustice and suffering. “Love Kindness” calls us to love everyone we encounter, because God is love and God first loved us. “Serve One Another” is a reminder of our call to servant leadership as followers of Christ. And finally, “Walk Humbly With God” reminds us to remain humble as workers in the vineyard of the Lord. Description:
The first of five pastoral themes, “We Are Called”, is an introduction to the four proceeding themes. God is calling us to and gives us the gift of salvation by grace. In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah boldly proclaims what is required to follow on this path of the Lord. Inspired by Micah 6:8, through this cycle of pastoral themes we will learn what is good: to do justice, to love kindness, to serve one another, and to walk humbly with God.
In order to accomplish this, we must first listen to God, and then act in humility as ambassadors for Christ on Earth. We are called to bring the light of Christ to everyone whom we encounter. We must do this with joy, love, mercy, and a disposition of tenderness. Through this calling we will be able to build up the Body of Christ. Whenever we enter an ALCDSB building, we are called to reflect upon who might need joy, love, mercy, or tenderness on this given day. How can we be the best version of ourselves that brings Christ to each person? Consider this our challenge for this year: Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will come to know God because they know you. The introductory theme “We are Called” is a reminder of the invitation each of us receives from God. How will you respond to this invitation?
Logo:
The “We Are Called” logo is represented by the image of Jesus with his arm outstretched towards us. The outstretching of Jesus’ arm is a reminder of the invitation of this theme. The image of Jesus is also a reminder to us that faith is an invitation to enter into a personal relationship. In this instance we are being called by Christ, and in the greater picture, we are called into relationship with God who is three persons in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is calling us to walk with him, being his hands and feet here on earth. We are all called to respond to this invitation, living out our mission as his disciples, called to bring the Good News to all who we encounter, and to bring people closer to God through our words and our actions.
Scripture Connection:
For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
The Scripture passage that supports the theme comes from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. St. Paul reminds us that God uses the good news of salvation to call us for a purpose. And so we are called to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Catholic Christians, we are privileged to represent Christ the King here on earth, and because of these we are called to carry ourselves with the dignity that comes with being God’s children. As ambassadors for Christ on Earth, people will see how our words and our deeds align with our faith.
Each theme song is provided for use at school Masses, liturgies, assemblies, and for use at system events. Music will be provided to the music leads at each site.
Music: A Rightful Place - https://youtu.be/_jfQ-ADjxcI?si=voDWzmYe-RUdCFsc
Artist: Steve Angrisano
CCLI Song # 7007170 Steve Angrisano © 2012 spiritandsong.com For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 11515112
Liturgical Function: Gathering or Processional
Catholic Education Week (CEW)
2026 Catholic Education Week
The 2026 Catholic Education Week will be celebrated from May 3 to May 8
During the first full week in May each year, the ALCDSB celebrates the exemplary accomplishments of students, staff, and community partners who consistently demonstrate outstanding servant leadership within our Catholic system.
Theme: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness
2025 Catholic Education Week Video
Catholic Education Week Awards
Adult Volunteer Award
The Adult Volunteer of the Year Award will recognize an individual who has provided exemplary volunteer services to a school or worksite to those students/staff of that site.
Archbishop Francis J. Spence Catholic Teacher of the Year Award
The Archbishop Francis J. Spence Catholic Teacher of the Year Award will be presented annually to a teacher who is a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Teachers; exemplifies the spirit of the Mission Statement of ALCDSB; has rendered meritorious service to Catholic education; has been active in Catholic education during the current school year; has made an ongoing commitment and contribution to Catholic education; and is committed to the teachings of the Catholic church through community and parish life.
Contribution to Catholic Education Award
The Contribution to Catholic Education Award is to be broadly interpreted to include voluntary work for the Board, academic achievement, work excellence and long service.
Excellence in Supporting Catholic Education Award - CUPE, Support Staff Association and Senior Managers
The Excellence in Supporting Catholic Education Award - CUPE, Support Staff Association and Senior Managers will recognize an individual who demonstrates excellence in the workplace while supporting faith-based education, community service, social justice initiatives, involvement in workplace and/or community life and personal accomplishment.
Katharine Award
The Katharine Award is meant to recognize an individual, group or school whose charitable efforts honour the spirit of giving of the late Katharine Splinter and are consistent with the character of the system as expressed in its Mission Statement.
Student Volunteer of the Year Award (Elementary & Secondary)
The Elementary and Secondary Student Volunteer of the Year Awards will recognize an individual in each panel who has provided exemplary volunteer services to a school or work site to the benefit of those students/staff of that site.