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.
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.
2024-2025
Called to Witness
Description:
The fifth of five pastoral themes, “Called to Witness”, reminds us of our baptismal call to share our faith with others and to bring people closer to Christ. The Church’s mission given to us by Jesus Christ is to carry out and continue his work on Earth. To be a witness to Christ means that as Church, our words, actions and attitude reflect that we are members of the Body of Christ. In Catholic education, we are called to witness to all members of our Catholic community and beyond. We speak about Jesus. We share and explain his teachings, we describe how he lived and what he asked people to do, and we spread his love. As witnesses, we are guided by the Holy Spirit. We can turn to witnesses that have gone before us, such as the saints, loved ones, the Popes, and many others who have helped us along our own faith journey, for inspiration. Pope Paul VI once shared: “[People listen] more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if [they do] listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”
Logo:
The “Called to Witness” logo is represented by a flame in the shape of a cross with the outline of a dove at the centre of the cross. Both the flame and the dove are symbols of the Holy Spirit. This is a reminder that it is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who guides us as we witness to the Catholic faith. The cross reminds us that we are witnessing to Christ, who commanded us to “Love one another, as I have loved you”. Christ loved us so much that he gave his own life so that we may have eternal life.
Overview: 2024-2025
Called to Witness
| Scriptural connection: |
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses. |
| Theme song: |
Cry the Gospel |
| Renewing The Promise Focus: | A Community that Builds Relationships |
| Catholic Social Teaching Focus: |
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers |
| OCSGE Focus: | An Effective Communicator a Responsible Citizen |
| United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Focus: |
Clean Water and Sanitation Affordable and Clean Energy Climate Action |
Catholic Education Week
Celebrating Catholic Education May 4 - May 9, 2025
During the first full week in May each year, the ALCDSB celebrates the significant contribution that Catholic Education has made to the ALCDSB community, the province of Ontario and to Canada. Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations challenge our students to articulate in society those fundamental values that underpin Catholic education.
2024-25 Theme
“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us.”
(Letter on the Jubilee Year of Hope, February 11, 2022)
“Nous devons garder allumée la flamme de l’espérance qui nous a été donnée.”
(Lettre sur le Jubilé de l’espérance; 11 février 2022)
Catholic Education Week Awards
Catholic Education Week Award nominations open annually at the beginning of each calendar year. Award recipients are selected based on the exemplary accomplishments of students, staff and community members who consistently demonstrate outstanding service.
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.
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.
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.
The 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.
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.
Catholic Education Week observes the following Multi-Year Strategic Plan initiatives:
MYSP 1.2.2.2: Increase opportunities to support faith formation for all members of the community that are inviting, engaging, and purposeful.
MYSP 2.2.1.1: Create conditions for all members of ALCDSB to recognize, understand, and apply social-emotional learning and mental health skills in all areas of their lives.