Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
PASTORAL PLAN
School Name: Notre Dame Secondary School
School Motto:
“Justice, Love, Peace”
Theme for the Year: “Called to Wholeness: Mind, Body, Spirit (Year Two)”
Christ is the reason and centre of our school. We can’t separate spiritual,
emotional, physical, social growth from our mission to develop “whole”
graduates. Our duty is to engage students in becoming mature people of virtues
and gospel values.
Retreats.
Grade 9: 2 or 3 homeroom classes will combine for a day retreat at St.
Anne’s Church led by the Chaplaincy Leader and 5 senior student peer
leaders. Students will participate in Mass, cooperative games, group
discussion, lunch, and reflection on virtues and goals.
Grade 10: Religion classes will attend the Relationship Compass program
led by two Jewels for Jesus facilitators to learn about healthy dating
relationships and the spiritual and emotional consequences of premarital
sexual activity and the benefits of marriage. Hot lunch included.
Grade 11: Religion classes will gain first-hand experience inside 4 houses of
worship: Catholic Chapel, Sikh gurdwara (includes free hot lunch in their
langar), Hindu BAPS mandir, and Buddhist temple. Students will reflect on
the Church’s teaching on interfaith dialogue and respect for our sisters and
brothers of all faith beliefs.
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Pastoral Plan Development
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Grade 12: Religion and philosophy classes will participate in high ropes (or
low ropes) to take a “leap of faith” into graduation and vocation
discernment. Morning and afternoon reflection and meditation are led by
the Chaplaincy Leader. Hot lunch is included.
Other retreats (e.g. student council):
PIP retreat - TBA – possible day of Mercy (service) or outdoor facility with
Catholic facilitators Hopestone
Co-op retreats – half-day retreats at St. Anne’s Church led by Chaplaincy
Leader or designate
Grade 11 IB retreat – as above (4 houses of worship)
Grade 12 IB retreat – as above, plus 3 extra days in May to experience and
grow in faith, service, and community-building (e.g. social justice outreach)
because Grade 12 IB do not take religion as a credit
Salesian Catholic Leadership retreat – six grade 11 students will participate
in April combined with 5 other Dufferin-Peel high schools
ESL Retreat – pending funding (students already attend their grade-level
retreats)
SHSM retreat – Catholic Social Teachings will be the focus of a retreat day
in semester 2 led by Chaplaincy Leader/Catholic facilitators.
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Pastoral Plan Development
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Activities of a Religious Nature
o Each school must identify activities of a religious nature with a substantial
component of ritual and prayer (Eucharistic and Non-Eucharistic)
Activities of a Religious Nature
with a substantial component of ritual and prayer
Daily prayer – each morning at 8:22 and before each class all day
Advent Masses with Fr. John Noson – Tuesday, November 24 and
Wednesday, November 25 in the cafeteria – grade level (4 groups)
Advent wreaths in classrooms – blessing on Mon. Nov. 30 – plus twice a
week in-class prayers (during Lent and Advent)
Advent door decorating – month of December – religious themes
Sacrament of Reconciliation – TBA – in Advent and Lent with Fr. John
Noson – in the Chapel (one-on-one) – Thurs. December 10
PIP Art Olympics – Wed. Dec. 16 (library and Chapel)
Virtue/Fruit of the Month awards – each month, students are nominated
by teachers for Christ-like behavior and rewarded with a dress down day
Ash Wednesday liturgies – Wed. February 10 periods 1 and 2
Lent activities – fasting, prayer, almsgiving – initiatives weekly
THINKfast 28 hour overnight retreat – Feb 19-20 (for 80 students)
Holy Thursday Stations of the Cross – Thurs. March 24 periods 1 and 2
Catholic Education Week – Masses TBA – first week of May at St. Leonard’s
Church – walking pilgrimages (school to church, return) – with Fr. John Noson
Graduation Liturgy and Lunch – Monday, June 27 at 10:30 am in the gyms
Monthly morning Mass in Chapel – 7:45 am with Fr. John Noson
Life Chain, 40 Days for Life and March For Life – May 12 in Ottawa (optional
trip)
Vocations Day and vocations speakers in grade 10 career classes - TBA
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Pastoral Plan Development
Pastoral/Outreach Activities
Pastoral Activities
Toys for Tots Christmas donation drive – led by World
Issues Group – December 7-11
Nicaragua Social Justice Team – weekly Thursdays
after school (11-day trip in March to Santa Julia)
Culture Shock – multicultural evening festival – May
19
Development and Peace student day – November 17
When Faith Meets Pedagogy student forum – Oct. 22
Bereavement ministry ongoing
Hospital visits ongoing
Grade 12 Give Back Days – St. Francis Table (limited
to 14 students per date with the Chaplaincy Leader)
Give out rosaries as requested – classes learn how to
pray the rosary (sign up basis)
Easter Celebrate Life activities (5 days)
Encourage use of reusable water bottles and coffee
mugs through incentive/reward program
Graduation Ceremony – Tuesday, June 28 – contains
prayers, Scripture, priest blessing, etc.
Award Ceremony – Friday, October 16, 2015 – period
1 – emceed by Chaplaincy Leader (contains prayer,
Scripture, etc.)
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2015-2016
Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
Catholic Education Week
May 1 – 6, 2016 is Catholic Education Week.
Highlight activities or events planned for the Week:
Pilgrimage to St. Leonard’s Church with 2 Masses for all students and respective teachers. Dates TBA.
Catholicity across the school
In collaboration with each department head, departmental activities and/or events that infuse Catholic
teaching, faith formation, and Catholic culture into the curriculum and the classrooms are highlighted.
The content within the CGE Faith Planner may be used to support this portion of the Pastoral Plan.
Department
Special Education
Special Education
Departmental Activities and/or Events
PIP – Random Acts of Kindness – Planning of Independence
students watch and record peers and teachers performing
random acts of kindness within the school community (and
beyond) – each week the PIP students select someone/group to
receive a gift of freshly baked cookies to acknowledge the
Homework Helpers – this program provides an opportunity for
some of our most gifted students to share their academic talents
in a supportive way – nourishing the minds of students who are
in need of academic sustenance. Our PIP students also
contribute to this program by nourishing the bodies of the
participants - providing snacks for the tutors and their students.
Moderns
A traditional or non-traditional Catholic prayer to be recited (by
students or a teacher) over the PA (once per month) in French
and/or in other predominant languages in our community, in
order to foster a Catholic spirit of inclusion and multiculturalism.
Mathematics
The mathematics courses will help students address the
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation that they
adopt a holistic approach to life by integrating learning
from various subject areas and experience.
Business
1) curriculum will be infused with Catholic Graduate Expectations
2) curriculum will be infused with related Catholic Social
Teaching/ Scripture
3) prayer in every class, not just first period
4) reflections on lives of the saints, on special feast days
The Mental Health and Wellness Committee will continue to
provide professional development for staff and students
surrounding mental wellbeing. The Committee is committed to
providing students with opportunities for increased awareness
regarding mental health issues through the delivery of key note
speakers and other activities the first week of April 2016, at our
first Mental Health and Wellness Week, this is in keeping with the
CBLP Shared Priority of Creating Catholic Conditions for Wellbeing, Learning and Leading and the CSLP outcome of providing
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
students opportunities for improved Mental Health and Wellness,
feeling safe and accepted by students at school, and to see a
decrease in peer conflicts and the number of students struggling
with anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Technological Studies
Computers in Education
English
Art
Religion/Theology
See Business. Also, help with construction of prayer aids.
See Business. Also, students help with PowerPoint/videos.
Stations of the Cross in the Chapel will gradually be replaced by
student art based on student reflection/interpretation of each
station (mixed media and photography)
Knights for Life: March for Life and LifeChain and 40 Days for Life
Campaign. Teaching classes who volunteer about the rosary (by
Chaplaincy Leader)
Science
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations will be
addressed with students on a daily basis and throughout
the unit of study.
Guidance
Social Science
Physical Education
Mental Health and Anxiety initiatives by CYW and Psychologist.
School Environment reflective of our Faith
These religious icons, symbols and visible expressions of our Catholic identity are present in the school
environment:
Classroom prayer tables with purple, green, white cloths and Advent wreaths. Tree of virtues will be
completed in the cafeteria by June 2016 (painted mural).
The Chapel is the central sign of our faith in sacred space. The Blessed Sacrament is housed in the
tabernacle from September to June annually.
Collaborative School Culture
These activities are organized by the School Catholic Community Culture and Caring Action
Team:
Click here to enter text.
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
Parish Connections
Planned and existing initiatives that maintain and enhance positive relationships with the local parish
communities:
We invite Fr. John Noson at St. Leonard’s to minister with staff and/or
students regularly. We also use St. Anne’s Parish hall to host grade 9 retreats
(and co-op retreats). Fr. John often visits for Mass or Reconciliation.
Staff Faith Development
Catechesis and faith formation among our staff:
Advent retreat (Theme of Hope, organized by the Staff Faith Ambassador and
Chaplaincy Leader), Staff Mass (Nov. 2 All Souls), staff prayer partners (18
people pray for each other all year long). Staff Day of Mercy service trip
planned with $1,000 funding by Director.
Transitions
Students supported in the area of Transitioning from Grade 8 to Grade 9, from Grade 12 to Post
Secondary as well as from one grade to another:
Chaplaincy-led peer ministry team visits up to 6 feeder schools to lead a miniretreat to assist with transitions in the spring. The Chapel is open during
parent information nights and Grade 8 feeder school tours.
Vocations
Vocations to religious life and pastoral ministries promoted through:
We invite the Toronto Vocations Directors (sisters, brothers and priests) to set
up displays, give talks and visit grade 10 career studies and religion
classrooms. Dates TBA. Students are trained as lectors here at school.
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Pastoral Plan Development
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Pastor (St. Leonard) Rev. John Noson_________________________________
Chaplaincy Leader G. Anderson______________________________________
Faith Ambassador and Faith Reps:
D.McLachlan(Ambassador/Head)_______________________________________
A.Coulter___________________________________________________________
L.Greer_____________________________________________________________
D.Bilof_____________________________________________________________
T.Piechota__________________________________________________________
L.Tersigni___________________________________________________________
D. McWilliams_______________________________________________________
P.Huczek(Religion)___________________________________________________
D.Pretto____________________________________________________________
K.Brown___________________________________________________________
J.Tramble___________________________________________________________
S.Bradley___________________________________________________________
J. Sciarretta_________________________________________________________
R.Rusac____________________________________________________________
D.Lorkovic__________________________________________________________
V.Ciavarra__________________________________________________________
Chair of Catholic School Council: ______________________________________
Vice Principals:
L.Deme _____________________________________________
P.Petrucelli_________________________________________________________
G.Renda___________________________________________________________
Principal J. Lezon___________________________________________________
Superintendent D. Oude-Reimerink_____________________________________
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