Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
PASTORAL PLAN
School Mission Statement:
In the light of Christ and His teachings, it is the mission of Our Lady of Providence School to foster a sense of
belief in self and to promote enthusiasm for, and dedication to, lifelong learning, by providing an academic
environment that recognizes and celebrates the gifts with which each child has been blessed.
School Motto:
Growing in God’s Loving Care
Pastoral Plan Links to Strategic Plan/Catholic Board Learning Plan:
 Link: Strategic Plan
 Link: Catholic Board Learning Plan
2014-2019 Strategic System Plan
CBLP 2013-2016
Our Parish: St. Marguerite D'Youville
Pastor: Rev. Robert Mignella
Parish website: Choose an item.
http://www.council9235.com/st_marguerite_parish.htm
Message from the Pastor:
“Having grown up in the TDCSB System, I can reflect back on the numerous collaborative efforts made between
Parish, School and Family home to provide as authentic a Christian faith experience as possible during my
upbringing. Accordingly then, my Pastoral Plan is to continue to offer Jesus…. Through the preaching of His
Word, the Sacraments where he is encountered, and the invitation to share in the mission of His Church of with
which he entrusts us. Only Jesus keeps Catholic Education vital and essential rather than redundant and
irrelevant.”
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Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
Message from the Catholic School Council:
At Our Lady of Providence, we are committed to promote the Board’s vision and values, the sacramental life
and the Catholic practices of this Board. We wish to support, encourage and enhance meaningful parent
engagement at the school level considering the best interest of all parents. We wish to improve student
achievement and well-being within our school.
Catholic Education Week Theme: Opening the Doors to Mercy
Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you to reflect on the significance of Catholic education’s presence and
contribution in our Church, and in our society.
May 1 – 6, 2016 is Catholic Education Week.
May 2 – CEW Liturgy at 9:00 am
- School Council Meeting at 7:00 pm
May 3 – OPEN HOUSE from 12:45 – 2:15 pm (all parents / guardians invited)
May 4 – Transition meetings to address student needs
May 5 – Confirmation for Gr. 7s & 8s, 7:00 pm at St. Marguerite d’Youville S.S.
May 6 – R.A.I.D. for all Gr. 6s
Faith Formation:
Forming ourselves in our Catholic faith is a foundational element in helping each of us understand and live in
the example of Christ.
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Faith ambassadors gatherings and masses, retreats, Seder meal and celebrations for
staff
Advent preparation
Staff liturgies and reflections
Classrooms participate in prayer at the beginning of the day, at lunch and at dismissal
Daily religious/family life education, formal instruction
Staff focus on family life of the school at monthly staff meetings
Retreat visits to St. Marguerite d’Youville church
Liturgies and masses are planned and students are involved throughout the process
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Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
Sacramental Preparation:
As Catholic we understand sacraments to be "outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace." Together in
partnership with our Parish, we support the preparation of God’s children in receiving the sacraments.
Event
Holy
Communion/Reconciliation
Enrolment
First Reconciliation Practice
First Reconciliation
Holy Communion Prayer
First Holy Communion
Confirmation Enrolment
Confirmation Retreat
Reconciliation for
Confirmandi
Confirmation Practice
Confirmation
Post Confirmation Visit
Grade 2
Wednesday, Oct 7, 2015
Saturday, Oct 17, 2015
Grade 7 and 8
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Wednesday, Sept 30, 2015
Friday, Nov 13, 2015
During January and
February 2016
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Liturgical Celebrations:
The Liturgical Calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in
prayer.
Celebration
Opening / Thanksgiving Mass
Remembrance Day
Advent Liturgy #1
Advent Mass
Advent Liturgy #3
Advent Liturgy #4
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Lenten Mass
Stations of the Cross
Catholic Education Week Liturgy
Year End Mass
Grad Mass
Date
Thursday, Oct 1, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
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Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
Social Justice / Outreach Activities / Charities:
Catholic Social Teachings of the Church root our actions in supporting human dignity and the preferential
option of the poor which calls us to serve the most vulnerable in the world.
Students at Our Lady of Providence give witness to Catholic Social teaching by promoting peace and justice
while reaching out to others less fortunate:
 Student Council led community projects
 Thanksgiving Food Drive
 Advent Food Drive
 Easter Food Drive
 Helping Hands Christmas Baskets
 Supporting the Less Fortunate (CAS)
 Share Life
 United Way Activities
Recognizing Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations:
Framed by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE), our Graduates will be effective
communicators, reflective thinkers, lifelong learners, collaborative contributors, caring family members,
responsible citizens and discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith community.
To celebrate OCSGE, we as a school community are responsible citizens. We are caring family
members, collaborative contributors, self-directed, responsible, life-long learners, reflective
and creative thinkers and discerning believers formed in the Catholic tradition.
Celebrating Virtues:
A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral standard. When we
practice these virtues we strengthen them and thereby make the presence of God more and more visible in the
world around us.
The Daily Prayer for the Virtue of the Month, is recited by the whole school each day from the PA System.
Each month, the Youth Faith Ambassadors lead the Virtues Assemblies.
Students, Staff and Parents live the Virtues within the school.
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Pastoral Plan
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Visible Signs of our Faith:
Through symbol and service, we are instruments of God’s love whose work within our communities stands as a
witness to our faith.
A Chapel space has been dedicated in the downstairs forum. Virtues Assemblies take place here, led by the
Youth Faith Ambassadors. There are Seasonal Staff Liturgies dedicated for Staff in this space as well.
In this Chapel space is an altar, dressed according to the Church Liturgical Calendar. It proudly holds a Bible,
Crucifix and Liturgical items aligned with the Church Liturgical Calendar.
Each classroom has a dedicated altar for students to change as per the Church Liturgical Calendar.
Teachers and students recite various prayers together, lead from the PA System. These prayers align with
the Liturgical Calendar: Lord’s Prayer, Advent Prayer, Lenten Prayer, Our Lady of Providence Prayer.
The front lobby of the school has a dedicated altar with a large crucifix dressed for the Liturgical Calendar
Year.
Each classroom has its own Crucifix.
Resource List for Parents:
 Religious Education Curriculum - Ontario Religious Education Curriculum
 Family Life Curriculum - Ontario Family Life Curriculum
 Fully Alive Program information - Ontario Bishops' information on Fully Alive
Resource List for Schools:
Board
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Vocations Units
We have Vocations units as part of the Grades 2, 5, and 8 curriculum. The goal of these supplementary
units is to deepen one’s understanding of God’s call – the “vocare” – to various forms of life within the
Church.
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History of the Parish
Through the resource book Our Story, Our Tradition, Our Journey, grade 7 students have the
opportunity to learn about the history of our parish.
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Enduring Gift Video
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Pastoral Plan
School-Based:
 Letters sent to Parents before ‘Created Sexual’ Units are taught
 Family Life text books for each student
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Religious Education Curriculum student books
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2015-2016