Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
PASTORAL PLAN
School Name:
School Mission Statement:
We are a community of Catholic educators devoted to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social
development of each child in the image of Christ. We hope to inspire serve and guide our children to
become confident and capable life-long learners who will be witnesses to Christ in our world and
productive, contributing citizens in society. We believe that through a cooperative partnership among
the school, family and the church, the development of the spiritual, academic, physical, emotional and
social aspects of growth are reflected in the values of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Elementary School. As
Catholic educators, we must strive to nurture and model faith development so that all can experience
God on their personal journeys. We believe that as educators, we are facilitators, fostering in our
students the self confidence and ability to cope with a challenging and ever-changing world. We believe
that interactions, reflection and action are parts of learning and that all students have the right to
educational experiences that serve their individual needs and learning styles. We believe that St. Pio of
Pietrelcina Elementary School, through its inviting, caring and supportive environment will foster within
each student a sense of direction and excellence as they strive to reach their full potential.
School Motto: Prayer, Humility, Service
Pastoral Plan Links to Strategic Plan/Catholic Board Learning Plan:
 Link: Strategic Plan 2014-2019 Strategic System Plan
 Link: Catholic Board Learning Plan CBLP 2013-2016
As a school we affirm our Catholic Faith in word and action on a daily basis. Our faith is lived. A safe,
caring and inclusive environment is fostered via anti-bullying, the Virtues Program curriculum related
initiatives. We value the involvement of community partnerships. Staff work closely with parents, Sts.
Peter and Paul Parish, School Council members, NPU officers, Peel Education officers, Peel recreational
staff, the Peel Health Nurse, as well as a variety of community agencies (ie. Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Peel Region, CCAC, Sheridan College, University of Toronto, etc.). We believe in and foster a strong
home, school and parish partnership and are committed to stewardship of the Earth as demonstrated by
St. Pio’s ongoing Eco Schools and Peel Health Programs. We encourage the respectful and sustainable
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Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
environmental practices of reducing, reusing, and recycling in our school. Litterless lunches are
encouraged throughout the course of the year. Students and staff use ‘goos’ paper. Energy
conservation has been a focus over the past two years. We are in the initial stages of the
implementation of PEDs and developing responsible citizenship.
Our Parish: Sts. Peter and Paul
Pastor: Rev. Soldado Paranas
Parish website: www.stspeterandpaul.on.ca
Message from the Pastor:
Our school is under the pastoral care of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. We encourage our families to
register with the parish, and to join us for Sunday mass at 7:45a.m., 9:00 a.m. (Italian), 10:30 a.m.,
12:00 p.m.
Message from the Catholic School Council:
The mission of the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Catholic School Council is to work in partnership with the family,
church and school in order to promote Catholic Education, foster open communication and engage
parental involvement at the school level. We put a strong focus on putting children first and working
collaboratively to enrich the educational environment at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Catholic 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.
During Catholic Education Week students and staff will partake in various faith activities; including:
liturgies, daily prayer, school assemblies, parent visitation and a parent engagement event.
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Pastoral Plan
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The theme for Catholic Education Week 2016:
Opening Doors of Mercy
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
The subthemes for Catholic Education Week 2016 are as follows:
Monday: Mercy that Welcomes (Jesus and the Woman at the Well: John 4: 1-42)
Tuesday: Mercy that Loves (The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37)
Wednesday: Mercy that Forgives (The Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32)
Thursday: Mercy that Lives the Gospel (Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10)
Friday: Mercy that Rejoices (Healing of the Paralytic: Luke 5: 17-26)
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.
Staff and students take part in school masses, prayer services and liturgies. Students take part in daily
Religion class as well as Family Life instruction. Students in grades 2, 7 and 8 take part in sacramental
retreats and we work closely with Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in order to prepare students for these
sacraments. Students participate in the Circles of the Rosary Program throughout the school year
culminating in honouring Mother Mary at a special school-wide crowning celebration. Youth Faith
Ambassadors are involved in the planning and implementation of various faith events throughout the
school year. For example: almsgiving, food drives, prayer, fundraisers, Sharelife initiatives. Staff are
encouraged to take part in events planned by the Adult Faith Ambassadors at the school as well as at
the Family of Schools level. For example: Lenten staff liturgies, Advent staff liturgies, retreats,
Stations of the Cross, etc.
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
Sacrament of Reconciliation
First Holy Communion
Grade 2
March 7, 2016 at 7:00p.m. and
March 10, 2016 at 7:00p.m.
- Sts. Peter and Paul Church
April 10, 2016 at 2:00p.m. and
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Grade 7 and 8
Pastoral Plan
Communion Retreat
Confirmation – Grade 7
April 17, 2016 at 2:00p.m.
-Sts. Peter and Paul Church
April 9, 2016 at 10:30a.m.
(Groups A,B,C)
April 16, 2016 at 10:30a.m.
(Groups D,E,F, & RCIC)
Confirmation – Grade 8
Confirmation Retreat
2015-2016
April 24, 2016 at 2:00p.m. and
May 1, 2016 at 2:00p.m.
-Sts. Peter and Paul Church
May 8, 2016 at 2:00p.m. and
May 15, 2016 at 2:00p.m.
-Sts. Peter and Paul Church
April 23, 2016 at 10:00a.m.
(Grade 7 – Groups A & B)
April 30, 2016 at 10:00a.m.
(Grade 7 – Group C & RCIC)
May 7, 2016 at 10:00a.m.
(Grade 8 – Groups A, B, & C)
May 14, 2016 at 10:00a.m.
(Grade 8–Groups D, E, F &
RCIC)
Liturgical Celebrations:
The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and
share in prayer.
Celebration
Opening Mass
Advent Mass
Ash Wednesday Celebration
Reconciliation
Easter Mass
Year End Mass
Graduation
Date
October 6, 2015 at 9:15a.m.
December 1, 2015 at 9:15a.m.
February 10, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.
March 1, 2016 at 9:15a.m.
March 29, 2016 at 9:15a.m.
June 7, 2016 at 9:45a.m.
June 24, 2016 @ 5:30p.m.
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Pastoral Plan
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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.
Our school participates in …
- CCCAT Anti-bullying initiatives
- Food Drives in support of community needs
- ShareLife Spirit Days
- Unlimited Milk Bags Project in support of Sierra Leone
- Dr. Simone’s Warehouse
- Yard Sale in support of Sharelife
- Parish Angel Tree Christmas Drive
- Terry Fox Walkathon
- Big Brother Big Sisters of Peel Christmas Drive
- Wilf Hartzenberg Walk, Run, Roll in support of the United Way (staff members)
- Support of the Mississauga East Emergency Fund in support of families in need
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 Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, we as a school community….
- have visuals displayed throughout the school
- infuse the OCSGE throughout the curriculum
- staff participate in lifelong learning through professional development opportunities, serving
as a model for our students
- foster collaboration with all members of the school community
- pray and work together
- focus on developing safe, caring and inclusive environments through our Virtues Program,
Anti-bullying initiatives, celebration of differences and faith formation
- hosted a French Cafe
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Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
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.
We have monthly school-wide assemblies and draws in recognition of students who have
demonstrated the monthly virtue. Students are also acknowledged via ‘Catholic Spirit in Action
Award’ certificates. Teachers integrate the virtues within their daily teaching and the virtues are
visibly posted within the classroom environment. Virtues are also embedded within our Eco-School
Program (ie. stewardship of the environment). The monthly virtue prayer is shared daily during
morning exercises.
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.
We have crosses, bibles, prayer tables in each classroom, OCSGE banner in front foyer, faith display
cases, a prayer room, monthly virtue hall displays, statues and photographs of the school’s saint – St.
Pio of Pietrelcina - hung throughout the school.
We take part in a variety of community service activities – Food Drive for the Breakfast Club at Acorn
Place, intermediates volunteer at Dr. Simone’s Warehouse, Angel Tree Gifts collected at Christmas
time to support families in need, fundraisers are done throughout the course of the year by both
students and staff in support of ShareLife, Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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Pastoral Plan
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Resource List for Parents/Guardians:
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• Enduring Gift Video
School-Based
Fully Alive Family Life Program
Mass Kit for Primary Students
Adaptive First Eucharist & Confirmation Preparation Kits
Catholic Caring Community Action Team (CCCAT)
RockPro Music Centre – Antibullying Concert
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Pastoral Plan
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2015-2016