Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
PASTORAL PLAN
School Name:
School Mission Statement:
The Rose of Lima family, home, school and church, is a Catholic community,
working together to nurture respect for lifelong learning.
School Motto:
Learning Together
Pastoral Plan Links to Strategic Plan/Catholic Board Learning Plan:
 Link: Strategic Plan 2014-2019 Strategic System Plan
At St. Rose of Lima Catholic Elementary School we sustain a safe and welcoming school
through:
●Celebrating our Virtues
●Promoting Student Voice
●Cross-Grade Collaboration
●Implementation of 21st century learning through technology
Focusing on pathways and enhancing transitional practices, St. Rose of Lima is in the unique
position of being the only school in Dufferin Peel to offer Extended French, Congregated Gifted
and Mainstream programs. As a result, the school focuses on improving access to appropriate
planning and resource supports for all learners.
Transitions from early years to vocation are successful through:
●Cross grade collaboration among colleagues at all grade levels
●Consistent practices and expectations at all grade levels
Page 1 of 9
Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
 Link: Catholic Board Learning Plan CBLP 2013-2016
Catholic Board Learning Plan
If we are more intentional in creating respectful conditions for well-being, learning and leading
in a positive climate (e.g. creating a healthy social space by inviting the voice of all learners and
active listening; a healthy spiritual space by identifying needs and practicing virtues), then all
learners will feel safe, included, supported and welcomed.
Catholic Learning Environment –Strategic System Plan
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Elementary School creates a Catholic working and learning
environment that demonstrates continuous development of all through practices that are
caring, safe, and inclusive. This is demonstrated through:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sacred spaces in classes focused on Virtues
School wide monthly liturgies focused on Virtues
Virtues prayer as part of morning announcements
Youth Faith Ambassadors
Grade 8 Community service projects
Visible signs of faith including: Virtue Plaques/Display case, Altar, Cross, Catholic Graduate
Expectations sign
Our Parish: Merciful Redeemer
Pastor: Rev. Vid Vlasic
Parish website: www.mercifulredeemer.org
Message from the Pastor:
Dear School Staff and Students,
It is great to celebrate with you all the special times and accomplishments in academic year. Part of this
growth is also spiritual enrichment: not just to become better people but to become God’s people.
In that regard we start our school year with an opening Mass seeking God’s blessing on all of us. In
Advent we prepare for the Birth of Jesus with another special celebration of faith.
Page 2 of 9
Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
In lent we are reminded to renew our resolve to act with discipline and faith. And of course on the end
of year we say “thanks’ with a closing mass.
But that is not all: during entire year we pray formally every day as well as in the class setting we share
faith.
And of course we are invited to be part of the parish faith community on the Lord’s Day.
Wishing you abundance of God’s blessing this school year and always,
F.r Vid Vlasic, pastor
Message from the Catholic School Council:
St. Rose of Lima is a dynamic faith filled school that enjoys a wonderful partnership with our parish,
Merciful Redeemer. Father Vid, Father Scott and Sister Diane regularly visit the school and have a
strong relationship with students, staff, administration, and parents/guardians.
Faith is a pillar of our school. It is visibly evident through the actions of students, staff,
parents/guardians, and administration. Through masses, liturgies and our virtues, our faith comes to life
in the school. Catholic School Council has actively participated in faith development, most visibly
through the purchase of the altar and cross in the foyer, as well as support for Liturgical events such as
Shrove Tuesday. The school truly lives up to its motto of “Learning Together.”
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 there will be a variety of activities throughout the school. Activities
will be designed to highlight the unique role our faith plays in our understanding of the curriculum
and our relationships with our community partners. These partnerships, which are ongoing
throughout the year, are celebrated and acknowledged during this week through our Grade 7 and 8
Career Fair and the Volunteer Appreciation Tea. The Rosary Apostolate will lead us in the Crowning of
Page 3 of 9
Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
Mary, a culminating experience reflecting their support for prayer with our students and staff
throughout the year.
The theme for Catholic Education Week is “Open the Doors of Mercy” and our school community
helps to “Open the Doors of Mercy” on a continuous basis, not just during Catholic Education Week,
but throughout the year. Youth Faith Ambassadors enthusiastically support Merciful Redeemer
Parish’s warm clothing drive, Christmas baskets for families in need and participation in Soles for
Souls. We continue to support community partners such as Eden Foodbank and Dr. Simone with
canned goods, monetary contributions and warm clothing. ShareLife is an ongoing focus and money is
raised through student and staff donations.
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.
School activities that support both adult and student faith formation include:
●Staff faith activities led by Adult Faith Ambassadors
●Youth Faith Ambassadors
●Social Justice Activities (food drives)
●Staff Liturgies/Reflections monthly as well as during Advent and Lent
●School wide Opening Mass, Advent Mass and Lenten Mass
●School wide visits from Father Vid, Father Scott, Sister Diane and the team from Merciful Redeemer
●School wide Remembrance Day Service
●Student-led daily prayers during opening exercises.
●Sacred spaces in each class for individual prayer and as a focus for class celebrations
●Staff focus on faith life of the school at monthly staff meetings
●Staff PD opportunities, “When Faith Meets Pedagogy,” religion in-services ●Daily Religious
Education and Family Life Education
●Sacramental Preparation in Grades 2, 7 and 8
●Monthly Rosary Apostolate visits
●Mississauga North Stations of the Cross (Adult Faith Formation)
Page 4 of 9
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
Sacrament of First
Communion
Presentation of Names – First
Holy Communion
Sacrament of First
Reconciliation
Sacrament of First
Communion
Sacrament of Confirmation
Grade 2
Parent Meeting – September
28th , 2015 at 7:00 pm
Sunday November 1st, 2015
(Any Mass)
Tuesday February 16th, 2016
at 11 am
Saturday April 16th, 2016 at
5pm
Sacrament of Confirmation –
Letter of Request
Sacrament of Confirmation –
Presentation of Cards
Sacrament of Confirmation –
Crosses
Grade 7 and 8
Parent Meeting – September
30th, 2015 and October 5th,
2015 at 7:00 pm
Saturday October 24th, 2015 at
7 pm.
Saturday November 28th, 2015
at 7 pm
Saturday January 23rd, 2016 at
7 pm
Sacrament of Confirmation –
Lenten Promises
Sacrament of Confirmation Confessions
Sacrament of Confirmation
Ceremony
Saturday February 20th, 2016 at
7 pm
Wednesday March 2nd at 9 am
Saturday April 9th, 2016
10:30 am (Grade 7s)
1:00 pm (Grade 8s)
Liturgical Celebrations:
The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and
share in prayer.
Celebration
Date
Page 5 of 9
Pastoral Plan
Thanksgiving Mass
Advent Mass
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
First Reconciliation
Stations of the Cross
Crowing of Mary
Year End/Graduation Mass
2015-2016
October 13, 2015, 9:30 am
December 11, 2015, 9:30 am
February 10, 2016
February 16th, 2016, 11 am
March 24th, 2016
May 12th, 2016
June 22nd, 2016, 10:30 am
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.
St. Rose of Lima School Community actively supports:
• Merciful Redeemer Advent Christmas Gift Cards
• Eden Food Bank Food Drive
• ShareLife Fundraising
• Terry Fox Walk for Cancer
• Clothes for Dr. Simone
• Hallowe’en Candy Drive for Dr. Simone
• Soles for Souls
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
Page 6 of 9
Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
family members, responsible citizens and discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith
community.
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE) are considered in all our actions
as a school community. We strive to foster an environment where students can gain an
understanding of the curriculum and how they can contribute to the community as: SelfDirected Responsible Life Long Learners; Discerning Believers; Collaborative Contributors;
Effective Communicators; Caring Family Members; Reflective and Creative Holistic Thinkers
and Responsible Citizens. The OCSGE are visible in all areas in our school – in our classrooms,
hallways and offices. We are in the process of aligning our Grade 8 Graduation Awards with
the OCSGE and connecting student goal setting to Learning Skills and Catholic Graduate
expectations...
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 virtues of faith, respect, empathy, kindness, conscience, love, hope, acceptance, selfcontrol and fairness are always visible within our school. We draw upon the virtues to
celebrate successes and as a tool during progressive discipline.
At St. Rose of Lima, the virtues are present in all of our actions as a school community. They
are referenced daily, whether it is through prayer or a curriculum connection.
School Masses and Liturgies are two areas where our virtues come to life within our school
community. Displays in the front foyer focused on the Virtues are provided by classes at
designated times throughout the school year.
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.
Page 7 of 9
Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
At St. Rose of Lima School we have many visible signs of our faith in our classrooms, hallways and
common areas that include:
●Student created displays that brings our virtues to life
●A sacred space, crosses and pictures representing our faith are visible in all classrooms and offices
●Virtue banners in our foyer and gymnasium
●Many pictures that focus on faith are displayed in our hallways
●A picture of Pope Francis in our main office
●Altar and cross in front foyer, a gift from the Catholic School Council
●The most vibrant sign of faith you will see when you enter St. Rose of Lima are the students,
parents, teachers, support staff and administrators working together to bring to life the Gospel
values. Together we live our faith as a school community.
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
Page 8 of 9
Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
School-Based
● Many Gifts Resource
● Fully Alive Program
● Class Visits
Father Vid, Father Scott and Sister Diane regularly visit classes from Kindergarten
to Grade 8 discuss virtues and the importance of gospel values.
● Rosary Apostolate
Classes are visited monthly by volunteers who pray the rosary with the students.
A culminating Crowing of Mary celebration occurs in the spring.
Page 9 of 9