Pastoral Plan 2015-2016 PASTORAL PLAN School Name: School Mission Statement: At St. Herbert School, we are committed to the education of each child: As each grows in the image of Christ, and as each strives to fulfill his or her potential. We agree to work together: By making a commitment to our Catholic Faith and by respecting the dignity and self-worth of each individual. We believe in celebrating and communicating our accomplishments. School Motto: Together We Are One 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 Our Parish: St. Joseph Pastor: Rev. Marc-Andre Campbell Parish website: www.stjosephsstreetsville.com Page 1 of 6 Pastoral Plan 2015-2016 Message from the Pastor: St. Joseph's Parish supports the education of youth, and indeed the future of the Church, at St. Herbert's through helping to build a firm foundation in the Faith via catechesis, prayer, and the Sacraments. We partake in active collaboration and open communication with St. Herbert's staff on diverse initiatives ranging from celebrating periodic Masses for the school and in-class catechism for Confirmation to charitable works and working with the parish chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Message from the Catholic School Council: Our Catholic School Council is an integral part of the parish-school-home connection at St. Herbert School. The School Council’s collaborative practices support the faith-forming and community-building initiatives and events that help to develop the whole child and contribute to improved student achievement and well-being. The School Council, with the help of human and resource support, enhances the positive learning climate of St. Herbert School. The members of our School Advisory Council work collaboratively with the staff of St. Herbert School to promote the vision, values, sacramental life and Catholic practices of the DufferinPeel Catholic School Board. 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. The Crowning of Mary Celebration on Friday May 6, 2016 in our gym. This school-wide celebration is organized and led by the Rosary Apostolate Group that works throughout the year with our students. Page 2 of 6 Pastoral Plan 2015-2016 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. We promote catechesis and faith formation in the following ways; -Daily prayers / liturgies / liturgical choir -Participating in school-wide masses at St. Joseph Church -Monthly Virtue Celebrations -Youth Faith Ambassadors -Operation Christmas Child -Food drives / Terry Fox / Share Life -Parish priest classroom visits -Prayer room -Monthly visits by the Rosary Apostolate 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 First Reconciliation with children First Holy Communion Rehearsal with children and parents Confirmation Preparation -catechism multimedia lessons Grade 2 March 5, 2016 or March 8, 2016 April 5, 2016 or April 9, 2016 or April 19, 2016 or April 23, 2016 or May 2, 2016 Grade 7 and 8 1 hour sessions in St. Herbert gym on Nov. 25, 2015 and Dec. 2, 2015. 3 more sessions in 2016 to be determined. Page 3 of 6 Pastoral Plan 2015-2016 Liturgical Celebrations: The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer. Celebration Opening Mass of Thanksgiving Advent Mass Ash Wednesday Lenten Mass End of Year Mass Grad Mass Date October 13, 2015 December 16, 2015 February 10, 2016 March 1, 2016 April 26, 2016 June 21, 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. Our school participates in the following social justice and outreach activities: -Terry Fox Run -St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Drives -Operation Christmas Child -The Giving Tree -ShareLife Page 4 of 6 Pastoral Plan 2015-2016 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…. -place our faith at the centre of all learning -bring awareness of OCSGE to students during learning -provide varied spiritual, academic and social opportunities for students in order to reach their potential -foster and celebrate God-given gifts and talents of all -share the Word of God daily with all students -foster a strong bond between the home, school and parish 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. -monthly virtue celebrations -modelling living the virtues -newsletter items -virtue posters in our hallways -our virtue recognition wall in our main foyer 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. -all classrooms have prayer tables, bibles and crucifixes -cross and altar in main foyer -virtue and religious themed artwork promoting and celebrating our faith -liturgical seasonal displays (e.g. Advent Wreath) Page 5 of 6 Pastoral Plan 2015-2016 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 Resources in school library promoting Virtues and Faith Formation Fully Alive Program Many Gifts Page 6 of 6