PastoralPlan
2015‐2016
PASTORAL PLAN School Name: School Mission Statement: CARDINAL NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT The Catholic tradition is rooted in the Word of God. All members of the community are considered to interpret the present historical period within the context of gospel values in fostering personal, social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical growth to its fullest potential. As a Catholic school community, we are committed to preparing children to develop in a framework of Catholicity, knowledge and values that benefit society. School Motto: Where Heart Speaks to Heart 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. John Fisher Pastor: Rev. Alfred J. Grima Parish website: Choose an item. Message from the Pastor: It is a very proud moment for me. 25 years of a wonderful relationship between School and Church in my time at St. John Fisher Parish. I have had wonderful dealings with the many Principals, Vice Principals, Teachers and staff who had a great interest in Religious Education. When I come to visit each school, I am always very welcomed and when I walk through the school hallways I always hear from all directions “Hello Fr. Grima!” This warms my heart and this makes me feel much appreciated. I thank God for all of the wonderful people I work with. They are dedicated to their schools and the children they are entrusted to. God Bless! Page 1 of 6 PastoralPlan
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Message from the Catholic School Council:
The Catholic School Council Committee for Cardinal Newman is comprised of parents who firmly believe in leading by example driven by our faith. Our goal as a council is to encourage parents and students in our school community and in our neighbourhoods to have the courage to step out and step up and help those in need. To perform selfless simple tasks that promote volunteerism, understanding and acceptance. Together as a team, we are able to support and strengthen, not only each other, but also affirm our faith. 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. Highlight activities or events planned for the Week:  Opening the Doors to Mercy Liturgy  Parents/Guardians will be invited to visit their child’s classroom to participate in Catholic Education Week activities. Each of these activities will connect to the five subthemes of Catholic Education Week. These activities will offer opportunities to develop the whole child within community, i.e. spiritually, artistically, and kinesthetically.  Musical/Drama Presentation  Aussie X Program Page 2 of 6 PastoralPlan
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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:  Student and staff led community projects (e.g., food drives for Knights’ Table, ShareLife fundraisers such as Toonie Twoball, Breakfast Club fundraiser with Peel Regional Police/Justice Mentor volleyball game, etc.) 
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Promote successful partnerships through Pastoral Planning Celebration of Mass and liturgical events within the community Morning prayer reflections and liturgies throughout the year Adult and Youth Faith Ambassador Initiatives Staff gather for weekly liturgies during Advent and Lent Students participate in classroom prayer at the beginning of the day, at lunch and dismissal Classrooms have a sacred space for individual prayer opportunities, focus for class celebrations Daily Religion and Family Life education Informal living and teaching of our faith occurs throughout our day in our treatment and respect of others Staff focus on faith life of the school at monthly staff meetings Virtues Program ‐ Youth Faith Ambassadors to run Virtues assemblies Peace Garden and Chapel serve as places of gathering and reflection
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 Confirmation Grade 2 Grade 7 and 8 rd
Sunday, April 3 , 2016 @ 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 1st, 2016 @ 2:00 p.m. Page 3 of 6 Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m. PastoralPlan
2015‐2016
Liturgical Celebrations: The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer. Celebration Date Feast of Cardinal Newman/Thanksgiving Liturgy Reconciliation @ Cardinal Newman C.E.S. (Grades 3, 4 & 5) Advent Mass @ Cardinal Newman C.E.S. Friday, October 9th, 2015 @ 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 19th, 2015 @ 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, December 16h, 2015 @ 10:00 a.m. Reconciliation @ Cardinal Newman C.E.S. Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 @ 9:45a.m (Grades 6, 7 & 8) Lenten Mass @ St. John Fisher Church Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 @ 10:00 a.m. Year End & Graduation Mass @ Cardinal Newman Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 @ 10:00 a.m. C.E.S. 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: 
Social Justice initiatives throughout the school year (Food Drives, Share Life Hockey Game, United Way, Terry Fox, Staff Dress Down Days) Page 4 of 6 PastoralPlan
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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…. 
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Have implemented Safe Schools Policies, Bullying Prevention and Character Building & Leadership Programs Have implemented a PALS, Restorative Justice Initiatives Integrate the Catholic Graduate Expectations throughout the curriculum 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 Virtues Assemblies led by Student Faith Ambassadors 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 many visible signs and symbols of our faith displayed throughout the school as reminders of our Catholic beliefs and traditions. Throughout the school there are crosses, Bibles, and a sacred space in each classroom. We have signs and symbols of our faith in the front foyer and hallways of the school, such as crosses and scripture passages. The school also has a chapel which provides a space for prayer and reflection. Throughout the school there are also liturgical season symbols, advent wreath, nativity scene, individual and collective student work on liturgical seasons and sacramental themes. Page 5 of 6 PastoralPlan
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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  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  Family Life Program  Religious Education Program  Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations Page 6 of 6