THE VISION

Religion & Family Life Department Newsletter Fall 2012

E

Living our Values:

Nurturing Our Catholic

Community

THE YEAR OF FAITH - 2012-2013

First year of TCDSB Three year Pastoral Plan - FAITH, HOPE &

CHARITY. Year of Faith resources are available on the TCDSB website. http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/

FaithHopeAndCharity/Pages/default.aspx

Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Year of Faith which began on October 11th, 2012 and will conclude on November 24th, 2013, the feast of Christ the King. The start of this Year of Faith coincides with the anniversaries of two great events that have marked the life of the Church:

1) The 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council . 2) The 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Year of Faith is a time to:

Reflect on the gift of faith

Deepen our knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the church

Read, reflect, and pray with the Scripture

Nourish and strengthen our faith through the holy Eucharist

Open “the door of faith” for others

The Vatican encourages us to celebrate the year of Faith by

memorizing all 224 words of the Nicene Creed.

TCDSB—Three Year

Pastoral Plan

FAITH 2012-2013

HOPE 2013-2014

CHARITY 2014-2015

http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholic-Community/FaithHopeAndCharity/Pages/Faith-Hope-and-Charity-Prayer.aspx

October 5th, 2012

First Annual TCDSB

Rosary Day

http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommu-nity/Pages/Rosary-Day.aspx

Two years ago teachers at St. Lawrence, invited students to pray the Rosary once

a week, on Fridays at lunch recess, during the month of October. When the

month was over and we discontinued the Rosary, a Grade 4 student approached

me during yard duty and literally pleaded, hands joined, “Please, please, please

can we continue praying the Rosary?” While I was amazed at her persistence, I

was sceptical about continuing with one student. When I told her this, she

promptly came back with a response that she would get some friends to join us

and within minutes returned saying she had three friends and “Now could we

pray the Rosary?” I gladly agreed, and this year we will be embarking on our third

year of praying the Rosary weekly. Our experience has been very heartening with

numbers ranging from 12 to 80 students who freely gather (at the grotto during

the warmer weather) to pray. Special mention should be made of the number of

grade 8 boys who would come regularly and were great role models to the

younger students. Towards the end of last year, we had a student lead the Rosary

and were enlightened

by some students who

carried their own

Rosaries from home.

By: Susan Remedios

ACCTS - October 17, 2012

Where Two or Three are Gathered...

2

Explore the Development and

Peace webpage to see how you

can participate in the Canadian

Catholic Church’s work in peace

and justice.

http://www.devp.org/en

https://educationforjustice.org/

Login: Toronto Catholic

Password: summer2012

I want to take this opportunity to per-sonally thank the staff and students who took part in ACCTS—A Catholic Call To Service. By all accounts it was a great success. I have heard personally from two of the agencies that our secondary school students assisted at and they were thrilled with the students work and the spirit of cooperation that they brought with them.

I look forward to providing the same opportunity next year so please mark your calendars for Wednesday Oct. 16, 2013 and look for early registration to begin online in June 2013. By: Deb Gove

Photograph: Neil McCarthy, Archdiocese of Toronto, and Fr. Michael Lehman , TCDSB—Catholic Teacher Centre.

Religion Education/Family Life Website: http://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/

BoardServices/ReligionFamilyLife/Pages/

Default.aspx

Advent Season 2012

TCDSB Advent Resources

http://www.tcdsb.org/news/othernews/pages/advent-and-christmas-2012.aspx

Archdiocese of Toronto

Advent Resources http://www.archtoronto.org/events_news/advent09.html

Loyola Press Advent Resources

http://www.loyolapress.com/

advent-intergenerational-parish-

event.htm

Advent: A Time of Joyful Expectation

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Four Sundays of Advent 2012

1st Sunday, December 2nd

2nd Sunday, December 9th

3rd Sunday, December 16th

4th Sunday, December 23rd

The Lord is coming!

In Advent we prepare to recall Christ’s first coming and look forward to his second

coming.

This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the green of

Ordinary Time to the purple of Advent.

In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the Sunday following the feast of Christ the King. This is the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last, or fourth Sunday of Advent.

In Eastern Orthodox churches which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on

November 15, and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks. December 2nd, marks the beginning of

the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle, a period of preparation, celebration and continuation

that lasts about 7 weeks.

Remembrance Week—Sharing their Stories

3

On Thursday November 8, 2012, the grade 7 and 8 students of St. Edward Catholic Elementary School attended a Remembrance Day presentation at the Toronto Catholic Education Center. Second Lieutenant Christian Cieplik addressed the students, who spoke of his experiences in the Canadian Army, as well as the importance and value of us as Canadians commemorating Remembrance Day. Two of the grade 8 students read during the ceremony as well as presented Second Lieutenant Cieplik with a gift from the Board along with four other students. After-wards, the grade 7 and 8 students were able to ask questions, enjoy refreshments, and look at a Canadian history display courtesy of Mr. Tim Stewart, a teacher at St. Basil-The-Great Catholic Secondary School. The presentation was documented via photography and video. After the presentation, Second Lieutenant Cieplik as well as three students from St. Edward Catholic Elementary School were interviewed by Global News Toronto about their views on Remembrance Day, and their thoughts on Edmonton schools allowing students to opt out of Remembrance Day

celebrations. It was an enticing day to remember for the students as well as their respective teachers.

By Lisa and Julia - St. Edward Catholic School

Loyola Press 3 Minute Daily Retreats

http://www.loyolapress.com/3-Minute-Retreat-shared-meals.htm

WHEN FAITH MEETS

PEDAGOGY—WFMP

October 25-27, 2012

In her keynote address,

Canadian author, Marina

Nemat shared her

experiences as a prisoner in

Tehran’s notorious Evin

prison. Marina credits her

Catholic Faith with giving

her the courage to stay

alive.

“Never Forget but always

Forgive.” Marina Nemat

Eucharistic Celebration in Honour of The Canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha

October 19th, 2012

“Father Robert Barron’s 10-art epic documentary will take viewers across the world and deep into the faith. Filmed in high-definition video in 15 coun-tries and 3 locations, it will make the beauty of the Church seem new again. And it will lead people to a new conversation about our faith.” For more information on the series go to: www.catholicismseries.com

On Friday, October 29th the community of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha School gathered for a Eucharistic Liturgy, which was concelebrated by Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Fr. Michael Lehman, and Fr. George Parayil. The liturgy included readings and music which reflected St. Kateri’s native heritage. Known as the “Lily of the Mohawks”, Kateri devoted her life to God after being orphaned and surviving in a smallpox epidemic. The smallpox left Kateri with low-vision and scarring all over her body. At the moment of her death, it is said that all of her pock marks vanished. Kateri’s motto, “Who

can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it?” is one that we can all live by. Following the mass, the students experienced a presentation by the Native Cultural Centre in Toronto. The following Monday, morning, the intermediate classes had a Skype session with Cardinal Collins who was in Rome attending the Canonization Mass at the Vatican. By: Cathy Profiti http://www.tcdsb.org/schools/blessedkateritekakwitha/news/pages/skype-conversation-with-the-cardinal.aspx

BOB WILSON ARTS CAMP—YEAR OF FAITH

CATHOLICISM—DVD

Going to the Bob Wilson Arts Camp was a once in a lifetime experience I will never

forget. From the moment we arrived at Teen Ranch I was awe struck by the beauty

and wonder of the nature surrounding us. On the first day, to get to know the peo-

ple we’d be spending a week with, and learning with, we all participated in various

improvisation activities. These activities were challenging but fun and I couldn’t wait

to continue with the week. The following days we had fun, learned and made

friends.

Throughout the week we explored drama, music, dance, and visual arts. This be-

ing the Year of Faith during the music component of our learning experience we

sang the song Faith, Hope and Charity which emphasizes the importance of these

three things. We learned how to express ourselves through visual arts, we learned

about different types of dance, we learned new drama techniques, and we had fun

drumming and singing. Finally, away from the city we learned our gifts from God are

a huge part of us and how important it is make faith a part of our daily lives.

By: Emma Glynn

4

“What does hope look like with respect to the realities involved in Human Traf-ficking?”

On Friday, November 9, 2012, the

Mary Ward Centre at Loretto College

sponsored a symposium on Human

Trafficking for students from several

secondary schools in the TCDSB. It

was an amazing event. Ann McGow-

an (the Centre’s director) began the

day with a challenge to us: What

does hope look like with respect to

the realities involved in Human Traf-

ficking? The rest of the day unfolded

to answer that question.

Marty van Doren key-noted the

event, carefully laying out the reality

of human trafficking so that it was

quite clear what we were talking

about. With the help of his vast ex-

perience, we explored the realities

of prostitution, child labour, sex

tourism, forced labour, child soldier-

ing and bonded labour, not only in

terms of the global scene but as well

with an eye to how they exist in Can-

ada (and Toronto). In a manner

most appropriate for his audience,

he discussed the power, exploitation

and profit involved in the issue as

well as the circumstances that fre-

quently accompanied someone be-

coming trapped in human trafficking

activities. Throughout the presenta-

tion, van Doren clearly guided us to

become more aware of the realities

of the victims, the “world” in which

they become enmeshed, as well as

the nature of the abuse perpetrated

upon them.

Keeping with Ann McGowan’s open-

ing question, the rest of the sympo-

sium focused upon how we can

bring hope to the dire reality of hu-

man trafficking. Break-out groups

of students discussed what they had

learned and made connections with

their own experience. Groups ex-

plored a variety of action strategies.

Some encouraged letter writing to

support legislation which could as-

sist victims as well as better prose-

cute perpetrators and deter those

who profited from human traffick-

ing. Other groups focused on raising

awareness, particularly in light of the

media’s glorification of pimping and

other similar activities that partici-

pate in making profits off the misery

of others. Still other groups ex-

plored looking into identifying some

of the businesses here in Toronto

which profit from the labour of traf-

ficked workers and encouraging boy-

cotts. What was most heartening

was that every student group gener-

ated a number of very practical

strategies that reflected the advice

given by Marty van Doren at the end

of his presentation: Our best re-

sponse is to raise awareness and

develop cooperation among groups

to support victims and decrease the

demand for services provided by

human trafficking.

By: Robert Repicky

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

5

“Our best response is to

raise awareness and

develop cooperation among

groups to support victims

and decrease the demand

for services provided by

human trafficking.”

TCDSB - Board Website

Year of FAITH Elementary Resources on Catholic Social Teaching http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholic-Community/FaithHopeAndCharity/Documents/Social%20Teaching%

RELIGION DEPARTMENT

Program Coordinator

Anne Marum

anne.marum@tcdsb.org

Religion Resource Teachers

Elementary Panel

Glynnis-Hope Dawson

Areas: 1, 2, 3

glynnis.bernardodawson@tcdsb.org

Cathy Profiti

Areas: 3, 4, 5, 6.

catherine.profiti@tcdsb.org

LTO— Areas: 6, 7, and 8.

Secondary Panel

Deb Gove

- Religion Resource

- Chaplaincy Leadership &

Catholic Teacher’s Centre

deborha.gove@tcdsb.org

Rosary Making at St. Benedict School

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 the Religion and Family Life Department, along with Susan Ceolin’s Grade 6 class from St. Benedict gathered together for an afternoon of rosary fun. Father Michael Pace, Pastor of St. Benedict Catholic Church, began the afternoon by teaching a short lesson on the history of the rosary. Shortly after, the students along with the Director of Education Bruce Rodrigues, Trustee Peter Jakovcic and Superintendent Loretta Notten strung together their very own set of rosary beads to prepare for the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s first annual Rosary Day which was held and celebrated board wide the following day. By: Glynnis-Hope Dawson

All Saints Catholic Elementary School says ‘‘YES” to the C2BK (Cool 2 Be Kind) Project and learns quickly to Pay it Forward to fellow students and teachers. All Saints embraced this program as part of a 50th Anniversary Project. PAY IT FORWARD bracelets were given to all students as part of a 50 ACTS OF KINDNESS campaign which was launched on October 30th. Students are learning that in acting with kindness, behaviour and feelings change all around us. Student leaders will produce age appropriate skits that demonstrate examples of kindness and how these small actions call us to act and think as Catholic Graduates. Then, during the year, assemblies will be held to highlight the Catholic Graduate Expectations as they relate to this campaign and spreading kindness. Each student will be asked to commit to personally DO kind acts over the course of this year and record these on a PAY IT FORWARD Kindness Tree. Each class of the whole school is already paying it forward as they participate in A Christmas Wish project that assists needy families in the community. For more information about this project or to read more about what our school is doing, visit: http://www.pifexperience.org/c2bk/c2bk-schools/ or www.PIFexperience.org By: Rosanna Bottero

Thank you to all those who contributed ideas, articles and photographs for this edition of the Religion and Family Life Newsletter - The Vision.

Sincerely,

Anne Marum, Editor

Faith Through The Arts—Music and Drama

Michael Mangan in Concert

On Monday, October 29th, 2012, students from St. Maurice, St. Eugene, St. Albert and Our Lady of Sorrows enjoyed a dynamic concert put on by Michael Mangan, from Brisbane, Australia in the auditorium of Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School. This was an extremely interactive concert which had the whole auditorium singing and moving from the very start. Michael’s music was engaging and fun as he led the students into deeper understanding of the liturgical themes and celebrations behind the songs. Everyone there left singing a song—it was a great day.

The Liturgical Music and Drama workshop which followed in the afternoon at the CEC featured both Michael and Anne, and we were introduced to Anne Frawley-Mangan’s creative take on the gospels, as well as a more in-depth discussion of the role of music in the liturgy by Michael. Anne’s work includes dramas from the gospel of Matthew and Mark (Let Your Light Shine, and Mark My Words) and she has also written musical plays for Christmas and Easter. We were able to try out some of the drama techniques from her work and see how effective and engaging they are in terms of proclaiming the gospel to young people.

By: Susan Hookong-Taylor