A CATHOLIC SCHOOL GRADUATE S GUIDE CONTINUING YOUR JOURNEY

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1 A CATHOLIC SCHOOL GRADUATE S GUIDE CONTINUING YOUR JOURNEY EXTRAORDINARY LIVES START WITH A CATHOLIC EDUCATION A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION For it is in giving that we receive. Dear Graduates, On behalf of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations. Being a Catholic school graduate and a soon to be alumni of Dufferin-Peel, you have been blessed with the beliefs, knowledge, and foundation that our Catholic education system represents. As you continue your journey, I invite you to live our Gospel values and seek opportunities that provide a sense of purpose, stewardship, and leadership within your Catholic faith community. You have been called to live out the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. As young adults, your school experiences have blessed you and prepared you with the tools and opportunities to bear witness to your faith. Your parents, teachers, and parish community have taught you to pray, to love one another, and to reach out to those in need. God has blessed you with many gifts; do not What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindess and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 be afraid to allow your light to shine. God has called you by name. God invites you to lead, love, and serve the Lord. Marianne Mazzorato Director of Education A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to congratulate you on this significant accomplishment. Our Dufferin-Peel CDSB community reminds us that Extraordinary lives start with a GREAT Catholic Education. As you continue your journey, whether it is workplace, apprenticeship, college or university, I encourage you to find ways that nurture your faith, through your beliefs, actions, and service to others. Take this moment to be a reflective and discerning believer. I invite you to seek opportunities to serve others, to lead in your parish, your workplace and your school communities. As a Catholic School Graduate you are called by God to a special service. Pope Francis reminds us, Find new ways to spread the word of God to every corner of the world. I hope this pamphlet provides you with the tools and resources to support your journey as you begin the next phase of your extraordinary life. Mario Pascucci Chair of the Board of Trustees

2 We continue to grow as collaborative contributors and responsible citizens ACT JUSTLY SERVICE TO OTHERS Individual service is important, but we need to be a voice for justice in communities both near and far. Consider the poor and the environment. Consider the common good and how you can help create a more just society. Although each person must do their part to build a better world, no one can do it alone. Following are some Catholic charities that you may want to connect with when considering opportunities to provide service to others. Canada Food For Children This charity, founded by Dr. Andrew Simone and his wife, Joan, has been in operation since Canada Food for Children sends food, clothing and supplies to children in over 18 developing countries throughout the world. Catholic Climate Movement Catholic Climate Movement was created to care for God s creation and for the poor, who are the most vulnerable to climate disruption, and for future generations, who will face the worst impacts in the coming years. Catholic Missions in Canada Catholic Missions In Canada exists to keep the Catholic Faith in remote and poor mission communities. Chalice : A Child Sponsorship Program A Catholic Charity that supports community initiatives in developing countries through the sponsorship of children and the elderly. Development and Peace Organization The official international development organization for the Catholic Church in Canada. L Arche Founded by Jean Vanier, this non-profit organization is an International Federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs, and support networks with people who have intellectual disabilities. Scarboro Foreign Missions A Society of Canadian Catholic priests and lay people who serve in various countries performing missionary work. ShareLife ShareLife is the Catholic community s response to providing care and outreach to those in need through social services agencies and grant recipients, by raising and allocating funds effectively, and fulfilling our obligations to respect life at all stages. I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27 2 A Catholic School Graduate s Guide Continuing Your Journey

3 We continue to grow as effective communicators and caring family members LOVE TENDERLY COLLEGES For chaplaincy support connect with your college registrar s office or visit your local parish. UNIVERSITIES Chaplaincy of York University McMaster University Queen s University - Newman House Ryerson Catholic Chaplaincy St. Jerome s University Waterloo University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) - Durham College University of St. Michael s College University of Toronto Newman Centre Catholic Parish University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Catholic Chaplaincy Chaplain s Kings University College University College Brescia University of Western Ontario Wilfred Laurier University PARISH LIFE & YOUTH MINISTRY To live a Christian life, it is important to be a member of a faith community. As you embark on your journey to college, university, workplace and/or community, take the time to connect with your local parish, campus ministry and/or Church. Your involvement in parish life will provide you the opportunity to make friends, nourish your faith and give back to others. Many universities and colleges in Ontario have chaplaincies where you can make connections with your Catholic community. COMMUNITY Where do I find my local Catholic Church? Whether you have moved away from home or are remaining local, your local diocese can connect you with parishes in your community. Archdiocese of Ottawa Archdiocese of Kingston www. romancatholic.kingston.on.ca Archdiocese of Toronto Diocese of Hamilton Diocese of London diocese/home/1 Diocese of St. Catharines Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 A Catholic School Graduate s Guide Continuing Your Journey 3

4 We continue to grow as discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith community and reflective and creative thinkers WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD DISCERNING ONE S FAITH Spiritual growth nourishes our inner soul and helps us recognize our need to be reflective and creative individuals. It is through private prayer and participation in the sacraments that we come to know God s presence in our lives. Your parish priest or a spiritual director may provide you guidance and support in your faith life journey. Our parishes invite you to become active and contributing members of the Church. You are encouraged to become involved in one of the many ministries that your parish may offer. These may include: extra-ordinary Ministers of Communion, Children s Liturgy Leader, Lector, a member of the Catholic Women s League, Knights of Columbus and other ministry opportunities. In the Toronto area, the Office of Catholic Youth serves young adults (ages 18-35). The vision statement for the Office of Catholic Youth states that its purpose is to serve students and young professionals by Forming youth and young adults into Christian leaders who come to know Christ, deepen their relationship with Him, and are transformed into one of His faith-filled disciples. If you are considering a vocation to religious life or priesthood, please speak to your local priest. You can also contact the vocations office in Toronto. #DPgrads The Road Ahead: Career Choices & Employment If you are considering a career in Catholic education it is important that you are an active participant in the sacramental life of the Church. As a Discerning Believer it is an expectation that through your attendance at mass and service to the Church you have built a strong relationship with your parish. Catholic school boards require applicants to provide a letter of reference from one s parish priest. Our Catholic School System seeks employees who model the Gospel Values and represent the distinctiveness of our Catholic faith. By giving, you are also receiving. Community service toward charities or within organizations demonstrates one s evidence of leadership, commitment and integrity to an employer. As you embark on your future pathway, be it post-secondary education, apprenticeship, workplace or community, remember that you are never travelling alone, for you are with God. The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations reminds each Catholic graduate that you are called to bear witness to Jesus Christ. May your lifelong journey of learning and growth be grounded in your faith. May God bless you and journey with you. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion. Philippians 1:6 4 A Catholic School Graduate s Guide Continuing Your Journey

5 Mission The Mission of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, in partnership with the family and church, is to provide, in a responsible manner, a Catholic education which develops spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social, and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to meet the challenges of the future, thus enriching the community. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mario Pascucci (Chair) Mississauga Wards 1 & mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org Esther O Toole Mississauga Wards 9 & esther.otoole@dpcdsb.org Sharon Hobin Mississauga Wards 2 & sharon.hobin@dpcdsb.org Anna da Silva Brampton Wards 1,3, anna.dasilva@dpcdsb.org Anna Abbruscato Mississauga Ward anna.abbruscato@dpcdsb.org Darryl D Souza Brampton Wards 2,5, darryl.dsouza@dpcdsb.org Thomas Thomas (Vice Chair) Mississauga Ward thomas.thomas@dpcdsb.org Shawn Xaviour Brampton Wards shawn.xaviour@dpcdsb.org Luz del Rosario Mississauga Wards 6 & luz.delrosario@dpcdsb.org Frank Di Cosola Caledon/Dufferin frank.dicosola@dpcdsb.org Bruno Iannicca Mississauga Ward bruno.iannicca@dpcdsb.org Support Catholic Education - Are you ticked? Did you know that unless the municipality is notified, the school support designation on your property taxes, for assessment purposes, automatically defaults to public school support when an individual or family moves to a new address. To find out about your school support designation, or to receive more information, call our Admissions Department at ext Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board 40 Matheson Boulevard West Mississauga, ON L5R 1C DPCDSBVideos