Elementary Pastoral Plan

Transcription

1 PASTORAL PLAN School: School Mission Statement: St. Joseph Elementary School provides students with a Christ centered environment that supports all members in the development of their full potential through spiritual and academic opportunities. St. Joseph Elementary School also provides a rich learning environment that recognizes the unique and close nature of our Catholic community and promotes acceptance, respect and academic excellence. We place students first. School Motto: We C.A.R.E.: Catholic Community, Acceptance, Respect, Excellence Our Parish: St. Joseph Pastor: Rev. Marc-Andre Campbell Parish website: Message from the Pastor: St. Joseph Parish s involvement in the faith formation of our schools and its children has 4 key dimensions: sacramental preparation, school Masses, classroom visits and offering ongoing access to the sacraments. We offer sacramental preparation for those who are receiving their First Holy Communion (Grade 2 students) and share the work with the schools in preparing the Grade 7 students to receive the sacrament of Confirmation (our program of choice is Ascension Press Chosen ). Our team has been organizing and preparing over the summer to be able to deliver an excellent and informative faith experience. In addition to these encounters with select classes, we look forward to seeing all of the kids in their classroom environments to help strengthen the link between the school and the Church. Throughout the year, we will be visiting each classroom multiple times and teaching small lessons to the children (importance of the Mass, how to pray, etc.). Additionally, we will be leaving time during our visits to answer any questions that they may have in regards to the faith, the Church, vocations, etc. These class visits are mutually beneficial and prove to be a great way to get to know the kids on a more personal level. Our primary role is to help foster an encounter with the Lord and to teach the children the importance of having God be a part of their lives. School Masses are a great opportunity to do this, both through the Page 1 of 6

2 beauty of the liturgy and the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. For some, these may be their only experience of Mass and we are there to make it as positive an experience as possible while celebrating the liturgy with fidelity and obedience to the teachings of the Church. By doing this, we introduce the students to communal prayer and lay the groundwork for them so that they can build their own strong relationship with God through personal prayer. We also want to help acclimate students with the Mass as it happens in the Church, for this reason, we have requested that at least two of the four yearly school Masses take place at St. Joseph s parish. Our final and perhaps most important role is to make the sacraments readily available to the children. We do this by pointing out to them the days and times of our sacramental celebrations (Mass, Reconciliation, etc.). This will prepare them to take ownership of their spiritual lives and to live a sacramental life so that they may truly grow and flourish. We look forward to collaborating with our schools in this endeavor throughout the year. Message from the Catholic School Council: Catholic School Councils are a gift to the Catholic school community. St. Joseph Elementary Catholic School Council has the opportunity to influence educational and faith formation experiences as children journey towards realizing the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations and ultimately, a vocation of Christ like service in the world beyond school. The purpose of our Catholic School Council is, through the active participation of the parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. In addition, the mission of Catholic School Councils in the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board is to promote the vision, values and sacramental life of Catholic practices of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and the Catholic community it serves, and advise the Principal and board. At St. Joseph Elementary Catholic School, we have sought to strengthen the bonds between home, school and church. Father Marc is invited to our school council meetings to discuss faith formation and Sacramental Preparation on a regular basis. The school also promote and maintain a positive, faith infused school environment for all students and staff. We facilitate the active and meaningful participation of parents, and all members of the school community, and provide staff, parents, and students with an accountable system to which they can voice their concerns, comments and suggestions for enhancing the faith, well being and academic improvement of the school community. Catholic Education Week Theme: Living as Joyful Disciples 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. Page 2 of 6

3 May 5 May 11 is Catholic Education Week. The theme chosen for the upcoming 2019 Catholic Education Week is Catholic Education: Living as Joyful Disciples. This theme will be explored through the following five sub themes: Monday: Rooted in Prayer Tuesday: Living in Wednesday: Doing Justice and Creating Thursday: Journeying Together in Faith Friday: Sharing the Good News Pope Francis continually reminds us in word and in action, that in imitation of Jesus, we are called to service in our work in Catholic education. Rosary Apostolates Crowning of Mary Celebration Prayers over PA System Liturgy to begin or end the week Welcome to Kindergarten Classroom visits Arts presentations 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. Our Adult Faith Ambassadors plan meaningful liturgies for us to celebrate special times of the year (Thanksgiving, All Soul s Day, Advent, Lent, Easter, Christmas and special feast days). Our Youth Faith Ambassadors through the leadership of our Adult Faith Team and with the help of our Grade 7 and 8 students participate in various Faith Events. Our students are invited to attend and participate in such events as; Ceremonies in Streetsville like Remembrance Day, Leading Students in Liturgy, planning small class liturgies in our prayer room, producing Stations of the Cross in the Gym, and collecting donations for the needy in St. Joseph Parish and the Parish Chapter of Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This year, our Grade 3 students, will closely align with our neighbourhood Retirement Center. Prayer room Prayers over PA system Youth Ambassadors leading many social justice initiatives Monthly staff liturgies Regular visits by associate pastor School wide confessions for Lent Page 3 of 6

4 Ash Wednesday liturgy Monthly visits by Rosary Apostolates Gift provided to each student at Easter Advent and Lenten prayer calendars sent home to each family Sacramental Preparation: As Catholics, 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 Grade 2 Grade 7 Sacrament of Reconciliation First Communion Rehearsal May 31, 2019 Sacrament of First Communion June 1, 2019 Confirmation Retreat February 19, 2019 Confirmation Rehearsal and May 27, 2019 Confession Sacrament of Confirmation May 28, 2019 Liturgical Celebrations: The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer. Celebration Date Opening School / Thanksgiving Mass October 10, 2018 Remembrance Day Liturgy November 9, 2018 Advent Mass December 12, 2018 Ash Wednesday Liturgy March 6, 2019 Lenten Mass April 9, 2019 End of Year Mass June 11, 2019 Graduation Mass June 19, 2019 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 supports Sharelife by raising money on special dress down days, having a Page 4 of 6

5 clean out your garage sale, special Sharelife events and games, teacher vs. student fun volleyball or basketball games, selling Candy Grams, and activities for Spirit Weeks. We are also involved in collecting food and food hampers, hats, mittens, scarves and toiletry items to be distributed by the local agencies in Streetsville. We collect non perishable food items at every school event for various food drives. We collaborate with St. Joseph Parish at Christmas in supporting those families in need by creating gift hampers. 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: Service projects for grade 8 students PALS Recess Guardians 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. Every morning we pray the virtue prayer of the month in our daily prayers. We pray for all who are sick and in need our intentions in our community. Once a month our Youth Faith Ambassadors do either: a monthly gathering to celebrate the virtue or they gather classes in the chapel for a liturgy. Our virtues are lived everyday through solutions to real life conflicts and situations with students. When our students demonstrate these virtues, staff are quick to commend them and encourage other students to respond and contribute to our school in the same manner. 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: Page 5 of 6

6 Crosses, Bibles, Prayer Tables in classrooms Floor cross and altar with bible, liturgical candles Catholic Education Week and Virtue of the Month displays Banners: St Joseph, Welcome Photo of Pope Francis St. Joseph statue on front foyer prayer table 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 Books from our Library Adaptive Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation Preparation Kits Book of Virtues Masses With Children The Saint Kit Knowing Jesus Kit Scripture Comes Alive based on the New Testament Growing with Jesus Kit Various books about faith and prayer on front foyer prayer table Page 6 of 6