PASTORAL PLAN School: School Mission Statement: We, the inclusive Catholic Community of St. James, are called and committed to cultivate and environment where our students are inspired to grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and culturally. We encourage our students to become compassionate life-long learners and active citizens of a diverse global community. School Motto: Creative, Collaborative, Curious and Compassionate Our Parish: St. Mary Star of the Sea Pastor: Rev. Neil McMillan Parish website: www.starofsea.ca Message from the Pastor: Our school is under the pastoral care of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish. We encourage our families to register with the parish, and to join us for Sunday mass at 9am and 11am. Message from the Catholic School Council: The St. James Catholic School Council is an integral part of our school community. Through the active participation and collaboration of parents/guardians, we strive to ensure that all students reach their full potential in a faith filled environment. The council builds opportunities to celebrate our faith with our students, families and staff with providing busing to school mass, recognizing the celebration of the new sacraments for students and participating as a partner in school wide charity work. Page 1 of 6
Catholic Education Week Theme: Renewing the Promise 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 6 May 12 is Catholic Education Week. Highlight activities or events planned for the Week: As a school we will. Invite parents in to see how students are learning and sharing in faith Each classroom will partake in a celebration of inclusivity and hope Grade 5 Exhibition and Grade 4 Inquiry Fair School wide presentation to invite in and welcome parents 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. 1 John 2:6 Who ever says, I abide in him, ought to walk just as he walked. Please highlight the school activities that support both adult and student faith formation Supporting our families grow in their faith we will continue to: Masses at the church/school with power point (to help parents and students understand the parts of the mass) Invite parents in for Virtue Assemblies Have students and parents partake in the Rosary Students receive confession twice a year with priests from the local community Grade 2/7 Parents attend meetings and gatherings for Sacramental preparation. Include parents/students in planning of CCCAT and wellness for school community Include parents and students in Catholic Education week activities Run retreats for students during Lent and end of year YFA Sacramental Preparation: Page 2 of 6
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. John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. Event Grade 2 Grade 7 First Holy Communion & Oct. 15, 2017 Oct. 22, 2017 Confirmation Registration Reconciliation Workshop March 8, 2018 Sacrament of Reconciliation March 27, 2018 March 20, 2018 First Holy Communion June 9 th & 10 th and June 16 th & 17 th, 2018 Sacrament of Confirmation June 2 nd & 3 rd, 2018 Liturgical Celebrations: The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer. John 6:35 Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Celebration Date School Opening/Thanksgiving Mass Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Remembrance Day Liturgy Friday, November 10, 2017 Confession Wednesday, November 29, 2017 Advent Mass Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Ash Wednesday Liturgy Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Confession Wednesday, March 21, 2018 Holy Thursday Presentation Thursday, March 29, 2018 Easter Mass Wednesday, April 18, 2018 St. James Feast Day Liturgy Thursday, May 3, 2018 Crowning of Mary Liturgy May 2018 Year End Mass Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Graduation Liturgy Wednesday, June 27, 2018 Page 3 of 6
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. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. Our school participates in ShareLife. Sharelife/United Way Food Drives Dr. Simone Volunteer Support Family Sponsors for Christmas donation Choir Singing at Retirement Home 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. Genesis 1:27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. To celebrate OCSGE, we as a school community. OCSGE imbedded in every graduation award Grade 7/8 Confirmation Retreat and Leadership Building Community Project Reflection (IB MYP Project) Page 4 of 6
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. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. We have monthly assemblies. Every class in the school is responsible for leading virtues liturgy and assembly Recognize student who have demonstrated the virtue of the month Welcome in the community Message from principal reinforcing the virtues and sharing real life connection Monthly Virtue Displays in the front of the school Monthly recognition of virtue aligned prayers during morning announcements Virtue based activities in each classroom Virtue of the month displayed in each class 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. Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus answered them, Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Messiah and they will lead many astray. We have Bible Nativity scene (During Advent) Cross in each classroom Virtue Display in front of school Assemblies and Masses Bulletin board or front table of school action Altar (during school masses) Page 5 of 6
Advent Wreath Statue of Mary in Library (Crowning of Mary) Picture of St. James in Office Cross in Office and Staffroom Cross with picture frames and events from the year framed in cross Posters of Gods Work and No Bullying Cross of Founding Administrators of St. James in wall Mississauga East Faith Banner School Action displayed outside classroom Cross and Logo in school gym Cross on front of school Rosaries in each classroom Prayer centers in each class (with aligned liturgical colour cloth) 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 Fully Alive / Many Gifts Various Library Books/Resources Page 6 of 6