PASTORAL PLAN School Name: John Cabot Catholic Secondary School School Motto or Mission Statement: Faith, Hope and Charity The mission of John Cabot Catholic Secondary School is to provide a safe, nurturing and motivating environment for students and staff, and to grow and to develop their potential to the fullest. This will be achieved through the formation and modeling of Christian values based on the spirituality of the Gospels, enacted out in the daily life of the school. This will lead to the appropriate social, selfadvocacy and intellectual skills that will develop and sustain a deep sense of self-esteem and study skills, which promote and sustain life-long learning. The John Cabot Catholic Secondary School Pastoral Plan is based on these tenets: 1. Jesus is our Lord and Saviour. 2. Jesus is revealed through the Scriptures. 3. Jesus is at the heart of our school community. 4. Jesus is in the sacraments of the Church. 5. Jesus calls us to service. 6. The spiritual dimension of the person is an essential factor in Catholic Education. 7. The partnership of family, church and school is essential to Catholic Education. Theme for the Year: Catholic Education: Renewing the Promise The 2017-2018 pastoral theme of John Cabot Catholic Secondary School is rooted in Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you, your children and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him. The theme for CEW 2018, Renewing the Promise, draws upon previous documents on Ontario Catholic education, namely, This Moment of Promise (1989), Fulfilling the Promise (1993) and Our Catholic Schools (2006-2007). These three documents all speak of the unique mission of Ontario Catholic education, the importance of its shared leadership by all those involved in Catholic education and the critical role of Catholic education in contemporary society. We will continue to witness to our theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. May we be a community of FAITH, always willing to follow the example of Jesus in all that we do. May we be a people of HOPE, always trusting in God s Page 1 of 19
loving presence in our lives. May we be a people of CHARITY, always willing to give ourselves to better the lives of others. At John Cabot Catholic Secondary School, we are a community of faith, anchored in hope and charity. Retreats Grade 9: This year in Grade 9 we explore the specific focus on identity and self-concept, with a special prayer focus on Catholic identity and how we are the Body of Christ. God has given each of us the freedom and responsibility to shape our own relationships. All our relationships must be rooted in the love of God and our neighbor. Water will be a key symbol throughout the retreat day, such as the waters of baptism that welcomes one into the Catholic family; the water of renewal that comes with reconciliation, and how water is used in Scripture as a metaphor for faith. The Scripture story of Peter attempting to walk towards Jesus on water will be used to frame the concluding liturgy of the retreat day. Lord, if it s you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. (Matthew 14:28) The Grade 9 retreats will be held at St. Patrick s Church and hall. St. Patrick s Church Youth Ministry Leader, Maria Espinoza will help facilitate faith development through the Alpha Program. The Senior Salesian students will serve as retreat leaders on the grade 9 retreats. Supervision will be maintained by the chaplaincy leader and the classroom teacher. Grade 10: In Grade 10, the theme for the retreat will be rooted in the Grade 10 religion curriculum. The retreat theme will focus on how we are created in the image and likeness of God. The retreat will focus on how we are called to be witnesses to Christ s message of diversity and inclusion. This retreat will explore the Christ in Culture unit 5 theme: Relating to the Other the Voice of the Other in Me in some depth. There will be a variety of interactive activities where the emphasis will be on building community. Through personal witness testimonies, students will have time to reflect personally and in small groups on friendship, intimacy, sexuality and love. This retreat will be held the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Education and Retreat Centre. The retreat will be facilitated by Life Lifter Ministries Heather and Joe Jacobs. Supervision will be maintained throughout the retreat by the chaplaincy leader and the classroom teacher. Grade 11: The grade 11 retreat theme is rooted the corporal acts of mercy. The retreat day will begin with a liturgy of the Word in the chapel focused on Jesus Judgment of the Nations Matthew 25:31-46. Students will be engaged in a day of service at Regeneration in Brampton. Prior to the retreat, students will be encouraged to donate clothing and health care items to the centre. The students will have the opportunity to learn about how they can reach out to others in need. The day at Regeneration will be with video presentations about Regeneration including a safety video and several person stories including a talk by a current guest along with a Q & A opportunity. Students will be preparing meals in the kitchen and serving the meals to the homeless at Regeneration. The students will also be taking leadership in leading daily themed Page 2 of 19
interactive activities and creative projects with the guests. The retreat day will conclude with a debriefing in the church. Supervision will be maintained throughout the retreat by the chaplaincy leader and the classroom teacher. Grade 12: The Grade 12 retreat theme is centred on finding a voice to witness in community. This retreat is centered in acts of service. The Chaplaincy Leader will begin the day with a Liturgy of the Word in the chapel as a prayerful start to this day of service. The religion teacher and the Chaplaincy Leader will accompany the students to Good Shepherd Ministries in Toronto. After a brief introduction and safety plan delivered in the chapel by one of the Brothers, Sisters, or a shelter volunteer, the Grade 12 students will tour the shelter and start to perform the various acts of service volunteering in the soup kitchen, clothing room, and laundry room and making beds for the homeless. The Grade 12 students will have an opportunity for prayer and reflection in the chapel at the Good Shepherd. The senior students will listen to a talk by one of the shelter s guests followed by a Q & A period. As opportunities arise, students will tour the historic St. Paul s Basilica directly across the street from the Good Shepherd Centre. Supervision will be maintained throughout the retreat by the chaplaincy leader and the classroom teacher. Other retreats: Planning for Independence Retreat: In consultation with the teachers and staff, the Planning for Independence Retreat will take place at the Riverwood Conservancy Enabling Garden, Mississauga, the St. Bernadette s Family Resource Centre, North York or Maximillian Kolbe Church outdoor Stations of the Cross and reflection garden. Retreats will support youth with emotional, cognitive and/or physical challenges. Programs are customized to support Ontario Special Education curriculum and community agency goals. Students will have the opportunity to experience the joy of nature in an urban oasis. This retreat will focus on the students call to be stewards of God s creation. Supervision will be maintained throughout the retreat by the chaplaincy leader and the classroom teachers and student ERWs. Salesian Catholic Leadership Retreats: Our school will participate in the Salesian Catholic Leadership Retreats again this year at the St. Francis Centre, in Caledon. Twelve Grade 11 students will participate in the program, six in the fall and six in the spring. The John Cabot CSS Salesian Retreat weekends will take place on November 1-3, 2017 and April 11-13, 2018. Having been trained in ways that they can lead by example in our faith community, these students will take a more active role as peer leaders in our school. Four students who have experienced the retreat the year before will be trained as the Young Team so that they can help to facilitate the retreat this year. These students can also serve as peer leaders on the Grade 9 retreats. Supervision will be maintained throughout the retreat by the Dufferin-Peel chaplaincy leaders and teachers. Page 3 of 19
Student Council Leadership Retreat: The Student Council Cabinet and grade level representatives are invited to attend an outdoor retreat in the wintertime at Teen Ranch (TBD). The Student Council members will be invited to the chapel for Morning Prayer. We will focus our day on the initiatives Student Council intends on achieving for the school year. At Teen Ranch, students will be engaged in a variety of team-building activities and group challenges. Students will have the opportunity to share their goals and they will brainstorm ways in which to build team spirit John Cabot CSS. The day will conclude with a prayer of gratitude and singing praise and worship songs around a campfire. Activities of a Religious Nature Activities of a Religious Nature with a substantial component of ritual and prayer Opening Eucharistic Celebration September 13, 2017 Rosary & Devotion for October, November, December, 2017 & February, March, April, May, 2018. (TBD) Thanksgiving Liturgy - October 5, 2017 When Faith Meets Pedagogy Youth Forum October 26, 2017 Advent Eucharistic Celebration for December 6, 2017 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church Ash Wednesday Liturgy scheduled for February 14, 2018. Holy Thursday Liturgy scheduled for March 29, 2018. Rosary & Crowning of Our Lady for May, 2018. (TBD) Graduation Eucharistic Celebration May 30, at St. Patrick Church. (TBD) Year-End Eucharistic Celebration for June 6, 2018 will be celebrated by Fr. J. Facey. (TBD) Youth Ordinandi Lunch March 7, 2018 March for Life May 9-11, 2018 Page 4 of 19
Other Pastoral/Outreach Activities Pastoral Activities Remembrance Day - November 10, 2017 Think Fast will be held on April 26, 2018 (TBD). This is an opportunity for fasting and almsgiving during Lent. Think Fast is a way to fundraise for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace during Share Lent. During Think Fast, students participate in community building activities and they raise awareness about various social justice issues. Students make sandwiches and go on an inner-city walk and serve others by distributing sandwiches. We also tour the Scott Mission. A Eucharistic Celebration is held in our school chapel in the evening for all students participating in the fast. All of the proceeds from this fundraising initiative are forwarded to Canadian Development and Peace and ShareLife. Our school motto is Faith, Hope and Charity. Implicit in our school s culture is Padre s Pot. Every Friday, we collect spare change through homeroom classes. The fundraising is directed to various Catholic charities in both the local and global communities, such as ShareLife. Cabot Youth Faith Ambassadors are representatives from each homeroom class who serve as the liaison or communication link between the Chaplaincy Office and the various grade-level homeroom classes. The Youth Faith Ambassadors serve to inform their peers about various upcoming events on the pastoral calendar. Classes offer assistance at Dr. Simone s warehouse for Canadian Food for Children. Once a month, a teacher accompanies a small class to Canadian Food for Children where students are involved in sorting and packing clothing and loading non-perishable food on cargo containers. Students are also involved in letter writing campaigns for Dr. Simone s warehouse. This year our days of service are: September 11, October 3, November 3, November 10, December 1, 2017 & February 12, March 5, April 6, May 4, 2018. The On the Go Breakfast Club reaches out to our students each morning to ensure that all our students are welcomed to school and that they are well nourished. The Youth Faith Ambassadors take responsibility for planning community outreach, prayer services, liturgies and programs including outreach to local Senior s residence, Canadian Development and Peace projects, Think Fast, food and shoe drives, Christmas baskets, and many other social outreach projects. The grade 11 Hospitality classes invite the residents from Westminster Court Seniors Home to our school for a dinner a few times during the year. Students in dance program showcase their talents to the Senior residents. This type of hospitality serves to build partnerships within our community. In the fall, our students earn community service hours by assisting with the Christmas Bazaar. Our students also host a sing-along and social at the Westminster Court Seniors Home the week before Christmas. John Cabot will participate in annual Pink Day activities to promote student awareness about bullying March 7, 2018 John Cabot will participate in Autism Awareness in April. This is a student-led awareness project. Page 5 of 19
Catholic Education Week Catholic Education Week 2017-2018: Renewing the Promise Catholic Education Week is held each year in May in the twenty-nine Ontario Catholic school boards and for the 2017-2018 Academic Year, Catholic Education week will be celebrated May 6 May 11, 2018. The theme for CEW 2018, Renewing the Promise, draws upon previous documents on Ontario Catholic education, namely, This Moment of Promise (1989), Fulfilling the Promise (1993) and Our Catholic Schools (2006-2007). These three documents all speak of the unique mission of Ontario Catholic education, the importance of its shared leadership by all those involved in Catholic education and the critical role of Catholic education in contemporary society. For 2017-2018, these issues will be further explored via an electronic survey organized by the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) that will lead to a gathering of the Catholic community in the Fall of 2017. From the discussions that emerge for this summit, the Ontario Bishops will be producing a new statement on Ontario Catholic education, Renewing the Promise, which is expected out in the Spring of 2018. During Catholic Education Week, students will participate in our Family of Schools celebration of the Eucharist organized by our student trustees to encourage dialogue and Christian witness. Throughout the week, special liturgies and pastoral events will take place to celebrate the subthemes throughout the week: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Remembering the Promise The Promise is Within You Praying the Promise Living the Promise Proclaiming the Promise Activities that support the Catholic nature of our school. Catholicity across the school In collaboration with each department head, departmental activities and/or events that infuse Catholic teaching, faith formation, and Catholic culture into the curriculum and the classrooms are highlighted. Page 6 of 19
Department Theology Science Mathematics English Canadian World Studies Modern Languages Dramatic Arts English as a Second Language Visual Arts Academic Resource Departmental Activities and/or Events Think Fast Chapel visits for Grade 9 students Assist with the supervision for the Salesian Retreats Rosary Apostolate each month March for Life CPTs linked to the retreat experience Promotion of Earth Day Provide hospitality with the grade 11 students for the graduates and their families following the Grad Mass There is after-school volunteer peer tutoring building a sense of community amongst the various grades. All junior grades engage in CPT activities with a variety of social justice themes. Math Night presentations Students in Grade 9 create an anti-bullying campaign in conjunction with the study of the novel Egghead. Poetry Club is an inclusive and welcoming club that promotes acceptance of self and others. There will be a new novel introduced in the curriculum which is going to be taught around the virtue of empathy and meet with Catholic Graduate Expectations. The John Cabot Talent show is held during Catholic Education Week to showcase the gifts and talents of the students and staff. Terry Fox Walk for Cancer; Remembrance Day Assembly; Black History Month; Eco Club; Prom; Student Vote. Cupcakes for Cancer Day Praying the Hail Mary in different languages as part of morning prayer and reflection in the month of May. CAST Drama performances at the Thanksgiving Liturgies; Black History Month Assembly; Remembrance Day Assembly; Eco Assembly; Holy Thursday Assembly. Newcomer Lunch Club at Cabot runs every Tuesday during both lunch periods. The ESL teacher and School Settlement Worker welcome, share and guide conversations with newcomer students. The focus of this club is diversity, inclusivity, and education newcomer students about community resources, programs and opportunities for youth to be productive citizens to their new community. Community kitchen. In-depth study of the Annunciation, Nativity, Last Supper, Lamentation Pieta as well as other stories in Scripture through various artworks in art history. Participation in the DPCDSB Images Art Show at the Mississauga Civic Centre. Annual participation and submission of poster designs to DPCDSB anti-bullying campaign. The GLE classes volunteer at Dr. Simone s warehouse. The GLE classes have also participated in team building activities at Silver Creek Conservation Area. Page 7 of 19
Student Services Physical Education Business & Technology The GLE classes make mats from milk bags which are donated to CFFC - Dr. Simone s warehouse. The Planning for Independence students are involved in the collection of school supplies for the school-wide School Supplies Drive to be donated to Dr. Simone s. The Planning for Independence students participated in the Mustard Seed Challenge during Catholic Education Week in support of Development & Peace The Planning for Independence students in collaboration with a Grade 10 Religion class assembled Rosaries as gifts for the Graduating Class of 2017 The Grade 8 students from our feeder schools are invited to our school for transitional activities to provide the incoming students with a flavor of life at John Cabot CSS. The students are invited to a Liturgy of the Word in the chapel as part of their welcome to our school. The CYW leads the GSA Club which meets weekly. Pink Day serves to promote inclusivity and anti-bullying initiatives. Mental Health Awareness is the first week of May and activities are organized which promote overall mindfulness and an improved sense of well-being. Annual Athletic Banquet infuses a sense of community and holistically recognizes the influence of the physical, emotional and social factors in the students lives. Hospitality classes regularly support outreach in the community by providing meals for the residents of a local retirement community, Westminster Retirement Home. The hospitality program also provides catering to the many wonderful people who come to John Cabot annually to celebrate vocations day. The Business SHSM program supports the Trillium Bed Race on an annual basis by providing outreach, volunteers and fund raising support. The students and teachers of the Business SHSM provides community outreach through a number of its program reach ahead activities representing Cabot, the SHSM program and their faith by pursuing these activities with our Catholic values both in mind and in practice. The students of the Communication Technology program provide technical support for every event held at the school including masses, liturgies and all special events held at the school. The Yearbook also includes a comprehensive coverage of all masses, liturgies and pastoral initiatives of John Cabot CSS. Page 8 of 19
School Environment reflective of our Faith Pastoral Plan Development 2017-2018 These religious icons, symbols and visible expressions of our Catholic identity are present in the school environment: The first reflection of faith in our school environment is the regular use of our John Cabot Catholic Secondary School Prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Gracious and Holy Father, Please give me: Intellect to understand you, Reason to discern you, Diligence to seek you, Wisdom to find you, A spirit to know you, A heart to meditate upon you, Ears to hear you, Eyes to see you, A tongue to proclaim you, A way of life pleasing to you, Patience to wait for you And perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, Your holy presence, A blessed resurrection And a life everlasting. Amen. + St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks, pray for us. -St. Benedict of Nursia prayer We are continuing to work on creating more visible signs of Catholicity around our school. Three years ago, through the fundraising efforts of Parent Council, two statues were purchased for the chapel, Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph and the Child Jesus. A statue of Our Lady was also added in the library so that it can be seen from the front of the school. A statue of the Risen Lord was added to the front foyer welcoming all visitors to the school. The two display cabinets at the front of the school serve to celebrate the virtue of the month and any upcoming pastoral events. A mural of St. Kateri Tekakwitha was painted in the stairwell of our school to celebrate the canonization of our patroness. We plan on painting a mural of Our Lady in the second main stairwell of our school. Also in the main foyer of our school, we mounted a special large plaque with our school name, motto and logo. Next year, we plan on permanently mounting and framing more Catholic Scriptural passages around each department area of the school. A Witness of Faith Persona is mounted on the wall outside of each school department. Each Department Head had an opportunity to select a figure that is closely related to their subject area or curriculum, and a role model of Gospel values for that area of study. In every classroom throughout the school, our school prayer is mounted in every classroom and work office. Next year we will also mount a copy of the Catholic Graduate Expectations in each classroom. Page 9 of 19
In order to create a more uplifting sacred space in the chapel, we have refurbished the Stations of the Cross, created new altar linens and liturgical banners, ordered a new holy water font, and received a new Pastoral Candle. This year we also erected a new Faith, Hope and Charity sign above the entrance of the chapel. We will continue to maintain and take care of this beautiful sacred space. A large wooden cross is prominent for all of our Eucharistic celebrations, Graduation Commencement ceremonies, and all other school assemblies. This large cross is displayed prominently at the front entrance to the school. This year each classroom will be encouraged to maintain its own sacred space. Each classroom has been provided with a prayer table. Each class was given a prayer tablecloth with Faith, hope and Charity our school motto embroidered on the cloth. The prayer tablecloth is reversible in green and purple so that our school community will be more cognizant of the liturgical colours of the liturgical times of the year. Every prayer table was provided with a Bible. Last year, to symbolize our year of hope, each classroom prayer table was provided with a crucifix. Next year, stands for the crucifix and a Bible stand will be provided for each classroom prayer table. Staff and students will be encouraged to use this sacred space when leading their daily prayer and reflections before each class. In the front foyer of the school, there are display cabinets that celebrate the pastoral theme for this school year, Renewing the Promise. Last year, as we celebrated the year of Walking Forward Together, and we acknowledge daily that we are on sacred indigenous territory and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit River for being stewards of this land. In order to create a more welcoming lower level entrance to the school, we will make an effort to add more Catholic icons and symbols by this entrance of the school. This past year, all of the virtues of the month were mounted in a prominent hallway of the school. The Chaplaincy Bulletin board features information on Vocations, parish bulletins and important youth events in the Archdiocese of Toronto. In the cafeteria, there is another Chaplaincy Bulletin board featuring upcoming pastoral events and initiatives in the school to encourage involvement of the students in these initiatives. The large laminated liturgical calendars of the Church year are on display throughout the school, notably in the cafeteria, chaplaincy office, outside the Theology Department and outside of the Staff room. There are large banners in the Chapel and cafeteria for each liturgical season. John Cabot promotes its virtue of the month through daily prayer and reflection and acts of service. The staff nominates students who have demonstrated the virtue each month. The virtuous students are recognized by the Principal and Chaplaincy Leader at our Breakfast of Champions in both semesters. Page 10 of 19
Collaborative School Culture These activities are organized by the School Catholic Community Culture and Caring Action Team: Collaboration between the Home and School and the faith life of John Cabot CSS is strengthened and supported by the parents of our students. There are many pastoral initiatives that are supported through the generous support of parents. In November, there will be hosting a Numeracy Night for Grade 8 students and parents and our current Grade 9 students and parents. This is an opportunity for our school staff to showcase numeracy in our school through a Catholic lens. Cabot Youth Faith Ambassadors, representatives from each homeroom class, will be called upon from time to time to relay information to homerooms about upcoming school-wide social outreach initiatives and to help with the preparation of school liturgies. Parent Council provides an important link in the Home-School dynamic because through bi-monthly meetings pastoral initiatives are shared and discussed. The Chaplaincy Leader reviews the events on the pastoral calendar for each of the monthly meetings. The Breakfast Club provides nutritious breakfast items to students each morning. Staff and students volunteer their time before the start of each school day to welcome students to school and offer them healthy breakfast foods. The Thanksgiving Food Drive culminates in the creation of the Thanksgiving Food Mountain. The Youth Faith Ambassadors are instrumental in reminding their peers to donate non-perishable food items. The Youth Faith Ambassadors help to organize and pack the non-perishable food items, which will be donated to Regeneration in Peel, Good Shepherd and Canadian Food for Children anf the Mississauga Food Bank. Over the next 2 years, students from John Cabot CSS will begin a journey of fundraising, community involvement, teambuilding, intercultural studies, and trip preparedness, culminating in a social justice trip to Cambodia in 2018. While in country, students will live with local families, participate in a community enhancement project, learn about Cambodia, all during the Advent Season. Parent Council holds a fundraising event during Advent. The proceeds raised through the fundraising efforts of our parents support a worthy cause within our school community. During Advent, we will create Christmas Food baskets for families in need in co-operation with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Patrick s Parish. The Knights of Columbus can be instrumental in helping to deliver the Christmas Food baskets. Our Lenten observance will bring awareness to Lent as a time for spiritual centeredness in preparation for Easter. Our Lenten activities will include ways in which we can use the three pillars of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving to refocus our interior lives towards an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world (Porta Fidei 6) Our school-wide Lenten sacrifice will focus on a clothing drive. Students will be invited to donate gently used clothing and Youth Faith Ambassadors will collect it each morning outside the chapel. Page 11 of 19
Youth Faith Ambassadors will be involved in packing and shipping the clothing to Canadian Food for Children through Dr. Simone s warehouse. CAST (Cabot Actors Serving Together) provides dramatic performances throughout the school year to inspire and stir the spirit in many school assemblies throughout the school year including the Thanksgiving liturgy; Remembrance Day; Holy Thursday liturgy; Eco Assembly. Cabot Cares is an extracurricular team that serves to promote awareness for various social justice issues. The Bake Sale will be hosted at our Grade 8 Parent Night and proceeds will be donated to ShareLife. Cabot Cares serves to promote a caring Catholic community culture and it helps to effectively promote social justice advocacy. The Eco Team continues to work diligently to make John Cabot a more environmentally friendly school. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, our school patron saint, is known for her care for nature and the environment so our patron is a prominent role model for this collaborative school initiative. The new stained glass windows were installed over the summer for the sidelights in the chapel. The design of the stained glass incorporates two angels meant to herald the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The stained glass is incorporating John Cabot s school colours: red, green and white. Upon the completion of the stained glass, the stained glass will be blessed. The stained glass project is being supported through the fundraising efforts of Parent Council. Students will have the opportunity to attend the Development and Peace Conference in the spring. The Autism Awareness campaign was spearheaded by the Academic Resource Department. The Autism flag is raised on Autism Awareness Day. John Cabot CSS students will participate in the Mississauga East Family of Schools Diversity Conference that serves to promote a message of inclusion and acceptance to elementary students within our family of schools. In order to continue to promote inclusivity and diversity in our school community, John Cabot will host its third annual Pink Day next year. This is in keeping with the board s Anti-Bullying initiatives. Staff and students are encouraged to wear pink for the day. This past year, students created chalk art, a video and a word collage poster and a flash mob dance during the lunch periods to promote inclusion and diversity. These types of initiatives will continue next year. Our School Trustees, Anna Abbruscatto (Ward 4) and Mario Pascucci (Wards 1 and 3), will be invited to attend our Grade 8 Night, our bi-monthly Parent Council meetings, our Graduation Mass and the Commencement Ceremony. Page 12 of 19
Parish Connections Planned and existing initiatives that maintain and enhance positive relationships with the local parish communities: The parish connection between school and the members of our parish communities are very strong. The students of our school and their families attend St. Patrick s Church, St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Saints Peter and Paul Church and St. Mary s Ukrainian Catholic Church. The ties between Parish- Home are strengthened through the following pastoral initiatives. The pastor should be invited to address the faculty at one of the first faculty meetings. (Kostoff, Catholic Register, August 2012) In addition, the St. Patrick s Youth Minister, Maria Raissa Espinoza, will be invited to our first staff meeting. The Youth Minister will be invited to our school every Tuesday during the lunch periods. Many students are involved in their Parish Youth Groups at St. Patrick s Church, Saints. Peter and Paul Church, Maximilian Kolbe Church and St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. Early in the school year, the Chaplaincy Leader will make contact with students who are active in these youth groups. We will also continue to maintain contact with the Youth Group Leader of St. Patrick s Church. All Youth Group Parish events will be advertised on the Chaplaincy bulletin board. Whenever possible, the parish youth minister can work with the Chaplaincy Leader on events and ministry. The Parent Council has a Parish Representative to facilitate two-way communication thereby keeping the pastor informed on school initiatives and the school informed on parish issues. (Kostoff, Catholic Register, August 2012) Our Parish Representative will be elected in the fall for the upcoming year. The parish bulletin should provide space each month for information about what is occurring in schools from a religious perspective, and the school newsletter should provide space for the pastor to provide information about the liturgical cycle, upcoming feast days, prayers etc. (Kostoff, Catholic Register, August 2012) The events and pastoral initiatives of the St. Patrick s Youth Group are posted on the Chaplaincy bulletin board. Special events are also mentioned during morning announcements. On October 28 th, 2017, the 34 rd Annual Father Fogarty Awards Dinner will be held recognizing the outstanding contribution of Catholic Student. The Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario recognizes the achievements of one student in each Catholic Secondary School across Ontario. This student will also be recognized at the John Cabot Awards Ceremony in the fall. In order to further nourish the prayer life provided at home, students will be invited to learn to pray the rosary at school. The Rosary Apostolate will be invited to teach Grade 9 students to pray the rosary in the chapel. There will be a particular emphasis on the Luminous Mysteries. Each month, Grade 9 Religion classes will pray the rosary in the chapel and they will learn about the life of a saint related to the virtue of the month. The Rosary Apostolate will be invited to lead the praying of the rosary in our school each month. Our parish connections are also strengthened through our grade 9 Retreat program. Grade 9 Retreats are held at St. Patrick s Church, and they are facilitated in coordination with Maria Raissa Espinoza, St. Patrick s Youth Minister. In partnership with the St. Patrick s Youth Minister, every Tuesday there will be an Alpha Youth meeting for 12 weeks during each semester designed to engage high school students in some of life s biggest questions such as how does God guide us; who is Jesus; why and how do I pray. These Alpha meetings will be co-led by the Salesian retreat leaders. Page 13 of 19
The St. Patrick s Youth Minister is available to speak to classes about youth ministry and other related topics. John Cabot Catholic students participate in the Mississauga East Faith Ambassadors Mass where students from the secondary level celebrate, collaborate, and model Gospel values to the students from the elementary level. The Christmas Basket Drive is coordinated through the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Patrick s Church. Youth Faith Ambassadors from each homeroom class take leadership in organizing the nonperishable food donations and gift donations for each basket. Last year, the school prepared over twenty Christmas Baskets. Volunteers from the St. Vincent de Paul Society assist in the delivery of the Christmas Baskets to needy families in the community. A further 12 families were identified by the school and baskets were prepared and delivered. Along with the pastor and staff of our home parish, St. Patrick s, we also thank all the priests and staff at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish for their guidance and generous use of their facilities to helps us to create a sacramental life for our school community. We also thank the priests and staff of Saints Peter and Paul and St. Mary s Ukrainian Catholic Church for their support of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and youth group activities. Staff Faith Development Catechesis and faith formation among our staff: On August 31st, there will be a Liturgy of the Word in the chapel for all staff. This is a time to come together for worship and fellowship. The school s pastoral theme, Renewing the Promiser, will be introduced to the staff. The Chaplaincy Team meets monthly to discuss upcoming pastoral initiatives. The Chaplaincy Team consists of staff members from each department. We gather to pray, review the monthly pastoral calendar and share ideas about school social justice projects. In an effort to continue to nourish community building, staff will be invited to attend a Liturgy of the Word to start each staff meeting. There will be special emphasis placed on the liturgical times of the year: Ordinary time, Advent, Lent and Easter. Teachers and administration play an active role in promoting Catholic activities and practice in the school. Our Pastoral Plan is developed by a cross section of staff to ensure that the whole community works with towards our pastoral theme. The Staff of John Cabot CSS will be provided with pastoral resources throughout the school year for their personal growth and adult faith enrichment. This year a resource centre of theological references, pastoral guides and prayer books has been established in the staff room. Staff members can sign out the resources and use them to further meet the Catholic Graduate expectations for the different areas of study. Page 14 of 19
On October 6 h, and November 17 th, 2017, and February 1 st, April 27 th, 2017, there will be a PA Days focusing on Faith Development. The theme of these professional activity days is Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context. These days will be an instrumental time to nourish the faith of the staff. Staff liturgies will be offered in the chapel on these PA days. The Staff of John Cabot CSS is encouraged to attend the annual When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference in October. This is an opportunity both for adult faith formation and to share best practices with other Catholic educators around the province. This year the conference is held from October 26-28 th, 2017. The Chaplaincy Office strengthens programs of formation and training for the laity through the promotion of programs for the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. In the spring, one staff representative will attend the Canadian Forum on Theology and Education will be held on April 27 28, 2018. This conference gives secondary teachers opportunities to listen to keynote speakers and dialogue with other Theology teachers about current and emerging issues surrounding our faith. Adult Faith Ambassadors encourage and promote faith formation for our staff in cooperation with board-wide initiatives for adult faith development. During Holy week, the Staff Faith Ambassadors for our Family of Schools organize the Stations of the Cross at St. Dominic s Church in Mississauga. This is an opportunity for staff to participate in liturgy, praise and worship and fellowship. Our staff will come together to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word on June 30th in the chapel. This is a time to reflect and pray on the blessings and graces of the school year. Transitions Students supported in the area of Transitioning from Grade 8 to Grade 9, from Grade 12 to Post Secondary as well as from one grade to another: The Cabot Youth Faith Ambassadors play a key role in welcoming our new grade 8 students. In the spring, each of our feeder schools is invited to attend a liturgy, orientation tour and luncheon at our school. The Youth Faith Ambassadors proclaim the Word at the liturgy, address and welcome the new students to Cabot, and they provide a tour of the school. During the Grade 8 Orientation Visits, the students are invited to attend a morning liturgy led by the Chaplaincy Leader. These new John Cabot students learn about the many ways to become involved in the Catholicity of our school through social justice initiatives and volunteer outreach programs. The Get Ready Program on August 28, 29, 30 and 31 st is a great way for grade 8 students to become better acquainted with school policy and procedures. Senior students take leadership in assisting with this community building activities. The Get Ready program serves to help grade 8 with their transition to the secondary school setting. Page 15 of 19
On August 30 th, there will be an ifun Newcomer Orientation held at John Cabot CSS for all newcomer students to our family of schools who attend Cabot, Philip Pocock, St. Paul and St. Martin. The ifun Orientation Program gives newcomer youth a head start in their new school by familiarizing them with the new school community as well as the culture of the Ontario educational system. The ifun program activities include: group discussions on strategies for success in a Catholic school; dramatic presentations by peer leaders; a simulated timetable exercise and discussions about Catholic graduations requirements and support systems in the school. The Chaplaincy Leader will provide a witness talk for these students in our school chapel. There will also be hospitality and orientation in the John Cabot CSS Chapel where the Chaplaincy leader will speak to the newcomer student about mass etiquette and community service opportunities. The Chaplaincy Leader will invite all the Grade 9 classes to come to the chapel for a morning liturgy early in September 2017. The Chaplaincy Leader will welcome the new grade 9 students to the chapel and explain the significance of the sacred space. During the visit to the chapel, the Chaplaincy Leader will inform the Grade 9 students about the pastoral counseling and sacramental life offered at John Cabot Catholic Secondary School. The Grade 9 Retreat program also serves to help students ease their transition to secondary school. While on retreat, students will explore certain issues that include friendships, peer groups and, involvement in the extracurricular life of the school. Teachers of Grade 9 and 10 Mathematics plan to continue to work collaboratively with Program Consultants and colleagues who teach Gr. 6 to 8 Mathematics at our elementary feeder schools. In particular, as a continuation of the work done throughout the 2015-2016 school year, staff will investigate and document connections in our pedagogical practices related to cross-panel curriculum content. With a focus on student-centered instruction, student voice, and open, rich mathematical tasks, we plan to co-create a second cross-panel continuum of student work based on a mathematical strand. As we work together in this manner, students will have further opportunity to demonstrate their ability to be Collaborative Contributors and Lifelong Learners, while developing mathematical proficiency, a human right as fundamental and necessary as literacy. The Math Team at John Cabot CSS has also planned a Fall Gr. 9 Mathematics Evening Event for parents and students. The purpose of this event will be to highlight effective strategies for parents/guardians to support their children as these students learn mathematics in secondary school. Shared strategies will include information on open, rich mathematics tasks connected to prior math learning, current Gr. 9 mathematics curriculum, and demonstrations of the online Homework Help environment. As parents and youth work together, they will have further opportunity to be caring family members as they share learning and support one another. The Cross Panel Transitions Meeting at the beginning of second semester provides an opportunity for John Cabot Staff to meet with the feeder school administration teams in an effort to share information from the Chaplaincy Team, Student Services, Academic Resource Department and ESL Department, Student Success Team in matters of transition. Students Council also provides student voice at this Cross Panel Transition meeting by providing an overview of the many extracurricular teams and clubs available at John Cabot CSS. During the carousel sessions, elementary school teachers consult with the grade nine teachers and review curriculum strands in the areas of Science, Math and English. There is an emphasis on Catholic Graduate Expectations in these curriculum-based sessions. This collaborative effort provides teachers at the transition grades an opportunity to dialogue about ways to facilitate the transition to John Cabot Catholic Secondary School. Page 16 of 19
In the fall and in the spring our students participate in Student Voice where ideas are shared with other school representatives board wide about faith-based student-initiated activities. At the end of each semester, a Salesian gathering and social is held. The gathering begins with a prayer in thanksgiving for the blessings of the semester. Salesian leaders are given the opportunity to reflect on the ways in which they can take leadership in the faith life at John Cabot CSS. A meal is shared at this gathering. The Young Team is selected for the following year based on the fruits of the students labours in organizing outreach activities, such as Socktober and food drives, and taking leadership initiative in grade 9 retreats. These activities serve to facilitate the transition of the junior students into their senior year. The Chaplaincy Office makes a concerted effort to assist the Graduating class with their transition to post-secondary life by providing resources to the senior students concerning campus ministry at each university/college. This is instrumental in helping students make decisions about their university and college choices. Vocations Vocations to religious life and pastoral ministries promoted through: Our school will be hosting one Vocations Day (TBD) in November or April. Guest speakers from religious orders will be invited to come to our school through the Toronto Archdiocese Vocations Office. Fr. Frank Portello from the Office of Catholic Youth will also be invited to attend. We also invite Fr. Chris Lemieux, Director of Vocations at the Archdiocese of Toronto. The Serra Ordinandi Luncheon will take place on March 7th, 2018. Students are invited to listen to the witness talks of the young men and women who will soon be ordained. This provides students an opportunity to consider religious vocations. There are bulletin boards with information set up in the cafeteria concerning Consecrated Life. The Chaplaincy Leader promotes lay pastoral ministry roles within our school and neighboring parishes. Students who are discerning for the priesthood are encouraged to attend a special retreat in the month of April. The Chaplaincy Leader is in contact with Fr. Chris Lemieux at the Office of Catholic Youth. Additional information about various religious orders are also made available in the chapel. Page 17 of 19
Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction Pastoral Plan Development 2017-2018 Pastoral counseling and spiritual direction is available to students and staff through the Chaplaincy Leader: Administrators and teachers actively refer students to this service. Students often refer themselves and other students to pastoral counseling. Pastoral counseling is provided including individual counseling, crisis intervention, hospital visits and funeral home visits. The Chaplaincy Leader often invites students to pray in the chapel and to seek the compassion and loving care of Christ. In coordination with the Child and Youth Worker, Krista Mann, the Chaplaincy Leader will provide Bereavement and Grief counseling and support to students who have recently lost an immediate family member. The Chaplaincy Leader meets with the CYW, Krista Mann, about once a week to follow up on students who have sought counseling due to anxiety issues, spiritual crises or other personal issues. The Chaplaincy Leader continues to provide on-going pastoral counseling and spiritual direction for students. In order to further assist students and families with loss and bereavement, referrals may be made to agencies outside the school such as the Bereaved Families of Ontario of Halton and Peel. The support group of the Bereaved Families of Ontario meets in our school once a week for 6 weeks every spring. The CYW, Krista Mann, in partnership with Maria Ferreira, the Public Health Nurse, the Chaplaincy Leader, the Student Success Teacher and additional staff, are promoting initiatives for mental health and wellness education in line with the Catholic Board s Strategic Plan. The one-on-one pastoral counseling usually results in further follow-ups and/or referrals to the Child Youth Worker, Social Worker, Academic Resource, Guidance Counselors, Administration, and School Psychologist. As a team, our school staff works together to provide care for students who are in crisis or at risk. A Crisis Response Team meets to discuss various strategies for at risk situations. Page 18 of 19
Signature Page Pastoral Plan Development 2017-2018 Pastor Chaplaincy Leader Faith Ambassador(s) (as applicable) Department Heads (as applicable) Chair of Catholic School Council Vice Principal(s) Principal Superintendent Page 19 of 19