Dear Parents and Guardians:
During the week of May 2 to May 7, 2021, the York Catholic District School Board will celebrate the significant contribution that Catholic Education has made to the community, the province and to Canada. Our Catholic Graduate Expectations challenge students to articulate in society those fundamental values that underpin Catholic education.
The theme for this year’s Catholic Education Week is:
Catholic Education: Nurturing Hope
L’éducation catholique: Cultiver l’espérance
The theme for Catholic Education Week 2021 was inspired by the following considerations:
- Recognition of the special Year of Laudato Si’ which will run through May 24, 2021, announced by Pope Francis on May 24, 2020, the fifth anniversary of his papal encyclical, “On Caring for Our Common Home.”
- In the face of the ongoing reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, a strong desire by the planning committee, along with those consulted, and supported by feedback from the survey, for continuity with the theme for Catholic Education Week 2020, Igniting Hope, which has served so well during the spring recess from in-school instruction.
- The challenges to personal and spiritual well-being posed by the uncertainty and physical isolation of the current global crisis makes the timing and the concerns of Mental Health Week, which takes place during the same week as Catholic Education Week, all the more relevant.
- Ongoing recognition of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and the relevance of Indigenous culture and spirituality to the spirit of Laudato Si.
There are five sub-themes, one for each day of Catholic Education Week and they are aimed at helping staff and students to reflect more fully on what Nurturing Hope means to them. The five sub-themes are:
Day 1: Preparing the Earth / Préparer la terre
Day 2: Sowing Seeds of Gratitude / Semer la gratitude
Day 3: Cultivating Relationships / Cultiver nos relations
Day 4: Harvesting New Fruit / Récolter de nouveaux fruits
Day 5: Marvelling in Wonder / S’émerveiller
At Our Lady of the Rosary CES, we take tremendous pride in celebrating Catholic Education Week with a variety of special activities at all grade levels, including prayer celebrations and service activities.
I encourage all students and their families to get involved with the various spiritual and learning opportunities to “nurture hope” now and in the days to come, as we celebrate Catholic Education Week 2021. Please find attached an overview of the sub-themes and activities that we will be offering and engaging the students, their families and staff in throughout the week.
CEW 2021 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Elementary School
Please also note:
We are pleased to announce that His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins will be celebrating the Catholic Education Week Mass scheduled for
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. EST. All students, families, Board staff, trustees, and the broader Catholic community are invited to participate “virtually” in this celebration of the Eucharist by clicking on the following link at the scheduled time: https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live.
Sincerely,
Mr. W H. Kwon
Principal
Our Lady of the Rosary CES