Catholic Virtues Into Action
“The Catholic school tries to create within its walls, a climate in which the pupil’s faith will gradually mature…It will give you pride of place in the education it provides through Christian Doctrine to the gradual formation of conscience in fundamental, permanent virtues…the life-giving spirit which transforms a person of virtue into a person of Christ.”
Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, 1977
While most everything in education has changed since those words were written 30 years ago, the vision and mission of the Catholic school remains. In response to the Ministry of Education’s initiative to promote Character Development in Ontario Schools, our Board has launched a pilot program named “Catholic Virtues into Action”. Catholic schools have been founded on the basis of inculcating gospel values and have long nurtured the academic, social, emotional and physical development of students through their spiritual well being. Our Catholic Graduate Expectations embody these values. Importantly, Catholic Education has stressed community involvement as an important means for students to put beliefs into practice and has built on the concept of the family, parish, school triad as the best way to support our children.
Each month throughout this year, the school will deliberately focus on a specific Catholic virtue. Our prayers, lessons, assemblies and liturgies will teach how this virtue can come alive through our actions. We will work closely with the parish and our Catholic School Council in this regard and encourage support from our families. By modeling these virtues we can provide numerous opportunities for our students to become faithful, giving members of our Catholic Community.
| September | Respect |
| October | Empathy |
| November | Justice |
| December | Patience |
| January | Responsibility |
| February | Compassion |
| March | Forgiveness |
| April | Stewardship |
| May | Tolerance |
| June | Honesty |
