Mission Statement
“Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” Luke 6:12-13
From this reading we see that Jesus’ life and mission is grounded in prayer. Only after praying all night does he choose his apostles and form a community. Together they would start a movement that would change the world. We also must begin with prayer, build community, and serve together.
Prayer, Community and Service Events for 2015-2016
October 7 – Dr. Andrew Simone assemblies
Oct 14 - Feast of St. Marguerite d'Youville - liturgy of the word
November 5 - 7 - Link Crew Salesian leadership retreat
December 2-4 - Saleisian Leadership Retreat
Dec 9 - 10 - Advent Eucharistic Masses
December 1 – 15 - Christmas Baskets for local needy families
Dec 15 - Advent Reconciliation
January 28 - Feb. 7 – North-South Service trip to Nicaragua
February - Black History Month
February 10- Ash Wednesday liturgy
Feb 18 – Lenten Reconciliation
March 4 - 5 - 25 Hour Thinkfast for Development & Peace
March 24 - Holy Thursday liturgy of the word
April 12 – 16 - Autism Awareness Week
May 1 – 6 - Catholic Education Week.
May 12-13 - Pro Life March in Ottawa
June 2-3 - End of year Eucharistic masses
Theme of the Year: Mercy
“Once a person has experienced the mercy of God in his life he will henceforth aspire only to serve...he will be able to cease from constantly scrutinizing the other person, judging, condemning, but because of mercy, others are no longer excuses for self-justification. They are rather a cause for rejoicing, and an object of my service. Not self-justification which means the use of domination and force, but justification by grace, and therefore service, should govern the Christian community." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A description of our Grade 12 Inner City Retreat
Encountering Christ on the Margins
The Catholic Graduate Expectations call us to become responsible citizens who live “Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peacefuland compassionate society” (7e). The grade twelve retreat is intended to help achieve this goal.
Students are asked to prepare three to five lunches each to distribute on this walk. A lunch may contain a sandwich, a drink and some sort of snack. We provide brown paper bags, which can be decorated with messages of hope. If financial challenges at home do not allow this, the student is asked to see the chaplain or his/her religion teacher.
On the day of the retreat, students will travel on a school bus with their religion teacher to the Christian Resource Centre-Regent Park Community Centre, which is located at 40 Oak Street. We arrive at about 10:00 a.m. and Paul Burke speaks to the students in a chapel inside the centre. Paul has many years’ experience in Christian ministry to the poor in Toronto. He will speak until about 11:00, when Quiznos lunch is delivered by Mr. Whelan.
After lunch, at about 11:20 a.m. we prepare for the walk. Students are reminded about a proper attitude when interacting with the homeless, to be careful crossing streets and to stay with the group. If we have a fourth adult supervisor we break the studentsinto two groups, so that there can be two adults with each group of approximately twelve to fifteen. If we do not have a fourth supervisor we will walk as one group with three supervisors: Paul Burke, the religion teacher, and Mr. Whelan.
The two groups walk around the neighbourhood parks and near homeless shelters and churches, distributing lunches to the homeless. The lunch is appreciated by the poor, but what is appreciated more is the kindness of the encounter and lack of judgment. This is an exercise in compassion. We receive as much as we give. We believe that we experience Christ in the poor: “What you did to the least of these, you did to me.” (Mt. 25:32)
Mr. Whelan’s group walks West on Oak St. to Parliament, North on Parliament to Gerrard, west on Gerrard to George St., south on George Street past the Seton Centre, a shelter for homeless men run by the City of Toronto. We stop at George and Dundas for a talk. We walk West on Dundas to the Homeless Memorial which is in Trinity Square behind the Eaton’s Centre. We also stop here for a short reflection and prayer. Wethen go in Holy Trinity Church, where there are often homeless people. From there we go through the Eaton’s Centre to Yonge, south on Yonge to Shuter and East on Shuter to St. Michael’s Cathedral. We walk south on Bond St. to the Metropolitan United Church, where we will stop to go in and have a look. We will then spend some time in front of that church where homeless people tend to congregate. We then walk East on Queen St. until we get to the Good Shepherd Refuge at 412 Queen St. E., arriving at about 1:00 p.m. This is where we meet up with the other group. We go in the chapel of Good Shepherd for our final reflection and prayer, and board the bus outside Good Shepherd at 1:15 p.m.
Paul Burke’s group walks West on Oak St. to Parliament, South on Parliament to Dundas, west on Dundas to Seaton St., north on Seaton to Gerrard, and west on Gerrard. The group goes to Allen Gardens, where they are likely to encounter homeless people. They walk south on George St., past Seton House, where there are often many homeless people. They walk into an alley behind Seton House where Paul stops to speak to the group. They continue south on George to Dundas, East on Dundas to Sherbourne, south on Sherbourne to Queen and East on Queen. Paul stops at Moss Park for a short talk. Then the group continues East on Queen to the Good Shepherd Refuge at 412 Queen St. E., arriving at about 1:00 p.m. for a prayer in the chapel before boarding the bus at 1:15.
There is further discussion in class after the walk. The root causes of poverty and our Christian responsibility to work for the common good are discussed. It has been our experience that these retreats help raise our consciousness of these important issues and our call to build a more just and compassionate society.
Do you want to work to help build a school in Nicaragua? There will be an exposure trip to Nicaragua January 28 - February 7th, 2016. See Mr. Whelan for more information.![]()
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The full version of our Pastoral Plan: Template 2015-2016 v2.docx
An article about our Sharlife fundraiser: www.workingwonders.ca
Follow us on Twitter @dychaplaincy
Great faith materials are available at http://bustedhalo.com/
St. Marguerite d'Youville Parish website
Are you familiar with the Catholic Graduate Expectations?
These are a list of fifty-two expectations we have for our graduates.
We have made a questionnaire you can take to determine how you rate yourself on each of the seven categories of these expectations. You may want to print up the answer sheet and use it to rate yourself. There are instructions on this sheet for scoring.
Self-Evaluation Based on the
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
Instructions: Here are a number of statements about our hopes for a Graduate of the Ontario Catholic School System. You will need to print the answer sheet provided, (CathSchoolGradExpAnswerSheet.docx - it does not look right until you print it) and write the number next to each statement to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement. After you answer the fifty-two questions there are instructions for scoring the test.
The answer sheet will ask you whether you:
Disagree Disagree Neither agree Agree Agree
Strongly nor disagree Strongly
1 2 3 4 5
1 – I know and understand the story of how Jesus came to save us from our sins?
2 – I use active and critical listening skills to understand Gospel values?
3 – I recognize that grace overpowers sin, and that in facing life’s challenges having hope is essential?
4 – I demonstrate confidence and a positive sense of self? I respect the dignity and welfare of others?
5 – I am able to work effectively as an interdependent team member?
6 – I relate and interact with family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner?
7 – I, as a person formed in Catholic traditions, act legally and morally?
8– I receive the sacraments of the Church? I know the significance of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith?
9 – I can understand and use written materials effectively?
10 – I create, adapt, and evaluate new ideas while keeping the common good in mind?
11 – I demonstrate flexibility? I easily adapt to different situations?
12 – I am able to think critically about the meaning and purpose of work?
13 – I recognize human intimacy and sexuality as God-given gifts that are to be used for the purpose that God intended?
14 – I accept accountability for my own actions?
15– I reflect on God’s Word as taught in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures in my daily life?
16 – I can clearly and truthfully present information and ideas with sensitivity to others?
17 – I am able to think reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems?
18 – I take initiative and demonstrate Christian leadership skills?
19 – I strive to develop and reach my God-given potential, and make a meaningful contribution to society?
20 – I value and honour the important role of family in today’s society?
21 – I seek and grant forgiveness in order to right my wrongs?
22 – I display values and attitudes that reflect Catholic teachings, and promote social responsibility, human solidarity, and the common good?
23 – I can you write and speak one or both of Canada’s official languages fluently?
24 –I make morally correct decisions in light of Gospel values?
25 – I manage and constructively influence change in a discerning matter? (Discerning manner means with reflection and prayer about right and wrong.)
26 – I find meaning, dignity and fulfillment in work that contributes to the common good?
27 – I value and seek opportunities to nurture family prayer?
28 – I promote the sacredness of life in all that I do?
29 – I understand that God has given me a life to live, and that is not to be owned but to be protected and cherished?
30 – I can effectively integrate the Catholic faith in analyzing the arts, media, technology, and information systems to enhance the quality of life?
31 – I have adopted a holistic approach to life by integrating learning from various subject area and experience?
32 – I set appropriate goals and priorities for myself in school, work, and personal life?
33 – I show respect towards the rights, responsibilities, and contributions of self and others?
34 – I minister to family, school, parish, and wider community through service?
35 – I am a witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society?
36– I share a close and intimate bond with God and others through prayer and worship?
37 – I examine, evaluate and apply knowledge of interdependent systems (political, ethical, socioeconomic, and ecological) in developing a just and compassionate society?
38 – I can you apply effective communication, decision-making, problem solving, and time and resource management skills in my life?
39 – I practice Christian leadership in achieving individual and group goals?
40 – I respect and affirm the diversity and interdependence of the world’s peoples and cultures?
41 – I recognize that God has a specific purpose and calling for me, and that throughout my life’s journey, I will strive towards this calling?
42 – I examine and reflect on my personal values, abilities and aspirations, which influence life’s choices and opportunities?
43 – I strive to achieve excellence, originality, and integrity in my own work, and support these qualities in the work of others?
44 – I respect and understand the history, cultural heritage and differences of today’s society?
45 – I show respect towards people of all religions and faith traditions?
46 – I participate in leisure and fitness activities to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle?
47 – I hope to apply my skills for employability, self-employment, and entrepreneurship in relation to my Christian calling?
48 – I exercise the rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen?
49– I incorporate faith into my daily life?
50 – I care for and respect the environment around me, and use resources wisely?
51– I recognize that sin, human weakness, conflict, and forgiveness are all apart of the human journey and that Jesus dying on the cross is the ultimate sign of forgiveness and is at the heart of redemption?
52 – I contribute towards the common good through my actions in the community?
CathGradExSo What Does it all Mean.docx
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