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Our Catholic Schools
Our Catholic schools provide a faith based education rooted in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. We challenge each student to meet Ontario's Catholic Graduate Expectations by promoting their spiritual development with an emphasis on social justice and Catholic Social Teachings. We believe that this formation will not only serve our students today, but also in the future as they contribute positively to our society in the service of others.
Each year we identify an essential element of evangelization, through a spiritual theme, to focus our faith formation initiatives. This year we will focus on the spiritual theme of love.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Every year, Christians around the world are invited to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Unity of all Christians (WPUC). In Canada, the WPUC is traditionally observed between January 18 (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and January 25 (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul). The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been celebrated this week in Canada for over 50 years.
Together with Christians around the world, Durham Catholic celebrates the WPUC, as we pray for the unity of all Christians and reflect on scripture together. In our churches and throughout our communities, Christians will study the word of God together, to consider ways in which we can work together as disciples of Christ, and to join in fellowship and prayer. Through this worldwide celebration, we strive for “unity in diversity”. It invites Christians of different traditions to deepen their relationships and to live and witness together throughout the year.
The 2021 theme – Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit (John 15:5-9) ties beautifully with this year’s spiritual Year of Love! The theme is based on the Gospel of John where Jesus says he is the true vine (John 15:1-17). In this Gospel, we know Christ prays for his disciples before going to the cross. He asks that his followers “may all be one,” as he and the Father are one, “so that the world may believe” and have life in his name (John 17). In this prayer of Jesus, Christian unity is central to the very being of the church and to its mission and witness.
This week calls us to pray and to work for reconciliation and unity in the church, with our human family, and with all of creation. Drawing on the Gospel image of vine and branches, it invites us to nourish unity with God and with one another through contemplative silence, prayer, and common action. Grafted into Christ the vine as many diverse branches, may we bear rich fruit and create new ways of living, with respect for and communion with all of creation.
Using the prayers below, Durham Catholic schools will be learning about and praying for the unity of the entire world!
| Monday, January 18, 2021 |
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Throughout this week, we will be asked to think about what it means to abide in Christ – that is, how to really live deeply connected to Christ – and how we might bear fruit in our love of one another and our witness to the Gospel. + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Jesus Christ, you choose us; you seek us; you call us. You wish to offer us your friendship and lead us to a life that is ever more complete. Grant us the confidence to answer your call so that we may be transformed and become witnesses of your tenderness for the world. Amen. + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Suggestion for action: How can we be witnesses in our families, school, and community? You may find an activity as a class or as a whole school. You may reach out virtually to other Christian communities in your neighbourhood to see what projects you could work on together to be witnesses to God’s tenderness for the world. |
| Tuesday, January 19, 2021 |
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Today our theme is, forming one body! Throughout this week, we will read from Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John. This chapter tells us about some important teachings that Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper. Today’s verse says: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12b). (Pause for a moment of silence.) Loving one another is not always easy. When we hurt each other, we must say ‘sorry’ and seek reconciliation. When we have reconciliation, it means that our relationship is repaired. This week we think about how Jesus wants us to live in right relationship with God and with one another. Jesus calls all of us to be part of one body. When he says, “I am the true vine and you are the branches,” he helps us understand how we are connected. God’s love is the sap running through that vine. God’s love is what makes us into one body and makes reconciliation possible. Let us pray + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. God, you reveal to us your love through Christ and through each other. Open our hearts so that we can welcome each other with our differences and live in forgiveness. Grant us to live united in one body, so that the gift that is each person comes to light. May all of us together be a reflection of the living Christ. Amen + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Suggestion for action: In just a few weeks, we will celebrate Valentine’s Day. To whom can we send a Valentine’s card this year to show that we love one another as Jesus taught us? As we grow older, we may be able to suggest other actions we can take to help people in our community to show our love in concrete ways. |
| Wednesday, January 20, 2021 |
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Today is the 3rd day in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today’s theme is, praying together! In Christ, God came to meet us. Jesus lived in prayer, intimately united to his Father, while creating friendships with his disciples and all those he met. He introduced them to that which was most precious to him: the relationship of love with his Father, who is our Father. In today’s verse, we learn that Jesus wants us to know him, and through him, his Father, because he considers us to be his friends. Today’s verse says: “I do not call you servants any longer ... I have called you friends” (John 15:15). (Pause for a moment of silence.) Prayer can be on our own or shared with others. It can express wonder, complaint, intercession (which is asking for what we need), thanksgiving or simple silence. Sometimes we are not sure what is the best way to pray. Turning to Jesus and saying to him, “teach me,” can pave the way. Let us pray + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, your entire life was prayer, perfect harmony with the Father. Through your Spirit, teach us to pray according to your will of love. May the faithful of the whole world unite in intercession and praise, and may your kingdom of love come as we pray together: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Question for Reflection: Through hymns, words and silence, a feeling of unity is created. If we pray with others, we may be surprised to feel united by a bond of friendship that comes from the One who is beyond all division. How can we find ways to join in prayer with those of other traditions online? |
| Thursday, January 21, 2021 |
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On this 4th day, we reflect on letting ourselves be transformed by the Word! The Word of God is very close to us. It is a blessing and a promise of happiness. If we open our hearts, God speaks to us and patiently transforms us. He removes anything that might hurt our spiritual growth, just as a vine grower prunes the vine. Today’s verse says: “You have already been pruned by the word” (John 15:3). (Pause for a moment of silence.) The Sisters of the Grand champ Community, who prepared this year’s materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, recite these words every day to remind them of the importance of God’s word: Pray and work that God may reign. Throughout your day, let the Word of God breathe life into work and rest. Maintain inner silence in all things so as to dwell in Christ. Be filled with the spirit of the Beatitudes, joy, simplicity, mercy. Let us pray + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed are you, God, for the gift of your word in Holy Scripture. Blessed are you for its transforming power. Help us choose life and guide us by your Spirit, so that we can experience the happiness which you want so much to share with us. Amen. + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Suggestion for Action: Let us look at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) today and consider how our lives can be transformed by God’s Word. We may choose one Beatitude individually or as a class. You might copy it, decorate it and post it, praying that you may be transformed by God’s word. Share your work on social media using the #DCDSBfaith and #WPCU2021. |
| Friday, January 22, 2021 |
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On this final day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we focus on growing in unity as branches of one vine! Each tradition seeks to lead us to the heart of our faith: communion with God, through Christ, in the Spirit. The more we live this communion, the more we are connected to other Christians and to all of humanity. Paul warns us against an attitude of division and reminds us that we all need one another in the Body of Christ and that we are belong to God through Christ in the power of the Spirit. “All are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God” (1 Cor 3:22-23). Today’s verse says: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5a). (Pause for a moment of silence.) Christ helps us on our path of unity and reconciliation by helping us see we are all called to be branches of the one true vine. Remember it is Jesus who prays, “that they may all be one ... so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Let us pray + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Holy Spirit, life-giving fire and gentle breath, come and abide in us. Renew in us the hope for unity so that we may live knowing more of the bond that unites us in you. May we unite and bear witness together to the hope that sustains them. Amen. + In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Question for Reflection: Is there any ongoing action you can engage in with others in your community, beyond just this week, so you may be an ongoing witness to our hope? |
Welcome to the Year of Love (2020-2021)
The Year of Love design was created by Emma Fischer, a student from All Saints Catholic Secondary School. The image features
a group of six hands coming together in the centre and represents all the different backgrounds that students at the Durham Catholic District School Board come from. "I love how multicultural we all are and how we can all learn together at our schools," said Emma.
The hands together represent love and acceptance which Jesus modelled for us through his life and death. The cross with a heart of thorns illustrates Jesus’ ultimate act of love for us – his death and resurrection on the cross so we can have eternal life.
The burgundy border at the top and bottom of the poster represents love, sacrifice and the blood of Christ.
Emma notes that the Biblical phrase “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” was placed at the top of the page to indicate how important it is to live by this mantra. In a world where there is so much hatred and disregard for people that are ‘different’, it is important that we can all learn from this. If we take the time to love and respect the people around us as much as we love ourselves, the world would be a better place.
The poster design ends with a larger part of the quote from Mark. "As Catholic students, we live in a very secular world where faith and religion are often not respected," added Emma. "Jesus is asking us to put God at the centre of our lives and to love him fully. If we are able to do this, I believe that we will find true happiness and love."
Our parishes
We partner with our local parishes to strengthen the relationship between school, home and church.
Renewing the Promise
"Our Catholic schools offer an extraordinary contribution to the social and environmental fabric of our society and world. In partnership with parents, who bear the primary responsibility for the education of their children, all those who work in Catholic education are called upon to reflect, in a faithful and discerning fashion, God's presence in this world."
(Source: Renewing the Promise a Pastoral Letter for Catholic Education, May 2018)
Find the Pastoral Letter for Catholic Education "Renewing the Promise" here.
Contact us
To learn more, call us at 905-576-6150 ext. 22238.