Shining Our Light Through Gratitude

Dear Families,

Throughout the first month of the 2026-2027 school year, it has been a joy to see our Durham Catholic learning community come together in faith, learning, and service. With the Thanksgiving weekend approaching, we are given an opportunity to pause and reflect on God's many blessings and give thanks for the people who enrich our lives. Among the blessings we are most thankful for are the strong partnerships between families, staff, parishes, and community members that support the success and well-being of every student.

This spirit of gratitude is reflected in this year's spiritual theme, Shining Our Light. We are called to shine Christ’s love through kindness, compassion, generosity, and service. Every day, I am inspired by the many ways our students, families, and staff live out this call, helping to create welcoming and caring school communities. Across our board, schools have been shining their light through service initiatives, including fundraising campaigns and food drives in support of organizations such as the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation, ShareLife, Feed the Need Durham, and many others. These efforts provide meaningful assistance to those experiencing challenges in our communities and reflect the compassion and generosity that are at the heart of our Catholic faith. 

As we gather in gratitude this Thanksgiving, we acknowledge that this land has long been home to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, whose traditions of giving thanks predate this holiday. This season offers an opportunity to give thanks for our blessings and to reflect on the histories that continue to shape our shared journey.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we nurture the God-given gifts of every student and encourage them to shine their light in their homes, schools, parishes, and communities.

May the light of Christ fill your hearts with gratitude this Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

Yours in the light of Christ,

Gerard Winn

Chief Executive Officer/Chief Education Officer