St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School Celebrates Official Opening and Blessing of New School Addition

On November 6, 2026, the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School community gathered to celebrate the official opening and blessing of a new six-classroom addition, marking an important milestone for the growing Oshawa school.

The celebration began with a liturgy and blessing led by Father Luis Calleja, bringing together students, staff, families, trustees, parish partners, and community members in a spirit of faith and gratitude. Guests also included The Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP for Durham, who participated in an official ribbon cutting for the new addition.

During the celebration, Morgan Ste. Marie, Chair of the Board, reflected on the school's growth since opening in 2015 and noted that the expansion represents another important chapter in the school’s history. “Inspired by the example of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous Saint of North America, these new learning spaces will help students continue to grow in faith, learning, and service,” said Chair Ste. Marie. “This addition will support current and future generations of students as they discover their gifts and reach their full potential.”

Gerard Winn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Durham Catholic District School Board, expressed gratitude to the many individuals and partners who contributed to the success of the project, including the Board of Trustees, Facilities Services staff, architects, contractors, school and system staff, parish partners, and the Ministry of Education. “From the moment I visited the new addition, I could see the pride and excitement it had generated throughout the school community,” said CEO Winn. “These beautiful new learning spaces were built for our students, and we hope they inspire them to learn, grow in faith, discover their gifts, and continue to shine their light each day.”

The Board also expressed appreciation to the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Education for their continued investment in Catholic education and school infrastructure. Supported through $3.8 million in provincial capital funding, the six-classroom addition has created 138 new student spaces to help meet the needs of the growing community.

The celebration concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a shared sense of excitement as students, staff, and families look ahead to the opportunities the new classrooms will provide for years to come.