Witnessing Faith

Achievements

The board's spiritual theme for the 2021-2022 school year was Community of Faith and helped guide staff and students' thinking, reflections and actions throughout the year. This was a fitting theme as we recognized the need to rebuild, restore and renew the important relationships between home, school and parish that forms the foundation of our Catholic education system. 

In Durham Catholic elementary schools, the Early Years resource, Sowing the Seeds was implemented, which connects the six tasks of catechists through the spirit of inquiry and faith. 

The creation of a template called We Are All Wonderfully Made Supported Themes 2 and 3 of the Grades 7 and 8 Fully Alive program in using pastoral approaches and inclusive language for students who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Implementation of the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ Religious Education Program continued with an emphasis on Grade 8 and supports for the Virtual Elementary School.

Secondary schools were introduced to Listening to Indigenous Voices Dialogue Guide as a secondary supplemental resource to address culturally responsive pedagogy in the Grade 11 World Religions Course. Students in our elementary schools engaged in experiential, faith-based projects with those in secondary. 

The Faith Formation and Religious Education team fostered community partnerships with groups such as The Rosary Apostolate and Development and Peace who worked with elementary and secondary students to put their faith in action. 

The board returned to in-person twilight retreats to support faith formation for all staff. We also saw a return to in-person retreats for students with support from community partners.

Highlights

Training:

  • Implementation and training of Sowing the Seeds resource in all kindergarten classrooms; 

  • All Secondary Religion Curriculum Chairs have received a copy of Listening to Indigenous Voices Dialogue Guide. 

  • Effective assessment and evaluation practices for teachers new to Secondary Religious Education; and 

  • New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) teachers supported in delivery of rich, equitable and inclusive Religion and Family Life programming. 

Faith Formation:

 

  • Rosary Apostolate worked with students at all elementary schools.   
  • Elementary students at St. Jude, St. Paul and St. Joseph Catholic Schools worked with secondary students from St. Mary Catholic Secondary School to create faith-based outdoor experiential learning spaces.  
  • As an Ontario Youth Apprentice Program (OYAP) initiative, students from Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School created wooden crosses and ornaments that were then shared with students at Sir Albert Love and Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic Schools to complete and give as a gift to their families.  
  • Twilight Retreats saw maximum attendance at 30 due to COVID-19 restrictions. 
  • Advent and Lenten Twilight Retreats saw maximum attendance at 40 due to COVID restrictions.
  • Annual Chaplains’ Retreat for all secondary school chaplains.
  • Principal and Vice Principals’ Retreats for all PVPs with the theme: What Makes Education Catholic with Dr. Thomas Groome.

Our Stories

St. Jude School' Rosary Garden

New Outdoor Learning Spaces at DCDSB Schools

Making Crosses for Sir Albert love Catholic School Students

Lenten Twilight Retreat