Pastoral Plan 2016-2017

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PASTORAL PLAN

School Name:

School Mission Statement:

Our mission is to provide a Catholic education which develops the spiritual, intellectual and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to meet the challenges of tomorrow, thus enriching the community.

School Motto: Achieving, Believing, Caring

Pastoral Plan Links to Strategic Plan/Catholic Board Learning Plan:

Our pastoral plan is rooted in the Strategic Plan pillars of Catholicity as we are called to affirm our Catholic Faith, in word, in action and in all that we do. Through the collaborative development of the Catholic Learning Environment, we foster the continuous development of all through a caring, safe, and inclusive environment. Our pastoral plan supports all the shared outcomes of the Catholic Board Learning Plan as faith is infused in all we do.

Link: Strategic Plan: Strategic System Plan

Our Parish: Merciful Redeemer

Pastor: Rev. Vid Vlasic

Parish website: www.mercifulredeemer.org

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Message from the Pastor:

Dear School Staff and Students,

It is great to celebrate with you all the special times and accomplishments in academic year. Part of this

growth is also spiritual enrichment: not just to become better people but to become God’s people. In

that regard we start our school year with an opening Mass seeking God’s blessing on all of us. In Advent

we prepare for the Birth of Jesus with another special celebration of faith. In lent we are reminded to

renew our resolve to act with discipline and faith. And of course on the end of year we say “thanks’ with

a closing mass.

But that is not all: during entire year we pray formally every day as well as in the class setting we share

faith. And of course we are invited to be part of the parish faith community on the Lord’s day. Wishing

you abundance of God’s blessing this school year and always.

Fr. Vid Vlasic, pastor

Message from the Catholic School Council:

The Our Lady of Mercy Elementary Catholic School Council plays a vital role in our school community

connecting parents/guardians to educators, staff, and students. It is with the active involvement,

collaboration and volunteer efforts of parents/guardians that we endeavour to enhance the elementary

school experience of every student and work to ensure that each student reaches their full academic

potential thru a Catholic faith lens.

Catholic Education Week Theme:

Walking Forward Together/Aller de l’avant ensemble

Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you to reflect on the significance of Catholic education’s

presence and contribution in our Church, and in our society.

April 30 – May 5, 2017 is Catholic Education Week.

More information will go home through our Monthly Newsletter regarding activities during Catholic Education Week

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Faith Formation:

Forming ourselves in our Catholic faith is a foundational element in helping each of us

understand and live in the example of Christ.

We believe in faith development, and we continue to provide sacramental preparation, liturgical celebrations, community building retreats, prayer services and school wide reflection days. In collaboration with our pastoral team, through pastoral visits, celebrations and prayer, we work together to nurture the seeds of faith for the community. Our daily morning prayer and formal religious instruction support the faith development of our students.

Sacramental Preparation:

As Catholic we understand sacraments to be "outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace."

Together in partnership with our parish, we support the preparation of God’s children in

receiving the sacraments.

Event Grade 2 Grade 7 and 8

Sacrament of Reconciliation Thurs., January 31, 2017

Sacrament of First Communion Saturday, April 29, 2017 @ 5:00 P.M.

Sacrament of Confirmation Sunday, May 6, 2017 @ 1:00 P.M.

Liturgical Celebrations:

The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and

share in prayer.

Celebration Date

Thanksgiving Mass Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Advent Mass Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Year End/Graduation Mass Thursday, June 22, 2017

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Social Justice / Outreach Activities / Charities:

Catholic Social Teachings of the Church root our actions in supporting human dignity and the

preferential option of the poor which calls us to serve the most vulnerable in the world.

Our school participates in various activities to support our community partners including ShareLife, Eden Food Bank, Dr. Simone, Sick Kids, St. Vincent de Paul and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Our Lady of Mercy community unites to support social justice initiatives to impact both local and global needs.

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Recognizing Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations:

Framed by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE), our graduates will be

effective communicators, reflective thinkers, lifelong learners, collaborative contributors, caring

family members, responsible citizens and discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith

community.

To celebrate Ontario Catholic School Graduate expectations, we as a school have chosen Becoming a Responsible Citizen as our focus. Through student led liturgies, curriculum links and parent education we highlight the OCSGEs as the central foundation for all our students. Through our home school communication, we support the education of our community of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. As a Catholic community of learners including and involving students, home, school and parish, we are committed to the principles inherent in the following:

We live and grow in our faith by modeling ourselves after our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We appreciate our own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others by treating each other with courtesy, consideration, kindness and respect.

We build and foster school spirit by sharing, cooperating and learning from each other, recognizing that people are our greatest resource.

We realize learning is a lifelong process in an ever-changing world and that we must take personal responsibility for our own learning and education.

We provide a nurturing environment, in order that students may empower themselves, resulting in confident, creative risk takers and problem solvers in academic and social experiences

We foster a work ethic that includes pride and satisfaction in the quality of work through collaboration and communication among all members of our school community.

We are informed and involved citizens who identify and respond respectfully to the human and environmental needs and issues of our global community.

We strive for excellence in everything that we do in order to achieve our personal best academically, spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially.

We value and encourage the contribution and cooperation of all the Our Lady of Mercy community members in the achievement of all our goals.

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ONTARIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS Adapted Wording for Elementary Students

Developed by Huron-Perth CDSB and St. Clair CDSB

I AM A BELIEVER!

I believe that God is an awesome God

I believe and have faith in God

I believe that God is with us always

I believe that we can talk to God anytime & anywhere, through prayer

I believe in the stories of the Bible

I believe in the stories of Jesus' life, death & resurrection

I believe in the Church community, celebrating Mass, and the seven Sacraments

I believe in forgiveness Because I am a believer, I will live my life like Jesus. I HAVE A VOICE!

I speak, write and listen as Jesus would want me to

I care about others and speak up for them

I am honest

I think carefully before I react or speak

I respect all people and their languages

I listen to the Word of God Because I have a voice, I will use it lovingly, and I will live my life like Jesus. I HAVE IDEAS!

I have thoughts and opinions that matter

I make good choices

I have hope for the future

I AM A TEAM PLAYER!

I co-operate with others in all that I do

I value everyone's work

I respect and listen to others

I think of others before myself

I follow rules of fair play

I work hard in school so that I can build my community and make it a better place

Because I am a team player, I know that 'Together is Better', and we will live our lives like Jesus. I CARE!

I love God, myself and my family

I care about and respect my 'family' at school, at Church, in the community, and the world

I care about and respect God's creation and everything in it

Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will live my life like Jesus. I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES!

I am a peace-maker I am fair

I am forgiving

I follow rules and do my share

I help the poor and care for people in need

I stand up for what is right

I know that all life is precious

Because I accept my responsibilities, I can make a difference, and will live my life like Jesus

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I solve problems with knowledge, understanding and prayer

I know we are all equal and special Because I have ideas, I have a purpose, and I will live my life like Jesus. I AM A LEARNER FOR LIFE!

I use my gifts and talents given to me by God

I always do my best

I build on my strengths and weaknesses

I set goals

I accept change

I am proud of the good things I do

I am thankful for the gifts of others Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus.

Celebrating Virtues:

A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral

standard. When we practice these virtues we strengthen them and thereby make the presence

of God more and more visible in the world around us.

To celebrate the virtues, we gather together as a community with our Grade 8 Youth Faith Ambassador student led assemblies to recognize students who have demonstrated the virtues. The virtue tree in our main hallway grows every month as the names of the student recipients are added as leaves to bring the tree to life. September - FAITH

October- EMPATHY

November- CONSCIENCE

December- HOPE

January- SELF CONTROL

February- RESPECT

March- KINDNESS

April- LOVE

May- ACCEPTANCE

June- FAIRNESS

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Visible Signs of our Faith:

Through symbol and service, we are instruments of God’s love whose work within our

communities stands as a witness to our faith.

As you walk into the school, the cross, the altar and the Holy Bible adorn the sacred space for all visitors and members of the community on a daily basis. The chapel is adorned with several sacred items to allow for reflection and prayer. Within every classroom, the living sacred space makes us mindful of the faith that we share and work to develop each and every day.

Adult Faith Ambassadors gatherings for staff

School Wide Liturgical celebrations and gatherings student led by classes and Youth

Faith Ambassadors

Youth Faith Ambassadors as faith leaders in our school

Staff Liturgies and Reflections

Prayers, Readings and reflections during morning announcements

Daily classroom prayer: beginning of the day, lunch and dismissal

The foyer of the school welcomes students, staff, parents and visitors in a Faith-

filled community. The signs of our Faith, including the altar, Seasonal Altar

displays, Virtues program posters and scenes of the life of Our Lady of Mercy, are

visual reminders of our common heritage and the liturgical seasons.

Classrooms have a prayer table/corner for individual prayer opportunities/focus for

class celebrations

Daily Religious/Family Life Education

Informal living and teaching of our faith occurs throughout our day in our

treatment/respect of others

Missionary presentations to students (Rosary Apostolate monthly visits)

Resources provided to parents supporting a better understanding of the Family Life

Education curriculum

Our Chapel Prayer Space provides a place for our students to be closer to our Lord

We all strive to being living icons of Faith

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Resource List for Parents/Guardians:

Religious Education Curriculum - Ontario Religious Education Curriculum

Family Life Curriculum - Ontario Family Life Curriculum

Fully Alive Program information - Ontario Bishops' information on Fully Alive

Resource List for Schools:

Board

Vocations Units We have Vocations units as part of the Grades 2, 5, and 8 curriculum. The goal of these

supplementary units is to deepen one’s understanding of God’s call – the “vocare” – to

various forms of life within the Church.

History of the Parish

Through the resource book Our Story, Our Tradition, Our Journey, grade 7 students have

the opportunity to learn about the history of our parish.

Enduring Gift Video

School-Based