Elementary Pastoral Plan 2018-2019

PASTORAL PLANSchool: St. Jacinta Marto Catholic Elementary School

School Mission Statement:

The mission of St. Jacinta Marto School is to build a community committed to living the virtues of faith, hope and charity. We believe in a Catholic Education that fosters the development of global citizenship and innovation in teaching and learning.

School Motto: A community of learning on a foundation of faith.

Our Parish: St. Jerome

Pastor: Rev. Jan Kolodynski

Parish website: https://stjerome.archtoronto.org

Message from the Pastor:

Dear Parents, Students and Friends of St. Jacinta Marto Catholic School,

I prayerfully invoke an abundance of Divine blessings upon the staff and especially our children

that they may continue to grow in knowledge, character and faith during this new school year

and throughout their lives! As always remember to pray for our parish family and ask God’s

blessings as we build His kingdom here on earth. Please know that I am praying for you, and I

ask for your prayers for me, that together through the intercession of Saint Jacinta Marto,

our Patron and united in the Holy Eucharist, we will reflect the presence of Jesus to the world.

Yours sincerely in the Lord,

Fr. Jan Kolodynski

Page 1 of 5

Elementary Pastoral Plan 2018-2019

Message from the Catholic School Council:

The St. Jacinta Marto School Council is an integral part of our school community. Through active participation and collaboration of parents/guardians, staff, students and parish, we strive to ensure that all students reach their full potential in a faith filled learning environment.

Catholic Education Week Theme: Living as Joyful Disciples

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.

May 5 – May 11 is Catholic Education Week.

St. Jacinta Marto will celebrate Catholic Education week through school wide prayers and activities that reflect the five subthemes. Rooted in Prayer, Living in Community, Doing Justice and Creating Hope, Journeying Together in Faith and Sharing the Good News. Parents will be invited to participate in activities that highlight our distinct Catholic faith. There will be a celebration to recognize the parent volunteers. The official Blessing of the school will take place during this week.

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.

St. Jacinta Marto offers a variety of opportunities for faith formation. Staff and students begin the day with daily prayers and scripture readings. There will be liturgies for staff and students during the liturgical seasons. Teachers attend conferences such as When Faith Meets Pedagogy. Rosary Apostolates visit monthly to pray the rosary with students. There is the partnership between school and parish to prepare students for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Students will have the opportunity to participate in school wide retreats. Our Religious and Family Life program reflects our values and faith.

Page 2 of 5

Elementary Pastoral Plan 2018-2019

Sacramental Preparation:

As Catholics, 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 Sacrament of Reconciliation TBAFirst Holy Communion TBAConfirmation TBA

Liturgical Celebrations:

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

Celebration DateOpening Mass October 12, 2018Advent Mass December 12, 2018End of year mass June 5, 2019

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 students will participate in a variety of initiatives. Students will participate in food drives with donations going to St. Vincent de Paul. Christmas drive for mittens, scarfs and gloves for families in need. In addition, students participate in activities to support Share Life.

Page 3 of 5

Elementary Pastoral Plan 2018-2019

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 OCSGE as a school community, we provide daily opportunities to recognize the graduate expectations. They are integral in all aspects of school life for example, the Eco team, Faith Ambassadors Student Council, Learning teams and Academic teams.

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.

We celebrate the virtues in daily life and highlight monthly through prayers and assemblies. Virtue leaves will be awarded to students who reflect and demonstrate the virtues. All students are aware of the virtue of the month and it is on display in the hallway and library. All students play an active role in presentations about the virtues as part of our faith.

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.

There are visible signs of our faith throughout the building. There is a large cross as part of the front foyer. We have crosses and prayer tables in each classrooms. Each student has a rosary through the generous support of the Rosary apostolates. On display are the icons that represent St. Jacinta Marto and Our Lady of Fatima.

Page 4 of 5

Elementary Pastoral Plan 2018-2019

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 UnitsWe 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 ParishThrough 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

Page 5 of 5