This past fall, the OCSB celebrated the opening and blessing of three new Catholic elementary schools. The events marked more than a new school year. They reflected the growth of faith communities rooted in compassion, inclusion, and learning.
A Joyful Beginning at St. Gianna Catholic Elementary School
On September 3, 2024, students and families gathered for the first day of school and a blessing ceremony at the newly opened St. Gianna Catholic Elementary School in Riverside South. Led by Father John, the ceremony set a tone of gratitude and faith.
Principal Michelle McGarry welcomed students and families, thanking the community for its dedication in preparing the school for this day. Father John led a procession to the front of the school, blessing the building before the community entered the learning commons. He blessed crucifixes for each classroom and spoke about St. Gianna’s legacy of faith and courage—values that the new school embraced in its daily activities.
The ceremony concluded with thanks to Father John and applause from families, staff, and students. It was a fitting start for a school dedicated to learning and belonging.
St. Juan Diego School: A Day of Faith, Hope, and Community
A month later, the community of St. Juan Diego Catholic Elementary School gathered for its blessing ceremony. The gym was filled with energy as the student council greeted guests and welcomed them into the new space that became the heart of the school’s learning journey.
Principal Shelly Lyonnais opened the ceremony with a message of unity, emphasizing the school’s mission of togetherness, education, and faith. Dignitaries including MP Chandra Arya, OCSB Vice-Chair Cindy Simpson, Director of Education Tom D’Amico, and School Council Chair Balkiran Romana shared remarks celebrating faith and diversity in Catholic education.
The school choir’s performance, broadcast to classrooms, filled the space with spirit and joy. The highlight of the day was the blessing led by Archbishop Marcel Damphousse and Father Gerard Monaghan. Their reflections on St. Juan Diego’s humility and service reminded everyone of the school’s sacred foundation.
In a moving finale, Archbishop Damphousse visited kindergarten classrooms to extend his blessings to the youngest learners, ensuring every student felt part of this new beginning.
St. Veronica School: Faith, Compassion, and New Beginnings
On May 8, during Catholic Education Week, the community of St. Veronica Catholic Elementary School gathered in the school gym for a joyful blessing ceremony that celebrated faith, learning, and belonging. The event began with a heartfelt land acknowledgement written by the students themselves, a reflection of their growing awareness and respect for the land and its history.
Student ambassadors welcomed guests as they arrived, offering warm smiles and a sense of pride in their new school. Among the dignitaries in attendance were MPP George Darouze, City Councillor Steve Desroches, Director of Education Tom D’Amico, Parish Priest Father Matthew, and Deacon Pat from Our Lady of Visitation Parish, School Council Co-Chair Clarissa Schurter, project manager Don Woods, and the supervisor and assistant supervisor of Kelly Fram Childcare, which provides the school’s extended day program.
In her remarks, Principal Lisa Hurd referenced the lesson of St. Veronica, who offered a cloth to Jesus to wipe his face while he carried the cross, demonstrating the power of simple acts of kindness and the transformative nature of faith.
Opening Doors to Faith and Learning
These school blessings reflected the OCSB’s commitment to faith, community, and excellence. St. Gianna, St. Juan Diego, and St. Veronica schools stand as expressions of Catholic education, where each student is encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, and socially.
