Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the St. Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of the Diocese of Hamilton held its 67th annual Red Mass at St. Augustine's Church in Dundas. The centuries-old tradition, led by the Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, the Most Reverend D. Douglas Crosby, marks the historical start of the Fall Assize of the Superior Court of Ontario.

On Friday September 13 the St. Mary Crusaders hosted its second annual Homecoming game. The St. Thomas More Knights went on to defeat the Crusaders 38-6 on a beautiful misty evening in front of a huge crowd. The game on the field was highlighted by...

Taylor Skewes is a graduate of Cathedral High school and successfully completed two co-op placements in the Home Building Program. As her teachers, we are proud to announce that Taylor was recently chosen as the recipient of the Schulich Builders Scholarship for skilled trades.

This year’s Catholic Education Week theme, “Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope,” calls us to reflect on the unique mission of Catholic education. It encourages all of us to nurture learning environments where students not only grow in knowledge but also in faith and compassion.

The 32nd Annual Parent Conference, Pilgrims of Hope, is hosted by the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board to support parents/guardians in their roles as primary educators of their child(ren). The conference is free of charge ...

A remarkable winning streak in Hamilton high school sports came to an end at the Cathedral gym on Tuesday. The Cathedral Gaels senior girls’ basketball team had strung together 90 consecutive league, tournament and playoff victories over the last three seasons before bowing 48-39 to the Bishop Tonnos Titans. It was the opener of the 2024 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association regular schedule.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board’s Award for Distinguished Service to Catholic Education recognizes, on an annual basis, individuals and/or a group who have made an extraordinary contribution to publicly funded Catholic education. The award is entitled:...

At the conclusion of St. Jean de Brébeuf’s first high school football game of the 2024 season Friday, their head coach received an unexpected Gatorade bucket drenching on the field from his players. They were celebrating the ...

Friends, “fools rush in where angels fear to tread”—and this week, I am going to go once more into the issue of faith and works, which has been dividing Western Christianity since the Reformation...

The 32nd Annual Parent Conference, Pilgrims of Hope, is hosted by the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board to support parents/guardians in their roles as primary educators of their child(ren).

The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) has launched the Fare Assist Program, which may benefit families in our Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School community.

Public Health Dietitians are offering free nutrition sessions at EarlyON Centres, no registration required. These sessions cover key topics for families with nutrition-related questions. Feeding Baby & Making Baby Food (Birth – 12 months) Learn when and how to start offering solid food, what foods to introduce, and how to make your own baby food...

Established in 2003, World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awareness about the global issue of suicide and its profound impact on individuals and communities. It also highlights the vital role educators play in supporting student mental health.

Friends, our Gospel for today is the evocative scene of Jesus healing a man who cannot hear and cannot speak. This man is beautifully symbolic of many in our culture today: we don’t listen to God, and therefore we can’t speak clearly about God. To us, as to him, Jesus says, “Ephphatha!”—be opened to the Word of God!

First celebrated in 1999, International FASD Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to improve prevention, diagnosis, and support for individuals with FASD.

We hope you and your families had a relaxing and enjoyable summer. We would like to recognize and thank all of our staff who worked hard throughout the summer months to prepare our Catholic Schools for the upcoming school year. A number of central and other staff developed ...

Friends, as Americans, we have a very ambiguous relationship to law. On the one hand, we are a nation of independently minded people; we don’t like the law imposing itself on us. At the same time—let’s face it—we are a hyper-litigious society. We see the same ambiguity about law—both its beauty and its shadow side—in our three readings today.

As we approach the beginning of the new school year, we would like to share important updates on matters flowing from the Ontario Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No. 128, the matters focus on two key areas: 1. restricting the use of personal mobile devices (e.g. cell phone) and ...

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is pleased to welcome the 2024-2025 Student Trustees. Meet Grade 12 student Noah Sorgini from St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School and Grade 12 student Carla Khalil from St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School. Recently, Noah and Carla visited the Board office, and had the opportunity to share their vision and goals for their term.

Friends, we come now to the close of this great discourse of Jesus in the sixth chapter of John, where we see the aftereffects of his teaching on the Real Presence. The Eucharist is a standing or falling point of Christianity, and the question Jesus poses to the Twelve is posed to every one of us today: Do you also want to leave over this teaching? Do you reject it, or do you accept it?

Clarerose Mascarenhas, a dedicated teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School, recently embarked on a life-changing journey to Ghana through Project Overseas. During her time there, she collaborated closely with local educators, working to enhance educational opportunities in the community. Supported by OECTA, CTF, FCE, and GNAT, this incredible opportunity allowed her not only to share her expertise but also to immerse herself in Ghana’s rich and vibrant culture.

As the summer ends, HWCDSB’s Focus on Youth program concludes its vibrant season of spring and summer camps, clinics, and workshops.

Friends, we continue reading from the sixth chapter of John, this pivotal section of the New Testament where John lays out his Eucharistic theology. And we come today to the rhetorical high point of this discourse, where things really come to a head.

Friends, we’re continuing our reading of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, which is all about the Eucharist. And here’s my take on our reading for today: A long trip by car or plane can be uncomfortable, even overwhelming. But we’re heading somewhere else; we’re on a journey. And on a long journey, you have to find sustenance to keep going.

Friends, in the midst of our country’s great Eucharistic Revival, we continue our reading of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. And this week, I want to reflect on a line that names something so spiritually basic: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.”

As the school year drew to a close, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board held a special ceremony to honour the nominees and recipient of the Domenica Leone Award. This annual award, established in loving memory of Domenica Leone, celebrates individuals who embody her dedication to inclusive education and support for students with diverse learning needs.

Friends, this Sunday we begin five weeks of Gospel readings from the sixth chapter of John, which is all about the Eucharist. Jesus will get into a lengthy discourse about the Eucharist ...

"Do not cast me off in my old age" World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated worldwide on July 28, 2024.

The Shepherd Has Arrived - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon Bishop Robert Barron 1.41M subscribers Subscribe 2.7K Share Download Clip 48,191 views Premiered 20 hours ago Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermons Friends the readings for this Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time are interwoven with each other in a very interesting way. I want to start with the first reading from Jeremiah, then look at the Gospel from Mark, and then ...

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus sends the Twelve on their mission to announce the nearness of the kingdom. I want to say a few things about our embracing our mission and being equipped for it...

Friends, today’s Gospel develops a theme that is uncomfortable. It tells how the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. Authentically religious people, authentically spiritual people, will almost always be opposed...

Arts for All is offering Artasia in partnership with EarlyON Child and Family Centres for the 2024 summer season.

Kateryna (Katy) K., a Grade 5 student at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School, has won the grand prize in Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Meaning of Home contest. Her poem, “What does home mean to me?”, earned a $30,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Hamilton.

Friends, there’s something Hemingway-esque about Mark’s Gospel—something very direct and uncomplicated. But in another sense, he shows great literary sophistication, and you see it especially in this famous passage for today...

A message from the Minister of Education, Todd Smith to our Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board families and students.

May your summer be filled with joy, safety, and faith-filled moments. Have a fantastic, refreshing, and fun summer!

All elementary schools of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board will be open for registration from 9am to 12pm on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Parents/guardians are encouraged to bring a completed registration form (below in pdf format) to the in-person registration on August 27th.

HWCDSB "places Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church at the centre." Hamilton, ON. – During their June 25, 2024 meeting, Trustees of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board approved an operating budget of $405,596,233 and a capital budget of $17,798,543.

As the school year wraps up, students and staff at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School are thrilled to contribute to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 11th Annual Pencil Case Project. Every year, during the end-of-year cleanup of desks and classrooms, students and staff are encouraged to donate gently used ....

Rotary in the junior division along with being a judge and committee member for the Hamilton chapter of the "Spelling Bee of Canada" gave Mrs. Savelli, teacher at St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School the idea to run a school spelling bee.

Mrs. Savelli's Grade 6 students held a 2.5 kg flour bag drive at St. Agnes School Catholic Elementary School and collected 112 bags. Working with Mrs. Scattolon (St. Vincent De Paul Society), Mrs. Savelli thought this cause was one that demonstrates the Social Justice teaching of "How can we answer God's call to service?"

As the last few days of June melt into a long-awaited summer, the coaches of the Bishop Tonnos Special Olympics basketball and track and field teams have time to reflect on the experience of attending the Provincial High School Championships earlier this month in Chatham-Kent. It was a time that we will savor forever.

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board celebrated the Blessing and Official Dedication of the new St. James the Apostle Catholic Elementary School. The evening commenced with a blessing of the statue of St. James the Apostle and all of the classrooms and learning spaces by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton.

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the DREAMS program at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Waterdown. The evening was filled with joy and camaraderie, featuring a catered meal, live music and a silent auction. Guests included relatives of Fr. Lou Quinn, HWCDSB administrators, staff, students, alumni, chaperones, relatives, friends, and special visitors from San Jose de Ocoa.

The mission of Catholic education in Hamilton-Wentworth, in union with our Bishop, is to enable all learners to realize the fullness of humanity of which Our Lord Jesus Christ is the model. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Student Trustees acknowledged that our ...

Earlier this month, the Student Council Presidents and Student Trustees were honoured at a special breakfast hosted by Director of Education, David Hansen and Superintendent of Education, Julie Angiolillo to celebrate their exemplary service and commitment to student leadership. This annual event provided a meaningful opportunity for all to come together and reflect on their God-given gifts and talents and past year's achievements.

Friends, our Gospel for today is Mark’s account of the stilling of the sea. We know the basic structure of the story: Jesus is in the boat with the disciples; when a storm kicks up, he’s asleep in the stern. The disciples are panicking and wake Jesus up ...

Over 600 elementary students passed through the Father Kennedy Catholic Education Centre this past month to receive a Director’s Award of Excellence. The celebration was created to recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of students in a number of different categories and subject areas. The awards, presented annually, recognize 12 students from each elementary school for excellence in academics, faith, and community involvement.

National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, June 21. On this day, we recognize, celebrate, and honour the achievements, history and rich cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

Excitement filled the air at Marydale Park as over 8,000 students from more than 45 schools gathered for the thrilling Catholic Youth Organization’s annual elementary school cross-country meet! Throughout this electrifying week, around 800 spirited student athletes each day tackled ...

A St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School graduate expects to be joining one of the strongest collegiate football programs in the United States. After spending the past two seasons with the University of Buffalo Bulls, punting specialist Anthony Venneri recently announced his commitment to transfer to The Ohio State University.

Last week, kindergarten students at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School delighted in their final "Snuggle Up and Read Day" of the school year. This special day encourages families to prioritize reading and literacy activities together. Students ...

HWCDSB is excited to announce FREE two-week math and literacy camps throughout July for students entering grades 10, 11 or 12 in September. The courses offered are Grade 10 math, Grade 11 math, Grade 12 Advanced Functions math, Grade 12 Data Management Math, and Grade 10 English. These courses offer a review of some key concepts from previous grades ...

This semester 6 students from Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School had the opportunity to “Experience the Difference” while competing in Anaheim, California for the DECA International Competition at the International Career and Development Conference (ICDC).

It is with great joy that I extend my warm congratulations to the graduating class of 2024! This is a time for celebration, for reflection, and for charting your hopes for the future.

On June 10th, Glendale Secondary School hosted the Hamilton’s Best Dance Crew (HBDC) competition, a thrilling showcase of talent and dedication from local schools. Participants included Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, Saint John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School, and St. Joachim Catholic Elementary School. Each school brought their best to the stage, culminating in a series of impressive wins.

Friends, people of faith just see things differently. They see what the nonbeliever sees—they read history and watch the news and see what’s going on in the world—but they see more than that. They see the world according to God’s plans and purposes—an ample and even peculiar vision that can often make spiritual people seem a little crazy. All three of our readings this Sunday are touching on this theme.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School, nestled on the Hamilton Mountain brow, celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 16. The school community gathered for a special mass led by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, and Father Charlie Jordan. Attendees included Chairperson Patrick Daly, the school community trustee, retired teachers, and principals ...

On Thursday, May 23rd, students from across the HWCDSB participated in the annual Dramarama event, hosted by St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School. The event brought together over 100 drama students from various high schools within the board. The day was a celebration of creativity ...

St. Mary became the first Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association team to compete at an OFSAA girls’ slo-pitch festival. And while the Crusaders failed to snag the overall championship, their coach, Charley Giudice, said the two-day event was an enjoyable experience for the players.

On Wednesday, May 29th, St. David Catholic Elementary School transformed its grounds into a vibrant arena under sunny skies for a full-day "Summer Olympics" event. Organized by the school's Health Action Team (HAT) and the administrative duo of Ms. Lamparksi and Mr. Tersigni, the day focused on promoting mental well-being and physical activity, while also building anticipation for the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics.

If students learn differently, then maybe they pray differently. That’s the takeaway from Elementary Religion and Family Life Consultant Carmelina Biundo’s Passion for Prayer Day at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School.

This past school year, all HWCDSB staff were offered three opportunities to attend the Christian Meditation Adult Faith Formation Retreat hosted at Jericho House in Wainfleet. This overnight silent retreat was an opportunity for participants to grow in relationship with God by deepening their understanding of this ancient Christian Prayer.

On Wednesday, May 29th, 73 Multilingual/English Language Learners (ELLs) from St. Thomas More Catholic High School embarked on an exciting field trip to Canada’s Wonderland. This visit to one of Canada’s premier tourist attractions was more than just a fun outing—it was an opportunity for cultural immersion and unforgettable experiences.

The Hamilton Golf and Country Club Foundation continues its tradition of supporting local youth by awarding fifteen secondary students across Hamilton with $5,000 bursaries to assist with their post-secondary education.<