The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board recently hosted its 32nd Annual Parent Conference, themed Pilgrims of Hope, at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School. The event brought together parents and guardians from across our school community to support them in their roles as the primary educators of their children.
The evening began with a showcase of exhibitors from community businesses, organizations, and supporters. Parents had the opportunity to explore a variety of resources and services available to them before the evening began.
Following the exhibitors, the evening opened with a warm welcome by Parent Conference Co-Chairs Stephanie MacDonald and Beth Dittel, followed by greetings from Chairperson Patrick Daly on behalf of the Board of Trustees, and David Hansen, Director of Education, who brought greetings on behalf of Senior Administration.
In her opening address, Co-Chair Stephanie MacDonald emphasized the importance of the evening’s theme, aligning it with the broader mission of Catholic education: "We are pilgrims of hope because we are pressing forward towards a better future. As educators and parents, we can commit to bring about HOPE by embarking on a shared journey of faith and learning. Together, we can cultivate a spirit of curiosity, wonder, and hope for our children." Her words set the tone for a night of reflection, growth, and collaboration.
The event then continued with a celebratory Mass led by His Excellency, Bishop Lobsinger, accompanied by the Gryphon Vocal Ensemble from Annunciation of Our Lord CES children’s choir, who sang Children of the Light as the processional hymn. Their beautiful voices added a sense of reverence and joy to the service.
Anne O’Brien, the keynote speaker and Director of Catholic Education for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), delivered an inspiring address on Catholic Identity. Her presentation highlighted the essential partnership between home, parish, and school, the unique aspects of Catholic education, and the importance of ongoing faith formation. She encouraged parents and guardians to honour the invaluable blessing of Catholic Education and our Catholic School Communities, as parents and guardians within the trifecta of the home, school, and parish relationship, while fostering a Catholic identity deeply rooted in Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Parents attended two workshops of their choice from a variety of relevant topics, including:
• An Introduction and Exploration of the New Family Life Curriculum
• Bringing STEM to Life at Home
• Bullying: Pain That Can Last a Lifetime
• Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others
• Engaging Your Child in Math Learning at Home
• French Immersion Kindergarten Parent Info Session
• Grade 8 to 9 Transition
• HWCDSB Action Plan Consultation
• Vegetarianism...To Be or Not to Be
As the evening ended, MacDonald extended her gratitude to all those involved in making the event a success, thanking the Parent Conference committee and those who contributed to its planning: "Your commitment to excellence and passion for creating a remarkable event experience have set a high standard for future endeavours."
The event concluded with a raffle, and participants left with take-home items to reflect on the conference’s themes.
