In his Catholic Education Week message, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA, Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, reminded the community that “our world needs hope. And you, our young people, are messengers of that hope.”
Bishop Dabrowski joined students and staff as the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board began Catholic Education Week with the celebration of the Eucharist at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness, Bishop Dabrowski encouraged those gathered to live as pilgrims of hope.
“Catholic education teaches us not just how to succeed, but how to live with gratitude,” Bishop Dabrowski said. “Some of you carry heavy backpacks. You carry worries about school, friendships, and home. Jesus does not want you to carry those worries alone. When we travel, heavy luggage makes the journey harder. In life, when our hearts are too full, we can forget what matters most. You can pray, ‘Jesus, this feels heavy, please help me,’ and He will. Leave those burdens with Him, and He will carry them for you. Travel light. Carry prayer, kindness, honesty, and mercy.”
In his message marking Catholic Education Week, Bishop Dabrowski also reflected on the example of Saint Francis of Assisi. “In a prayer often attributed to him, we hear these words: ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.’ These words speak deeply to this year’s theme,” he shared, reminding the community of their call to bring light and hope to others, bringing hope where there is sadness, light where there is darkness, and friendship where there is loneliness.
Kathy Ciapanna, Catholic Education Week Committee Co-Chair, welcomed those gathered, noting that “today is truly a blessing to gather as one Catholic education community, united in faith and purpose, to celebrate the gift of Catholic education.”
Offering greetings on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairperson John Valvasori reflected on the meaning of Catholic Education Week and the learning that takes place across the system.
“As Catholic Education Week progresses, you will experience the goodness it brings,” he said. “You will learn from your teachers, your principals, your parents, and from one another, but most importantly, you will learn from God.”
Offering greetings on behalf of senior administration, Director of Education David Hansen reflected on the deeper meaning of this year’s theme.
“This week in our schools, something important is happening,” he said. “This year’s theme offers a real challenge because it doesn’t focus on what you are doing or how you are achieving. It places the focus on who you are becoming, on your path to holiness.”
He reminded students that their journey has meaning in the present moment. “Your life has purpose right now, not someday.”
As the Mass concluded, the Catholic Education Week plaques were presented by Remo Presutti, Catholic Education Week Committee Co-Chair, and will be displayed in each HWCDSB school as a symbol of this year’s pilgrimage of hope.
The plaques feature artwork by Shaan Sidhu, a Grade 8 student at St. Ann (Ancaster) Catholic Elementary School. The design was selected from student submissions that reflected the theme Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness. All participants will receive a certificate of recognition.
Music throughout the Mass was led by Nancy Boss and the St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Chamber Choir.
The Mass concluded with a final blessing from Bishop Dabrowski, sending the community forth to live out the call to be pilgrims of hope in their schools and communities.
Catholic Education Week is celebrated annually in Ontario’s Catholic schools to recognize the gift of Catholic education and its mission to nurture faith-filled learning communities rooted in Gospel values. Activities throughout the week include school-based liturgies, acts of service, and special events that highlight student voice, Catholic identity, and community.
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