“And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. “ (Luke 2:10 -11)
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff:
As we journey through the last days of the Advent season with great anticipation, we draw ever so close to one of the most joyous times in our Catholic faith tradition. Christmas is such a special season for all of our students, staff and families at the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC). As a Catholic faith community, we are so blessed to walk together through the Advent season and prepare for the jubilant arrival of the Christ Child and reflect on His infinite love for us and our world.
Throughout this most holy season, our NPSC schools have been engaged in sharing the story of our Catholic faith through weekly Advent celebrations, representations of the Nativity story through drama and music, and celebrating Advent masses at schools and in our local parishes.
(St. Francis Advent Mass at Holy Name of Jesus & St. Alphonsus Liguori, 2022)
(St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Advent Mass at Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, 2022)
Advent is a time that we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It is also a key time for reflection. As we look back on the 2022 year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the dedication, commitment and compassion demonstrated by our NPSC staff and families in the service to the children entrusted to our care as we navigated the continued challenges of the pandemic. are grateful for the many examples of student success our staff and families have supported with a more regular start to this school year. It has been heartwarming to renew learning together and witness the many extra-curricular activities and professional learning opportunities resume with great joy this fall.
(A student reader at the St. Francis Advent Mass at Holy Name of Jesus & St. Alphonsus Liguori, 2022)
In contrast to the joy the Christmas season should bring for all, we also recognize that there are so many in our local and global community who are in need during this time of year. Over the past few weeks, we have been inspired to witness the many acts of charity and service our NPSC staff and students have led to support the most vulnerable in our community. A few highlights of these acts of service include fundraising for our local Santa Fund, Advent Food and Toy Drives, sponsoring families through the Children’s Aid Joy Project, writing Christmas cards to our senior citizens, participating in Operation Christmas Child, and collecting warm clothing for those in need in our community. Through these acts of charity and service, our students, staff and families have become the hands and feet of Jesus, as we believe we encounter the living Christ in all those we meet. It is through these good works that we also become living expressions of our NPSC vision: Rooted in Faith, Alive in Spirit, and illuminate this year’s Catholic Education week theme “We Are Many, We Are One” so vividly.
(St. Francis Food and Toy Drive, 2022)
(St. Gregory Food and Toy Drive, 2022)
As we look forward to the new year of 2023, may we do so with great excitement and boundless optimism that characterize all of us in the Catholic community as a people of hope, faith and love. May the new year bring our entire NPSC community good health, peace and joy.
On behalf of our Board of Trustees and Senior Administration team, we wish you and your families a joyous, blessed and peaceful Christmas season. May you all receive and share the love the Christ Child brings us now and throughout the upcoming year.
We look forward to seeing you January 9, 2023!
Paula Mann Shawn Fitzsimmons
Director of Education Chair of the Board