Rooted in Faith: St. Gregory Students and Community Grow Together Through Tree Planting Project
As we witness the changing of the seasons, the annual cycle of transition and exchange, we are once again reminded of the beauty and mystery of God’s Creation.
For this reason, we wish to highlight an important story about a journey that took place at one of our schools — one that reflects our students’ and staff’s reverence for God’s Creation, particularly in the context of environmental stewardship.
In late September 2025, a simple idea planted by a parent at St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School over a year ago finally took root as a lasting act of faith and opportunity for ecological responsibility. With the support of school families, local businesses, Tree Canada, and community volunteers, students and staff came together to plant nine new trees on the school grounds — each one a living symbol of growth, care, and connection to God’s Creation.
To come to fruition, this multi-step project required a true community effort. The school contributed fundraising dollars toward the purchase of four of the trees; Leah from Powassan Home Hardware secured a grant from Tree Canada; parent council members organized volunteers for planting; and local businesses generously donated workers, equipment, and topsoil. |
St. Gregory students, families, and staff alongside Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board representatives, Powassan Home Hardware staff, and representatives of the Municipality of Powassan at St. Gregory's tree planting ceremony. |
An especially meaningful learning opportunity arose when school and community representatives met with Marc Hebert from Tree Canada to select tree species suitable for St. Gregory's clay-based, open, and windy yard. As a result, maple, oak, and serviceberry trees were respectively chosen for their nativity to the area and the beauty of their bloom in early spring.
Local business owners, volunteers, and St. Gregory families and staff pose for a group photo at the school's tree planting ceremony. |
The school community, alongside various local businesses and volunteers, celebrated the tree planting with a ceremony that began with a blessing from Father Emmanuel of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Community partners, Board representatives, parent council members, and the Home Hardware Team joined in the festivities.
During the ceremony, students presented a vibrant tree painting, with each leaf created from their fingerprints, representing their individual contributions to a shared legacy.
Since the planting took place, the Green Team at St. Gregory has incorporated tree maintenance — including a watering schedule — into their curriculum. This way, students continue learning firsthand about stewardship, responsibility, and the rewards of nurturing something over time. |
St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School and the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board give deep thanks to all those involved for their contributions in making this project a reality:
- St. Gregory students, staff, and families for their fundraising and volunteer support;
- Powassan Home Hardware for the donation of materials to plant the trees and helping obtain the Tree Canada grant;
- Tree Canada for awarding the grant and helping select the right trees;
- Laporte’s Nursery and Greenhouse for supplying the trees;
- Hal Falk, tree expert and former owner of Eagle Tree, for leading the tree planting;
- Eagle Tree for their labour and equipment donations;
- Evan Hughes Excavating for their labour, equipment, and topsoil donations;
- Father Emmanuel for blessing the trees;
- Mrs. Dunkley and Ms. Ortepi for facilitating the student painting; and
- Marcella Kennedy, Chair of St. Gregory’s Catholic School Advisory Council, for her ongoing support of the school community and recruitment of parent volunteers.