On Friday, May 20, 2022, students, staff, trustees, honourable guests and members of the HCDSB community gathered for the official Blessing and Rededication Ceremony of the Thomas Merton Centre for Adult and Continuing Education in Oakville!
A blessing of the water rite, as well as a blessing of the school site and classroom crosses was officiated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton; and assisted by the Very Reverend Monsignor Murray J. Kroetsch, Chancellor and Vicars General for the Diocese of Hamilton and Father Joseph Ahilan from St. James鈥� Parish.
As part of the ceremony, greetings were shared by Gary Carr, Region of Halton Chair; Marvin Duarte, Chair of the Board and Milton Trustee; Pat Daly, Director of Education; Gino Montanari, Principal of Thomas Merton Centre for Adult and Continuing Education; and Aaron Lofts, Superintendent of Business Services & Treasurer of the Board.
Highlights of the Day
- The national anthem was sung by LINC Instructor Brendan Carreiro. Tracey Babic, Vice-Principal of St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School provided music for the Liturgy.
- Master of Ceremonies included Jessica Pinto, former Thomas Merton Graduate and Student Award of Excellence recipient.
- Special guests of the day included: Brenda Agnew, Vice-Chair of the Board & Burlington Trustee; Peter DeRosa, Oakville Trustee; Patrick Murphy, Milton Trustee; Lorain Beraldo-Turner, President of the Halton Secondary Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA); Gillian Federico, System Chaplaincy Leader; members of senior administration; school management staff and former staff and trustees.
