During the week of May 4-9, 2025, the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) joins school boards in celebrating the significant contributions that Catholic education has made to our community and across the province of Ontario!
The province-wide theme of Catholic Education Week (CEW) is “Pilgrims of Hope”, inspired by:
- Pope Francis and the call to “fan the flame of hope” to gain new strength of looking towards the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and a hopeful vision.
- The Holy Father asking us to focus prayerfully on the bonds that unite our families, to reflect on the poverty in our world, and to think about the many refugees forced to leave their homes.
- “Hope” as one of three Theological virtues 鈥� grounded in our Easter faith in Jesus’ resurrection and renewal.
A Message from Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI
Celebrating Catholic Education in Ontario
This video is a joint project of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO) in recognition of Catholic education in Ontario! Watch the video below:
What鈥檚 Happening During Catholic Education Week
Featured Videos ~ The Diocese of Hamilton
Students, staff and families are invited to watch a daily video beginning on May 4th through May 9th. Each video highlights a school within the Diocese of Hamilton.
Watch students from St. Cecilia Catholic Elementary School In Oakville share their reflections of responding to the poverties in our world on ‘Day 5’ 鈥�
Sacred Heart of Jesus School ~ 25th Anniversary
Monday, May 5, 2025
A Mass and reception to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of will take place on May 5th to kick-off Catholic Education Week! Mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Parish at 10:00 a.m.
2025 Ontario Catholic Youth Day & Provincial Mass
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
On May 7th, the Ontario Catholic Youth Day will be available as a virtual event for students across the province!
A Catholic student leadership team has planned an engaging and interactive virtual event centered on the “Pilgrims of Hope” theme of the week.
The keynote speaker for this year鈥檚 event is Theland Kicknosway, Indigenous leader, singer and advocate from the Wolf Clan of the Potawatomi and Cree Nations who will share 鈥淲alking the Path of Leadership 鈥� Theland Kicknosway鈥檚 Journey鈥�.
As part of the day, a provincial Mass will be led by His Excellency, Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton. Mass will be live-streamed from the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Journeying with Jesus ~ Board-wide Event
Thursday, May 8, 2025
HCDSB’s annual Journeying with Jesus event will take place on Thursday, May 8th.
New this year, in connection with the Jubilee 2025, there will be a live-stream Liturgy of the Word from St. Andrew Parish in Oakville at 10:00 a.m. The live-stream will be available for all HCDSB schools to participate in, and will be available on the under the Live Streams tab.
St. Teresa of Calcutta School ~ 25th Anniversary
Thursday, May 8, 2025
A Mass and reception to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of will take place on May 8th. Mass will be held at St. Matthew Parish at 4:00 p.m.
Staff Appreciation Day
Friday, May 9, 2025
The Friday of Catholic Education Week is Staff Appreciation Day 鈥� a day held annually to celebrate and honour all HCDSB staff. Over 5600 members of staff across our system will be recognized for their unwavering dedication, hard work and efforts for our HCDSB students and school communities.
Learn More 鈥�
Members of our community are invited to follow and connect with HCDSB on Instagram: !
To learn more about the province-wide initiatives planned for Catholic Education Week, visit the website.
