OAPCE

The Power of Faith through Music: Building a Connection with Children By Dianne Pawlowski, Director, Nippising Parry Sound Music has long been a powerful tool for teaching and connecting with people, especially children. Faith-based music holds a unique ability to instill spiritual messages and create a deeper connection to religious teachings. One of the most profound examples of this is the song “Our Father,” made famous by Sister Janet Mead in 1973. Her rendition of the Lord’s Prayer topped the charts, reaching #1 in Australia and #4 in the USA, proving that songs of faith can have widespread appeal and impact. However,  beyond their popularity, faith-filled songs play a crucial role in spiritual formation, especially in young hearts. As my priest often says, “Singing is like praying twice.” This idea highlights how music can amplify the spiritual experience. Songs are not just melodies; they are prayers set to rhythm, making it easier for children to engage with their faith. Whether it’s the familiar worship songs like “Be Not Afraid” or “On Eagle’s Wings,” or more modern songs like “Here I Am to Worship” by Tim Hughes, music helps make scripture relatable and accessible to people of all ages. Faith-inspired music isn’t confined to traditional hymns or the repetitive children’s songs like “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands.” Christian music today offers a vibrant and diverse range that extends beyond Sunday worship into everyday life. Contemporary Christian artists have been crafting songs that transcend into pop culture for decades, communicating biblical truths in relevant ways that resonate with all generations. Take the 1986 hit “Kyrie” by Mister Mister – it carries spiritual depth with its refrain, “Kyrie Eleison,” meaning “Christ, have mercy.” It’s a fitting song for moments of reflection, especially in life’s challenges, calling for God’s guidance. Similarly, “Bulletproof” by Citizen Way, draws from Ephesians and urges listeners to put on the ‘armor of God’ to move forward without fear through life’s challenges.   For parents, hymns from the Catholic songbook are comforting connections to their own spiritual upbringing, but they don’t have to rely solely on these songs. They can introduce their children to a new generation of Christian music, offering fresh sounds and meaningful messages that bring faith into daily life. These songs aren’t just for Sundays; they can be enjoyed during car rides, family moments, or personal prayer, anchoring faith in everyday activities. They bring scripture to life in ways that are engaging, uplifting, and transformative. These songs can be woven into the fabric of daily life, reminding us of God’s mercy, love, and presence at every turn.  If you’re looking to explore some new faith-based music, here’s a short list of our family’s  (and parish’s) favourite songs and artists to check out this week: “WaveWalker” – Citizen Way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogmsXfAEXq0  “Bulletproof” – Citizen Way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gG6ST0DVkw  “The Same Love” – Paul Baloche https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvfuKoC2kdU  “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)” – Paul Baloche https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAaQ5EEXidc  “Kyrie” – Mister Mister https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDjt4FzFWY  “10000 Reasons” – Matt Redman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E  “Thank You Lord” – Don Moen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN3_tSDhDpY  “Here I Am to Worship” – Tim Hughes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXg2ztge8f0  “Who You Say I Am” – Hillsong Worship –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4  “Risen” – Shawna Edwards – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCQsK1t9EKY  Enjoy discovering how these songs can inspire and deepen your connection to faith!

TIPS FOR RAISING A READER – By D. Garell-Teti, OAPCE Chair/Director Halton “Children are made readers in the laps of their parents” — Emilie Buchwald, award-winning children’s author As a new school year begins, parents often wonder how to support their children to become better readers. There are many reasons to read. Reading provides entertainment and escapism, knowledge about the world around us, and even helps to improve language and literacy skills. Raising a good reader is about family engagement. Caring adults set children up for success by creating shared reading routines and fostering learning and social and emotional well-being, which helps children thrive inside and outside of school. Research has shown that family involvement is the number one predictor of early literacy success and academic achievement (R. Becher, “Parent Involvement and Reading Achievement: A Review of Research and Implications for Practice”). Here are some tips to help encourage reading in children: Read to your child every day. A 2019 research study out of Ohio State University found that young children whose parents read a book to them every day heard about 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who didn’t regularly read with a parent or caregiver. Parents who read five books a day have a child who enters kindergarten with 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. Reading also is a way to bond with your child in a consistent focused manner without distractions or demands. Reading at the same time — as part of a bedtime routine  — can make it easier to build the habit of reading, but anytime a child is hearing language and connecting with you makes a difference. Provide reading options. Bring home books on a variety of topics. Reading about topics that your child enjoys is a good idea, as they can follow their own interests and internalize that reading is fun. Reading books with relatable themes can become a bridge to meaningful conversations with your child about something that may be happening in their lives. And for young children who want to read the same book over and over? Research shows that repetition is how they master language. Let your child see you read. Little eyes are always watching and noticing what occupies the hands and minds of their parents or caregivers — is it a cell phone or is it a book? If your child sees that you enjoy reading, they will be drawn to this activity as well. Talk about stories or a book that you love. Sit together for individual reading moments and share what you have learned.   Remember: Buying lots of books doesn’t automatically encourage your child to read — becoming a role model does! Additionally, check out the book How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo (2019) which provides wonderful ideas on how to encourage a lifelong love of reading from babies to teens.

No other Organization Champions Parental Engagement and Education Policy in Ontario like OAPCE. The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE) is a recognized parent organization that advocates for and supports Catholic Education in the province of Ontario. Established in 1939, OAPCE works to provide information and resources to parents, as well as representing their interests at various Ministry of Education initiatives and working tables. OAPCE is the only Catholic parent association recognized by the Ministry of Education and is mandated through the Education Act. As advocates for Catholic Education, OAPCE’s main goal is to support the continuation and preservation of publicly funded Catholic Education in Ontario. Joe Perri, Co-executive Director of OAPCE, had the opportunity last year to address a government committee and share his comments and recommendations on the proposed Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023. As part of OAPCE’s  advocacy initiatives  J. Perri emphasized the need for each child to achieve their best potential, with a stronger focus on the fundamentals of reading, writing, and math, while also adapting to the new technological world. He also stressed the importance of accommodating different learning styles and ensuring that parent suggestions are respected to promote the best performance and health of students. He also discussed the low levels of parent involvement and emphasized that parental engagement is integral to student success. He suggested the need for support and guidance for parents and highlighted the Charter of Rights for parents to work with groups such as OAPCE. Furthermore, OAPCE also called for a protocol for parents’ complaints, emphasizing the importance of transparency regarding complaint resolutions. He suggested that schools should track complaints and ensure transparency regarding funding. OAPCE also emphasized that important items that take place in the school, such as guest speaker presentations should be disclosed to parents – this has recently been adopted by the Ministry in a new policy here Read More Membership in OAPCE offers parents the opportunity to be a part of an organization that promotes and protects Catholic Education. OAPCE elevates the profile of Catholic education by providing information sharing, resources, learning opportunities, networking, and community building. OAPCE has representatives on various Ministry of Education initiatives and working tables, such as Curriculum Review and the Minister’s Partnership Table.  As such, OAPCE has also been part of a Task Force to help implement the new Cellphone and Vaping Policy. the task force was created by the Ministry of Education to strategize the new policy and to roll out its implementation across the province, OAPCE was the only one on the task force representing parents in Catholic education from across the province.  The organization works closely with other Catholic education partners, such as ICE, Bishops, Principals, Trustees, and Teachers, to advocate for Catholic Education and provide a parent perspective to the provincial media. OAPCE hosts an  annual conference where parents from across Ontario can participate in keynote speeches, faith celebrations, and workshops related to parenting, navigating the education system, and supporting student achievement. The OAPCE Representatives, as mandated by Section 612 of the Education Act, serve as liaisons between the local parent school council, regional council, and the provincial Association. They provide a conduit for parents to share their views and concerns with OAPCE. OAPCE has strong relationships and the support of many Catholic partners who collaborate in promoting and protecting publicly funded Catholic education for future generations. This includes promoting initiatives and events, such as the OAPCE Conference. Overall, OAPCE works to ensure that parents have a voice in Catholic education and are provided with the information and resources they need to support their children’s success in school.  We are the only ones to do this.