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Bishop Christmas Message 2025

Bishop Message, News & Events

OAPCE Christmas 2025 message from the Liaison Bishop ✠ Yvan Mathieu, SM Dear members of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE), As we approach the sacred season of Christ’s birth, our hearts turn once again toward the mystery of God’s love revealed in the Infant of Bethlehem. Though Scripture does not record the precise day of Jesus’ birth, Christians throughout the centuries have gathered on December 25 to rejoice in the coming of the One who brings hope to a weary world. In these winter days, as the light steadily grows and the long nights begin to fade, we are reminded that Christ Himself is the true and everlasting Light—guiding our steps, strengthening our spirit, and inviting us into deeper trust. His life among us continues to shine in every act of compassion, forgiveness, and courage we share. This Christmas season also connects us to a beloved moment in our Church’s history. Eight hundred years ago, Saint Francis of Assisi sought a simple yet profound way to help people contemplate the humility of the Son of God. In a quiet hillside village, he arranged the first living depiction of the Nativity—inviting families, friars, and neighbors to stand in awe before the mystery of a God who became small for our sake. Their gathering was filled with song, prayer, and a joy so tangible that it renewed the faith of all who witnessed it. That same spirit of wonder continues to inspire the Nativity scenes in our homes, parish halls, and classrooms today. As we celebrate Christmas during the concluding months of the Jubilee Year 2025, we are reminded that this holy year calls us to renewal—to allow Christ to reshape our hearts, our relationships, and our commitments. A Jubilee is a time of fresh beginnings, of restoring what has been worn down, and of recognizing God’s mercy at work in our lives. It invites us to walk forward with confidence, trusting that Christ continues to accompany us gently yet powerfully in every circumstance. Within our homes and Catholic schools, this season offers a precious opportunity to welcome Christ anew. Our children learn about Jesus not only through lessons and liturgies, but through the example we set: the patience we show, the kindness we extend, and the faith we nurture in quiet, everyday moments. As parents and caregivers, your role in handing on the gift of faith is irreplaceable. Every prayer spoken together, every gesture of generosity, and every conversation about God’s presence becomes a seed planted in young hearts. May this Christmas be a time when Christ finds a warm and joyful place in our families, our communities, and our schools. As we journey toward the end of this Jubilee Year, may He deepen our unity, strengthen our mission, and fill our homes with peace that the world cannot give. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, hope-filled, and joyous Christmas season.May the light of Christ remain with you always. Merry Christmas to you all! ✠ Yvan Mathieu, SM

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OAPCE Christmas Message

News & Events

As we enter the sacred season of Christmas, we are reminded once again of the hope and radiant joy that Christ brings into our families, our schools, and our communities. This holy time invites us to pause, reflect, and welcome the presence of Jesus, who comes to renew our spirit and guide our steps with His enduring light.We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you—our parents and guardians—for your steadfast commitment to your children’s learning and faith formation. Your dedication strengthens not only your own families but the entire fabric of our Catholic school communities. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support of OAPCE and for standing with us in our continued advocacy for strong, vibrant, and faith-filled Catholic education across Ontario.May the wonder of Christ’s birth bring peace to your homes, hope to your hearts, and blessings throughout the year ahead. From our OAPCE family to yours!

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In Memoriam

OAPCE Book Nook

Teens & Young Adults (Ages 13+) A WWI novel following two schoolboys who enlist and face the brutal realities of war. Through fictional school magazines and poetic prose, the story explores love, grief, and the cost of conflict.

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Family & Marriage Tips for the Christmas Season

Faith Activities, Partners Resources

FROM Teresa Hartnett, Director OF THE FAMILY MINISTRY OFFICE, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton THE Parenting Tip #174 Christmas is a wonderful time of year! We see family, experience the joys of gift giving and receiving and have some time as a family just to be. It is however, more than any of these things, the celebration of the birth of Christ. In the hustle and bustle of the season we can forget to focus on this moment, where a child came into the world so that each of us could experience the profound gift of Salvation. This Christmas, enjoy all the fun stuff, but remember to focus, through stories, Mass, prayer and discussions, on the joy of Christ’s birth and the real reason for the season. Marriage Tip #154 Marriage is a journey that two people undertake with a plan to navigate life together. When researchers investigate what makes the journey both long and happy, many things come into play, but a strong one is repeated by most: “I married my best friend.” It is good to ask yourself then, are you being a good friend to your spouse? Do you spend time together, share parts of your day, invite them to share in an event with you, watch a movie together, or even a series that can become together time? Do you call once in awhile to say hello during the time you are not together and plan time for your spouse in your agenda – everyday? Are you patient when they make a mistake, are not perfect, or let you down? Friendships thrive and last in this kind of environment, so make friendship a foundation of your marriage.

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Does Your Church Offer the ALPHA Program?

Faith Activities, Partners Resources

What to know about the Alpha program Alpha is a series of group conversations that explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly and informal environment. It is compatible with the Catholic faith and is used by many parishes worldwide.  A typical Alpha session includes: How to inquire about the next Alpha course To find out if/when your Parish will next run an Alpha course, you can take one of the following steps: Ask for the Alpha Team: If a parish does host an Alpha course, you can ask to speak with the “Alpha Team” or the person running the program to learn more.

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Saint Carlo Acutis: A Modern Saint

Blog, News & Events

When we think of saints, we often picture people who lived long ago—holy men and women who grew old in their faith or faced persecution for believing in God. But St. Carlo Acutis was different. He was a teenager—a boy who loved computers, video games, and the internet—who lived not centuries ago but in our own modern time. And this year, in September 2025, Carlo became the first millennial to be canonized a saint.  Born in 1991 and passing away in 2006 at just 15 years old, Carlo reminds us that holiness is possible even for young people in our own time. Carlo loved computers, coding, and video games—but he used his gifts to serve God. He once said, “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.” He believed deeply that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist—body, blood, soul, and divinity—and he wanted others to believe it too. From his home in Italy, Carlo created a website that catalogued Eucharistic miracles from around the world. The project gathered more than 160 stories of hosts and chalices that showed physical signs of Christ’s real presence after consecration.  An Example of One Miracle In Sokółka, Poland (2008), a consecrated host was accidentally dropped during Communion. The priest placed it in water to dissolve, following Church practice. Days later, red fibres appeared on the host. Scientific testing confirmed that the substance was human heart tissue—showing signs of life at the moment it was examined. Carlo included this and many other cases in his digital exhibition to help people rediscover the mystery of the Eucharist. To explore these stories, you can still visit the website he built: miracolieucaristici.org  From Being Faith to Sainthood When Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia, he offered his suffering for the Pope and for the Church. He faced his illness with peace and joy, saying, “I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting even a minute on things that displease God.” After his death, miracles began to be reported through his intercession. A boy in Brazil with a rare digestive disorder was instantly healed after his family prayed to Carlo. Years later, a young woman in Italy recovered completely from a severe head injury after prayers through his intercession. Carlo’s body was later found to be incorrupt—meaning it had not decomposed as is usual after death. The Church sees this as a sign of extraordinary holiness, though not itself a required miracle. In recognition of these miracles and his heroic faith, Pope Francis declared him a saint in 2025.  How Can We Inspire Our Children through St. Carlo’s Example?

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Cyberbullying Presentation

Parent Resources

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that takes place through digital devices such as phones, computers, and tablets. It occurs on platforms like social media, messaging apps, online forums, gaming communities, or any space where people interact online. Cyberbullying can include sending hurtful messages, spreading rumors, posting embarrassing photos or videos, impersonating someone, or intentionally excluding someone online. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen anytime, reach a wide audience quickly, and sometimes be anonymous, making it especially harmful. Its effects can be emotional, psychological, and even physical, impacting a person’s self-esteem, mental health, and sense of safety. Promoting kindness, reporting harmful behavior, and supporting those affected are important steps in preventing cyberbullying. Here is a great resource from Media Smarts to know and understand better!

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Supporting Students Through Ontario’s Menstrual Equity Initiative

Parent Resources

Did you know that there are free menstrual products in schools for girls through the Ministry of Education in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart? The Ministry of Education’s Menstrual Equity Initiative in Ontario provides free menstrual products to students across the province through school boards and authorities. The program is supported by donations from Shoppers Drug Mart, which first contributed products in 2021–22 and has since expanded its commitment. A new three-year agreement (2024–27) will supply 23 million products, allocated according to student enrolment data. The initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers and reduce stigma so students can fully participate in school.Key Features of the Ontario InitiativeFree access to products Students receive menstrual products—pads and tampons—at no cost.Public–private partnership The program is delivered through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Shoppers Drug Mart, which donates a substantial supply of products.Funding and distributionFunding: Shoppers Drug Mart will provide 23 million menstrual products over three years beginning in the 2024–25 school year. Support for students Financial relief: The initiative reduces the financial burden on students and families. Inclusion: It fosters a more inclusive and supportive school environment.Educational focus: By removing concerns about access to menstrual products, students can concentrate more fully on learning.Implementation details: Dispensers: In 2024–25, 1,380 dispensers were installed to support product access.Allocation: Product quantities for each board are determined using enrolment data from the Ontario School Information System (OnSIS).https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000941/ontario-launches-free-menstrual-products-in-schools

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