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This month,  OAPCE welcomed Dr. Anne Jamieson from the Institute for Catholic Education for a virtual Faith Webinar for parents across the province titled, “Leading in Hope: A Parent’s Gift in Challenging Times” in which she discussed how hope is still on the horizon and needed now more than ever in these challenging times, as well as a reflection as we begin the Lenten journey.  She began by inviting us to reflect on the Jubilee Year that has now concluded, asking a simple but profound question: Now what? The Holy Door has closed. It is sealed. The formal celebration has ended. And yet — our call as parents has not. Dr. Jamieson walked us through the history of Jubilee, beginning in the Jewish faith — a time of restoration, forgiveness, renewal, and letting the land lie fallow so that it could regain strength. It was a reset rooted in justice and mercy. When the Catholic Church embraced the Jubilee tradition centuries ago, it carried forward that same spirit: reconciliation, pilgrimage, forgiveness, and hope. But the closing of a Jubilee year is not an ending — it is an invitation. In these modern and often challenging times, we are reminded that parents are not passive observers in the life of faith. We are leaders. Not because we have everything figured out, but because we model trust. We model hope. We model where to look when life feels heavy. One story Dr. Jamieson shared struck listeners deeply. She recalled a New Year’s Day family gathering many years ago. In the midst of celebration, news came that an uncle had passed away. In that moment of shock and sorrow, her mother — small, frail in stature — quietly took charge and led the entire extended family in praying the rosary. Despite her tiny frame, she led with steady faith. That moment imprinted itself on Dr. Jamieson’s heart. It reminded me that in our toughest and most uncertain moments, our children are watching. They look to us to see how we navigate grief, fear, disappointment, and stress. When we lean on Christ — when we pray aloud, when we pause, when we whisper, the Sacred Heart Prayer, “Oh my Jesus, I put all my faith in you” — we are anchoring something far deeper than the situation at hand. We are anchoring faith in the hearts and minds of our children. Dr. Jamieson spoke about hope as lifting our eyes to the horizon. When life feels overwhelming, when responsibilities pile up, when the world feels divided or uncertain, hope stretches what she called our “faith muscle.” Just as our eyes need to look into the distance to relieve strain, our souls need to look up and out — toward Christ. She reminded us that ‘Parents are the first teachers’. We lead by witness. We lead by example. We lead not only in calm moments, but in the storm of daily life and the challenges that we face. In conclusion, she reminded us that although the Jubilee door may have closed,  the work of hope continues in our homes. This is a time to be intentional — intentional in our prayer, intentional in our words, intentional in how we respond in front of our children. When we fix our eyes on Christ, we teach our children where to fix theirs too. 

Across Ontario, Catholic schools continue to find meaningful ways to help students live their faith — not just learn about it. This fall, students in the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) did just that through a powerful experience known as the Pilgrimage of the Cross. During the months of October and November, students and staff from both elementary and secondary schools stepped outside their classrooms and into their communities, journeying together in prayer. Along city streets in North Bay and Sturgeon Falls, students processed with a large cross at the front of their pilgrimage, praying the Stations of the Cross and reflecting on Jesus’ journey to Calvary. At the heart of this experience was an eight-foot wooden cross — the Board’s Year of Faith symbol — built by senior students at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School. As students took turns carrying the cross in small groups, they encountered faith in a physical, reflective way. Many shared afterward that even carrying the cross together was challenging, leading them to a deeper appreciation for the suffering Jesus endured and the strength He showed in carrying His cross alone. Led by board chaplains and local parish priests, these pilgrimages transformed ordinary streets into sacred spaces. Stops along the way invited students to pause, pray, and reflect — reminding them that faith is not confined to church buildings, but walks with us through everyday life. One of the most powerful lessons students took from the Pilgrimage of the Cross was the reminder that we are not meant to carry our crosses alone. As they supported one another along the route, students experienced the importance of community, compassion, and perseverance — values at the very heart of Catholic education. Faith in Action: From Pilgrimage to the Classroom Inspired by this spirit of shared faith, students continue to find creative ways to help one another engage more deeply with prayer and reflection. In December, the Catholic Leadership Student Council at Mother St. Bride Catholic School took this inspiration into their own hands. Wanting all students to participate meaningfully in the Stations of the Cross, the student council designed a school-wide activity that connected the Stations of the Cross with the Beatitudes. This approach helped students reflect not only on Jesus’ suffering, but also on how His teachings — mercy, humility, peacemaking, and compassion — are lived out in daily life. By pairing each station with a Beatitude, students were invited to see how faith calls us to action: to care for others, to stand with those who struggle, and to carry hope forward, even in difficult moments. Together, these experiences — from board-wide pilgrimages to student-led classroom initiatives — beautifully demonstrate how Catholic education forms hearts as well as minds. When students are given opportunities to engage actively with their faith, they rise to the occasion with creativity, leadership, and deep reflection.

Loving as Jesus Loved: Lessons at Home and in the Heart One Sunday as we sat together after Mass, my children and I reflected on the Gospel reading from John. It’s the moment when Jesus, knowing He will soon leave His disciples, gives them a new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) It’s such a simple yet profound command. But what does it really mean to love others as Jesus loves us? We began by talking about the kind of love Jesus showed—healing, forgiving, protecting, encouraging, and ultimately laying down His life for others. That kind of love is not passive or just sentimental. It’s active. It’s deeply selfless, like his sacrifice for us. So then the question for me became: How do I bring this into the lives of my children? What does Christ-like love look like in the world of a child? As we explored this as a family, the answers that emerged were beautiful in their simplicity: helping a neighbour, donating toys or clothes, being a good friend, including someone left out at recess, doing chores around the house. These are tangible, meaningful acts of love. But we also talked about something deeper—the motivation behind the act. So often, our culture celebrates good deeds that are performed for an audience. Social media is full of videos of “random acts of kindness” filmed for likes, shares, and praise. While these actions may help someone, they are not always grounded in the selfless love Christ calls us to. True love—the love Jesus modeled—is quiet. It’s not done for recognition. It’s not posted or praised. It’s done because loving others is the right thing to do, even (and especially) when no one is watching. And yet, this is hard—even in our own homes. I hear it all the time from my children:“Mom! I did the dishes for you!” “Mom! I cleaned the laundry room for you!”  And yes—of course we celebrate and affirm their contributions. Encouragement is part of parenting. But I also hope that as they grow, they begin to internalize this greater truth: love doesn’t need an audience. Love, in its purest form, gives without expecting anything in return. One day, I hope my children become men who serve others not for praise, but from a deep sense of compassion and faith. That they help not just when asked, but because they feel compelled to love others the way Jesus did—humbly, consistently, and without condition. Perhaps one day, the act of doing something won’t need an announcement or call for accolades – that doing something out of love will be enough.  How Can We Encourage Our Children to Love Like Jesus? Here are a few simple ways we can help our children grow into this Gospel call: A Song to Carry This Message One of the most enduring hymns that echoes this Gospel is “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” Consider listening to it as a family, using it as a prayer, or reflecting on its lyrics as part of your mealtime or bedtime routine. Listen here As parents in Catholic education, we are called to form not just minds, but hearts—hearts that reflect the love of Christ in the quiet moments, in the unseen actions, and in the small ways our children grow in faith each day.And though the world may not always see those acts, we can trust that God does—and that, truly, is what matters most.

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?

Dear Parents ACROSS THE PROVINCE, As we prepare to enter the holy season of Advent, we are invited into a time of hopeful waiting, joyful expectation, and spiritual renewal. Advent reminds us that God is always drawing near—bringing light where there is darkness, peace where there is worry, and love that transforms our hearts. In this beautiful season, your continued involvement in your children’s Catholic schools becomes an important way to share that light and hope within our community. By staying active and engaged, you help create school environments where faith is nourished, where Gospel values are lived, and where children can encounter the true meaning of Advent: preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. Your presence—whether through participation in events, support for learning, or collaboration with teachers and fellow parents—strengthens the bond between home, school, and parish, and enriches the spiritual journey of every child. As we begin this season of preparation, may God bless your families with peace, anticipation, and a renewed sense of purpose. Together, let us walk in faith, guiding our children toward the hope, joy, and wonder of Christmas.

Tips for Parents to Get Involved: OAPCE recognizes that some parents might find it daunting to get involved in their child’s education due to a lack of support or direction. Here are a few tips for parents to actively engage and support their child’s success in Catholic education: 1. Attend OAPCE Events and Workshops: OAPCE regularly organizes events, workshops, and webinars on various educational topics. These events offer a platform for parents to learn, ask questions, and gain insights from experts in the field. “I attended an OAPCE Conference and it provided me with practical strategies to enhance my child’s learning at home. I highly recommend attending these events as they are informative and inspiring!” – OAPCE Niagara Representative  2. Establish Open Communication: Foster open and regular communication with your child’s teachers and school administration. Actively seek feedback on your child’s progress and discuss any concerns or questions you may have. “Open communication between parents and educators is key to fostering a supportive and successful learning environment for our children. By actively seeking feedback and voicing our concerns or questions, we can work together with teachers and school administration to ensure our children’s academic and personal growth.” – R. Takawy, OAPCE Dufferin Peel, Director. 3. Volunteer Opportunities: Look for volunteer opportunities at your child’s school or within the broader Catholic education community. Volunteer work allows you to connect with educators, parents, and students, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility. 4. Stay Informed: Keep updated with educational policies and changes within the Catholic education system. Attend information sessions, read OAPCE newsletters, and connect with other parents to stay abreast of important developments. “As parents, it is essential to stay informed about educational policies and changes within the Catholic education system. By staying updated, we can effectively advocate for our children’s needs and ensure they receive the best possible education.” – J. Perri, Co-Executive Director, OAPCE. As a Ministry of Education recognized organization, the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE) serves as the voice of parents and guardians in supporting and enhancing Catholic education in Ontario. By providing information, resources, and advocacy opportunities, OAPCE empowers parents to actively engage in their child’s education, leading to improved student success. By partnering with other stakeholders, engaging with media, and organizing annual conferences, OAPCE further supports the continuation and preservation of publicly funded Catholic education for generations to come.

Walking in Faith: A New School Year Reflection for Parents September is a season of fresh starts. New teachers, new classrooms, and new routines often leave families juggling homework, schedules, pizza days, school sports, and fundraising forms. In the middle of all this busyness, we are reminded that our journey as Catholic parents is more than just managing the calendar — it’s a pilgrimage of faith. This year’s theme for Catholic Education Week is “On the Path to Holiness.” It reminds us that in our Catholic schools we are not only students and teachers, but pilgrims, walking together in faith toward holiness. That theme inspired me to pause and reflect on what this means in daily family life — especially in the ordinary but sometimes stressful moments of parenting. Parents are often reminded of life lessons in these small, everyday moments. For example, picture a parent helping a grade 8 child work through multiplication of decimals. The numbers don’t line up, the answers are wrong, and frustration builds. At 9 p.m., the night before the quiz, trying to explain why zero is an important place holder can stretch anyone’s patience. It is in these moments that the depth of patience required of parents is revealed — not only in guiding homework, but in every role they play. Sometimes, parents need to pray for patience. As a priest often reminds us, prayer is most powerful when it is specific. We can ask God for patience with schoolwork, patience in the middle of busy schedules, and patience with ourselves and our children. When parents turn to prayer in these ordinary struggles, they are teaching their children what faith looks like in action. Parents are the first teachers of faith. Our children learn from the way we pray, the way we forgive, and the way we serve. When we remain in God’s love, we give them the anchor that grounds their lives and helps them walk their own path to holiness. This is exactly why OAPCE exists — to walk alongside parents in this sacred role. OAPCE’s mission to Engage, Advocate, and Enhance keeps parents connected, supported, and encouraged in Catholic education. We Engage when we join parent councils, volunteer, and strengthen school communities. We Advocate when we connect with trustees and leaders, ensuring Catholic voices are heard. We Enhance when we build strong parish–school–home partnerships that help children see faith lived out daily. By working together, OAPCE reminds parents that we are not alone on this journey. Just as prayer gives us patience in homework struggles, OAPCE gives parents the voice and support needed to guide our children’s education in faith. Ideas for Parents: What You Can Do Choose a Gospel verse together and make it a screen saver or sticky note to spark conversation. Share a favourite worship song on the way to school or at bedtime as a prayerful moment We Enhance when we build strong parish–school–home partnerships that help children see faith lived out daily. Revisit the sacraments — it’s never too late for Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, or Confirmation, for our children or even for ourselves. Look for ways to connect with parish and school events to strengthen the bond between home, school, and Church. Holiness doesn’t mean perfection — it means remaining in God’s love, step by step, in the ordinary moments. Even in late-night homework struggles, we are pilgrims walking with our children, guided by faith, patience, and love. And with OAPCE, we walk this path together as a community of Catholic parents.