Our religious expectations:

• All students will enroll in a Religion Course in each of the 4 years. All Religion Courses are approved by the appropriate Catholic authority. The Government of Ontario recognizes that Religion credits count towards a secondary school graduation diploma.

• All students will participate in an annual retreat for the first four years that they are in a secondary school.  The retreat normally takes place during the school day at a site off school property.  The school chaplain organizes the annual retreat based on spiritual developmental themes appropriate for adolescents.

• All students will participate in the prayer and in the liturgical life of the school.  Catholic students are expected to participate fully as mandated by their sacramental Baptism.  Non-Catholic students are expected to participate to the extent that they can.  It is not the intention of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to proselytize, however, for supervision, safety and community reasons, the entire school participates in all of the religious events that occur during the school year.  At a minimum, non-Catholic students will attend and maintain respectful silence at all religious observances.  All students are encouraged to get involved.

• The Catholic District School Boards of Ontario follow approved provincial curriculum.  Given the distinctiveness of Catholic schools, the Government of Ontario recognizes parallel curricula for our system based on Catholic course profiles.  All courses in all subject areas, in a Catholic secondary school, are taught from a Catholic point of perspective.  Virtues education is infused across the curriculum.

We hope that your experiences in our Catholic secondary schools will be a rewarding one.

CHAPLAINCY

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry is a service within Fr. Michael Goetz C.S. S. which provides pastoral care to all members of our school community. The main focus of the service is to the student population of the school.  It is the conviction of the Campus Ministry that Jesus is our model.  It is Jesus' compassionate face to the poor and needy that we bring into our ministry.  There are a variety of pastoral care services available.

Chapel  

All staff and students are welcomed into the chapel area for private prayer and reflection.

Individual Counselling and Spiritual Direction

The confidentiality of our office is a priority.  The Campus Ministry Team Leader (the Chaplain) is available for individual counselling and spiritual direction.  Appointments can be made by dropping by the office before classes, at lunch time, or after school.

Liturgical and Prayer Life

We help animate daily prayer over the intercom and in the classes. There are monthly school liturgies and non-Eucharistic celebrations.  The Advent and Lenten liturgical seasons are highlighted and students are challenged to enter into these special times of the Church year.  Every grade level will have the opportunity of a chapel visit to discuss key issues affecting students; their faith life, spirituality and personal concerns.

Bereavement Support Group

Supportive peer group sessions are offered to students who have experienced the death of someone close to them.   This programme is a joint effort of Student Services and Chaplaincy. 

Ministry of Presence

A large part of the work of Campus Ministry is being available to students, staff and families---within the school, in the cafeteria and in the halls.  We follow an open door policy in the office.

Ministry to the Sick and the Bereaved

We make hospital visits for those in our community who are sick.  At the time of death, we make visits to the funeral home, attend the funeral, or visit the home.  Supportive counseling is provided.

Social Justice Awareness

Students are encouraged and challenged to be conscious of the poor and needy through programmes which we provide.  Guest speakers, class discussions, and other experiences are encouraged.

Staff Spiritual Animation

We help plan and animate teacher retreats and liturgical celebrations.  Our office is also a resource area for teachers and students.

Student Programmes

Campus Ministry seeks to establish meaningful outreach programmes for all students.

The Virtues…

A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral standard. A Catholic school is the ideal place to practice and prepare to live a virtuous life.

Many elements of Catholic character and virtue are developed in Dufferin-Peel schools. In the coming year, our schools will focus on these particular virtues: Faith, Empathy, Conscience, Hope, Self-Control, Respect, Kindness, Love, Acceptance, Fairness. 

“When we act out these virtues, we are making the presence of God visible in the world around us. We will be participating in our own prayer that: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt 6:10)

(updated September 2011)