Follow these links to read more about our school blessing:

Principal's Remarks

Council Chairperson's Remarks

Virtues Presentation

Solemn School Blessing

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Solemn Blessing

The Solemn blessing of Father Francis McSpiritt Catholic Elementary School, of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board, took place on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.  It was attended by:

Father Vitaliano Papais, Pastor, St. Patrick Church

R. Borrelli - Associate Director, Instructional Services

J. Hrajnik  - Associate Director, Corporate Services & CFO

C. Saytar - Superintendent, Brampton E/C/D/M

J. Anderson - Trustee,Brampton Ward 7, 8, 9, 10

M.P.P. Hon. Dr. K. Kular,

M. Sinopoli, representing Hon. G. Malhi, M.P.,

School staff, represented by:

D. Sisti, E. DePasqua, P. Addario, P. Moore, C. Pereira, R. Sherwood, J. Papineau, E. Musielak, C. Forward, L. Maida, M. Paun,A. Barbosa, J. Amodeo, J. Giuliano, G. Streker, A. Cassar, A. Stephens, R. Orofiamma, J. Dawydchak, E. Robertson, M. Patrone, S. Ward-Cooper, V. Oude-Reimerink, and J. Rai.

other School Board administrators, 

special services staff,

and about 500 members of the school community.

Mr. Joe Amodeo, intermediate staff member, began the evening by welcoming everyone and inviting us to join in the singing of O Canada.  Father Vitaliano Papais, pastor of St. Patrick's parish, led the liturgical procession which included the staff of the school.  The school liturgical choir, led by staff member Anne Stephens assisted by Vanessa Oude-Reimerink, provided the music for the liturgy.

Father Papais welcomed the congregation with an opening prayer:

The all-knowing God, who is Lord, moves us in many ways to deepen that Knowledge of Him which He revealed completely when for our sake the Word was made flesh.  All disciplines, sciences, and teaching about the world and about human life that we pursue must have as their final purpose to bring us to a knowledge of the truth and to the worship of the true God.  Today we ask God’s blessing on this centre of seeking, learning, and teaching what is true. We ask that those entrusted with the education of children or young people in this institution may teach their students how to join the discoveries of human wisdom with the truth of the Gospel, so that they will be able to keep the true faith and to live up to it in their lives.  We also ask the Lord that the students will find in their teachers the image of Christ, so that, enriched with both human and divine learning, they will in turn be able and ready to enlighten and assist others.  Amen

     Our Readings:
       First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 5:32-35 (read by S. Roul, School Council Parish Rep.)

       Psalm 84: The Lord is my Light and my salvation." (read by A. Cassar, Special Education teacher)

       Gospel: Mark 10: 13 -16 (Father Papais)

Classroom representatives carried in the classroom crucifixes. Father Papais blessed the crucifixes, the staff, and the students.  He then blessed and dedicated the school:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples that whatever home they visited they should greet the people there by saying “Peace be to this house”. May that peace come now upon this school: upon all who come to it, upon all who teach or are taught in it.  Make them strong in your service. Inspire those who teach here with the knowledge of your truth: gift them with Your wisdom and understanding; and empower them with the courage and strength of faith.  Fill the students with your grace and your love.  May they be well and wisely taught.  Help their young minds to grasp what they are taught, their youthful hearts to ponder it, and their lives to proclaim it. Bless this school, Lord, we ask you.  May there be within it, health and holiness, strength and gentleness, humility and goodness, meekness and courage, respect and obedience, faith and gratitude. May Your blessing be upon all who work in this school, all who teach or are taught in it.  We ask this blessing of You, Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  Amen

The chair of the school prayer committee, (L. Accetola,) led us in the praying of our school prayer.

Our liturgical dance team and grade 6 student readers presented, "In Hoc Signo Vinces," a beautiful reflection on the importance of virtues in the lives of the school community. The students were prepared by L. Maida and P. Addario, and they read about: faith, empathy, conscience, hope, self-control, respect, kindness, love, acceptance and fairness, and depicted these virtues through their moving liturgical dance.

Father Francis McSpiritt, may the virtues that you demonstrated in your life become our virtues.  May the cross that inspired you be our inspiration.  May we truly come to understand your mantra and may this mantra shape our lives: In Hoc Signo Vinces We ask this in the name of Jesus who gave us the cross and the strength and virtue to carry it.

      Father Papais gave the final blessing.

Following the liturgical celebration, Joe Amodeo continued as master of ceremonies for the evening, introducing the platform speakers: L. DiGiambattista, J. Anderson, R. Borrelli,C. Saytar, M. Mack.

There were presentations from M.P.P. Hon. Dr. K. Kular, and M. Sinopoli, representing Hon. G. Malhi, the M.P.

A powerpoint presentation entitled "The First Year", was warmly received as a reminder of the beginnings of the new school, beginning with staff, in hard hats, on the construction site!

J. Amodeo made closing remarks and invited everyone to join together in the library for refreshments, including 500 cupcakes iced by the students!