Our Faith Journey
Roots of Empathy
PAULINE VANIER CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
The Spirit is alive at Pauline Vanier Catholic School! On Monday, a large Holy Spirit dove mosaic was unveiled and students and staff were thrilled, upon examination, to find everyone’s face hidden in the image of the dove! On Wednesday, our school trustee, Anna DaSilva, and parents and grandparents attending our Open House, paused to examine the mosaic in the school foyer before taking part in our community liturgy. The assembly and liturgy focused on the CEW theme of Celebrating the Spirit and featured a slide show of students involved in a variety of social outreach projects at Pauline Vanier; as well as a dramatic interpretive dance portraying the Virtue of Acceptance. After the assembly, visitors visited their children’s classrooms and then gathered in the school library to enjoy conversation, cake and refreshments. Later in the week, the Rosary Club made and prayed the rosary under the guidance of volunteers from the Legion of Mary. On Friday, the entire school community participated in a rousing sing-along and mini-concert with Nancy Bodsworth (a DP teacher, and musician who composed and recorded the 2009, 2010 and 2011 CEW theme songs). Prayers and daily literacy lessons taught from May 1-May 5, 2011 reinforced the sub-themes of CEW and reminded students and staff alike of the privilege of publically-funded Catholic education and the joy of being able to freely celebrate our faith together.
First Reconciliation
Lent in Action 
John and Patricia from Ms. Tersigni's class making Lenten pretzels.
Stations of the Cross - Made by the Grade 4s in Ms. Tersigni's class
CHALICE-Social Justice
While visiting Canmore, Alberta, in July 2011, Mrs Bodsworth had the pleasure of meeting Deacon Brian West who is a speaker with Chalice. The speakers are deacons who visit different parishes to speak on behalf of the underpriviliged children, aging and challenged in the Third World. Chalice sponsors the majority of its children through these Mission Appeals. The remainder is via web, advertising in Catholic newspapers and word-of-mouth. For the second year in a row, Chalice has received top-rating from Money Sense Magazine as an International Development Aid Charity in Canada.
Pauline Vanier has been supporting the work of Chalice under the leadership of our Youth Faith Ambassadors. Deacon West serves at Our Lady of the Rockies Parish in Canmore, Alberta at the foot of the Three Sister's Mountains. When he learned of Pauline Vanier's commitment to Chalice, he expressed his gratitude for our generous donations. He sent his best wishes and encouraged us to keep up the good work in helping disadvantaged communities around the world. Chalice is a Catholic organization that builds schools, digs wells, and provides food, clothing and education to needy families the world over. Chalice is noted for its low administrative costs and faith focus.
