Events

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html

The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on. 

German Heritage Month (National)
Canadian Islamic History Month (National)
Latin American Heritage Month (National)
Women's History Month (National)
Canadian Library Month (National)
Healthy Workplace Month (National)
Learning Disabilities Awareness Month (National)
International Walk to School Month (International)

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily because the 
liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7. It was instituted to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful. That is why Pope Francis has invited all the faithful to pray the Holy Rosary every day in October.

Please use the following Litany of Mary of Nazareth to celebrate and honour our Blessed Mother. 

Please use the following How to Pray the Rosary card, provided by the Knights of Columbus.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees will take place this year on October 4-5 to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants and the Missionary World in Rome.

DPCDSB recognizes the first Monday in October as Empowering Women Day. A day to commemorate the notable achievements and advancements of Canadian women and address the challenges faced by Canadian women.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. (Luke 1:28) 

The Black Excellence Success Team (B.E.S.T.) invites employees that identify as Black for fellowship and networking at our annual OPEN HOUSE on Wednesday, October 8, 3:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine C.S.S. (27 Drinkwater Road, Brampton).  

There will be presentations, event updates, and opportunities for networking. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by October 1^st.  Registration Link / Event Flyer

Transition Advisory Committee’s Central Resource Fair – October 8, 2025

The Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) will be hosting a Central Resource Fair for secondary school students with a developmental or intellectual disability and their caregivers. The resource fair will be held at St. Marguerite d’Youville C.S.S. (10815 Dixie Road, Brampton ) on Wednesday October 8, 2025, from 6:00 -8:00 pm. Registration is not required for this event. Event Flyer

October 9 - St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary School is proud to be celebrating 20 years of excellence in Catholic education. You are warmly invited to join us for a special open house and liturgy in honour of this milestone. Doors open at 5 PM and liturigical celebration begins at 7 PM. Kindly RSVP by emailing us at MERICinfo@dpcdsb.org.

St. Angela Merici 20th Anniversary Information

Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context

It is fitting for God’s people to offer public thanks for all the gifts we have received. The bountiful 
produce of the earth is a visible sign of the many blessings God wants to shower on us through Christ (see Eph 1.3-10). Our God also wants us to share the goods of the earth with all people.

October 15 - Preparing Your Child with Differing Abilities for the Sacraments Information Session

This in-person Pro-Grant information session offers families an opportunity to engage with staff to discuss sacramental preparation for their child with differing abilities who will need significant support to participate in the sacraments. Families will have an opportunity to explore adaptive tools to support their child’s faith journey. To receive the sacramental kit(s), families must register for the in-person session using the registration link. Time: 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Location: Catholic Education Centre, Room 301, 40 Matheson Boulevard West, Mississauga.

For more information, email Fara.Fernandes@dpcdsb.org

Event Flyer

World Food Day has been promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization since 1981. The Church is concerned about the issue of hunger in the world, remembering the words of the Son of Man on the last judgment of the nations, “…I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…” (Matthew 25:35).
Ordo 2024-2025

St. Luke is a patron of the medical profession. 
Living with Christ, October 2025

Catholics throughout the world are invited to pray for and give to the missions. The collection for this Sunday is organized by the Pontifical Missions Society.
Ordo 2024-2025

Every October, Children's Aid Societies across Ontario raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign. This year, Dress Purple Day will take place on October 25, 2025. We are calling on all Ontarians to wear something purple to show children, youth, and families that they are here to help! More Information.   

Saints Simon and Jude appear in the New Testament lists of the apostles.
Living with Christ, October 2025

Parent Pro Grant Session: Navigating the Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) - October 28, 2025

The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and Special Education and Learning Services are hosting an online information session for families who are interested in learning more about the Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) in DPCDSB. Families are asked to register for this virtual session using the registration link.  Event Flyer

Any questions regarding registration may be directed to Fara Fernandes at 905-890-0708 ext. 24011 or Fara.Fernandes@dpcdsb.org.

November Virtue of the Month: Conscience
Conscience is the voice of God within us. A developed conscience helps us make decisions that support truly loving relationships.

November is:
Albanian Heritage Month
Lebanese Heritage Month
Hindu Heritage Month
National Adoption Awareness Month 

This feast honours all the saints of the Church, known and unknown. The occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the nature of sainthood and to celebrate the exemplary faithfulness of holy men and women of every place and time whose lives and deeds continue to inspire us.

Happy are those who have died in the Lord. Let them rest from their labours for their good deeds go with them. (Revelation 14:13)

The first full week in November is marked as Treaties Recognition Week.  This is an opportunity to recognize and understand the importance of treaty education and to help everyone in Ontario learn about treaty.   

This year's Take Our Kids to Work Day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual program in which Grade 9 students are hosted by parents, friends, relatives, or volunteers at workplaces across the country every November. The program supports career development by helping students connect school and the world of work. Spending a 'day in the life' of a profession or workplace is a fun and fascinating way to explore the world of work, think about career options, and make informed educational decisions.

This is a day to recognize the vibrant culture and rich history of Inuit communities in Canada and around the world. 

Did you know that November 8th is marked as Indigenous Veterans Day? For over years, Canadians have set aside the 11th Day of November to remember the sacrifices of soldiers who fought for Canada and the British Commonwealth in global conflicts that took place in foreign lands. Most Canadians are not aware of the contributions made by Indigenous Warriors in those military campaigns, nor of the crucial role they played during the War of 1812 -- the only war ever fought on Canadian soil. 

Canadians pause today in silence to remember those who died in war and to pray for the victims of aggression and inhumanity throughout the world. This is a day to pray for peace, to consider what we are doing as individuals, as a community and as a nation to bring God's peace into the world.

Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment. During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week (November 16-22, 2025), DPCDSB students, school staff, and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying, specifically cyberbullying, and its effect on student learning and well-being. 

Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context

Hope is the virtue of relying on God. It keeps us searching for true happiness and sustains us during hard times or discouragement.

The Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council, founded by the Canadian Conference of Bishops (CCCB) in 1998, proposes that the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) be a National Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. All are invited to join their Indigenous sisters and brothers in a special way this day through prayer and acts of solidarity. 

“To you is born this day a Saviour, who is the Christ.” (Luke 2:1-16)

This day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. It celebrates Mary's role in the Incarnation and in redemption. Her special relationship with her son is emphasized and she is acknowledged as a model of the Church.

Virtue of the Month - January: Self-Control/Decision Making
Self-Control/Decision-Making…is regulating your thoughts and actions so that you stop any pressures from within or without and act the way you know and feel is right. Developing loving habits helps us to respond lovingly to others in our choices and actions. "Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control." (Prov. 25:28)

The World Day of Peace was established by Pope Paul VI in 1968 who asked that "every year, this commemoration be repeated as a hope and promise at the beginning of the calendar which measures and outlines the path of human life in time, that Peace with its just and beneficent equilibrium may dominate the development of events to come." Each year has a specific theme, chosen by the Holy Father.

"At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, heaven and on earth and under the earth, every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

"On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother." (Matthew 2:11)
The feast of the Epiphany is the time during the Christmas season when we celebrate the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus. Along with the three wise men, we mark this special day with joy, for God has seen fit to come to us in the form of a human being, Jesus of Nazareth.

Tonight the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches who follow the Julian calendar begin the celebration of Christmas.

"And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.  And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'" (Mark 1:9-11) 

This universal week of prayer encourages Christians of all denominations to meet, to participate in various liturgical and other community activities, and to pray together that all may by one, as Christ desires.

February is Black History Month. Both Federal and Provincial governments recognize the importance of Black History Month.  As Canadians and, more importantly, as a Catholic Community, we are called to live in solidarity. Solidarity requires that we learn from, and about our brothers and sisters in Christ. Regardless of the demographics of your school community, Black History is a conversation we must all be present to as it is everyone's history.

National Catholic Health Care Week seeks to build understanding and connection with the mission and contribution of the Catholic health community working with others to build a just and caring society where all are seen and heard. The 2025 theme “Caring for our Common Home” celebrates the interconnectedness of all creation and helps us to reflect on how our individual and collective actions and our systems—health, social, economic—can promote a healthy world where all can thrive. It emphasizes the integral connection between human health and the health of the planet, echoing Pope Francis’ call to care for the earth as our common home and to embrace an integrated ecology that puts the love at the heart of our ministry into action. We work with many partners—in our Catholic community, our health system and beyond—to contribute to and help shape an ever-evolving health system, drawing on our Catholic values, and a legacy of innovation and ethical reflection. During National Catholic Health Care Week, we invite all to reflect on and share the story of the courageous gift of our shared Catholic health mission.

February is Psychology Month. Psychology staff at the DPCDSB help students thrive every day by supporting their learning, behaviour and mental health.

Respect is seeing the goodness in others. It helps us to see others as God sees them, to accept them as they are, and to treat them with dignity. 

February is Winter Walk Month – Stay Active and Walk to School
February is Winter Walk Month. This month, we're encouraging students and their families to walk to school or their bus stop. If you're driving, consider parking your car five minutes from the school and walking the rest of the way. Walking to school has benefits like, boosting your mood, being good for your mental and physical health, helping to make school zones safer and reducing your carbon emissions. For more information, visit the Region of Peel website.

Commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the temple by His parents, Mary and Joseph, 40 days after His birth. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; on this day candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world.

A day to recognize and appreciate the contributions and commitments that consecrated men and women make to the Church and society at-large.  This day is "a suitable occasion for consecrated persons to renew their commitment and rekindle the fervour which should inspire their offering themselves to the Lord" (St. John Paul II, 1997).

National Sweater Day is a WWF campaign that raises awareness around energy conservation. Staff and students across DPCDSB are encouraged to engage in various energy awareness activities, including wearing sweaters as the indoor temperatures are lowered to conserve energy. Together, let's make a positive impact and continue leading the way in environmental stewardship.

"I was sick and you visited me." (Matthew 25:36) An observance started by St. Pope John Paul II as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses and for their caregivers.  It is a day that highlights the healing ministry of the Church.  This day coincides with the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and as well as recognizes the great efforts of doctors, nurses, health care institutions and pastoral care givers to restore health to those afflicted with illness and disease.