2011 President's Christmas Message
My fellow Catholic Trustees and Leaders in Catholic Education:
Have you noticed how often people comment on the speed with which Christmas seems to arrive each year? I don’t know if that’s a by-product of aging or work overload, but I believe at the core of all the busyness of this season, we know how to embrace and appreciate this time of year for what it is - a blessed time of hope and joy.
As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, each of us, as Catholic school trustees and leaders in Catholic education, has so much for which to be thankful:
• We have been entrusted with the education and care of almost 600,000 students in the province. Each of those students will make a mark on their generation and that mark will be influenced by the Catholic education curriculum we support and deliver in each of our province’s 29 Catholic District School Boards.
• Several times each month we have the opportunity to work with our fellow board colleagues to arrive at faith based decisions that enhance, improve and inspire the work and efforts of our students, staff and the community at large.
• Our students and staff take action to address and support the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities close to home and in places around the world. These efforts are not just activities that our schools do as part of being caring schools, these actions are driven by our understanding of the Gospel and the desire of our school communities to “Walk in the light of Christ.”
Of course, I could go on and on about all the things that are true blessings in our system, but instead I’ll just acknowledge one more point for which I am personally grateful. We have in this province 237 individuals who answered the call to service as Catholic trustees.
The points mentioned reflect just a portion of what each of you see and experience each day as guardians and stewards of Catholic education in Ontario. In practice, the responsibilities you’ve each assumed as advocates for our system makes a world of difference to the life of this province and in many places beyond our borders.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for all you do for your school communities.
As you prepare to wind down your schedules and to spend more reflective time with your family and friends, I wish you God’s peace and love.
Prayerful best wishes to you and your family for a very, merry Christmas!
Nancy Kirby, OCSTA President
December, 2011