Inside this Issue:

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President’s Christmas Message

As we approach this magical season of Christmas, I pray that your hearts and your homes are ready to celebrate the greatest gift imaginable.

How blessed are we that in the hustle and the bustle of Christmas, we can take our time and travel with genuine understanding of the wonder of Mary, Joseph and the wise men. None but God knew the extreme relevance of this child’s birth. His story is now ours to share.

We know fully the hope for the world that the first Christmas brought. As Catholic trustees, and all who are engaged in our system, we are called to tell this story, not only at Christmas, but every day of our lives. Every decision we make, every word we speak, every prayer we pray is how we share the magic of Christ’s birth, the miracle of his life.

My prayer for each of you is first, one of gratitude.

Thank you God for the commitment that each of my colleagues has to you. May your grace continue to bless them and those they love with hope, joy and peace every day of their lives. May they celebrate Christmas with the heart of a child and the generosity of an adult. May they always appreciate the joy of the gift of your son—the  reason we exist.

Peace and Joy always,

Kathy

News from Across the Boards

York Catholic DSB News

Alumnus’ Vocation Inspired by Faith

Dufferin-Peel Catholic News

24-Hours of Hope

Catholic DSB of Eastern Ontario

Symbolic Holy Doors at Pilgrimage Mass

January Professional Development Seminar

2016 Catholic Trustees’ Professional Development Seminar
January 15 – 16, 2016
Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale Hotel

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

MICHAEL PAUTLER – “Partners in Catholic Education”
Executive Director, Institute for Catholic Education

KATHY BURTNIK – “Report to Members and Q & A”
President, OCSTA

KAREN PITRE – “Community Hubs: Interactive Discussion”
Special Advisor to the Premier on Community Hubs

WORKSHOPS

OESC Trustee Module: “Developing a Code of Conduct for Trustees” – Nadya Tymochenko, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP
OESC Trustee Module: “Social Media for Trustees” – Sharon McMillan, Director of Communications, OCSTA
“The Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession” – Chantal Belisle, Director of Investigations and Hearings, OCT
“Family Life Curriculum” – Michael Pautler, Executive Director, Institute for Catholic Education

MEETINGS – MASS

OCSTA Regional Meetings
Eucharistic Celebration, Celebrant: Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick

REGISTRATION AND ACCOMMODATION

OCSTA Registration Package
Online Registration Form
Program
Hotel Reservations

Short Video Contest Winners

If you haven’t already seen the news release announcing the winners of this year’s “Living the Gospel” short video competition for students, we invite you to view the inspiring 2-minute videos that were selected this year:

Elementary Panel Winners:

1^st Place:  York Catholic District School Board, St. Anne Catholic Elementary School
http://youtu.be/MO6R47MJB84?list=PLto1VDXqXYlM0RkYPKrNjYULZ3jvnNJ_0

2^nd Place: Halton Catholic District School Board, St. Mary Catholic Elementary School
http://youtu.be/1Hrsyhg7zFc?list=PLto1VDXqXYlM0RkYPKrNjYULZ3jvnNJ_0

3^rd Place: York Catholic District School Board, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary School
http://youtu.be/BMg6PsVtqqY?list=PLto1VDXqXYlM0RkYPKrNjYULZ3jvnNJ_0

Secondary Panel Winners:

1^st Place: Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, Cathedral Catholic HS
http://youtu.be/I2zSAqBUBFQ?list=PLto1VDXqXYlM0RkYPKrNjYULZ3jvnNJ_0

2^nd Place: Niagara Catholic District School Board, Lakeshore Catholic HS
http://youtu.be/CFZrQJV3VQk?list=PLto1VDXqXYlM0RkYPKrNjYULZ3jvnNJ_0

3^rd Place: Toronto Catholic District School Board, Senator O’Connor College School
http://youtu.be/sJljZkfJeIQ?list=PLto1VDXqXYlM0RkYPKrNjYULZ3jvnNJ_0

In addition to the videos which took the top awards above, there were 15 other videos that made the “finalists” list and we encourage you to view those videos here and please share with your family and friends online.