Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

October 21-25, 2024, is National School Bus Safety Week. Held each year during the third full week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program, and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators and other interested parties to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety.

On Friday September 13 the St. Mary Crusaders hosted its second annual Homecoming game. The St. Thomas More Knights went on to defeat the Crusaders 38-6 on a beautiful misty evening in front of a huge crowd. The game on the field was highlighted by...

As we approach the beginning of the new school year, we would like to share important updates on matters flowing from the Ontario Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No. 128, the matters focus on two key areas: 1. restricting the use of personal mobile devices (e.g. cell phone) and ...

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is pleased to welcome the 2024-2025 Student Trustees. Meet Grade 12 student Noah Sorgini from St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School and Grade 12 student Carla Khalil from St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School. Recently, Noah and Carla visited the Board office, and had the opportunity to share their vision and goals for their term.

Friends, we come now to the close of this great discourse of Jesus in the sixth chapter of John, where we see the aftereffects of his teaching on the Real Presence. The Eucharist is a standing or falling point of Christianity, and the question Jesus poses to the Twelve is posed to every one of us today: Do you also want to leave over this teaching? Do you reject it, or do you accept it?

Clarerose Mascarenhas, a dedicated teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School, recently embarked on a life-changing journey to Ghana through Project Overseas. During her time there, she collaborated closely with local educators, working to enhance educational opportunities in the community. Supported by OECTA, CTF, FCE, and GNAT, this incredible opportunity allowed her not only to share her expertise but also to immerse herself in Ghana’s rich and vibrant culture.

As the summer ends, HWCDSB’s Focus on Youth program concludes its vibrant season of spring and summer camps, clinics, and workshops.

Friends, we continue reading from the sixth chapter of John, this pivotal section of the New Testament where John lays out his Eucharistic theology. And we come today to the rhetorical high point of this discourse, where things really come to a head.

Friends, we’re continuing our reading of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, which is all about the Eucharist. And here’s my take on our reading for today: A long trip by car or plane can be uncomfortable, even overwhelming. But we’re heading somewhere else; we’re on a journey. And on a long journey, you have to find sustenance to keep going.

Friends, in the midst of our country’s great Eucharistic Revival, we continue our reading of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. And this week, I want to reflect on a line that names something so spiritually basic: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.”

As the school year drew to a close, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board held a special ceremony to honour the nominees and recipient of the Domenica Leone Award. This annual award, established in loving memory of Domenica Leone, celebrates individuals who embody her dedication to inclusive education and support for students with diverse learning needs.

Friends, this Sunday we begin five weeks of Gospel readings from the sixth chapter of John, which is all about the Eucharist. Jesus will get into a lengthy discourse about the Eucharist ...

"Do not cast me off in my old age" World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated worldwide on July 28, 2024.

The Shepherd Has Arrived - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon Bishop Robert Barron 1.41M subscribers Subscribe 2.7K Share Download Clip 48,191 views Premiered 20 hours ago Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermons Friends the readings for this Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time are interwoven with each other in a very interesting way. I want to start with the first reading from Jeremiah, then look at the Gospel from Mark, and then ...

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus sends the Twelve on their mission to announce the nearness of the kingdom. I want to say a few things about our embracing our mission and being equipped for it...

Friends, today’s Gospel develops a theme that is uncomfortable. It tells how the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. Authentically religious people, authentically spiritual people, will almost always be opposed...

Arts for All is offering Artasia in partnership with EarlyON Child and Family Centres for the 2024 summer season.

Kateryna (Katy) K., a Grade 5 student at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School, has won the grand prize in Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Meaning of Home contest. Her poem, “What does home mean to me?”, earned a $30,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Hamilton.

Friends, there’s something Hemingway-esque about Mark’s Gospel—something very direct and uncomplicated. But in another sense, he shows great literary sophistication, and you see it especially in this famous passage for today...

A message from the Minister of Education, Todd Smith to our Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board families and students.

May your summer be filled with joy, safety, and faith-filled moments. Have a fantastic, refreshing, and fun summer!

All elementary schools of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board will be open for registration from 9am to 12pm on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Parents/guardians are encouraged to bring a completed registration form (below in pdf format) to the in-person registration on August 27th.

HWCDSB "places Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church at the centre." Hamilton, ON. – During their June 25, 2024 meeting, Trustees of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board approved an operating budget of $405,596,233 and a capital budget of $17,798,543.

As the school year wraps up, students and staff at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School are thrilled to contribute to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 11th Annual Pencil Case Project. Every year, during the end-of-year cleanup of desks and classrooms, students and staff are encouraged to donate gently used ....

Rotary in the junior division along with being a judge and committee member for the Hamilton chapter of the "Spelling Bee of Canada" gave Mrs. Savelli, teacher at St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School the idea to run a school spelling bee.

Mrs. Savelli's Grade 6 students held a 2.5 kg flour bag drive at St. Agnes School Catholic Elementary School and collected 112 bags. Working with Mrs. Scattolon (St. Vincent De Paul Society), Mrs. Savelli thought this cause was one that demonstrates the Social Justice teaching of "How can we answer God's call to service?"

As the last few days of June melt into a long-awaited summer, the coaches of the Bishop Tonnos Special Olympics basketball and track and field teams have time to reflect on the experience of attending the Provincial High School Championships earlier this month in Chatham-Kent. It was a time that we will savor forever.

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board celebrated the Blessing and Official Dedication of the new St. James the Apostle Catholic Elementary School. The evening commenced with a blessing of the statue of St. James the Apostle and all of the classrooms and learning spaces by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton.

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the DREAMS program at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Waterdown. The evening was filled with joy and camaraderie, featuring a catered meal, live music and a silent auction. Guests included relatives of Fr. Lou Quinn, HWCDSB administrators, staff, students, alumni, chaperones, relatives, friends, and special visitors from San Jose de Ocoa.

The mission of Catholic education in Hamilton-Wentworth, in union with our Bishop, is to enable all learners to realize the fullness of humanity of which Our Lord Jesus Christ is the model. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Student Trustees acknowledged that our ...

Earlier this month, the Student Council Presidents and Student Trustees were honoured at a special breakfast hosted by Director of Education, David Hansen and Superintendent of Education, Julie Angiolillo to celebrate their exemplary service and commitment to student leadership. This annual event provided a meaningful opportunity for all to come together and reflect on their God-given gifts and talents and past year's achievements.

Friends, our Gospel for today is Mark’s account of the stilling of the sea. We know the basic structure of the story: Jesus is in the boat with the disciples; when a storm kicks up, he’s asleep in the stern. The disciples are panicking and wake Jesus up ...

Over 600 elementary students passed through the Father Kennedy Catholic Education Centre this past month to receive a Director’s Award of Excellence. The celebration was created to recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of students in a number of different categories and subject areas. The awards, presented annually, recognize 12 students from each elementary school for excellence in academics, faith, and community involvement.

National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, June 21. On this day, we recognize, celebrate, and honour the achievements, history and rich cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

Excitement filled the air at Marydale Park as over 8,000 students from more than 45 schools gathered for the thrilling Catholic Youth Organization’s annual elementary school cross-country meet! Throughout this electrifying week, around 800 spirited student athletes each day tackled ...

A St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School graduate expects to be joining one of the strongest collegiate football programs in the United States. After spending the past two seasons with the University of Buffalo Bulls, punting specialist Anthony Venneri recently announced his commitment to transfer to The Ohio State University.

Last week, kindergarten students at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School delighted in their final "Snuggle Up and Read Day" of the school year. This special day encourages families to prioritize reading and literacy activities together. Students ...

HWCDSB is excited to announce FREE two-week math and literacy camps throughout July for students entering grades 10, 11 or 12 in September. The courses offered are Grade 10 math, Grade 11 math, Grade 12 Advanced Functions math, Grade 12 Data Management Math, and Grade 10 English. These courses offer a review of some key concepts from previous grades ...

This semester 6 students from Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School had the opportunity to “Experience the Difference” while competing in Anaheim, California for the DECA International Competition at the International Career and Development Conference (ICDC).

It is with great joy that I extend my warm congratulations to the graduating class of 2024! This is a time for celebration, for reflection, and for charting your hopes for the future.

On June 10th, Glendale Secondary School hosted the Hamilton’s Best Dance Crew (HBDC) competition, a thrilling showcase of talent and dedication from local schools. Participants included Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, Saint John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School, and St. Joachim Catholic Elementary School. Each school brought their best to the stage, culminating in a series of impressive wins.

Friends, people of faith just see things differently. They see what the nonbeliever sees—they read history and watch the news and see what’s going on in the world—but they see more than that. They see the world according to God’s plans and purposes—an ample and even peculiar vision that can often make spiritual people seem a little crazy. All three of our readings this Sunday are touching on this theme.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School, nestled on the Hamilton Mountain brow, celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 16. The school community gathered for a special mass led by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, and Father Charlie Jordan. Attendees included Chairperson Patrick Daly, the school community trustee, retired teachers, and principals ...

On Thursday, May 23rd, students from across the HWCDSB participated in the annual Dramarama event, hosted by St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School. The event brought together over 100 drama students from various high schools within the board. The day was a celebration of creativity ...

St. Mary became the first Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association team to compete at an OFSAA girls’ slo-pitch festival. And while the Crusaders failed to snag the overall championship, their coach, Charley Giudice, said the two-day event was an enjoyable experience for the players.

On Wednesday, May 29th, St. David Catholic Elementary School transformed its grounds into a vibrant arena under sunny skies for a full-day "Summer Olympics" event. Organized by the school's Health Action Team (HAT) and the administrative duo of Ms. Lamparksi and Mr. Tersigni, the day focused on promoting mental well-being and physical activity, while also building anticipation for the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics.

If students learn differently, then maybe they pray differently. That’s the takeaway from Elementary Religion and Family Life Consultant Carmelina Biundo’s Passion for Prayer Day at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School.

This past school year, all HWCDSB staff were offered three opportunities to attend the Christian Meditation Adult Faith Formation Retreat hosted at Jericho House in Wainfleet. This overnight silent retreat was an opportunity for participants to grow in relationship with God by deepening their understanding of this ancient Christian Prayer.

On Wednesday, May 29th, 73 Multilingual/English Language Learners (ELLs) from St. Thomas More Catholic High School embarked on an exciting field trip to Canada’s Wonderland. This visit to one of Canada’s premier tourist attractions was more than just a fun outing—it was an opportunity for cultural immersion and unforgettable experiences.

The Hamilton Golf and Country Club Foundation continues its tradition of supporting local youth by awarding fifteen secondary students across Hamilton with $5,000 bursaries to assist with their post-secondary education.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that Michela Fricano, a Grade 12 student from Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School, has been awarded two major scholarships for this fall.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is delighted to announce Paolo Ramelli, a graduating student from Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, as one of the distinguished recipients of the 2024 Loran Scholarship.

Both Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association teams that participated in OFSAA soccer championships last week came home with silver medals. Playing in Windsor, the St. John Henry Newman boys finished as the runner up for the second consecutive year at the Ontario AAA high school level. The Cardinals went undefeated through six games before falling 2-1 to Mississauga’s ...

St. Michael Catholic Elementary School celebrated Career Day during Catholic Education Week with a fun-filled and inspiring event that brought together a diverse group of professionals from the community.

Both teams representing the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association got off to a fast start at their respective OFSAA soccer tournaments Thursday. In Windsor, at the boys’ 20-team AAA competition, the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals won twice – 1-0 over Thunder Bay’s St. Ignatius Falcons and 2-0 over the Kingston Bears.

Friends, we return now to Ordinary Time, and this Sunday, the Church gives us such a fundamentally important reading from the third chapter of the book of Genesis, which is about the fall. To return to this story—written, under God’s inspiration, with stunning perceptiveness—is to discover again the nature and basic dynamics of sin.

The key to success for the St. Thomas More Knights in junior girls’ high school soccer this season was athleticism. “I have athletes across the board this year,” Knights coach Claire Burke said following More’s 2-1 victory over the Bishop Tonnos Titans ...

On Friday, May 17th, the vibrant community of St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School came together for a day of excitement and well-being with their “Mental Health Olympics.” Organized by the dedicated Health Action Team and led by Principal Mr. Mauro, this event highlighted the school's commitment to mental health and physical activity, creating an atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm.

You’d never know that a couple of senior athletes from Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School were relatively new to their events at the 2024 OFSAA South Regional track and field championships. Chloe Seiler and Darrius Mullings of BT both ...

The St. Mary Crusaders executed a game-ending double play to capture the 2024 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic girls’ high school slo-pitch championship Tuesday. Trailing 9-8 in the bottom half of the seventh and final inning, the St. Thomas More Knights loaded the bases with one out. At that point, Jen DeMedeiros stepped up to the plate and smashed a line drive ...

The St. John Henry Newman Cardinals are poised to embark on another high school soccer adventure. Earlier this season, the Newman senior boys’ team flew to Miami, to compete in a college showcase against some strong competition. Now, they’re making final preparations for a trip to Windsor for the June 6-8 OFSAA championship.

For the first time in 36 years the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves have won a Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic junior boys’ high school soccer championship. The league’s trophy has been around since 1994, but none of the engraved shields on it indicate a Brébeuf title.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) is excited to announce FREE two-week math and literacy camps throughout July. These camps are designed for incoming Grade 9 students to review key Grade 8 math and English concepts and get a head start on the Grade 9 curriculum. The courses will run from 9 am to 1 pm daily at Cathedral High School and St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School.

In June 2024, our focus is on Campfire Safety. Summer is almost here! If anyone is going camping or to visit someone where they will be having a campfire, please remember these rules to keep you and your family safe:

On Friday, May 24, 2024, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School grounds were filled with energy and hope as the community gathered for the second annual Relay for Life event. Organized by the Knights Fighting Cancer (KFC) group, the event saw a robust turnout with 325 students, 25-30 staff members, and approximately 30 family members participating, totaling around 380 attendees.

Friends, we come to the great Feast of Corpus Christi—the Body and Blood of Christ. This year, as the Church in the US is going through a lengthy Eucharistic Revival, it’s good for us once again to turn to this greatest of sacraments. What I want to do today is to talk about a spiritual practice that has become very dear to me in the course of my life—and that is Eucharistic Adoration.

This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is “We are Called to Love,” inspired by St. John’s Gospel: “If we love one another, God lives in us” (1 John 4:12). In this spirit of love and unity, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) will recognize National Indigenous History Month (NIHM) during the month of June.

Hamilton Golf and Country Club feels like one prolonged climb, and so 14-year old caddie Jonah Stevenson hauled his golfer’s bag uphill to the 17th green, and up another to the 18th. The grandstands behind both greens had just a smattering of fans at noon Wednesday; it was pro-am day, not the tournament that begins Thursday.

An Invitation to Prayer (May 29 - June 7) The Institute for Catholic Education invites everyone involved in, and caring about, Catholic Education in Ontario to join together in prayer.

It’s a three-peat in cleats for the Cathedral Gaels. For the third consecutive year the Gaels captured the girls’ high school touch football tournament championship. Cathedral defeated the host St. Thomas More Knights, 7-0, in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic title game Tuesday. In addition, the Gaels have gone undefeated during their three-year reign.

At St. Kateri Tekakwitha Elementary School, the spirit of reconciliation and action recently took center stage as students from grades 2, 5, and 6 came together to honour the legacy of Shannen Koostachin, a young Cree student from Attawapiskat First Nation, whose dream of equitable education for Indigenous children resonates powerfully today.

Milo Domanski won a junior high school football championship as a running back for the Bishop Ryan Celtics and now he’s out-legging his competitors in track and field. The Grade 9 student put together a pair of impressive novice boys’ sprint performances at last week’s Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference meet in Hamilton. He took the 200-metre event in 23.66 seconds and finished second in the 100m (11.85).

Chalk it up as a successful return to high school coaching for Gerry Buordolone at St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School. The head coach who guided Newman’s senior girls’ soccer team to its first ever OFSAA gold medal in 2016, stepped away for several years before deciding to come back this season.

We are proud to announce that Lucia Marchionda has been awarded the 2023 Government of Canada Emerging Leader Award. This prestigious honour recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities through volunteerism, inspiring others to make a difference. Lucia received the award for the Ontario region on April 15, 2024, in Ottawa, Ontario.

Levi Snider of the Bishop Ryan Celtics wasn’t overly excited about his record-breaking discus throw at the 2024 Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference track and field championships. His toss at Ray Lewis Centre Friday travelled 45.79 metres, setting a new GHAC mark in the junior boys’ age group. But he put that accomplishment into perspective.

Friends, we come once again to Trinity Sunday. The Church has reflected very deeply on who God is, and this great doctrine of the Trinity has emerged from that speculation. What I want to do is give you, appropriately enough, three ways of approaching this profound mystery.

Backed by the stellar second-half goalkeeping of Grade 9 student Anthony Villella, the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals rallied to win the senior boys’ high school soccer championship game Thursday. Newman captured the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league title with a 3-2 decision over the visiting Bishop Ryan Celtics.

St. Luke Catholic Elementary School is expanding young minds' horizons by sowing the seeds for future careers, exposing students to a range of professions within their community. The school recently hosted its sixth Career Day on May 10, enlightening students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 about various career paths.

During this week, we recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions of Canadians with disabilities as well as the accomplishments of individuals, communities, and workplaces to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion. It is also a time to reflect on the ongoing work we all have to do to counter discrimination against persons with disabilities and promote a culture of inclusion.

The St. Mary Crusaders executed a game-ending double play to capture the 2024 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic girls’ high school slo-pitch championship Tuesday. Trailing 9-8 in the bottom half of the seventh and final inning, the St. Thomas More Knights loaded the bases with one out. At that point, Jen DeMedeiros stepped up to the plate and smashed ...

For two decades, the Precious Moments Boutique within the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has helped students shine in their special moments. Located at the St. Mary Catholic Education Resource Centre, this boutique provides students with gently used formal wear at no cost.

On Monday, May 6, 2024, the John Sopinka Courthouse buzzed with excitement as students from three Catholic high schools—St. Thomas More, St. Mary, and St. John Henry Newman—competed in the biannual Mock Trials. The event, organized by the Hamilton Justice Education Network (HJEN) in collaboration with the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN), showcased the legal skills and dedication of these young student lawyers.

Friends, we come to the Feast of Pentecost, the great celebration of the Holy Spirit. I want to focus on our second reading from the fifth chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, which I’ve used for years in spiritual direction. What you find there are what Paul calls “the fruit of the Spirit,” which he contrasts with “the works of the flesh.”

Brushes in the Hammer was an art event hosted by the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board at Hamilton's GasWorks on May 9th and 10th. Initiated over a decade ago by secondary art teachers, the event featured the creative works of students from all Catholic secondary schools ...

Blessed Carlo was a 15-year-old boy renowned for his passion for technology and the Eucharist. Born in England and raised in Italy, Carlo Acutis was a Catholic website designer who gained recognition for cataloging Eucharistic miracles and approved Marian apparitions on a website he developed before his untimely death from leukemia.

The Bishop Tonnos Titans are the champions of junior high school badminton and the public address announcer couldn’t have been more pleased. Competing at the two-day Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic tournament this week, the Tonnos entry came out on top in the team standings for the first time in the school’s 20-year history.

During Catholic Education Week, the Diocese of Hamilton hosted their annual Culture of Life Youth Leadership Conference at the Nicholas Mancini Centre. Secondary students from across our Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board joined together with secondary students throughout the Diocese to partake in a faith-filled day centered around the Culture of Life.

Attention young explorers and aspiring innovators! Does your child have a passion for discovery and a thirst for knowledge? Join us for a thrilling, FREE one-week STEM Camp this July, where adventure meets learning! Designed for students entering grades 7 and 8...

The Intermediate Scripture Reading, a highlight among various events during Catholic Education Week by the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, demonstrated the Gospel values through the leadership of young Catholics.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) warmly invites the Catholic faithful to celebrate together the National Week of Family and Life (NFLW), which takes place May 13-19th, 2024. The theme chosen for this year is from the words of St. Paul, “Love endures all things, trusts all things, hopes all things, endur