Catholic Education Week

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Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education Week. This year's celebration is entitled, "Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope" and will be celebrated during the week of May 4 - May 9. The theme for Catholic Education Week 2025 was inspired by the following considerations:

  • The themes for Catholic Education Week 2025 are inspired by the following considerations:

    • In February of 2022, Pope Francis announced that the theme for the upcoming 2025 holy year would be “Pilgrims of Hope.” “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.(from Vatican News, a short video on the history of the Jubilee/Holy Year: https://x.com/VaticanNews/status/1783768498885275868)

    • The Holy Father asks us to focus prayerfully on the bonds that unite our whole human family, to reflect on the rampant poverty in our world, and to think about the plight of the many refugees forced to leave their homes. He also summons us, as stewards of Creation, “to contemplate the beauty of creation and care for our common home.”

    • A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey of movement toward a goal, often lived together with others – and that certainly describes Catholic education. Hope – one of the three theological virtues – is grounded in our Easter faith in Jesus’ resurrection and renewal; this is what enables us to be builders, dreamers and leaders in Jesus’ name. Pope Francis invites us to keep moving ahead in faith, in joy, and in hope, as part of a pilgrim people. Even in challenging times, our eyes are focussed on the future.

The five sub-themes for Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope:

Day 1: by honouring human dignity / honorent la dignité humaine

Day 2: by caring for creation / prennent soin de la création 

Day 3: by responding to the poverties in our world / luttent contre les pauvretés 

Day 4: by serving in solidarity / servent en solidarité

Day 5: by living as peacemakers / vivent en artisans de paix

For more information about Catholic Education Week and to access OCSTA Resources, visit the OCSTA website.