Dear Families of the York Catholic District School Board,
We hope you are having a blessed Holy Week! During the Easter Season almost 65 years ago, St. Pope John XXIII shared these words:
Christianity is not that complex … it is peace, it is joy, it is love, it is life
that is always renewed, like the secret pulse of nature at the beginning of spring. The source of this joy is in the Risen Christ.
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus present many mysteries that can confound us, but the Easter message is simple: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
We thank our students and staff for showing their love for everyone during the Lenten Season. The many fundraisers, food drives and other outreach activities that the York Catholic DSB community has undertaken in recent weeks have certainly made others feel loved. You are living the Easter spirit by following Jesus’ call to love everyone as he loves us.
As we enter this Holy long weekend, we hope you are able to spend time with your loved ones, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school on Tuesday, April 11. Our local parishes wanted us to share that they would be happy to welcome you to church over the Easter Triduum (you can find your local parish by clicking here).
This message began with a quote from St. Pope John XXIII and there is a St. John XXIII CES in the YCDSB. They will be celebrating a milestone anniversary this year, along with Holy Spirit CES, St. Anthony CES, St. Mary CES, St. Michael the Archangel CES and St. Raphael the Archangel CES. In the coming weeks and months, these schools will be hosting celebrations with their past, present and future community members. Many of these celebrations will occur during Catholic Education Week (April 30 to May 5). If you are interested in attending, please reach out to them for more information.
As we celebrate Easter, we hope all the members of the York Catholic DSB community remember the meaning of this season: that you are loved and are called to love.
Yours in Christ,
Frank Alexander Domenic Scuglia
Chair of the Board Director of Education
Holy Week expresses everything about who we are and whom we are called to be. It is the season of all seasons.
We have put together some ideas and suggestions to help make Holy Week even more special for you and your family.
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- Consider what you do upon waking or going to bed at night, perhaps kneel by your bedside as you say a prayer or read a book together with your family
- Consider what you eat; fasting and abstaining from meat on Good Friday
- Consider Catholic traditions, decorate Easter eggs, or put together Easter baskets (that could be blessed at Church if your Church has this service)
- Discuss the many symbols that Churches will be displayed this week, Easter symbol activities for children
- Consider what you discuss with others, use words of kindness, grace and love
- Consider having age-appropriate conversations about the passion, death and resurrection of Christ
- Discuss the decorations at your Church, what did you notice different on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday?
- Consider what you do after school or after work, try shutting off your screens to spend time with your family, friends and those who are important to you.