In the evening of Monday, November 21, 2022, Bishop John Boissonneau, Regional Bishop for the Northern Pastoral Region, celebrated a special Mass at the Catholic Education Centre for the Inaugural Board Meeting of the York Catholic District School Board.
The Bishop oversaw the commissioning of four new Trustees: Joseph DiMeo, Angela Saggese, Michaela Barbieri and Angela Grella. They were joined by six returning Trustees: Elizabeth Crowe, Theresa McNicol, Carol Cotton, Frank Alexander, Maria Iafrate and Jennifer Wigston. Student Trustees, Anthea Peta-Dragos and Jonah James, joined the meeting virtually.
After the commissioning ceremony, the Trustees unanimously selected Frank Alexander to be the new Chair of the Board and Maria Iafrate to be the new Vice Chair. They take over for Elizabeth Crowe and Maria Marchese in these respective positions.
Both Alexander and Iafrate were commended by their fellow Trustees for their leadership and commitment to Catholic education.
In acceptance of the Chair position, Alexander said:
Beyond God and Family, there is no greater stewardship than that of Catholic School Trustee. We are called to help shape the whole student: their mind their soul, their body, their spirit. That’s an awesome responsibility, but it doesn’t quite end there.
You see, we’re responsible for shaping the lives of some 50,000 students; and that 50,000 will go on to influence another 50,000 and that 50,000 another 50,000 and that number will grow exponentially from generation to generation, long after we’re gone. That’s the profound impact of our role.
Iafrate told the Boardroom, which was full of well-wishers and constituents, “I’ll do my best and I’ll keep learning. To the new Trustees, I’ll be with you and help you however I can.”
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, was reaffirmed as the Honourary Chair and Bishop Boissonneau was reaffirmed as the Honourary Trustees.
Please see below for some photos of the evening.
