2008 CCSTA Brantford Convention a Grand Success!

Catholic trustees, administration and companions from across Canada gathered in Brantford, Ontario from June 5-7 for the 48^th annual Canadian Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association Convention and Annual General Meeting.

The opening ceremonies for the convention set the stage for an enjoyable and productive three days.  Throughout the convention, students and staff from across the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board led the delegates and companions in liturgies, music, dance and song.  The keynote speaker on Thursday night and Friday morning, Father J. Glenn Murray, reminded delegates that all they do must be done in the spirit of love.  Father Murray used personal examples, songs, and stories of life experiences to highlight the difference we can all make in this world.  Father asked delegates to “teach the word of God by finding God in all things”. 

Sister Anne Bryan Smollen, a keynote speaker on Friday and Saturday spoke passionately and humorously on the place emotions, such as laughing and crying, have in our lives.  Sister Anne reminded the convention attendees that happiness is a choice and we should approach each moment in front of us as a moment of grace – we want to be present in that moment.

Numerous workshops took place on Friday morning and afternoon.  The presenters put a great deal of time and effort into the planning of these workshops that were well received by delegates.  Workshop topics included:  a) Faith-Based Peer Facilitation, b) Connecting Students to the Gospel, c) Catholic Education in a Culture of Change, d) Adult and Youth Faith Ambassadors, e) Catholic Leadership (Administrators’ workshop), and f) La Politique d’aménagement linguistique.

Liturgical celebrations formed the core of the three days together in Brantford.  Students and staff from throughout Brant Haldimand Norfolk led in music, dance and reflections on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  We were blessed with the presence of Bishop Ronald P. Fabro of London, Bishop Anthony Tonnos of Hamilton, and Bishop James M. Wingle of St. Catharine’s, as they celebrated Mass.  Father John van den Hengel, CCSTA Chaplain, and Msgr. Murray J. Kroetsch of St. Pius X Parish in Brantford celebrated Mass and led in prayer throughout the week.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the beautifully designed and constructed Assumption College School was the host for the ethnic extravaganza and entertainment, and the closing gala dinner and entertainment.  Delegates were treated to delicious food on both evenings, along with a variety of entertainment.  School students and staff danced, sang, played in bands, and acted for the appreciative audience of trustees, administrators, companions and guests.  In all aspects, they showcased the impressive array of talents within their Catholic schools.  The Assumption College School drama club wowed delegates with its presentation of the closing act of Godspell.  The hard work that went into the preparation for the evenings at Assumption was reflected in the success of the events.  The board and schools were perfect hosts for the national gathering.

The crowd rises in the auditorium of Assumption Catholic College School to applaud a student performance

On Saturday evening, Julian Paslowski of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was presented with the prestigious Justice James Higgins Award for outstanding leadership in Catholic education in Canada (click here for more information).  Julian was a most worthy recipient having been a teacher and administrator in Catholic education for more than fifty years.  He retired in 2007 as the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association.  Julian worked closely with Catholic boards throughout Canada in promoting and preserving Catholic education.

Dr. Bonaventure Fagan and Greg McNally present Julian Paslawski with the Justice James Higgins Award for outstanding leadership in Catholic education in Canada

Highlights of the business meeting included:

·        the passing of the Auditor’s Reports for CCSTA’s main account, and for its Endowment Fund;

·        the approval of the 2009 budget;

·        the President’s Report, presented by Dr. Bonaventure Fagan;

·        provincial reports; and

·        the passing of two resolutions, and the tabling of a third (click here for more information).

For the new term running from June 2008 - June 2010, Regis O’Connor is the CCSTA President, Paula Peroni is the CCSTA Vice-President, and Bonaventure Fagan is the Past President.   CCSTA thanked three retiring members of the Board of Directors for their service to Catholic education in Canada – Past President, Gerald Bernakevitch (Alberta), and Board Members, Paul Whitehead (Ontario) and Nancy Kirby (Ontario).  CCSTA welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors – Bernard Murray (Ontario) and Colleen Landry (Ontario).

At the Mass on Saturday evening at St. Pius X Church, all Canadian Catholic school trustees in attendance pledged their commitment to Catholic education.  Bishop Wingle installed the new Board of Directors for the 2008-2009 school year at the closing of Mass.  (Click here for a list of the Board of Directors.)

On Thursday afternoon, the Board of Directors gathered with local trustees and staff at St. Patrick’s Catholic School to plant a tree, a ceremony which takes place at a Catholic school each year of the convention.  The theme for the tree planting was “Celebration of God’s creation”.  Brantford students from St. Patrick’s School and our Lady of Providence School read, sang and danced as part of the tree-planting ceremony.  The board and school chose the flowering white dogwood tree, the emblem of Norfolk county, to be planted and blessed by Msgr. Murray J. Kroetsch and Father John van den Hengel.  Principal Tom Grice took the board on a tour of the classes of St. Patrick’s School, followed by refreshments hosted at the board office (right beside the school).

President Bonaventure Fagan, Principal Tom Grice, Director of Education Cathy Horgan and Convention Co-Chair June Szeman with the CCSTA tree-planting plaque which will now be displayed in St. Patrick's School

At the Friday lunch, the 2009 CCSTA Convention hosts from Victoria B.C. gave an action packed presentation to delegates, urging them to come to Victoria, June 4-6, 2009.  The 2009 Convention/AGM will be held at the Empress Hotel in Victoria.  A link to the convention site will be available through ccsta.ca in the fall.  In the meantime, you may contact Mary Carmichael at (250) 727-6893 or mcarmichael@cisdv.bc.ca for information.  On June 2-4, 2010, Ottawa will host the 2010 Convention (CCSTA’s 50^th anniversary as an association).  Regina will be the host for the June 2011 Convention. 

Click here to see more images from the 2008 Convention.

Catholic trustees, administrators and companions thank Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board for hosting such a successful convention this year!

Students hold a sign for the trustees