"And, after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24)

With signs of new beginnings all around us, the arrival of spring signals a time of hope, change and renewal. During this time, we also prepare for the holiest days of our Liturgical calendar – the celebration of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time to renew our faith and deepen our relationship with God. As we journey through Holy Week, we are humbled by the profound act of love and sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation and joyfully celebrate the promise of His resurrection.

Throughout this year, our spiritual theme in Durham Catholic has called upon us all to Listen with the Ear of the Heart. This Lenten season, Pope Francis has continued to encourage us to listen to Jesus and to those around us, especially to those who are in need. We hope you have found time in the weeks since Ash Wednesday to listen, reflect, grow, and learn.

Holy Week has always been a special time in our Catholic schools. Together, we will gather in prayer to reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross.

It is our hope that the hearts of those in our Catholic learning community are filled with hope, peace, and renewal in the coming week. On behalf of the Durham Catholic District School Board, we wish you and your family a blessed and joyous Easter.

Yours in Faith,

Monique Forster                             Tracy Barill

Chair of the Board                          Director of Education

Installation of Archbishop Francis Leo



On Saturday, March 25, 2023, the Mass of Installation for the Most Reverend Francis Leo took place at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto. His Grace, Francis Leo was appointed by Pope Francis as the 13th Archbishop of Metropolitan Toronto, which includes the Durham Region, succeeding Cardinal Thomas Collins who shepherded the Archdiocese since 2007. On behalf of the Durham Catholic District School Board, we want to extend a warm welcome and offer our congratulations to Archbishop Francis Leo, as he takes up this new Ministry.  

Born in Montreal in 1971, Francis Leo comes to Toronto having most recently served as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Montreal. The newly installed Archbishop commented, “It is with great humility that I accept this appointment from the Holy Father to serve the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto. I thank Pope Francis for the confidence he has placed in me. This was a most unexpected appointment, yet I have learned throughout my priesthood and service to the Church that God’s special plans for us unfold in unexpected moments that lead to tremendous blessings.”

To learn more, please visit dcdsb.ca.

DCPIC Lenten Family Activities



This year, Ash Wednesday took place on February 22, 2023 and marked the beginning of Lent. As we observe the 40-day period before Easter, the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) has compiled Lenten resources and activities to help families practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Visit the DCPIC online Lenten resources and activities here.

St. Christopher Catholic School Learning with Lorrie Gallant

On March 24, artist, storyteller, author and illustrator Lorrie Gallant from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Cayuga Nation, Turtle Clan, visited with Grade 7 students from St. Christopher Catholic School in Oshawa to share her latest book and teach artistic technique and expression through plasticine. 

The students did a great deal of prior learning with their teacher, Ms. Rogers, and the Indigenous Education Team. Lorrie’s visit enhanced the learning by inspiring students in understanding how to move forward with Indigenous Education and Truth and Reconciliation. 

The day began with Lorrie sharing her personal story, her creative process, and by providing a reading of her recently published book, The Day I Became Number 54, which recounts the true story of a residential school survivor of the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford. Lorrie spoke to the many survivor stories she experienced as program coordinator for the Woodland Cultural Center on the site of the former residential school. Click here to read the full story.

9^th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala

Join us for the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation Gala Honouring Bishop Vincent Nguyen and our Distinguished Catholic Alumni.

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023

Location: Ajax Convention Centre, 550 Beck Cres., Ajax

Cocktails: 6:00 p.m.

Dinner: 7:00 p.m.

Featuring: 2022 Durham Catholic Distinguished Alumni Award Winner - Aubrey Noronha.

Proceeds will go to the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation. 

Early bird prize draw: Guests who purchase tickets by April 14, 2023, will be entered into a draw to win a pair of Apple AirPods 3rd generation.

Purchase your tickets or sponsor the event by clicking here.

You are invited to register your child for Kindergarten at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board schools. Students eligible to attend Kindergarten in September 2023 must be turning four years of age by December 31, 2023.

For more information and to register online visit dcdsb.ca/Kindergarten.

Student Spotlight - Isaac M.

This DCDSB Student Spotlight segment features Isaac M., a Grade 7 student at All Saints Catholic School. Isaac was recently in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and he shares his experience about being cast and performing in a musical, as well as what it means to Listen with the Ear of the Heart.

St. Theresa Catholic School Wellness Fair

In partnership with the Durham Region Health Department, St. Theresa Catholic School in Whitby hosted an engaging and educational wellness fair that included six stations led by intermediate students. Stations included topics about mental health, sugar content in common drinks, mindful breathing, practising gratitude, benefits of physical activity and more!