The theme for this year’s Catholic Education Week is:
Catholic Education: Nurturing Hope
L’éducation catholique: Cultiver l’espérance
L’éducation catholique: Cultiver l’espérance
The theme for Catholic Education Week 2021 was inspired by the following considerations:
- Recognition of the special Year of Laudato Si’ which will run through May 24, 2021, announced by Pope Francis on May 24, 2020, the fifth anniversary of his papal encyclical, “On Caring for Our Common Home.”
- In the face of the ongoing reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, a strong desire by the planning committee, along with those consulted, and supported by feedback from the survey, for continuity with the theme for Catholic Education Week 2020, Igniting Hope, which has served so well during the spring recess from in-school instruction.
- The challenges to personal and spiritual well-being posed by the uncertainty and physical isolation of the current global crisis makes the timing and the concerns of Mental Health Week, which takes place during the same week as Catholic Education Week, all the more relevant.
- Ongoing recognition of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and the relevance of Indigenous culture and spirituality to the spirit of Laudato Si.
There are five sub-themes, one for each day of Catholic Education Week and they are aimed at helping staff and students to reflect more fully on what Nurturing Hope means to them. The five sub-themes are:
Day 1: Preparing the Earth / Préparer la terre
Day 2: Sowing Seeds of Gratitude / Semer la gratitude
Day 3: Cultivating Relationships / Cultiver nos relations
Day 4: Harvesting New Fruit / Récolter de nouveaux fruits
Day 5: Marvelling in Wonder / S’émerveiller
Day 2: Sowing Seeds of Gratitude / Semer la gratitude
Day 3: Cultivating Relationships / Cultiver nos relations
Day 4: Harvesting New Fruit / Récolter de nouveaux fruits
Day 5: Marvelling in Wonder / S’émerveiller
Catholic Education Week is marked by special activities at all grade levels, including prayer celebrations and service activities.
While we cannot gather in person due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, our Catholic schools will continue to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly-funded Catholic education. We have prepared resources for everyone to enjoy virtually, which will highlight how the students and staff at our schools are Igniting Hope . Follow us on social media and visit our CEW 2021 website for more Catholic Education Week news.
Sincerely,
Gary O’Donnell
Director of Education, Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board