The St. Clair Catholic family gathered for the first time in three years to celebrate the beginning of a new school year.  A system-wide Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Wallaceburg included principals, students, Catholic Education Centre staff, Trustees and senior administration.

The annual September Mass was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID.

“It was wonderful to be able to gather once again as a Catholic community to celebrate our faith and Catholic education,” says Scott Johnson, Director of Education.  “It was also a fitting way to begin a new school year with hope and optimism for the future!”

Last year, Pope Francis opened a two-year Synod of Bishops, challenging them to ‘encounter, listen and discern.’ 

“Celebrating a Synod means walking on the same road, walking together,” the Holy Father said. 

The Board’s theme for 2022-2023 is Walking Together – Encounter, Listen and Discern.  Following Mass today students were presented with posters depicting the theme to take back to their schools.

Students and principals also took back to their schools bibles, which will be presented to all new employees from 2020 through 2022.  They will receive them at a future school liturgy or prayer service.

Today’s Mass was celebrated by Father Chris Gillespie, Pastor of the Kent Lambton Roman Catholic Family of Parishes and Board Chaplain.