A Community Gathered in Faith: St. Clair Catholic Celebrates 2026 System Faith Day
More than a thousand staff came together in friendship and unity for the 2026 St. Clair Catholic District School Board System Faith Day, held simultaneously on April 24 at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Sarnia and Ursuline College in Chatham. The day offered staff an opportunity to reflect, pray, and celebrate the shared mission of Catholic education.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to Cedric and Sandra Isaac, Leigh Ann Isaac, Neva Isaac-Sands, and Cortnee Goure, who welcomed staff to Ursuline College with a beautiful Indigenous Ancestral Welcoming Song. Their sharing of culture and tradition set a tone of gratitude and community for the day.
Director of Education Lisa Demers delivered an uplifting address that highlighted the Board’s new 2026–2030 Multi Year Strategic Plan, a forward‑looking roadmap shaped by the themes Believe, Achieve, and Accompany. Guided by core values including faith in youth, joyful discipleship, respect rooted in love, excellence for all, and accountability to God, self and others, the plan identifies three system priorities: A Community of Faith, Excellence in Learning and Achievement, and Inclusion and Well‑Being.
“Today is a beautiful reminder of who we are as a Catholic learning community,” said Lisa Demers. “As we celebrate our System Faith Day, we also look ahead with hope through our new Multi‑Year Strategic Plan, a plan shaped by the voices of our students, families, staff, and parish partners. Grounded in the themes Believe, Achieve, and Accompany, it calls us to walk together in faith and to support every learner with purpose, compassion, and excellence. Gathering today strengthens our commitment to this shared mission.”
Her message was accompanied by a video featuring the voices and commitment of students and staff across the district.
Board Chair John Van Heck also greeted staff with a message of gratitude and joy, reflecting on the gift of gathering together to celebrate faith and community.
“It is a blessing to be able to celebrate our faith together,” said John Van Heck. “This day reminds us why Catholic education matters. It roots our work in the Gospel and strengthens the community that surrounds our students. Coming together in prayer and celebration renews the shared purpose that guides every student, in every school, across St. Clair Catholic.”
A cherished tradition of the System Faith Day is the presentation of the Living Our Faith Lighting the Way Awards, recognizing staff who exemplify Gospel values in their daily work. This year, four outstanding employees were nominated by their colleagues and honoured for their dedication, compassion, and faith‑filled service:
- Amanda (Mandy) Brown, Program Resource Teacher – St. Anne Catholic School, Sarnia
- Tara MacDonald, Secretary – Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School, Sarnia
- Brady Turcotte, Custodian – St. Joseph Catholic School, Tilbury
- Josh Wright, Vice Principal – St. Angela Merici Catholic School, Chatham
The keynote speaker, decorated Canadian Paralympian Danielle Campo, moved and inspired staff with a powerful message of courage, perseverance, hope, and resilience. Danielle shared her journey beginning at age two with a neuromuscular diagnosis, through her rise as a Paralympic and World Champion swimmer, and later her life‑threatening health crisis following childbirth. The emotional presentation left staff touched and inspired by her unwavering faith and determination.
Uplifting and joyful Masses were celebrated with Father Chris Pietraszko from the Kent Lambton Roman Catholic Family of Parishes at Ursuline College in Chatham, and with Father Ray Lawhead of the Lambton County Family of Parishes at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Sarnia. Music was led by Dan Sonier and Dan Donohue, along with a staff choir in Sarnia. In Chatham, staff were welcomed back from lunch by a wonderful violin performance by Jennifer Trinca. Special thanks are extended to the St. Angela Merici Catholic School student choir, “The Sammies,” led by Jacquelyn McGlynn, who celebrated the afternoon with staff and performed beautifully at Mass.
The day closed in a spirit of gratitude with hearts lifted, purpose renewed, and our shared mission shining a little brighter as we continue to believe, achieve, and accompany together.
