Holy Family RCSSD Staff Gather to "Let Their Light Shine" at Annual Opening Faith Day 

Staff, trustees, and parish priests from across the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division came together at St. John the Baptist Parish in Estevan for their annual Opening Faith Day. Centered around this year's theme, "Let Your Light Shine," the day served as an inspiring celebration of faith, community, and the unique, God-given gifts each person brings to the division.

The morning began with the celebration of Holy Mass, setting the foundation for the day. Following opening remarks from Board Chair Bruno Tuchscherer and Director of Education Ken Sampson, Traditional Knowledge Keeper Lyndon J. Linklater welcomed attendees and introduced Archbishop Don Bolen of the Archdiocese of Regina.

Archbishop Bolen delivered a keynote address on the division's theme, urging staff to reflect on how they can cultivate and share Jesus’s light in their daily lives and classrooms.

Following lunch, the afternoon featured Guiding Lights, a shared dialogue between Archbishop Bolen and Traditional Knowledge Keeper Lyndon J. Linklater. Directly aligning with the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) Indigenous Teachings Handbook for Catholic Schools, this dialogue brought the document’s vision to life by modeling mutuality among Church leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and educators. Together, they addressed questions from across the division, exploring common parallels between Catholic and Indigenous spiritualities and demonstrating how Catholic school communities can actively walk together in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.

The day concluded with a hands-on workshop led by Lyndon J. Linklater, who was himself a key contributor to the SCSBA handbook. Staff wove traditional birch bark baskets in an activity that offered a tangible connection to Scripture, drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:15-16: "Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others..."

In Indigenous traditions, birch bark baskets are crafted to harvest, carry, and share gifts with others, a practice rooted in generosity and community care. As participants crafted their baskets, they reflected on the call to ensure their own lights are never hidden under a basket, but rather carried into their school communities to illuminate, serve, and uplift others.

The Opening Faith Day left attendees renewed in spirit and ready to ignite a bright, supportive, and faith-filled school year across Holy Family RCSSD.

The month of May was filled with faith, learning, service, and community at Sacred Heart School. Throughout the month, students and staff had many opportunities to grow academically, spiritually, and socially while living out our Catholic values in meaningful ways.

One of the highlights of the month was our Science/STEM Fair. Students proudly showcased their creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills through engaging presentations and hands-on projects. The event welcomed not only our student body, but also families and community members who came to celebrate and support student learning. It was wonderful to see students sharing their God-given gifts and talents while inspiring others through innovation and discovery.

Our School Community Council once again hosted the much-loved Cereal Readers program. Students arrived early each morning to spend time reading in the library, fostering a love of literacy and lifelong learning. Students tracked the books they read throughout the program and were recognized with medals to celebrate their achievements. Each morning also included a snack before students headed to class, helping create a welcoming environment rooted in care, encouragement, and community connection.

Catholic Education Week, themed “Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness,” provided many opportunities for prayer, reflection, fellowship, and service. Throughout the week, students and staff came together to strengthen their faith and celebrate the gift of Catholic education. Each classroom prepared a pilgrimage project focused on spreading kindness and making a positive impact within our school and community. As a whole school, we gathered in prayer to pray the Rosary together and celebrated World Catholic Education Day through a Gospel Assembly centered on faith, hope, and gratitude. Through various fundraising initiatives, our school community also raised over $1900 for Toonies for Tuition, demonstrating our commitment to supporting Catholic education and living out the call to serve others.

We were also fortunate to welcome Madison Cameron and Trina Markussen to Sacred Heart School. Both presenters worked with students and staff to promote mental health, well-being, resilience, and hope. Their messages encouraged students to care for themselves and others while reminding us of the importance of compassion, connection, and supporting one another as a faith-filled school community.

To wrap up the month, our Grade 7 students travelled to Saskatoon for a two-day reconciliation-focused learning experience. Students participated in meaningful activities at Batoche and Wanuskewin, deepening their understanding of Indigenous history, culture, and perspectives. This experience provided important opportunities for reflection, learning, and relationship-building as we continue our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation within Catholic education.

May was truly a month that reflected the heart of Sacred Heart School — a community grounded in faith, hope, learning, and service. We are grateful for the many opportunities our students and staff had to grow together while continuing to walk together as pilgrims of hope.

Gratitude for our School Community Council

Throughout March, the St. Michael School community beautifully embraced the season of Lent by focusing on its three foundational pillars: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. True to our division's spiritual calling, our students and staff walked the journey as Pilgrims of Hope, transforming these traditional practices into active signs of faith and renewal. 

As we reflect on what it means to be a beacon of hope, we want to share the heartfelt work of our School Community Council (SCC). Throughout this Lenten season and the entire school year, the SCC has defined what it means to be active servant leaders. From supporting our students with nourishing meals to uplifting our staff with constant motivation and recognition for their hard work, they consistently give back to every corner of our school community. For their tireless dedication, we proudly highlight the SCC as true Pilgrims of Hope, whose generosity and service make St. Michael School a brighter, more faithful place for everyone.