As we move through another vibrant and joy-filled school year, it’s easy to get swept up in the flurry of activity that fills our classrooms, hallways, and hearts. Thanksgiving gives us a moment to pause – to breathe, to reflect, and to give thanks for all that we have and all that we share as a community.
On Friday, as a full staff from our schools and offices, we gathered for a Spiritual Development Day- a time to celebrate, connect, and renew our shared commitment to living out our faith through our actions. We were especially blessed to welcome Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, whose reflections on truth and reconciliation invited us to think deeply about the land we are privileged to inhabit and the relationships we are called to nurture. His words reminded us that gratitude and reconciliation go hand in hand: both grounded in respect, understanding, and care for one another.
I am profoundly grateful to walk this journey of faith alongside you and your families. Through my school visits this fall, I have witnessed the incredible partnership between home and school that makes our Catholic community so strong. Your children arrive each day ready to learn, grow, and live out their faith – a testament to the values you nurture at home and the trust you place in us as educators.
Thank you for choosing Catholic education and for welcoming us into the sacred work of accompanying your children on their faith journey. It is a privilege we do not take lightly. Whether celebrating milestones, navigating challenges, or simply sharing in the everyday moments of school life, we are honoured to partner with you in creating communities where Christ’s love is made visible and where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, may we take time to listen with open ears, minds, and hearts, just as this year’s Pastoral Plan calls us to do. Let us listen to the stories around us – those of family, friends, and community – and find gratitude in both the joys and the challenges that shape our shared journey of faith.
From all of us at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we wish you and your families a restful and grace-filled Thanksgiving. May your weekend be filled with peace, reflection, and the warmth of connection.
With gratitude and faith,
Annalisa Varano
Director of Education
