At the October Board Meeting, the Kenora Catholic District School Board (KCDSB) received a report on Faith in Action, an initiative designed to enrich and strengthen Catholic identity across all KCDSB schools. Led by Religious Education and Family Life Coordinator Leanne Chisholm, Faith in Action brings the KCDSB community together around monthly themes that blend faith, family, social justice, and Grandfather teachings to create a cohesive Catholic community.
Director of Education Nicole Kurtz shared the origins of the initiative, explaining how it was developed after gathering feedback from staff: “Last year, we created a Catholicity Leadership Committee to explore how we could deepen our Catholic identity across the board. After several discussions, surveys and input from staff, we saw the need for a unified monthly focus. Leanne has taken this idea to new heights, and it’s inspiring to see how schools are already embracing it.”
Each month, Faith in Action emphasizes several key components:
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Saint of the Month: A featured Saint is highlighted to inspire students and staff.
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Social Justice Activity: Schools are encouraged to participate in a social justice project that fosters a spirit of giving back.
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Catholic Graduate Expectation: A Catholic Graduate Expectation is highlighted, shaping the holistic development of students.
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School Fun Faith Activities: Fun activities engage students with their faith in accessible and creative ways.
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Family-Centric Connection: Activities to encourage families to connect with their faith together.
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Grandfather Teaching: One of the Seven Grandfather Teachings is integrated to promote values such as respect and humility and align with culture and traditions.
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Catholic Identity Highlight: Each month, a key Catholic value or practice is spotlighted, deepening faith in the school communities.
September Recap
In September, the focus was on St. Louis, the Patron Saint of the Arts, inspiring creativity and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of creation. The Catholic Graduate Expectation for September encouraged students to be Reflective, Creative, and Wholistic Thinkers, fostering intellectual and spiritual growth through art, reflection, and thoughtful expression.
The social justice initiative encouraged schools to start conversations around community-building, asking families to reflect on the gifts and resources they bring to their school communities. At the Meet the Family Night, families were invited to share how their unique contributions help to strengthen the community, aligning with the Grandfather Teaching of Truth, which focuses on being true to oneself and one’s gifts.
This theme of truth and creative thinking encouraged students to explore their own talents and reflect on how they can use these gifts to contribute to their school, family, and community in meaningful ways.
October Recap
In October, the focus shifted to St. John Paul II, known for his travels and global outreach. The month’s School Fun Faith Activity invited students to Travel the World, where each class chose a country St. John Paul II visited, learning about games or traditions from that culture and sharing them with another class. This activity promoted community building and collaboration.
The social justice initiative was a Thanksgiving Food Bank Drive, encouraging students to give back by supporting local food banks. Schools also participated in a Healthy Food Exchange, where families shared their favourite dishes, promoting the Grandfather Teaching of Respect—respecting the diversity of family traditions.
The Catholic Graduate Expectation for October focused on being a Collaborative Contributor, encouraging teamwork and unity, while the Eucharist was highlighted as the Catholic Identity Focus, connecting the fall season with a spirit of gratitude.
November's Faith in Action at KCDSB embraced peace, forgiveness, and responsible citizenship. Inspired by St. John XXIII, the month provided meaningful opportunities for students and families to live out these values.
November Recap
The School Fun Faith Activity invited classes to participate in the Royal Canadian Legion’s contests, reflecting on themes of peace, prayer, and forgiveness. The Catholic Identity Highlight focused on the Pursuit of Peace and Care for the Poor, encouraging actions that promote harmony and support those in need. Families contributed through the Peace Poppy Wall, sharing strategies for fostering peace and resolving conflicts.
Guided by the Grandfather Teaching of Forgiveness, students explored reconciliation and amends, supported by the Catholic Graduate Expectation of Responsible Citizen, which inspired them to build a just and peaceful society.
The November focus united the KCDSB community in a shared journey of peace, compassion, and responsible citizenship, continuing to grow in faith and action.
December Recap
In December, the KCDSB community embraced the spirit of love, family, and scripture through Faith in Action. Inspired by St. John the Evangelist, the month focused on nurturing connections within families and communities.
The Biblical Character Hunt brought joy and teamwork as students solved clues to find hidden characters, deepening their understanding of scripture. The Catholic Identity Highlight focused on scripture as a guiding light, complemented by the Grandfather Teaching of Love, which encouraged compassion and care.
The Community Christmas Miracle Marathon inspired students to give back, demonstrating the true meaning of Christmas and embodying the Catholic Graduate Expectation of a Caring Family Member. Families enriched the Advent season by sharing how they express love through words, actions, and traditions, fostering unity in faith and gratitude.
December’s Faith in Action themes celebrated love, scripture, and service, bringing the community closer as we prepared for the birth of Christ.
These themes have already made a significant impact on the KCDSB community. “We’ve already received positive feedback,” said Kurtz. “Staff appreciate the clear, accessible resources, and how everything is brought together in one monthly focus and it’s been wonderful to see schools bringing these themes to life in creative ways.”
As Faith in Action continues to evolve, the KCDSB is excited to witness its ongoing influence on the spiritual growth of students and staff and their sense of community. The year-at-a-glance plan provides a clear and structured path forward while allowing flexibility for each school community to adapt the monthly themes to fit their unique needs.