Sharing the Good News! is a newsletter from the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation.
Click here for a PDF Version of Sharing the Good News!
Prayer for all the Students and Teachers
Lord God, Your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon our students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in your new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
Look upon our teachers. Let them strive to share their knowledge with gentle patience and endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds.
Grant that students and teachers alike may follow Jesus, the way, the truth and the life, for ever and ever. Amen
Message from the Executive Director
By Deacon Rev. Mr. Shawn Panio
It has been a whirlwind start to the year and a new role. I have visited every school in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools division. It has been a wonderful and blessed experience. The schools have been very welcoming and supportive. They are very appreciative for all that the Foundation has done and does for them. I am really looking forward to our partnership.
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools have something very special. The schools of this division are exceptional. Many people can’t put their finger on the difference they feel when they enter our schools. As a newcomer to Saskatoon, the feeling of family, care and community, and warmth are at a high level. You feel this when you enter a school, see the symbols of our faith and the interactions with the principals, staff and students. This truly is a blessing for our children, their families and the community.
Celebrating 25 Years
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation celebrates 25 years of supporting Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. The Start: In the early 1990s the Catholic Board of Education was searching for meaningful ways to engage the Catholic community and the larger Saskatoon community in the activities of the school system. This involvement was seen as essential to future support and growth.
At the same time the provincial government was facing a devastating financial crisis due to reduced transfer payments from the federal level. This crisis resulted in school grants being cut by as much as twelve percent in one year. The board, wishing to protect the system and its quality programs, sought creative ways to engage the community in assisting with solutions to the financial crisis it was facing.
The Foundation officially started in 1993 with the first board members being Morris Smysnuik as chair, Father Len Morand as vice-chair and Margaret Schwab as secretary. Also on the board were Sister Juliana Heisler, Sharon Chicoose, Ed Werbicki, Phil Muench, Marie Weiss, Rene Poisson (executive director), Joe Kamermeyer, Gerry Weinkauf and student directors Lindsay Earle and Jason Zabinsky.
The goal of the Foundation was to engage caring people in novel and exciting activities which would hopefully also provide additional funds for spiritual growth, leadership initiatives and enhanced educational excellence programs for students attending Saskatoon Catholic schools. The primary goals of the Foundation were reached when it received a charitable number effective January 1, 1994 and incorporated status on May 30, 1994.
Upcoming Events
Dueling Pianos Cabaret – Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 PM
Join Us! This will be fun!
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation is hosting our 1st Annual Dueling Pianos Cabaret Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, 7:00 PM at the German Cultural Centre. Guests will be treated to a unique and outrageously fun evening out. This is an all-request live show featuring the very talented performers of the “World Famous Dueling Pianos”. From Frank Sinatra to AC/DC, Britney Spears to Adele, Elton John to Johnny Cash, they do it all! Come ready to request your favourite songs, sing, dance, and laugh out loud. Tickets and Details – Eventbrite.ca – Individual Tickets $65 – Tables of 8 $500
All funds raised will support Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
Come to the Table
The cost of our Faith-Based education is $2,000,000 per year. These costs include, but are not limited to:
- -Catholic Education programs from K-12
- -Professional Support for Religious Studies Instruction.
- -Chaplaincy in the High Schools.
- -Staff and Student retreats.
- -Instruction Resources.
- -Faith Formation Resources
- -Food and Nutrition Program support.
- -Sacred Space Furniture and Fixtures.
To meet these needs of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, the Foundation seeks the generous support from all Catholic school supporters, so that the spiritual needs of every child can be met.
Become a monthly donor today. For less than a $1 a day, your support will help ensure the future of the gift of Catholic Education. Click Here to Donate now.
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