Sisters, Education & Deacons...

Lots of news to catch up with on the local scene - here's a few items that are worth a look:

Students at St. Joseph Morrow Park in Toronto have had an unsettling last four years, trying to determine where exactly they will be attending school when the school board lease expires in June 2013.

Thankfully, an agreement was finalized last week that will see St. Joe's move to a new home, the current site of Blessed Trinity School in North York, where a new 800 student all girls JK - Grade 12 school will be constructed, pending Ministry of Education approval. An article on the announcement in a local community newspaper, Inside Toronto, appeared late last week - the full piece is available here.

*** Sr. Caroline Altpeter, IBVM, (pictured above with longtime "right arm", Brenda Voisin), will be leaving us at the Archdiocese to serve as Community Leader for the Loretto sisters at Loretto Abbey and the Loretto Infirmary in Toronto. Most recently, Sr. Caroline served as the official Liaison for Catholic Education with the five english and one french Catholic board in our Archdiocese. She was the longtime director of the Catholic Office of Religious Education, beginning in that role in 1994 and mentoring many consultants, catechists and lay pastoral leaders along the way.

Those who worked with her always appreciated Sr. Caroline's straight shooter approach. Her passion for the church, sacramental prep and especially those initiated into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Program (RCIA) was evident in her day to day efforts. Known for their ability to educate in a pastoral setting, it's clear that the Loretto sisters and Sr. Caroline are a good match. She will be missed by many, not just here at the Catholic Pastoral Centre but with those whom she worked with in parishes and on committees both local and national. Our thoughts and prayers are with her as she embarks on this new chapter in the journey!

Chantelle Ferreira from the Office of Spiritual Affairs will also be departing the Archdiocese. It seems that education is a recurring theme as Chantelle will be making her way to teacher's college this fall. We wish her all the best!

Both positions are currently being advertised on the Archdiocesan website where you can find detailed postings.

***

A new book is out by Michael Power. Some of you may be asking yourself: How can the first Bishop of Toronto write about the History of the Permanent Diaconate when he died in 1847. Good question. But alas, while we know the most famous Micahel Power as the first bishop of Toronto, a more current writer and researcher who shares his namesake is the one we're speaking of today.

The present Michael Power is an established historian and author who frequents the halls of the Archives office in the Archdiocese on a fairly regular basis. His latest offering, published by Novalis, is entitled "Servants of All", A History of the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Toronto 1972-2007.

The book was actually the brainchild of retired Archbishop Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, who thought it was important to have an historical accounting of the journey of the Permanent Diaconate in our Archdiocese. The book serves as the first substantial history of a North American diocesan diaconate program.

If you've ever wanted to learn more about the permanent diaconate, especially in the Archdiocese of Toronto, its historical significance, extensive contributions to the church and community, this 256 page book is worth a read. Thanks to Michael Power for all his extensive research and pulling together this important publication.

Hundreds of deacons and their wives will gather in Toronto this week for an official launch to the book, including sixteen of our newest permanent deacons, ordained last month.

So whether you're a sister, deacon, priest or lay person involved in the Archdiocese, you can see by the stories above, it takes a whole village to raise a child. For all that you continue to do, we're ever grateful!

Photos: Catholic Register, TCDSB, Novalis