Our Prayers Go Out to 
the Holy Father

Students from the Catholic Central Concert Choir had an audience with the Pope on March 17th, 1997 on the Feast Day of St. Joseph, patron saint of Canada. (Above) The Pontiff met personally with CCH students on two trips to the Vatican that the students involved will never forget.

Pope Has Many Connections with LDCSB, Young People

LDCSB administration, staff and students are joining Catholics around the world in prayer for the Holy Father, whose condition is described as "very grave." 

The Board has many connections with the Pontiff. The most visible is that one of our Catholic secondary schools is named in his honour. The Principal of John Paul ll Catholic Secondary School, John Mombourquette, said his students are very aware of the Pope's failing health and have been talking about it in classes. "As with any young adults, " he said, "it doesn't really hit home until it happens. We will deal with it in an appropriate and sensitive manner."

Students from the CCH Concert Choir had personal audiences with the Pope in 1997 and 1992. Saint Thomas Aquinas Principal Ted Gorski, who was on both trips, said the students were very moved. "They knew they had been with a person of holiness," he said. Mr. Gorski said it is interesting to note that an extraordinary number of the students on the trips are now religion teachers. 

An estimated 2,500 young people from the London District were part of World Youth Day Celebrations in Toronto in 2002, as well as thousands of adults from the area who attended the mass. One of our students was among those chosen to personally greet the Holy Father.

Dan Moynihan, Coordinator of the Youth Ministry at St. Michaels' Parish, was very involved in World Youth Day. He said the Pope's impact on young people can be measured by the millions of young people who have been drawn to youth celebrations around the world. "It was his heart and mind that created World Youth Days," said Mr. Moynihan. "He has given young people role models, though the beatification and canonization of a number of younger people."

Editor's Note:  For the past two years, the LDCSB's Accessibility Committee has been looking at many ways to remove barriers, both physical and otherwise, that would limit access to our sites, programs and information. As part of that ongoing process, starting with this week's edition of 'Spotlight on the London District Catholic School Board,' we are pleased to offer reports of our major stories in audio format for those with vision limitations. It is our hope and our wish to share our stories and our information with all of our stakeholders. What you will see - and hear - each week in 'Spotlight' is one of a number of steps we will be taking in that continuing process. Watch for this symbol for an audio link:     

Board Appoints New Superintendent

The Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Corrie Gicante to the position of Superintendent of Education. Ms. Gicante, who has served as Strategic and Staff Development Officer, will replace Superintendent John Palmer, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Bill Hall, Board Chair, said Ms. Gicante brings district-wide experience from her present position at the Board Office, as well as hands-on administrative abilities from her experience as a principal at Catholic Central. "That is complemented by her qualifications and her well-known community standing of that of a distinctively Catholic educator."  Joseph Rapai, Director of Education, said Ms. Gicante has a glowing history of service with the Board ands its predecessor Board. "She has served the students of the system very well," he said. "As Strategic and Staff Development Officer she has had a very positive impact on the school board and so many of its employees."

In 2004, she was a co-winner of the Principal of the Year Award from the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario in the London District.

Corrie Gicante has been involved in many of the committees at the LDCSB, serving as chair in many instances. She has worked extensively in the community, for the United Way and Big Sisters and others. She is a Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael's Parish in London.

The Board also approved a series of appointments and principal transfers, as follows: 
Tamara Nugent has been appointed Senior Administrator: Learning Services; 
Clyde Glasgow, St. Mary's High School to St. Joseph, Thamesford replacing Marilyn Clarke;
Marilyn Clarke, St. Joseph, Thamesford to St. David replacing Catherine Richard; 
Catherine Richard, St. David to St. Rita replacing Grant McMurray; 
Grant McMurray, St. Rita to St. Pius X replacing Bret Babington; 
Joan Duckitt, Sir Arthur Carty to Holy Rosary replacing Diane Waite, who is retiring; 
Karen Dean, Feeney Centre to Sir Arthur Carty replacing Joan Duckitt; 
Sharon Wright-Evans, Feeney Centre to St. Michael, London replacing Greg Janozeski;
Greg Janozeski, St. Michael, London to St. Jude, Ingersoll replacing Laurie Intven;
Margaret Marotta, Feeney Centre to St. George replacing JoAnne Carabott-Lee;
Laurie Intven, St. Jude, Ingersoll to Assumption. 

The following secondary principals will be transferred effective September 1st: 
Paul Digby, Holy Cross to Saint Thomas Aquinas replacing Ted Gorski;
Ted Gorski, St. Thomas Aquinas to Regina Mundi College replacing Jim Martin; 
Jim Martin, Regina Mundi College to John Paul II replacing John Mombourquette; 
John Mombourquette, John Paul II to Holy Cross. 

The following vice principals will be transferred effective September 1st: 
Dee Wojcik, Mother Teresa to Regina Mundi College replacing Rick Finkenzeller (retiring);
Diana Van Bommel, Mother Teresa to St. Mary's High School replacing Clyde Glasgow.

Paul Lamoreux is joining the system from Toronto and has been appointed secondary vice principal at Mother Teresa.

Joseph Rapai, Director of Education, thanked Sharon Wright Evans, who has been serving as Principal for Students at Risk and Margaret Marotta, Learning Services Principal, for their contributions and leadership. He noted the excellent jobs that all of the principals who are being transferred have done. “The vision of the system is accomplished through their leadership,” he said. He thanked all of those for accepting their new leadership positions. Mr. Rapai said he very much appreciates their servant leadership in serving the system.