Staff at Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School spent Faith Day on Friday, November 14, deepening their faith and putting it into action within the school community. After a beautiful morning Mass with Father Brandon, who reminded us of the importance of pausing and noticing God in the world around us, we had the honour of hearing from our guest speaker, Paralympic gold medalist, motivational speaker, and advocate for inclusion and accessibility, Danielle Campo. She shared how her faith carried her through some of her most challenging moments. Her message reminded us that faith is not just something we speak about, but something we live, especially when life becomes difficult.
Danielle spoke with honesty and humility, openly sharing the obstacles she has faced and the moments of doubt she has overcome. We left not only inspired by her extraordinary courage, but also motivated to carry that same spirit of perseverance, gratitude, and hope into our own lives and our roles within the Father Henry Carr school community.
To live out the spirit of service, staff then spent the afternoon engaging in various acts of community care. One group prepared a pasta dinner for a local youth shelter. The shelter staff were delighted when our enthusiastic teachers arrived with the meal, knowing it would bring comfort to the young people they serve.
Another group stayed at the school to decorate the building in an effort to spread Christmas cheer to our students. The front foyer was transformed into a space filled with joy and hope, so much so that students were in awe when they walked in on Monday morning.
The final group teamed up to bake cookies for the entire staff, filling the halls with warmth and sweetness. Their gesture served as a gentle reminder that faith is not always expressed through grand actions. Sometimes it is shown through small acts of kindness that lift each other up and strengthen our sense of community at Father Henry Carr.
Overall, Faith Day at Father Henry Carr was a meaningful reminder that our Catholic faith is rooted in both contemplation and action. Through prayer, reflection, and concrete acts of service, our staff sought to live the Gospel in simple, tangible ways for our students, for one another, and for the wider community. As part of the larger Catholic school board family, we remain grateful for the opportunity to walk together in faith, to support one another in our shared vocation, and to continue building communities of hope, inclusion, and love in each of our schools.
