Journey to Holiness Program

In the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, our faith is the leaven for all other curriculum. Through the development of our theological theme “Our Journey To Holiness,” faith is infused into every aspect of our school life. Our teachers provide classrooms that reflect a gospel atmosphere of respect and a life-long commitment of service to humanity.

Our Journey To Holiness highlights an overall Catholic Theme, a Virtue, and a Statement of Belief that find their source from the individual Religion programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Twelve. All elementary and secondary teachers are encouraged to use the suggestions provided to guide their program planning and delivery. Applying the Catholic themes will provide strong connections between the pursuit of academic excellence and religious education. Catholic education is a gift and as Catholic teachers, we believe strongly that each student deserves the formation of mind, body and soul. Therefore, daily plans should visibly reflect the grade appropriate theme along with the Catholic Graduate Expectations.

As Catholic Educators, we respond to the call to lead our students to live lives that reflect the gospel teachings. Our curriculum is a means of evangelization when viewed through the lens of faith. Through Our Journey To Holiness, we will strive, as a partnership of school, family and parish, to provide our students with a quality Catholic education rooted in gospel teachings and drawn from the social teachings of the Catholic Church, enabling all to grow to their potential.

A PDF version of Our Journey to Holiness can be found here.

Grade JK Catholic Virtue: Goodness

Theme: Created in God’s Own Image

Statement of Belief: We Believe That God Made Us Special, Unique and Valued

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Caring Family Member
- A Discerning Believer Formed in the Catholic Faith Community
- An Effective Communicator

Grade SK Catholic Virtue: Kindness

Theme: A Trace of God

Statement of Belief: We Believe That God Calls Us to Respect and Be Kind to All of God’s Creation

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Caring Family Member
- A Discerning Believer Formed in the Catholic Faith Community
- An Effective Communicator

Grade 1 Catholic Virtue: Belonging

Theme: We Welcome One Another As Members of God’s Family

Statement of Belief: We Believe All People Belong to God’s Family

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Responsible Citizen
- A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
- A Collaborative Contributor

Grade 2 Catholic Virtue: Gratitude

Theme: We Gather To Celebrate and Treasure Jesus in the Eucharist

Statement of Belief: We Believe Jesus is Truly Present in the Eucharist

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Caring Family Member
- A Responsible Citizen
- A Discerning Believer Formed in the Catholic Faith

Grade 3 Catholic Virtue: Faithfulness

Theme: We Are Called to Know Jesus Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

Statement of Belief: We Believe the Holy Spirit is the Living Presence of God

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- An Effective Communicator
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker
- A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner

Grade 4 Catholic Virtue: Compassion

Theme: We Are Called to Be Disciples of Christ

Statement of Belief: We Believe that Catholic Tradition Calls us to Be Compassionate Disciples of Christ

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Collaborative Contributor
- A Responsible Citizen
- A Discerning Believer Formed in the Catholic Faith Community

Grade 5 Catholic Virtue: Respect

Theme: Uniting Us with God and One Another

Statement of Belief: We Believe that Catholic Tradition Teaches us to Respect Differences Among God’s People

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Caring Family Member
- A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

Grade 6 Catholic Virtue: Knowledge

Theme: Witnessing Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection

Statement of Belief: We Believe We Are Called to Reflect the Light of the World, Jesus Christ

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- An Effective Communicator
- A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

Grade 7 Catholic Virtue: Wisdom

Theme: Accepting Our Personal Responsibility as Members of God’s family

Statement of Belief: We Believe that Understanding the Creed Provides Wisdom and Affirmation of Our Personal Faith responsibility

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Collaborative Contributor
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker
- An Effective Communicator

Grade 8 Catholic Virtue: Courage

Theme: Through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God calls us to live out our Faith

Statement of Belief: We believe that the Gift of Courage Empowers us to Stand by God

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Responsible Citizen
- A Discerning Believer Formed in the Catholic Faith Community
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

Grade 9 Catholic Virtue: Integrity

Theme: Blessed Are You

Statement of Belief: We Believe that the Catholic Tradition Teaches us to be True to God, Self and Others

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker
- An Effective Communicator
- A Collaborative Contributor

Grade 10 Catholic Virtue: Discipleship

Theme: Recognizing God in Others

Statement of Belief: We Believe that We are Called to be Christ For Others

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker
- A Caring Family Member
- A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner

Grade 11 Catholic Virtue: Humility

Theme: Finding Christ in a Global Community

Statement of Belief: We Believe that the Message of Jesus Prevails Within Secular and Interfaith Communities

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Collaborative Contributor
- A Responsible Citizen
- A Caring Family Member

Grade 12 Catholic Virtue: Justice

Theme: Living in God’s Image

Statement of Belief: We Believe that our Role in the World is to Embrace Catholic Social Teaching as We Live out “Our Lifelong Journey Toward Holiness”

Catholic Graduate Expectations:
- A Discerning Believer Formed in the Catholic Faith Community
- A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
- A Responsible Citizen

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
"Building communities of faith, hope and service"