Bishop's Message

"What is the Kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree and the birds came and made nests in its branches.

To what should I compare the Kingdom of God ? It is like yeast that a women took and mixed in with three measures of flour until it was all leavened."

Luke 13:18-21

These two parables of Jesus speak to us about the Kingdom of God. At first unnoticed and tiny, the mustard seen and the yeast will have a great effect. Can the Catholic school be compared to this? Pope John Paul II has said that the Catholic school is an essential instrument for spreading and deepening the faith and for expanding the Kingdom. Indeed, this is how we must see the role of the Catholic school in the world. Catholic schools are not unique in the desire to bring educational excellence to the young. But the Catholic school is unique in that it is attached to Jesus Christ and dedicated to the mission of the Gospel. The presence of our schools may be rather small in society as a whole but the effect of the gospel message coming from us will have a huge effect if lived in love. This fact makes our school worth being dedicated to.

St. Paul speaks of different roles in the Body of Christ, some are called to be teachers, others administrators, other apostles and so forth. For those entrusted with teaching, they share in the teaching ministry of Jesus regardless of the subject area. Those working in administration and governance, share in the ministry of leadership along with the Good Shepherd. It is vital that in both roles, there is a sense of stewardship of God’s gifts. God has blessed British Columbia with the tremendous gift of Catholic education since the coming of the Sisters of St. Ann to our shores. Administrators and teachers are in fact stewards of this great spiritual enterprise planted on Vancouver Island . I charge you to be dedicated to this proud heritage!

There are many challenges today for those seeking to follow the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ. The need for men and women of courage, faith and love for the Church is great. I thank you for your generosity in accepting to serve Catholic Education.

Bishop Richard Gagnon
- RCDVictoria.org

Superintendent's Welcome

A Difference That Will Last a Lifetime

Welcome to the community of Island Catholic Schools. Within this community there are seven schools serving approximately 1800 students from Kindergarten through Grade Twelve. Our schools are the heirs of a long and rich history within the Church of providing parents with support for the education of their children. Shortly after Victoria was established as a trading centre, the Sisters of Saint Ann came west to Vancouver Island to begin a tradition of Catholic education which now stretches back more than 150 years. What exists today is the result of the commitment of clergy, religious sisters and parents to ensure that a Christ-centred education is available for our children.

It is our responsibility and privilege to carry on that commitment. Our Catholic schools’ staff strive to help students reach the highest levels of development they can achieve by providing them with exceptional learning opportunities that will stimulate growth in knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours and personal values in line with our Catholic beliefs.

We live today in a culture that hungers for spiritual values but too frequently devalues religion and a personal relationship with a loving God. Our children will learn, first from their families and then from our schools that God has had a loving knowledge of who they are from before they came into being. They will discover that their responsibility is to live out an intimate relationship of hope and love with God, and by doing so transform the world into a world of justice and peace.

We accept gladly the challenge of helping young people develop their intellectual, spiritual, physical, cultural, emotional and social potential. We will provide a safe, nourishing, and stimulating environment in which children will flourish. We want our children to become deeply caring, committed citizens and leaders within our community and our church. We dedicate our energies to achieve these outcomes for each child.

When you enrol your children in our schools, we realize that they are only “on loan” and that it is by working together we will achieve our shared goals. We want to engage in a partnership of faith and education with you and the parish to which you belong.

I invite you to enrol your children in our schools. Let them experience the success which comes through hard work and membership in a Christ centred, faith-filled community of learners.

Joseph Colistro