“I Want to Choose God!” – Sharing Faith Stories

It is with pleasure that the Board of Directors of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation announces our new Foundation Board Chair Laurie

Karwacki. Laurie follows the footsteps of Michel Thibault, who has been Chair since 2008; and who now joins the ranks of past chairs: Morris Smysnuik, Margaret Schwab, David Schurr and Wendy Cooper. With gratitude, we thank Michel for his extremely valuable contribution, insight and many years of commitment to the Foundation.

We look forward to Laurie’s leadership, dedication and passion for Catholic Education.

GSCS Foundation Board of DirectorsNew Foundation Board Chair

PAGE ONE

FALL 2014

www.gscs.sk.ca/foundation

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Inc.

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Board of DirectorsBack row: Janice Nepjuk, Dale Smith, Sherry McLean, Sharon Tkachuk, David Paslawski, Karen Lloyd,

Sharon Zakreski-Werbicki, Ron BoechlerFront row: Denise Bandet-Reaser, Laurie Karwacki, Rita Smysnuik, Alice Risling

Not Present: Ed Cechanowicz and Michel Thibault

Laurie Karwacki

This is a direct quote from Meghann, a kindergarten student at St. John School. In her big, booming, larger than 5 year old voice, she blurted this out during a Pure Witness student retreat at the school. Incidentally, this was funded by the GSCS Foundation!

The PW team was describing heaven, what it would be like for each of them, for each of us. They told the students it is there for us—we just have to choose it by our actions and our thoughts. We just have to choose God.

Then came my epiphany. This loud, purely innocent, faith filled voice—“I want to choose God Mrs. K!” It was a moment I will not forget, as both my eyes and my heart filled. I was so proud in that moment! I was proud of Meghann, proud of our staff, of our Foundation board, of our Catholic school system. What a team!

That statement is why we are here. We are here to support all of our students in the GSCS system to choose God, to follow His path to heaven, perhaps to come a little closer ourselves.

It is one of the reasons we have a Catholic school system, and why we need to continue our support.

Our GSCS Foundation board is committed to and passionate about supporting faith opportunities like this for all of our students. We would like to dedicate space in each newsletter to share some of the faith stories that happen every day.

We deeply appreciate the work of all our GSCS employees and aspire to financially support their efforts in helping our students to “Choose God.”

The focus in some schools was to increase their Catholic identity. Many Prayer Corners were enhanced, refreshed or expanded, stained glass windows that include symbols of our faith were installed at Georges Vanier School, and a framed Papal Blessing hangs in St. Dominic School, stepping stones were installed in the prayerful area in front of St. Maria Goretti School, work on the Creation Story Murals on Sister O’Brien School continues and statues and paintings were installed and blessed at St. Joseph High School.

Sarah Smith is in Grade 11 at Holy Cross High School. Sarah was approached with the offer of being a student director and eagerly accepted. She thinks it will be a very interesting and memorable experience. She is excited to see how the Foundation works and to be a part of it.

Jonathan Zimmer is in Grade 11 at Holy Cross High School. He chose to become a student director because he sees it as a way to give back to his incredible school and a way to serve his fellow students, his community and his friends. Jonathan thanks God for this wonderful opportunity.

Student Directors

Sarah Smith, Jonathan Zimmer, Maria Zerr and Brett Weiman

PAGE TWO

Foundation GrantsOn Nov 20, 2013 the Board of

Directors of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation reviewed and approved 43 grant applications outlining a variety of school based initiatives and 15 Rosary Club

Since 1993 the Board of Directors of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation has invited senior students from our Catholic high schools to participate on the Board. This representation rotates amongst our schools. For the school years 2013 – 2015, we invited Holy Cross High School to recommend two students who have welcomed the opportunity to serve on the board for a two year period. They join two students from Bethlehem Catholic High School who will be completing their two year term. Their role is to attend meetings, participate in discussions and events; and to provide their opinion on projects as to their suitability for high school youth.

applications, totalling $57,100.00. School wide, grade 8 and high school retreats accounted for a large number of these applications. Retreats offered the students experiences that allowed them to grow in their faith, to reflect on their

own spirituality, to prepare their faith journey for high school and life after high school. During their retreats students created tangible reminders to foster changes in daily life, such as; icons, crosses, badges, pocket prayer rocks, rosaries and journey pouches.

Maria Zerr is in Grade 12 at Bethlehem Catholic High School. This year is the final year of her two year term. She chose to be a part of the Foundation to be more actively involved in her school community and to gain knowledge of the many wonderful things that the Foundation provides for the school division.

Brett Weiman is in Grade 12 at Bethlehem Catholic High School. He is entering his second year as a student director. He became a student director because he wanted to be involved in his community and gain further knowledge of the Foundation. He hopes to offers his ideas and looks forward to another fun and exciting year.

St. Gabriel School in Biggar – ALIVE Retreat led by Pure Witness Ministries

St. Edward School students use their prayer corner Pope John Paul II School’s welcoming entrance

Papal Blessing for ‘Year of Faith’ Project at St. Dominic School – Saskatoon

PAGE THREE

Called to be a Saint – Mother Teresa SchoolRosary Club for grades 4-7 meet weekly in October and May to

pray a decade of the rosary, to make rosaries for new students to the school and also put a rosary in food hampers that they donate. The Living Rosary was performed and led by the older students. Their school wide retreat was led by Face to Face Ministries. Father Colin and Anthony Olusola did presentations in classrooms. Students researched different saints and prepared bulletin boards throughout the school with the information. Many displays showed the parallel between the saints’ generous deeds and how the students could use these traits in their lives.

Celebrating R-E-S-P-E-C-T– St. Maria Goretti School

Guest speakers, workshop facilitators and staff led a school wide Lenten season retreat. Partnered with Terry Cratty and students from Bethlehem Catholic High School, students read, sang, prayed, made badges and large stickers to wear that celebrated respect for one another and God. Rosary Club for grades 1-3 meet at lunchtime to learn how to pray the rosary, make pipe cleaner decades and clay crosses to take home, use prayer cards and keep a rosary chart and booklet. They are working on a two year project to create a prayerful area of stepping stones embedded in concrete by the existing cross on the front lawn. This will reflect RESPECT for God, God’s creation and the teachings of the bible.

Foundation Project Reports

PAGE FOUR

Jesus Loves These Students– St. John School

The framed piece of art that says ‘Jesus Loves These Students’ hangs by the windy room door in St. John School. It was created during the middle year’s student retreat in the fall of 2013. Grades 6-8 were involved in spray painting their names on the canvas under the direction of the facilitator, Jeff Goring from Sonz of God Ministry.

Funding from the GSCS Foundation Grant was used for this project.

Cat. Chat Concert – St. Frances SchoolA Cat.Chat concert brings children into a refreshing experience

of faith and challenges kids to make Jesus the center of their lives. The concert is filled with powerful music, dynamic teachings, crowd participation, unicycling, juggling, yo-yos and loads of fun. The songs and teachings help kids learn about Jesus, Mary, the Sacraments, the Saints, perseverance and the fruits of the Spirit. Students and staff at St. Frances School had a truly inspiring and faith-filled afternoon.

Ukraine ExchangeSince 1994, Greater Saskatoon

Catholic Schools has had students from the Ukrainian program participate in an exchange with students from Ukraine. Until recently, the exchange happened with schools in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, but this year the educational opportunity involved students from an area near Lviv, Sambir. The community is Ukrainian Greek Catholic and proved a great fit with our students, schools and community.

Saskatoon students were to travel to Ukraine over the Easter break 2014, but due to the conflict in Ukraine, the trip did not take place. It was a decision of the Saskatoon exchange parents and students to continue hosting the Ukrainian students in Saskatoon, regardless of whether or not the group would travel to Ukraine. It was felt the hosting experience, with the language and spiritual

opportunities presented would still be of great benefit. The group from Ukraine arrived in Saskatoon on September 5 and departed September 26, 2014.

During the time of the exchange, the Ukrainian students visited the high schools of their Canadian partners as well as Bishop Filevich School. The Sambir group prepared a short program addressing Unity in the Family and very successfully presented it at St. George’s Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, St. Volodymyr Villa and Dormition Ukrainian Catholic Church. The students had an opportunity to visit a Hutterite Colony, the Western Development Museum, Meewasin Valley Interpretive

Center, a Husky football game and numerous other activities. The group also traveled to Alberta to experience another beautiful part of Canada.

The group is very grateful to the GSCS Foundation for their assistance in procuring two grants from the Stephen and Michalena Worobetz Foundation. It is very much appreciated and has truly made the trip possible for the Ukrainians to travel to Saskatoon.

PAGE FIVENovember 13, 2014 • “Schools Win Twice” Raffle Draw, St. Philip School

History of St. Dominic (Savio) School, Saskatoon, SK

1964 2014

Eternal Rest, grant to him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen

The Foundation wishes to acknowledge the gift of a bequest from the Estate of the late Michael John Hepp who passed away September 14, 2011. Michael was a teacher and principal for many years in Saskatoon. He worked at the Catholic School Board

Office as Coordinator of Instructional Resources for 15 years before retiring in 1985. Michael was very involved within the Catholic Diocese and spent 8 years

with the sick at RUH and St. Paul’s Hospital as a Spiritual Care Advisor. Michael wrote many family history books about the Hepps and the Engeles; he also wrote a very interesting history book on St. Peter’s Colony. In his last years, he wrote a book about his various encounters with the people he met at the hospitals and their spiritual journeys.

Bequest

St. Dominic Savio was a teenage saint, who at the age of 12 enrolled in a school run by St. John Bosco the school’s priest. He was an ordinary boy with an extraordinary love for God. St. Dominic Savio died at the early age of 14 from tuberculosis.

St. Dominic (Savio) School was opened in September of 1964 in the southwest corner of the city in the community of Montgomery Place. It boasted 29 students and 2 teachers - Mr. Jim Willick and Mrs. A. Miller. Mrs. Miller taught Gr. 1 - 3 and Mr. Willick taught Gr. 4 - 6. The Grade sevens and eights in the area attended St. John School. There were 4 rooms to the school - two classrooms, a library and a spare room. The staff room and the office were situated where the staff room stands today. No gymnasium existed at the time. St. Dominic had no principal of its own. Mr. Mike Hepp, who was principal of St. John, was also responsible for St. Dominic and paid occasional visits to the school. Mr. Willick was responsible for many day to day administrative duties.

It wasn’t until 3 years later, in 1967, that St. Dominic was appointed their own principal, Mr. Carl Melnyk. St. Dominic’s first secretary was also hired that year, Mrs. Christine Kondra. Chris worked for several hours each month. She remained

as secretary of the school until her retirement in 1988, working a total of 21 years at St. Dominic, followed by Mrs. Anita Christie from 1988 - 2001 and Mrs. Bernie Rodych from 2001 – 2014, all who were from the Montgomery area. Mrs. Deanna Kavanagh is our present office coordinator at St. Dominic School.

Mr. Mel Olauson became the next principal in 1969 to 1972. He was followed by: Mr. Evan Lord, 1972 - 1975, Mr. Buzz (Gerald) Fogel, 1975 - 1977, Mr. Sinc Exner, 1977 - 1980, Mr. Denis Bergerman 1980 - 1981, Mr. Steve Buttinger, 1981 - 1985, Mr. Murray Geenen, 1985 - 1988, Mr. Denis Ferre, 1988 - 1991, Mr. Brendan Bitz, 1991 - 1997, Mrs. Wilma Gauthier, 1997 – 2000, Mr. Kevin McLean, 2000 – 2007. Mr. Don Rongve, 2007 – 2010, Mr. Duane Johnson, 2010 – 2014, Mrs. Jenise Vangool became St. Dominic’s 15th principal in Sept. of 2014.

In the spring of 1989, St. Dominic underwent major renovations, and after months of holding classes in and around

a flurry of construction and activity a new school was born with an expansion of $1.7 million in the spring of 1990. From under 50 students to over 200, from a four room school house to a school with 10

classrooms, a music room, computer lab, arts/science room, resource room, a library and a gymnasium.

In the fall of 1989, Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Risling began organizing the Precious Tots Cooperative Playgroup for 3 and 4 year olds. Precious Tots Cooperative Playgroup was opened the fall of 1990 under their instruction.

With St. Dominic’s 50th anniversary fast approaching, the little school that no one expected to grow much, surprised everyone and is a vital and integral part of Montgomery, the city of Saskatoon and to the province of Saskatchewan. St. Dominic School was the first to initiate an Anti-Bullying policy with the Government of Saskatchewan in 2005.

St. Dominic School now serves 177 students, 30 staff members including, 11 classroom teachers, a learning assistance teacher, a music teacher, a resource teacher, an intensive French teacher, EAL teacher, school counselor, speech pathologist, and 8 support staff.

PAGE SIX April 30, 2015 • “Swing into Spring” Fashion Show & Dinner, Prairieland Park

Congratulations!Many scholarships, bursaries and

awards are administered by Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Inc. Congratulations to the 2013-2014 recipients.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALL HIGH SCHOOLS:

Alice & Frank Risling Jubilee 2000 ScholarshipSmith Le – BethlehemNicole Pylypchuk – Bishop James

MahoneyAlyssa Christian - Bishop MurrayAngelou Biscocho – E.D. FeehanMaryanna Chan – Holy CrossShelby Thomas – OskayakKelsey Pocha – St. Joseph

Bob Auser Memorial AwardAlyssa Nahorniak – BethlehemCandace Ounpuu – BethlehemVanessa Buchholz – Bishop James

MahoneyCourtney Kitching – Bishop James

MahoneyMisty Stack – Bishop James MahoneyMawata Kamara – E.D. FeehanAmal Asfada – Holy CrossRyan Kendall – Holy CrossSteven Kinakin – Holy CrossJason Regnier – Holy CrossJordan Vassell – Holy Cross

Kiwanis Club of Riversdale ScholarshipShannon Duffus – Bishop Murray

Our Lady of the Prairies Foundation ScholarshipNoor Mah – BethlehemNicole Korol – Bishop James MahoneyKayleigh Moffat – Bishop MurrayBrian Giang-Khiu – E.D. FeehanHannah Soroski – Holy CrossTerra Bear – OskayakIliaja Pidskalny – St. Joseph

Principals’ Association ScholarshipSyndey Hesselberg – Bethlehem

Year of the Metis Legacy AwardApril Favel – E.D. FeehanNatalie van Breda – E.D. Feehan

SCHOLARSHIPS SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS:

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL:

Walter Podiluk Memorial ScholarshipKarissa Prytula

BISHOp JAMES MAHOnEy HIGH SCHOOL:

Community of Saints AwardJeremy Czajkowski

Guy Giroux Memorial ScholarshipCody BarrettClint Espanol Shane MaxwellKymber Zahar

Alysia Risling Award for Excellence in SciencesMorgan Stephens

SRK Consulting ScholarshipTeagan Holt

BISHOp MurrAy HIGH SCHOOL:

Bishop Murray High School Spirit Award Patrick Streisel

Rick Smith Memorial AwardNatasha Motelaga

E.D. FEEHAn CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL:

Raymond & Elaine Boyle ScholarshipKaylee Smith

Clavelle ScholarshipMary Nathaly Balmes

Grads of 1996 ScholarshipBailey Buchner

Grads of 1999 ScholarshipApril Favel

Grads of 2002 ScholarshipJayla-Lee Komada

HOLy CrOSS HIGH SCHOOL:

Brett Boechler Memorial AwardMary Little

Holy Cross Parent Council Art Award Emily Johnson

Christopher Roy Memorial Scholarship Tom Wang

Zachary Semenoff Music Scholarship Kyle Oldach

Donald Zuck Family Award Zachary Senick

OSkàyAk HIGH SCHOOL:

Judge Richard J. Kucey Memorial ScholarshipJanielle Partridge

ST. AnGELA ELEMEnTAry SCHOOL:

Ray Weinkauf Memorial BursaryJulia AlbarAnnaka ChorneykoJohn EspanolGrace HominukeRachel McLoughlinKriztanie PortadesJessica RosenErika Whyte

ST. JOSEpH HIGH SCHOOL:

Chaplaincy Award Erin Remai

Guardian Legacy ScholarshipHaley Bergerman Colleen ComptonStephanie Schmidt

Marlene Panko Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics Connor Schentag

Lynn Quinn ScholarshipNicole Rapin

ST. MAry COMMunITy SCHOOL:

Gregoire-Baillargeon BursaryJeremiah Hutto Tyler Wilson

Your Money at Work

PAGE SEVENAugust 18, 2015 • “Share the Spirit” Golf Classic, The Willows

Bishop Filevich $ 1,000.00Bishop Klein $ 1,000.00 Bishop Pocock $ 1,000.00Bishop Roborecki $ 1,000.00 Cardinal Leger $ 1,000.00Father Robinson $ 1,000.00Father Vachon $ 950.00 Georges Vanier $ 1,000.00Mother Teresa $ 1,000.00Pope John Paul II $ 1,000.00St. Angela $ 1,000.00St. Anne $ 800.00St. Augustine $ 1,000.00St. Augustine Humboldt $ 1,000.00St. Bernard $ 1,000.00St. Dominic $ 1,000.00St. Edward $ 1,000.00St. Frances $ 1,000.00St. Gabriel Biggar $ 1,000.00St. George $ 1,000.00St. Gerard $ 1,000.00

St. John $ 1,000.00St. Luke $ 1,000.00St. Marguerite $ 1,000.00St. Maria Goretti $ 1,000.00St. Mark $ 1,000.00St. Mary $ 1,000.00St. Matthew A $ 1,000.00St. Matthew B $ 1,000.00St. Michael $ 640.00St. Paul $ 1,000.00St. Peter $ 1,000.00St. Philip $ 1,000.00St. Volodymyr $ 1,000.00Sister O’Brien $ 1,000.00Bethlehem $ 1,000.00Bishop James Mahoney $ 1,000.00Bishop Murray $ 1,000.00E.D. Feehan $ 1,000.00Holy Cross $ 1,000.00St. Joseph $ 1,000.00

Student Leadership Conference $11,000.00

Youth & Liturgy Training Sessions $ 1,660.00

Rosary ClubsBishop Filevich $ 250.00 Bishop Klein $ 300.00 Bishop Pocock $ 120.00 Father Robinson $ 300.00Father Vachon $ 300.00 Mother Teresa $ 240.00St. Augustine $ 300.00St. Bernard $ 300.00St. Dominic $ 300.00St. George $ 200.00St. Maria Goretti $ 300.00St. Marguerite $ 300.00St. Mark $ 240.00St. Matthew $ 300.00St. Peter $ 300.00

Bishop Filevich $ 1,895.30Bishop Klein $ 1,378.30 Bishop Pocock $ 1,529.00Bishop Roborecki $ 3,231.80Cardinal Leger $ 7,601.00Father Robinson $ 2,755.50Father Vachon $ 2,720.30Georges Vanier $ 4,115.10Mother Teresa $ 3,030.50Pope John Paul II $ 2,288.00St. Alphonse Viscount $ 44.00St. Angela $ 2,534.40

St. Anne $ 1,644.50St. Augustine $ 1,899.70St. Augustine Humboldt $ 1,809.50St. Bernard $ 1,741.30St. Dominic $ 1,420.10St. Edward $ 1,650.00St. Frances $ 2,341.90St. Gabriel Biggar $ 1,309.00St. George $ 1,872.20St. Gerard $ 5,137.00St. John $ 2,092.20St. Luke $ 1,783.10

St. Maria Goretti $ 1,573.00St. Mark $ 2,535.50St. Matthew $ 8,203.80St. Paul $ 1,632.40St. Peter $ 3,771.90St. Philip $ 1,944.80St. Volodymyr $ 2,117.50Saskatoon French School $ 2,405.70Sister O’Brien $ 1,705.00Bethlehem $ 325.60Holy Cross $ 1,337.60St. Joseph $ 1,928.30

1995 $ 55,493 2005 $ 231,9541996 $ 73,387 2006 $ 281,819 1997 $ 86,400 2007 $289,4671998 $ 157,078 2008 $ 270,4231999 $ 118,796 2009 $ 761,2602000 $ 178,348 2010 $ 499,6892001 $ 276,894 2011 $ 656,0422002 $ 144,178 2012 $ 461,9812003 $ 184,341 2013 $ 671,5132004 $ 206,300

Total Disbursements 1995 – 2013

* $5,605,363 *

2013 Grants to Schools based on grant application requests

Schools Win Twice 2013 Raffle Catholic School Community Council/Schools Proceeds

Total Disbursements benefiting Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools

PAGE EIGHTPAGE 8

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation

PatronsMost Rev. Bishop

Donald Bolenof the Diocese of Saskatoon

Most Rev. BishopBryan Baydaof the Eparchy of Saskatoon

Board of Directors Denise Bandet-ReaserRon BoechlerEd CechanowiczLaurie KarwackiKaren Lloyd

Sherry McLeanDavid PaslawskiAlice RislingDale Smith

Rita SmysnuikMichel ThibaultSharon TkachukSharon Zakreski-Werbicki

Student Directors Brett Weiman, Maria Zerr – Bethlehem Catholic High SchoolSarah Smith, Jonathan Zimmer –Holy Cross High School

Executive Administrator Janice Nepjuk

The Board of Directors of The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Inc. wish you a successful year.

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