St Richard Community Newsletter
December 2025
St Richard Info
Principal: T. Brancalion
Head Secretary: T. Hale
Superintendent of Schools: Peter Cusumano (905)-890-1221
Trustee: Brea Corbet (905)-301-9373
Parish: St. John of the Cross Parish (905) 821-1331
Email: RICHAInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/richa
Location: 7220 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572
Advent Season
God of light, shine forth, show us how to bring hope to others.
God of mercy, help us to comfort your people and share their joy.
God of hope, make us an Advent people, preparing the way for life in all its fullness.
Amen
Advent is a time of waiting and quiet preparation. As we participate in the season of Advent, and prepare for the coming of Jesus, may we continue to show generosity to those in need and reflect God’s love in all that we say and do. On behalf of the staff of Divine Mercy, Merry Christmas to you and your family. May the peace of the Advent season, the joy of Christmas, and the excitement of a new year be a part of your celebrations. Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas and a safe and joyful New Year.
Virtue of Hope
A hopeful person is…
· inspired and inspires others
· optimistic
· one who seeks good things from life
· one who sees the good in the world
St John of the Cross Information
2025 / 2026 Sunday Missals
The new Liturgical year begins on the 1st Sunday of Advent, November 30th, 2025
Sunday Missals are now available for purchase in the Parish office for $5 each
Children's Liturgy
The Liturgy of the Word for children during Mass has returned
Every weekend during the Saturday 5pm and Sunday 10am, 12pm & 4pm Masses
All children ages 4 to 8 years old are invited to join .
Parish Children's Choir
The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 2-8 to join the choir
The choir will be practicing every Saturday at 10:00am and singing every other Sunday at the 10:00am Mass
Please contact Jade Coutinho at sjocchildrenschoir@gmail.com for more information
Children's Bible Study
The Jesus Youth Ministry will be hosting a God's Plan in Scripture (GPS) Bible study for children in grades 2 to 5
Every other Friday from September 26th to March 27th at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Parish
For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331
EDGE Youth Program
All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program
Every other Thursday at 6:45pm to 8:45pm this Fall at the Parish
Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.
To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information
Parish Prayer Group
The Prayer Group invites everyone to join their sessions
Every Friday at 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Parish
For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331
That Man Is You!
The Men's Fraternity Group invites all men ages 18 and up to join their new TMIY sessions "Thy Kingdom Come"
Every Saturday morning starting September 13th at 7:00am to 8:30am in the Nessinger Hall
The program is free of cost and breakfast is included
To learn more click here. To register click here.
EDGE Youth Program
All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program
Every other Thursday from October 16th to June 11th at 6:45pm to 8:45pm at the Parish
Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.
To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information
LIFE TEEN Youth Program
All youth in grades 9 to 12 are invited to join the LIFE TEEN program
Every other Sunday from October 19th to June 14th at 5:15pm to 7:15pm at the Parish
Navigate the challenges of adolescence such as peer pressure, academic stress, and family issues while building a deeper relationship with God.
To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information
1st Friday Holy Mass
1st Friday of the month Holy Mass followed by Adoration and Benediction
Friday December 5th at 9:00am and 7:00pm in the Church
Pictures with Santa
The Parish Women's Group will be holding their 4th annual pictures with Santa
Friday December 5th, Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th
Cost is $32 for 4 poses
Please contact the parish office at 905-821-1331
Christmas Gift Card Drive
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Christmas gift card drive in order to provide Christmas hampers to those in need within our local community
Please purchase a gift card, attach the receipt and drop it off to the Parish office or place it in the black drop box on the wall across from the parish office
Drop off donations by Sunday December 7th
Women's Christmas Party
The Parish Women’s Group invites all women parishioners & their daughters for their 5th Annual Christmas Party
Friday December 12th @ 6:30pm in the Nessinger Hall
Come out and enjoy games, raffles, food, prizes, dancing, etc. Bring a dish to share
Please contact the parish office at 905-821-1331 to sign up
Christmas Poster Contest
The Knights of Columbus are running their annual Keep Christ in Christmas Poster contest
The posters along with the form must be submitted to the Church office no later than Saturday December 20th. There are 3 categories: Kindergarten to Grade 1; Grade 2 to Grade 5, and Grade 6 to 8. Each category will have 2 prizes, a $40 gift card for the 1st place and $25 gift card for the runner up
Click here to download the form
Bake Sale
The Parish Women’s Group is holding a bake sale next weekend
Saturday December 21st and Sunday December 22nd after each Mass
Proceeds will toward the purchase of a new baptismal font
Alpha Marriage Course
The Alpha program will be holding another marriage course
7 weekly sessions from Sunday February 1st to Sunday March 22nd at 6:00pm to 8:30pm in the Nessinger Hall
For more information: https://www.themarriagecourse.org/
For course inquires: sjocalphamc@gmail.com
To register please click here
Sacramental Preparation Meetings
First Communion: Sunday September 21st at 7:00pm OR Tuesday September 23rd at 7:00pm in the Church
Confirmation: Sunday September 28th at 6:00pm OR Tuesday September 30th at 7:00pm in the Church
For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331
Schedule for First Holy Communion 2025 - 2026
First Communion Registration Part 1
Sunday, 21, 2025 7:00pm @ Church
Tuesday, September 23 2025 7:00pm @ Church
Reconciliation
Monday, November 24, 2025 7:00pm @ Church
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 7:00pm @ Church
First Communion Registration Meeting Part 2
Sunday, January 18 2026 7:00pm @ Church
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 7:00 @ Church
Enrolment Ceremony
January 31st, February 1st, February 14th & February 15th All Masses
First Communion Masses
Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:30am @ Church
Sunday, April 18, 2026 2:00pm @ Church
Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:30am @ Church
Sunday, April 26, 2026 2:00PM @ Church
Confirmation - Parent Meetings
Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m. church
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 7:00 p.m. church
Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at all Masses Saturday/Sunday
October 18/19, 2025 & Oct 25/26, 2025
5 Classes / Sessions 9 am – 12 Noon (Saturdays only)
November 08th, 2025
December 6th, 13th, 2025
Jan 17th & 31st, 2026
Confirmation Retreat Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am
February 28TH 2026, OR March 07TH, 2026
Confirmation Dates for 2026 @ 7pm
Tuesday 14, April 2026
Thursday 16, April 2026
Tuesday 21 April 2026
Catholic School Council
Our Catholic School Councils provides an opportunity for parents and guardians to discern how their gifts and talents might serve the school community. As per the Ontario Regulation 612/00 and 298, the purpose of a school council is, through the active participation of the parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.
In addition to the purpose of school councils as identified in the regulation, the mission of the Catholic School Councils in the DPCDSB, is to promote, the vision, values, and sacramental life of Catholic practices for the Catholic communities we serve.
All parents/guardians are welcome to attend any St Richard Catholic Elementary School.
Neisma Peredo Chair
Melissa Larmour Secretary
Renata Bieniek Treasurer
Rachel Pinto OAPCE Representative
David Randall Parish Representative
Lynn Rockett Voting Member
Cynthia Sudeyko Voting Member
Stephanie Giorgio Voting Member
Milena Piasentin Voting Member
Magda Kaniewski Voting Member
Stephanie Ulman Voting Member
Khalisa McCooty-Edwards Voting Member
Monday, September 22, 2025 6:30
Thursday, October 23, 2025 5:30 (Catholic Council Chair Meeting)
Monday, November 17, 2025 6:30
Monday, January 12, 2026 6:30
Monday, February 23, 2026 6:30
Thursday, April 23rd 2026 Budget Meeting online
Monday, May 11, 2026 6:30
Monday, June 1 2026 6:30
YMCA Nutrition Program
I am very excited to share that we have been accepted into the YMCA Nutrition Program. All students who need a healthy snack can come by the main office between 8:15-8:30 every morning to pick up a snack.
Gift Card Fundraiser
This year, our school will once again provide Christmas gift cards to families in need within our community. Preserving the dignity of every family is a priority for us, and gift cards allow families to choose what they truly need—whether that’s a meal, essentials, or gifts for their children.
We hope to collect all gift cards by Friday, December 5th, so we can plan accordingly and ensure we can support everyone who needs assistance.
As you know we are running a gift card fundraiser at St Richard this year, please consider using Fundscrip to purchase gift cards so the school can benefit from the percentage they donate on each gift card purchase.
Information to purchase is in the flyer below.
Click on the gift card picture to purchase from Fundsrip. Invitation code is BX35WR
Christmas Spirit Week
Monday, December 15th: CHRISTMAS ACCESSORIES DAY—Wear Christmas jewelry, socks, clothes, hats, headbands, and scarves. Be creative and show your Christmas spirit.
Tuesday, December 16th: Santa Hat Day!
Wednesday, December 17th: CHRISTMAS COLOURS/COSTUME DAY— Wear Red, Green or White for Christmas or Purple, Pink or White for Advent.
Thursday, December 18th: FESTIVE SWEATER/SHIRT DAY/FLANNEL—Wear your spirited Christmas clothes today.
Friday, December 19th: HOLLY JOLLY JAMMIE/COZY DAY—Wear your favourite Christmas PJ’s or comfy clothes to school today.
Candy Gram Sales Week of December 15th - December 19th
During our Christmas Spirit week we will be selling Candy Grams at the office every day at first recess. The cost of the Candy Grams are $1.00.
Candy Cane Ingredients: Sugars (sugar, glucose, syrup), Natural flavour, Sweet potato and carrot juice (for colour) Sunflower lecithin, canola oil. May contain Milk, Eggs, Wheat.
Advent Mass December 2nd at 6:00pm
Please join us at 6:00pm on Tuesday, December 2nd at St John of the Cross Parish for our Advent Mass. Thank you to our Catholic School council for providing treats and refreshments for the event.
Christmas Concert Wednesday, December 17th
Please join us On Wednesday, December 17th to watch our students perform in our Christmas Concert. We ask that you please choose either the 9:00am concert or the 1:00pm concert.
Movie Night Wednesday, December 17th
We will be having our Christmas Movie Night on Wednesday, December 17th at 6:00. We will be watching Santa Clause 2. Snack shack will be open from 5:30 to 6:00 and the movie will start at 6:00. Please bring your own chairs/blankets and water bottles. All money raised from Snack Shack Sales will be donated to ShareLife. Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Christmas Break December 20th - January 5th
We hope you and your loved ones have a safe and peaceful Christmas Break. We look forward to seeing you all back at school on Monday, January, 5th 2026
Kindergarten Registration Information
Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) schools is now open. The DPCDSB offers the Kindergarten program in 126 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.
Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.
Registration is open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents. Kindergarten students must be at least four (4) years of age by December 31, 2026.
The following documents are required to complete the registration process:
- Proof of age of the child
- Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or original baptismal certificate from a church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome or an Eastern Catholic Church.
- Immunization Reference #’s from the local Public Health Unit
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
- Proof of home address
- Proof of English Separate School Support
Please refer to the Registration webpage for accepted forms of documentation.
Inquiries about home school locations/boundary areas should be directed to the DPCDSB Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.
For more information, parents/guardians should contact their local Catholic school, visit the DPCDSB website at dpcdsb.org, or call DPCDSB’s Admissions Department at 905-890-1221.
Lunch Lady Program Monday's
The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to St Richard on Monday starting September 22nd.
Please see the link below to set up an account. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.
Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!
You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.
Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.
Pizza Days are Back!
Starting Tuesday, October 14th we will be having pizza days every Tuesday and Friday. We have chosen Little Ceasars Pizza as our provider this year. We are excited to let you know that pizza will also be available for purchase on pizza days. The cost of the pizza will be $3.00.
Harveys is back every Wednesday starting November 5th
All sales must be made through School Cash Online. There will be no purchasing of food on Harveys days.
We are excited to share that beginning on Thursday October 16th, St. Richard will be offering Swiss Chalet lunches to all students every Thursday.
Students will have the option between:
- Quarter Chicken, dark meat
- Quarter Chicken, white meat
- Pierogies
- Chicken Strips
All meal options come with the choice of one side:
- Garden salad
- Cesear salad
- Mashed pototoes
- Rice
- Veggies
All the details are on SchoolCash online!
Snack Shack Every Friday Starting Friday, October 3rd
This fundraising initiative is to raise money for various activities for our students throughout the year. (Guest Speakers, Technology, and to off set costs for our graduating class of 2025).
- Tuck Shop Items for purchase
- $2.50 Kernels Popcorn (Butter and Salt, White Cheddar, Dill Pickle, Salt and Vinegar, Caramel)
- $2 Various Chips (Lays Regular, Cheetos, Doritos, All Dressed, and Ketchup, Crunchy Cheetos, Pringles)
- $2 Garden Veggie Straws
- $2 Terra Cotta Cookies (Chocolate chip, Fudge chip, Vanilla, Vegan Cholocate Chip, Glutenf ree Choclolate chip)
- $2 Breton Veggie Crackers
- $1 Pretzel Sticks
- $1Goldfish Crackers
- $1 Organic Apple Sauce Pouches
- $1 Rice Krispies
- $1 Welch's Fruit Gummies
- $1 Sour keys
- $1 Red Lolipops ( Ingredients: Sugars (sugar, glucose, syrup), Water, Artificial flavour, Titanium dioxide, Allura red)
- $1 Fruit Roll ups
If your child has any food restrictions and you do not want them to participate please contact their teacher directly to let them know.
The Terra Cotta cookies do have a vegan and gluten free option available. Please let your child's teacher know if you would prefer they purchase either of those options instead.
Ingredients for all Terra Cotta Cookies
Fudge Chip DeLite
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), cocoa, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains: wheat, soy, egg.
Catholic Chip DeLite
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn) baking soda.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
May contain milk.
Vanilla Butterfly
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), rainbow sprinkles (icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, colour, gum arabic, carnauba wax), natural flavour.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Vanilla Heart Cookies
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), colour, natural flavour.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Vegan Chocolate Chip
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, anhydrous dextrose, soya lecithin, vanilla extract), water, soybean and palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce, milled flaxseed, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains: Wheat & Soy
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip
Brown sugar, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), rice flour, liquid whole egg, soy flour, cassava starch, vanilla extract, baking soda, xanthan gum.
Contains: soy, egg.
Criminal Reference Checks
Anyone working with children as an employee or volunteer must have a Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Check completed by the Peel Police.
ALL volunteers including those going on one day school trips MUST have a Criminal Reference check. The Criminal Reference Check for volunteers may take a number of days for the paperwork to be processed and has to be done through Peel Police.
If you already have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school, please ensure you have completed the yearly Criminal Offence Declaration form with the office.
Emergency Protocol
Emergency response procedures in the event of a fire, bomb threat, serious accident/injury or an intruder have been established and are revised on an ongoing basis. Each school within the DPCDSB is required to hold 9 emergency procedure drills over the course of the year.
These drills consist of three fire drills per term, one lockdown drill per term, and 1 hold and secure drill per year. During these drills staff review all emergency procedures with students to ensure all children are safe in the event of a real emergency.
In the event that it is necessary to evacuate the school, our site for relocation is St John of the Cross Church located at 6890 Glen Erin Drive.
Attendance
St Richard Catholic School actively encourages and promotes regular and punctual attendance. Educational research has consistently shown that student progress and academic success are closely related to regular attendance and active participation in the day-to-day activities of the school. Frequent absences from school jeopardize a student’s successful completion of any level.
Ultimately, responsibility for attendance lies with the student and the parent.
Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning experiences, the school does not support travel or vacations during class time. The content covered in each grade is important and requires attendance. While parents may choose to travel during the school year, the time missed from class is recorded as an absence and counted in the total absence record for the term and the year. Also, assessment and evaluation can become problematic.
What takes place in the classroom is the work. What occurs as a follow up is either completion of in-class work, or practice and review of the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.
Successful students attend all classes, consult with teachers, hand in assignments, take pride in themselves and their accomplishments, study and complete homework daily and set realistic goals.
Please use the school messenger app/website/phone number to report your child's absences.
1-844-435-3440
Communication
Open communication between home and school is very important. Although we will be reporting to you formally during the year, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher at any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone call on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself before it becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any concerns about your child, we will also contact you at the earliest opportunity.
MEDICAL ALERT– Sabrina’s Law (Anaphylaxis)
Sabrina’s Law is an Act to protect anaphylactic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. Named “Sabrina’s Law” in honour of an Ontario student who died following an anaphylactic reaction in 2003, this law requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy.
If your child has a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, peanut by-products, bee/wasp stings etc., please let the school know as soon as possible. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date. There are various forms which need to be completed by you and your family doctor if it is necessary to store and dispense an EPI-pen or any other medication at school.
We continue to have both students and staff with severe, life threatening allergy to certain foods, such as peanuts and nuts. This is a medical condition that may cause severe and life threatening reactions to certain allergens within minutes. Although this may or may not affect your child’s class directly, we require your continued cooperation in sending foods to school with your child that are free from peanuts, nuts or their by-products.
Please do not send food products to be shared in your child’s classroom. If you would like your child to share their special day/birthday with their classmates, we suggest that you consider non-food items such as pencils or stickers.
Asthma Friendly School Ryan's Law
Ryan’s Law is an Act to protect Asthmatic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. If your child has asthma please let the school know immediately. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date.
Ryan’s Law introduced policies and procedures that:
Allow your child to carry his/her asthma reliever (rescue) inhaler (with your permission).
Reduce your child’s contact with asthma triggers.
Develop an individual plan for every student with asthma, including recommendations from their health-care providers and current emergency contacts. This will be kept on file at the school.
If you have more questions about
Ryan’s Law?
Call The Lung Association Lung Health Information Line at 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), email info@on.lung.ca, or visit www.RyansLaw.ca.
Distribution and Storage of Medication
If a child is required to bring medication to school, procedures regarding the administration of medication shall only be adopted:
· when requested by the parents/guardians; and
· when authorized by a physician; and
· when medication must be provided during school hours
A designated staff member must administer medication; hence, a signed request/authorization form from the parents/guardians and the supervising physician, must be obtained. These forms are available through the school office. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or designated person by the parents/guardians. All medication will be housed in a safe location. Medication must not be kept in the child’s possession or in the classroom except for EpiPens and asthma inhalers.
It is highly encouraged that students who have an anaphylactic allergy or who have asthma, keep their epi-pen and/or inhaler on their person at all times. If able, it is recommended that your child bring two epipens and/or two asthma inhaler to the school. This would allow your child to keep this medication on their person as well as ensuring that the school office has an additional set of medication.
Please note that school staff cannot dispense medication of any kind without the proper physician authorization and a properly labeled container, (i.e. prescription bottle or original over the counter container).
Policy on cell phone and personal electronic devices
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has the following policy regarding Personal Electronic Devices in place for all schools.
The Board recognizes the importance of the use of PED’s by students at school and the benefits in their classroom. As part of our policy, students may bring their own device (B.Y.O.D.) for learning purposes. As part of our efforts to promote and maintain a positive Catholic climate in our schools, all PEDs must be kept out of sight, turned off, and not used within school premises or during school-sanctioned activities; unless the classroom teacher grants specific permission for use.
This policy applies to field trips, retreats, sporting events, etc. as well as daily classroom activities. Personal Electronic devices (PEDs) include, but are not limited to cell phones, iPods, iPads, cameras, ...
Please note that it is optional for students to bring their devices to school and it is their responsibility to follow the school and Board policies set out in the “Personal Electronic Device used with Wi-Fi Network Student Agreement.”
Head Injury Policy
When a student receives an injury to the head, it is Board Policy that we inform parents. We will attempt to reach you even when it is a minor injury. Please try not to be too alarmed should you receive a call. Please remind your child to let a staff member know immediately, if they are hurt at school.
As per the Ministry of Education direction, our Board has a Concussion Protocol in place. ALL students who sustain a head injury during the school day, however minor, will receive a Concussions Are Serious pamphlet and accompanying paperwork to take home. We ask parents/guardians to review this pamphlet and seek medical attention for your son/daughter if you feel it is required.
As in previous years, all head injuries will be logged and reported to parents/guardians directly. We ask that you please inform the school as soon as possible when your son/daughter sustains a concussion because of a school incident or because of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance are greatly appreciated.
