Divine Mercy Messenger

Principal: S. Viola

Administrative Assistant: R. Panousis

Superintendent of Mississauga West: Peter Cusumano

Catholic School Council Co-chairs 2025-2026: Deanna Catania and Vivian Correa-Pinto

Parish- Merciful Redeemer Pastor: Rev. James (Seamus) Hogan, Associate Pastors: Rev. John Sutka and Rev. Adam Pantaleo

Parish Number 905.812.0030 Parish E-mail: https://mercifulredeemermi.archtoronto.org/

Email: divinemercyinfo@dpcdsb.org

Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Location: 2840 Duncairn Dr, Mississauga L5M 5C6
Phone: 905-812-5445
Twitter: @DivineMercyDP

8:15 - 8:30 Open entry (students to use doorway closest to Kiss n' Ride)

8:30- 10:36 Learning Block

10:36 - 10:51 Recess

10:51-11:31 Learning Block

11:31-12:31 Lunch

12:31-1:54 Learning Block

1:54-2:09 Recess

2:09 - 3:00 Learning Block

3:00 Dismissal

Please feel free to click on the Translate button on the newsletter to choose your language of preference! (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Vietnamese, Hindi etc.)

Please read the letter below from Doris Rodrigues, President of Saint Vincent de Paul / Merciful Redeemer.

This year, I would like our school community to help support our 'Neighbours in Need' by donating gift cards from the following grocery stores: FreshCo, Walmart, and Loblaws.

You may send a labelled gift card in an envelope with your child to deliver to the office, or you may choose to deliver it personally. Thank you for thinking of those in need and for your continued generosity and compassion. Doris will be collecting our gift cards on December 18th due to my request for an extended timeline.

'A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.' — Proverbs 11:25

First Confession (Parent and Child): Wednesday, February 11th 2026 from 4:00-6:00 pm

Rite of Confirmation: Wednesday, May 6th 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.

First Communion: Sunday, April 26th 2026@ 3:00 p.m.

Dear Divine Mercy Families,

As we welcome December, we also welcome the season of Advent. Advent is a time of great preparation as we anticipate the coming of Jesus into our hearts. The birth of Jesus brings great joy and a renewed sense of life.

On behalf of Divine Mercy Catholic School, we would like to extend warm Christmas blessings to you and your families. May the promise of Christmas help to show God’s boundless love for you and your family, and may you be blessed with good health, prosperity, and happiness throughout the New Year as we strive to work with and for you in providing excellence in Catholic Education.

Be well this Christmas holiday season, take care of one another, and we will see you again in 2026 when we return to school on January 5th. May the peace of the season bring you great joy.

♥Divine Mercy Staff

• I use my gifts and talents given to me by God
• I always do my best I build on my strengths and weaknesses
• I set goals
• I accept change
• I am proud of the good things I do
• I am thankful for the gifts of others

Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus.

The virtue of the month of December is HOPE.

God helps us to keep on working for a more peaceful world even when we feel discouraged. A hopeful person is …

• inspired and inspires others

• always counts on God to help them in tough situations

• trusts that things will work out in God ’s way

• one who sees the good in the world

Advent marks the beginning of the Church ’s liturgical year. The four weeks of Advent lead up to the celebration of Christmas. Advent’s familiar sights and sounds stir in us a readiness to receive our Saviour, while sharpening our sense of the world ’s need for redemption and of the great mystery of God becoming human for us. Advent is a Latin word meaning the coming. The season of Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the three comings of Christ: his lowly birth in the past, his mysterious coming to the world in the present, and his promised return in Glory at the end of time. Advent is a special time of waiting. Since the latter half of the 6th century, Christians have set aside the four weeks before Christmas to remember and to celebrate that Jesus Christ is the one who comes. It is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. Traditional symbols and customs help us to celebrate this special time of waiting

The Advent Wreath is used to help us prepare for Christ ’s coming. We use evergreen branches to make the Advent wreath. These stay green all year long. This reminds us that God and His love for us never changes. The circular shape reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, his never ending love for us, which has no beginning or end. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent or the four Gospels; unlit they represent the ages “sitting in darkness” awaiting the coming Christ; the growing circle of light represents the “approaching” light of the world. Three of the candles for the wreath are purple, as a sign of our need to repent and turn back to God in preparation for Jesus ’ coming. During Advent we try to say that we are sorry for not loving Jesus enough and we promise to try hard to do better in our Christian walk. The fourth one, lit on the third Sunday of Advent, is rose or pink to express our joy that Christmas is so close. Some Advent wreaths have a large white candle in the center, the ‘Christ Light ’, to be lit on Christmas Eve to herald the birth of Jesus. Each time we light a candle on the Advent wreath we are reminded that Jesus is the light of the world. His teachings are our guiding light. If we listen to what he wants us to do, we will be happy with him forever.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is committed to supporting Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) students and families in our schools. If you are First Nation (Status or Non-Status Indian), Métis, or Inuit, you are invited to self-identify as Indigenous. No documentation or proof of ancestry is required. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential. Self-identification will provide access to cultural and language programs, as well as monthly programming for Indigenous students and families. Relevant information will be sent directly to families about upcoming cultural events and opportunities which help foster a sense of community and Indigenous pride within Dufferin-Peel. For more information about the self-identification process and opportunities available to Indigenous students and families, please visit our Indigenous Self-Identification webpage. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please contact DPCDSB’s Indigenous Education Coordinator, Jodie Williams, at jodie.williams@dpcdsb.org

Sunday, November 30th: The beginning of Advent marks the integration of Advent themes/activities across various subjects with the focus always remaining on the values of hope, love, peace and generosity. We aim to strengthen student's understanding of Christmas, the true significance of Jesus' birth and as always, the goal of always deepening their faith and relationship with God and others.

December 8-12th: Spirit Week with an emphasis of Keeping Christ in Christmas (see attached flyer/ 1st poster).

Friday, December 12th: Advent Mass with Father John @ 9:00 am / All parents/guardians welcome. This will be followed by our Advent Retreat Day with participation of all students and whole school Christmas card making -Ms. Viola will be delivering the cards on behalf of our community to Wellbrook East and West long-term care Seniors homes the week of the 15th.

December 15 and 16th: Students will be busy with dress rehearsals throughout these days prepping their spectacular performances. Practice makes perfect!

December 15-19th: Fun Christmas Spirit Week (2nd poster)

Wednesday, December 17th: Christmas Event for English stream from 1:00-2:30 pm. Welcome parents/guardians!

Thursday, December 18th: Christmas Event for FI stream from 1:00-2:00 pm. Welcome parents/guardians!

December 19th: LAST DAY before Christmas holidays. Ms. Viola will host Christmas Trivia throughout the day.

It will be an engaging month full of fun and Christmas cheer, while always keeping in our minds and hearts that:

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!

Co-chair: Deanna Catania

Co-chair: Vivian Correa-Pinto

Secretary: Johnson Lai

Treasurer: Michelle Ferreira

Parish Representative: Jessica Clayton

OAPCE Representative: Elaine Dantas

Teacher Representative: Laura Harper

Non-classroom Member: Marisa Brasil

Principal: Sandra Viola

Voting members: Dorislyn Fernandes, Lisa Bitonti-Bengert, Angela Trewartha, Katrina Vieira Reis, Jonathan Walker, Quynh Walker, Rossana Asencios

Thank you to our Catholic School Council for taking the time to organize and decide on two new options/ services for hot lunches that can be provided for students at Divine Mercy.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) offers free live webinars throughout the year to help families understand how students' learning is assessed in Ontario. Join these sessions to learn how to better support your child's success in key areas like reading and math.

EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Reading

Join us for a free live webinar about how EQAO assesses students’ reading skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading samples and questions from the Primary & Junior Reading Assessments, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these reading passages and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights & resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.

Next available session: December 2, 2025, at 6:00-7:00 pm ET (offered on multiple dates, a recording will be provided to registrants)

Registration: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d5doLU_HSVad0Jmb_V7skQ#/registration

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians

Join us for a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Next available session: January 28, 2026, 12:30-1:30 pm ET (offered on multiple dates, a recording will be provided to registrants)

Registration: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5puRqI8uQJypIaHgBYoBMw#/registration

EQAO will be offering additional webinars throughout the year for families, administrators, and teachers. Please check our website regularly for an updated list of upcoming sessions. https://www.eqao.com/school-outreach/

We ask that parents continue to support their children in their morning routines so that they can arrive to school on time. This ensures that your child learns an essential life skill, participates in the entire school day, and that disruptions to the learning environment are minimal.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has implemented a new student absence reporting system that will make it easier for you to report your child’s absence from school. This new system is called SafeArrival. With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of the following three convenient options:

1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home )

• The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account.
• Select Attendance then Report an Absence

• 2. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home .

• The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account.
• Select Attendance then Report an Absence.

• 3. Call the toll-free number 1.844.435.3440 to report an absence using the automated phone system. For Student Being Late to School or Early Departure from School.
• The automated message will prompt you to enter ABSENCE for student, and will ask if the student be ABSENT today, tomorrow etc.
• To this question, please say ‘yes’ to absent as the next question will be to enter the type of absence and will give you options of full day, late, early departure leave and return.
• The above 3 options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
• Future absences can be reported at any time

• NOTE: For absences greater than five consecutive days, please call your child’s school directly.

• Remember to: Please report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school.

The days are getting colder and pretty soon winter will arrive. It is important for students to come prepared to participate in all activities, including outdoor recess. We ask that students dress appropriately for colder weather by having coats, hats, scarves, boots and mittens or gloves. For health reasons, and to keep the school clean, we ask all students to have indoor shoes. Please note that in the event of an emergency evacuation, students will not have the opportunity to put boots on. Thank you for your support in this matter.

The students should have a pair of indoor shoes to wear at school in class and for gym. Outdoor shoes/ boots will be kept for outdoor use only and out of the classrooms in order to reduce the amount of dirt and mud brought indoors. This will assist our custodial staff in keeping the school clean and safe. Thank you for your co-operation.

Thank you to all the staff and students that continue to dedicate their time and committment to allow for many additional learning opportunities outside the classroom.

• Well-being and health leaders/ representatives-Intermediates
• PALS-grade 5 leaders
• Junior and Intermediate basketball club
• Primary Games/lego club
• Grade 3 and 4 French club
• Grades 1-8 Beyblade club
• Intermediate Homework club
• Grade 4-8 Dance Club
• Primary/Junior Art club
• Choir (as needed)
• Office helpers and washroom/hall monitors- grade 5, 6 and 8 leaders
• Library helpers

Sunday, November 30th: 1st Sunday of Advent/ Light a candle of Hope

Sunday, December 7th: 2nd Sunday of Advent Mass/ Light a candle of Peace

Monday, December 12th: Whole school Advent Mass/ Advent Retreat Day

Sunday, December 14th: 3rd Sunday of Advent/ Light a candle of Joy

Wednesday, December 17th: Christmas Event for English stream

Thursday, December 18th: Christmas Event for French Immersion

Friday, December 19th: Last day of school before Xmas break

Sunday, December 21st: 4th Sunday of Advent/ Light a candle of Love

Wednesday, December 25th: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thursday, January 1st: Happy New Year!!

Monday, January 5th- First day back to school