St. Sofia School - 30 Years of Faith, Hope and Love

On September 30th, 2010, St. Sofia Catholic Elementary School in Mississauga, Ont. (near Toronto) held a gala 30th anniversary celebration. In the morning, a Moleben to the Mother of God was celebrated at the school with all staff and students present. The main celebrant was Bishop Most Rev. Stephen Chmilar, Eparch of Toronto and Eastern Canada. Bishop Chmilar then greeted the school body with timely words of congratulations and encouragement for the continued relationship between the school and the Church, re-enforcing the love of God in the hearts of the children, and giving them His Episcopal Blessing on the Feast Day of St. Sofia, and her daughters Faith, Hope and Love. In the evening, staff, students and parents from past and present gathered at the school’s 30th Anniversary Open House and BBQ.

St. Sofia is the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s Eastern Rite Byzantine Catholic School.

“It’s a feeling of satisfaction,” said Nadia Luciw, who chose the school’s name as its first principal. “It really is amazing to see the continuous passion and commitment from the staff and students.”

The evening celebration began with a prayer service in the school gymnasium lead by Rev. Roman Pankiw of Mississauga’s Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Following the service, a number of speakers took the microphone including Mayor Hazel McCallion and Wards 1 and 3 Trustee Mario Pascucci.”

As School Pastor, Fr. Roman Pankiw addressed the gathering:

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ - School Principal Patricia Kasij, Vice Principal Joseph Amodeo, teachers, parents, grandparents, guests, past and current students of St. Sofia School. It gives me great pleasure to join you this evening to share in celebrating St. Sofia School’s 30th Anniversary. I would like to congratulate the school for its outstanding achievements in these 30 years as a wealth of God’s Graces flowed down on our children, teachers and parents. How many prayerful children’s hearts reached out to glorify God asking for His help and care, strengthening their ties with the Almighty.

“I wish you much success in the growth of your knowledge in the continuance of the legacy of your predecessors and a joyful celebration that the Lord God send His Blessings, the Blessed Mother of God keep you, and Ss. Sofia, Faith, Hope and Love keep you all under their care for many happy years to come!”

The St. Sofia School Choir of Grades 2-3 students performed their original song, Faith, to launch a new CD recording that was released in partnership with the Ontario Arts Council. The unique qualities that make St. Sofia a great school is the theme of the CD.

“My hope is that every student feels cared for and feels safe in an environment that enriches their Byzantine Catholic faith,” said Principal Patricia Kasij. “We want (our students) to be able to meet life’s challenges through faith, hope and love.”

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St. Sofia School community marks 30th Anniversary