DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Section: 500
Procedure #: 511.00
Subject: School Blessings/Official Openings
Reference: Board Policy 6.58
Effective Date: 1991.09.01
Revised/Amended: Motion 084 - 2004.01.28
Replaces: 511.00
Page: 1 of 6
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A school blessing is a milestone event in the life of a new school community. It is an occasion which marks:
a) commitment to Catholic education;
b) the establishment of school structure;
c) celebration of a new school community, and
d) completion of the school building project.
The local Catholic school is central to the community and the parish. The solemn official opening is an event of considerable importance and should bear an aura of dignity with some appropriate pomp and circumstance.
As a Catholic community, the liturgical aspect of the School Blessing/Official Opening must be the central focus of the celebration. We call upon the blessing of God on the school, its teachers, students and parents/guardians. There needs to be a distinction between the Liturgy of Blessing and the Official Opening. These have different, but not incompatible, purposes.
Therefore, the school should try to keep the focus on the local community and its members. Children, parents/guardians and the staff have central importance in the ongoing life of a Catholic community.
TIMELINE:
The Liturgy of Blessing and the Official Opening of the school should take place within one year of occupancy of the building.
An organizing committee consisting of representation from administration and staff, with input from the Catholic School Council, Parish and student community, should be established at least four (4) months before the date of the blessing. The Religion/Family Life Consultant should be invited to the opening meeting to share templates from previous school blessings. A resource binder will be available from the Consultant.
A date should be established in conjunction with the presider of the Liturgy. Upon establishment of the date, the Director of Education, the Associate Directors, the Family of Schools' Superintendent, the Chair of the Board, and the local Trustee(s) should be notified.
INVITATIONS
Formal written invitations should be sent at least eight (8) weeks prior to the event. A school blessing/official opening holds enough significance to encourage the attendance of a sizeable congregation/audience.
Invitations must be sent to:
School Board:
Chairperson of the Board and local Trustee(s)
All other Trustees - current members plus those who were in office when the school was approved
Director of Education, Associate Directors and Family of Schools' Superintendent
All other Superintendents
Manager of Construction
Principals and Vice-Principals from the Family of Schools
Other heads of Departments, as appropriate
Parish:
Bishop (Secondary schools)
Pastor (or Pastors if more than one parish is involved)
Associate Pastor(s)
All members of the pastoral team
Politicians:
Mayor
Local Councillor
Local MPP
Local MP
Builders:
Architect
General Contractor
Community:
Teachers and support staff from the school
Students
Catholic School Council
Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Former administration and staff of the school should be invited, if applicable
News Media
PRESIDER
Elementary Schools: The Pastor of the parish to which the school belongs presides at the Liturgy. If there is more than one parish involved with the school, the principal should consult with the Pastors to determine who will preside. The Pastor may designate the Associate Pastor to preside, if necessary.
Secondary Schools: The local Bishop normally presides at the blessing of a secondary school since, often, several parishes are involved. The Parish Pastor(s) should be invited to assist.
OFFICIAL SPEAKERS
The following comprise of the official speakers:
The Principal
The local Trustee(s)
The Director of Education or the Superintendent of the Family of Schools
A representative from the Catholic School Council
Presentations (scripted by the Principal):
The Mayor, the MP, the MPP, and the Minister of Education should be invited to make a presentation to the school, such as, a flag, a letter of congratulations/commendation, or appropriate memento.
PROGRAM
Note: The National Anthem must be played at an appropriate time during the ceremony, at the discretion of the school. The National Anthem must be separate from the Liturgy.
The MC (usually the Vice-Principal or designated Teacher) calls the assembly to order. The MC introduces the presider and invites the congregation to stand for the processional.
Part One (Led by the Presider)
Liturgy of the Word and School Blessing:
* Cross bearer, candle bearer, reader and presider (and other ordained celebrants) proceed to front to appropriate Liturgical Music/Hymn
* Opening Prayer and remarks by presider
* First Reading from scripture (member of the school community)
* Psalm (preferably sung, or recited by members of the school community and assembly
* Gospel (presider)
* Homily (presider)
* Blessing ceremony (blessing of water, blessing of foyer crucifix, classroom crucifixes and any other sacramentals, blessing and dedication of the school, invocation of patron saint)
* Prayers of the Faithful (members of the school community)
* Lord's Prayer
* Blessing of the congregation (presider)
* Closing hymn
The entire liturgical blessing normally takes place in the gymnasium or cafeteria. The presider may bless the school hallways and classrooms, if he wishes, by prior arrangement with the organizing committee. In such a case, liturgical music, liturgical drama, or liturgical dance may occur in the gymnasium/cafeteria while the presider is walking through the school.
The classroom crucifixes are normally presented to the Celebrant for blessing by student representatives from each class.
Any creativity with the Liturgy of the Word and Blessing needs to be approved by the presider in advance of the printing of the program.
The presider must be given a written draft of the program prior to printing in order to suggest changes, additions or deletions.
The presider takes his place in the reserved section at the conclusion of the Liturgy.
The Liturgy should include the participation of staff, students and parents/guardians.
Part Two (led by MC)
Official Opening:
* The MC welcomes and introduces invited guests.
* The MC introduces the speakers individually.
* School blessings should have a local community focus. There should be representatives from the larger community, but these representatives may be invited to bring greetings and a presentation only.
The following speakers' list would provide a more detailed presentation:
* Principal
* Local Trustee(s)
* Director of Education or Superintendent of the Family of Schools
* Representative of Catholic School Council
Part Three
The MC may conclude the formal part of the program by inviting the gathered community to enjoy one or more of the following:
* Entertainment by the secondary school band
* Entertainment by the school choir
* Dramatic presentation on the life of the patron saint
* Slide show or power point presentation
* Refreshments
* Open House
PRINTED PROGRAM
A formal printed program should be provided to the assembly. The printed program will include the order of the program with names of speakers, national anthem, Liturgy of the Lord and Blessing, names of trustees and their wards, names of senior board administration, staff list, names of pastoral team, names of school council members, information on capital costs and school facilities (available from the Superintendent of Planning and Development), acknowledgements. It is recommended that the following be part of the printed program:
- school mission statement
- a commentary on the name of the school (patron saint or other namesake)
- listing of senior staff (on the back page)
- listing of trustees (on the inside front page)
The program should be provided by the school to the local trustee(s) for review before printing.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
* A theme may be chosen around which the Liturgy will be planned and the school decorated (based on school patron saint/school motto/school mission statement)
* Staff members should be assigned to each dignitary to greet them when they arrive, review procedures for the ceremony, and assign seating. Dignitaries should be given clear (even written) instructions of what they are to do. Spouses or companions of dignitaries should also be hosted by staff and taken to appropriate seats. A reception prior to the program is a practical way to gather dignitaries and give appropriate instructions.
* A server should be provided for the presider.
* Refreshments should be served after the ceremony.
* Students may participate by distributing programs, hosting at the social and conducting tours.
* The program should be approved by the presider before going to printing. The Board printing department requires considerable lead time to print the program.
* If possible, special parking should be set aside for dignitaries. A staff member or parent can monitor parking.
* Young children, who are not part of the program, should be seated with parents/guardians.
* Official speakers need to be informed well ahead of the event concerning the theme of the ceremony and duration of the talk.
* A staff member must work with a student representative if asked to speak to ensure appropriateness and proper delivery.
* All trustees, MP, MPP, Mayor, Superintendents, etc., who are present should be introduced, and asked to stand to be seen and acknowledged.
* Ongoing communication with the presider is essential in the planning stages of the Liturgy and the program. There should be no surprises.
* There is some cost involved in a Blessing (printing, postage, flowers, new flag, etc.) A grant of up to $2,000.00 will be made available upon written application by the Principal to the Superintendent of Schools, or other appropriate Superintendent.
* Archives: photographs should be taken and preserved. Copies of the program should be kept. It has proven desirable to keep a photographic record of the phases of construction.
* Any blessed items (water, oils, etc.) need to be handled appropriately, and should be disposed of according to church protocol.
* The school may provide a souvenir or momento of the blessing, to the participants.
* Official blessings of buildings, other than schools, should follow the same procedures with adjustment made in consultation with the appropriate Superintendent.
* At the discretion of the principal, in consultation with the Superintendent, the list of speakers, may include other appropriate people (e.g, founding pastor, founding principal, anyone with significance for the local community.
(For Blessing of Secondary School Chapels - See GAP 528.01)