From October 4-10th, with Holy Name of Mary College School being one of many Felician Services all over the world, we reflected and contributed in our annual Mission Heritage Week. The theme for this year was “Building living stones.” We as the Holy Name of Mary community work together to build up our students in all aspects: emotionally, academically, physically and especially this week, spiritually. Beginning on October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we began our Thanksgiving Food Drive for St. Felix Centre. St. Felix Centre is a fellow Felician service, which serves those experiencing homelessness in downtown Toronto. Students and staff brought in over 800 items of food and clothing and raised over $200 for St. Felix Centre. Thank you for your generosity! A special shout out to the Grade 6s, who brought in an amazing 210 items and are the winners of the class breakfast!

Students and staff had an opportunity to thank God for His outpouring of forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and many left feeling relieved, joyful and renewed. A special thank you to Fr. Jim and Fr. Rudy for hearing Confessions.

At the end of the week, we gave thanks to God through the celebration of our Thanksgiving Mass. Fr. Rudy reminded us in his homily that although prayer can be difficult, we can begin with a simple ‘thank you’ to God for all of the blessings in our lives.

On October 11th, HNMCS staff led by example and visited St. Felix Centre in Toronto where they prepared and served a Thanksgiving lunch, cleaned dormitories and created yarn hats by loom that will be donated back to all those experiencing homelessness. Overall, Mission Heritage Week and our Thanksgiving Food Drive was a huge success and it is due to the spirit of gratitude present in all involved at HNMCS.