Inspiring a New Tradition
What happens when a school community comes together to honour someone special? Something extraordinary. Last year, during Lent, the St. Mary School community introduced Shelley’s Gift, a heartfelt initiative named in memory of Sister Shelley Lawrence (RSCJ). It started as a way to live her legacy of compassion and service, but it became much more—a celebration of what can happen when faith and community work hand in hand. The project’s success surpassed all expectations, drawing in support from across the OCSB family, including St. Anne School. It was a powerful reminder of the incredible things we can accomplish together.
This year, St. Mary’s decided Shelley’s Gift was too meaningful to be a once-a-year effort. Why wait for Lent? With the help of teachers Isabella Stanisic and Bridget Moreira and their Grade 5 class, the school gave the initiative a new home in their Advent project, once again supporting St. Joe’s Women’s Centre. Their focus? Collecting items to brighten the holiday season with warm, hearty meals for families in need.
Student Leadership in Action
The project launched with a student-led Advent liturgy, during which the Grade 5 class introduced Shelley’s Gift to the school community. They set a goal of collecting 750-holiday meal items. Students took on leadership roles by delivering daily PA announcements, creating posters, and organizing weekly collections. Each homeroom received a donation bag, which the Grade 5 students gathered, sorted, and organized. Custodian Dan Lamour provided invaluable support by supplying storage boxes and assisting with heavy donations.
A Community-Wide Effort
The project quickly became a community-wide effort. Joanne Blackburn, Principal of St. Anne School, and her kindergarten team embraced Shelley’s Gift as their own Advent initiative, encouraging parents and staff to contribute. OCSB central staff members Cathryn Wake and Heather Bilder coordinated collections at the Board office, gathering donations from staff. The initiative gained further support from Director of Education Tom D’Amico and the Board of Trustees, who helped raise awareness and encouraged participation.
An Overwhelming Response
The response was nothing short of incredible. Contributions poured in from St. Mary, St. Anne, and the CEC. Everyone, from the Directorate and Trustees to school families and central office staff, came together to make a difference. By the time Advent came to a close, the project had far exceeded its goal, with 1,409 holiday meal items delivered to St. Joe’s Women’s Centre—an inspiring testament to what we can achieve when we unite in kindness and generosity.
A Lasting Legacy
Shelley’s Gift isn’t just about donations; it’s about living the values Sister Shelley Lawrence embodied—compassion, service, and unwavering faith. Her legacy continues to inspire students, staff, and families across our Board. Through Shelley’s Gift, we’re reminded that small acts of kindness, multiplied across a community, can create something truly extraordinary. It’s more than a tradition—it’s faith in action and a beautiful reminder of what it means to Be Community.
