What does 100 years of Catholic education look like?
At Corpus Christi Catholic School, it is generations of students walking through the same doors their parents and grandparents once did. It is families who return year after year, and a community that has grown and changed while staying grounded in faith.
This year, during Catholic Education Week, that story takes centre stage.
As part of the Ottawa Catholic School Board’s celebration of Catholic Education Week, Corpus Christi Catholic School is marking its 100th anniversary. In recognition of this milestone, the Mayor of Ottawa, Mark Sutcliff, has officially proclaimed May 7 as Corpus Christi Catholic School Centennial Day across the city, a rare honour that reflects the school’s impact over the past 100 years.
That kind of recognition speaks to the role this school has played, not just for its students and families, but in the life of the city.
A School with Deep Roots
For 100 years, Corpus Christi has been part of the life of its community.
Across the OCSB, more than 52,000 students are supported each day by dedicated staff who care deeply about student well-being and meaningful learning. Corpus Christi has been living that work for a century.
There are not many schools where grandparents, parents, and students all share the same connection. At Corpus Christi, that is part of the story.
“This milestone belongs to the entire community,” said Director of Education Mary Donaghy. “For 100 years, Corpus Christi has been a place where students are supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow in faith. That kind of legacy is built one student, one family, and one moment at a time.”
Pilgrims of Hope, Then and Now
This year’s Catholic Education Week theme invites us to reflect on what it means to live our faith each day.
“As God who called you is holy, be holy yourselves.” (1 Peter 1:15–16)
At Corpus Christi, that call is lived in everyday moments. In how students treat one another. In the way staff show up each day. In the sense of community that runs through the school.
Chair of the Board, Mark Mullan, reflected on that impact.
“Catholic education is about more than academics. It is about forming young people who care for others and understand their role in building community. Corpus Christi has been doing that for 100 years, and this is a milestone the entire Board can be proud of.”
Principal Jodi Ashton sees that connection in the school’s daily life.
“Corpus Christi has always been a place where faith and community go hand in hand,” she said. “You see it in our connection with our neighbourhood parishes, in our relationships with local partners, in the way staff support one another, and in the pride our students take in their school. Families stay connected long after they leave, and that speaks to the kind of place this is.”
A Celebration of Community
The Centennial celebrations on May 7 and 8 will bring that history to life.
Students will gather for a school-wide assembly and the unveiling of a special art installation that reflects Corpus Christi through the decades.
At 4 pm, special guests, including Yasir Naqvi, will offer remarks recognizing both the school’s history and the City’s official proclamation of Corpus Christi Catholic School Centennial Day.
From 4 pm to 6 pm, the school will host an open house where alumni, families, and former staff can reconnect and share memories.
The celebration continues on Friday with a 100th Anniversary Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, a reminder that faith has always been at the heart of this school.
Looking Ahead
A 100th anniversary is a chance to reflect and to look ahead.
Corpus Christi continues to be a place where learning matters and where faith is lived in meaningful ways.
During Catholic Education Week, as we reflect on being Pilgrims of Hope, this celebration reminds us that when we open our doors, build strong relationships, and support one another, we create something lasting.
And if the first 100 years are any indication, Corpus Christi is well on its way.
