Light of Christ honours Catholic community leaders

Jun 13, 2018 | 6:00 PM

Light of Christ Catholic School Division recently honoured two individuals in the Catholic community with awards for their contributions to Catholic education.

The school division handed out the Lumen Christi Awards last month, an annual tradition observed since 2005. 

“This award is designed to honour those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to Catholic education in Light of Christ Catholic Schools and in the greater Catholic community,” the division said in a release.

Staff, alumni, and friends of Light of Christ were eligible for the awards. This year’s recipients were Sylvie Masich, who teaches at École Monseigneur Blaise Morand Elementary School in North Battleford, and Deacon Gil Bellavance, of the Notre Dame and St. Andre Parishes in North Battleford.  Both winners were recognized during a staff celebration at the Light of Christ Learning Centre.

“We look for exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to Catholic education,” Director of Education Cory Rideout told battlefordsNOW. “We’re very proud of this award. It’s been around for quite a few years.”

The individuals are nominated for the award for their efforts in promoting Catholic education.

Rideout credited Deacon Gil Bellavance for his involvement in the church. Bellavance is also co-coordinator of Indigenous Ministry for the Battlefords and area and has been a volunteer at St. Mary School in North Battleford for about 10 years.

Rideout also acknowledged Masich’s work as a teacher and her involvement in the music ministry at St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish in North Battleford. Masich has been in the Battlefords teaching in French immersion for 26 years.

Stakeholders submit nominations for the awards each year, Rideout said, which are then presented to the board for consideration.

“We get those back in March, and the board reviews them at the March and April meetings,” Rideout said. “It gives the community, our stakeholders the opportunity to have input.”

He said some years the nominations come from the board while on other occasions the community nominates candidates for the awards.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW