Catholic Education Week 2026: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness
April 27, 2026
During the week of May 3-8, 2026, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board is proud to join school boards across Ontario to celebrate Catholic Education Week. This annual event highlights the unique identity and vital contributions of Catholic education to our students, families, and the broader community.
Our Catholic Graduate Expectations serve as our compass, guiding students to live out the core values of faith, service, and academic excellence.
“Catholic Education Week is a beautiful time to witness our faith in action. This year’s theme, Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness, reminds us that we are all on a journey together. It invites our students and staff to look toward the future with courage and to find holiness in the everyday acts of kindness and learning,” said Kevin MacKenzie, Board Chairperson.
A Message from the Bishop
In a video address to our community, Bishop Daniel Miehm reflects on the 2026 theme and our shared mission:
“This year’s theme extends the theme of last year’s Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness. This is a great occasion for us to rejoice in the many blessings of publicly funded Catholic Education,” said Bishop Miehm. “To travel among other pilgrims, reminds us that we move forward together as a community, students, teachers, parents, and supporters. To be people of hope, means we always place our trust in God as the endpoint of our journey.”
This Year’s Theme
Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness
L’éducation catholique: Pèlerins d’espérance: sur le chemin de la sainteté
The Scriptural passage informing this year’s theme is passage:
“As God who called you is holy, be holy yourselves.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
“À l’exemple du Dieu saint qui vous a appelés, devenez saints, vous aussi” (1 Pierre 1, 15-16)
The five subthemes of “On the Path to Holiness” are:
Day 1: Peace be with you – La paix soit avec vous
Day 2: God loves you – Dieu vous aime (Dieu t’aime)
Day 3: Christ saves you – Le Christ vous sauve (Le Christ te sauve)
Day 4: The Holy Spirit lives in you – L’Esprit Saint demeure en vous (L’Esprit Saint demeure en toi)
Day 5: Together on the journey – Ensemble sur le chemin
Catholic Education Week is marked by special activities at all grade levels, including prayer celebrations and service activities. The annual, province-wide, livestream Catholic Education Week Mass is taking place on Wednesday, May 6 at 11 a.m. The Mass is being celebrated by Bishop Daniel Miehm at the Diocese of Peterborough’s Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains. The music ministry is being provided by St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. Students from all six of PVNC Catholic’s secondary schools will be in attendance and participating in this celebration of Eucharist.
Link to Livestream of Provincewide Mass
PVNC Catholic will host its annual Catholic Student Leadership Awards night at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough on Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m.