Our Catholic Virtues
Virtues of the Month
A Catholic faith community is rooted in a set of common beliefs about God’s will for all people.
A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral standard. When we practice these virtues we strengthen them and thereby make the presence of God more and more visible in the world around us.
The month-at-a-time format provides the whole school with a common language to move and celebrate through the school year.
This program provides vocabulary and milestones for a continuous school-wide conversation about how we can creatively maintain and strengthen a safe school community that reflects the values and teachings of Jesus Christ.
September - Faith
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1)
Elementary: God made us to live together as a family community.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a person of faith…
- Knows the saving story of our Christian faith
- Speaks the language of life
- Prays and worships God
October - Empathy
Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful. (Sir. 31:15)
Elementary: God wants us to care about everyone's feelings
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, an empathetic person...
- Is confident in the dignity of selves and others
- Believes that the cross is the ultimate sign of forgiveness
- Seeks and grants permission
November - Conscience
Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. (Acts 24:16)
Elementary: God helps us to choose to be good people
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a person of conscience...
- Makes decisions according to gospel values
- Accepts accountability for one's own actions
December - Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)
Elementary: God helps us to work for a more peaceful world even when we feel discouraged.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a person of hope...
- Sees more good than evil in the world
- Acts legally and morally
January - Self Control and Decision Making
Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control. (Prov. 25:28)
Elementary: God wants us to do what we know and feel is right.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a person with self-control...
- Has a positive, confident sense of self and others
- Adapts to situations in light of the common good
- Thinks reflectively to solve problems
- Applies effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving & resource management skills
- Reflects on personal values, abilities and aspirations
- Participates in leisure and fitness activities for a balanced and healthy lifestyle
February - Respect
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. (1 Cor. 9:19)
Elementary: God wants us to treat all people with the respect they deserve.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a respectful person...
- Has a confident, positive sense of self and respect for the dignity and welfare of others
- Honours the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others
- Values and honours the important role of family in society
- Values the environment and uses resources wisely
- Honours the faith traditions, world religions and life journeys of all people of goodwill
March - Kindness
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Prov. 21:21; 31:26)
Elementary: God wants us to give generously to others around us.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a kind person...
- Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate manner
- Values and honours the important role of the family in society
- Examines, evaluates and applies knowledge of interdependent systems for the development of a just and compassionate society
- Promotes the sacredness of life
April - Love
'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
Elementary: God wants us to serve and to see the goodness in everyone we meet.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a loving person...
- Relates to family intimacy and sexuality as God-given gifts, to be used as the creator intended
- Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner especially when the other seems 'unlovable'
- Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others
May - Acceptance
If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor.12:26-27)
Elementary: God wants us to make friends with everyone no matter how different they may look or act.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, an accepting person...
- Finds meaning, dignity fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the common good
- Witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society
- Respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world’s peoples and cultures
- Respects and understands the history, cultural heritage and pluralism of today’s contemporary society
June - Fairness
I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. (2 Cor. 8:13-14)
Elementary: God wants us to treat each person as we would like to be treated.
From the perspective of the Catholic Graduate Expectations, a fair person...
- Presents information and ideas clearly, honestly and with sensitivity to others
- Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the good
- Accepts accountability for one’s own action
- Exercises the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship
- Contributes to the common good
For more information please visit our DPCDSB Virtues Page here.