ABSTRACT
Catholic Education is currently one of four publicly funded school systems in Ontario. Catholic boards and schools are governed by the Ontario Ministry of Education and are mandated to deliver Ministry curriculum and to support its initiatives. As a faith-based system, those in the Catholic Education community consistently seek to deliver distinctive ‘Catholic curriculum’. Curriculum development that integrates a Catholic perspective across the curriculum is supported by the Ontario Bishops and Catholic Education partners. Religious frameworks, such as a Catholic social teaching framework, have been effectively employed by Catholic educators to deliver Ministry curriculum and initiatives with a difference – through the lens of faith. In so doing, not only does Catholic Education distinguish itself from other publicly funded school systems in Ontario, but it also serves to model how faith permeates all aspects of life and has the ability to transform culture.
