A new year has begun, but memories of the

Advent and Christmas seasons are still fresh.

We are proud of our boys who sang so well for

radio and television performances, at various

Benefit Choir events and for two wonderful

Massey Hall shows! We were most grateful for

their beautiful singing in the Cathedral at

Christmas. Everyone appreciated being ‘back

home,’ if only temporarily.

We get a sense already of how magnificent the Cathedral will be

when the work is all completed. The open houses in December

provided us with a preview, as well as an educational window

onto the workmanship that has gone into this extensive restora-

tion.

January is a time for academic assessment for both elementary

and secondary students with tests, assignments, reviews and high

school exams, as teachers prepare report cards for early Febru-

ary. These reports will provide students and families with an

update about how things are going and an opportunity to set

personal goals for the second half of the school year.

We look forward to another great year here at the Choir School,

filled with rich learning experiences. We pray that our school

will continue to be blessed during the next 12 months. We wish

all of our students, families, staff members and alumni the grace

of God’s abundant love throughout 2016!

Happy New Year! I hope that you had a pleasant and restful Christmas break, and that you were able to spend time wi th your loved ones,

share meals with friends and family, and rejoice in the celebration of the birth of Christ.

This schoolyear’s Massey Hall was enormously successful and I wish to thank all of our parents, alumni and friends who worked to promote the concert. Thanks also to all the staff, whose ongoing support and flexibility ensure student success here at the Choir School. To the conductors and accompanists, and especially to the young men of St. Michael’s Choir School, congratulations! The feedback from this year’s concert was extremely positive. Attendees said it was a joyful, celebratory and uplifting experience, and for me it was a real pleasure to hear you all sing. Special thanks to those alumni who took part in the SMCSAA Jubi-lee Choir and joined forces with current students—it was a great success!

I would also like to thank the students and conductors for their hard work on this year’s first Advent Lessons and Carols service. This beautiful event was attended by around 400 pa-rishioners and I look forward to this becoming a new Choir School tradition.

With tour and other events coming up, I know that we have much to look forward to in 2016. Welcome back!

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

D A T E S T O R E M E M B E R Mark it

06 January Late Start (High School Students)

09 - 10 January Return to St. Paul’s Basilica

09-10 January Confirmation Enrollment, Gr. 7 & 8

16 January Auditions (Vocal only), 9am-12pm

22 January PA Day, Elementary

25-28 January High School Exams

02 February Semester Two Begins (High School)

04 February Grad Photos for Gr. 8 & Gr. 12, Library

06 February Auditions: Academic, 9am; Vocal,12pm

04 January After School Swimming program, 4:00 pm, Moss Park

26 January Junior Soccer Tournament, All Day

Athletics Events

Eco-Club Wednesdays 12-12:30, Rm 411

Robotics Tuesdays 3:30pm, Rm 304

Yearbook Tuesdays 12-12:30pm, Computer Lab

Parent Council

15 January High School Ballroom Dancing Lessons Begin, Auditorium, 3:30-5pm

20 January CSPC Meeting, Auditorium, 7pm

Barry White, Principal

Stephen Handrigan,

Director

Clubs

On Monday, December 7, St. Michael's Cathedral opened its doors for the first time following several months of closure, to allow the community and local media outlets to come in and view the restoration work. A Senior Select Choir, conducted by Dr. Cichocki, was on hand to welcome visitors to the opening night reception. Fol-lowing the reception on December 7, open houses on December 8 and

9 allowed hundreds of visitors to see the beautiful stonework, intricately restored glass and remarkable artis-tic works-in-progress. The choirs returned to the Cathedral for choral masses from Advent III to Epiphany, and also welcomed congregants to the Cathedral's first ever Advent Lessons and Carols service. The choirs now return to St. Paul's until March, when the Cathedral expects

Newsletter

PHOTO BY PINA POVOLO

By Kate Rosser-Davies

Cathedral Gives Public Sneak Peek

(continued on page 7)

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

The Tradition Lives On P A G E 2

C H O R A L N E W S

The 50th annual Christmas concert at Massey Hall was a true celebration. Though the weather remained mild, the Christmas spirit was fully present at Toronto's most historic music venue. This year's selections included Choir School favourites such as “Christmas Overture”, “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christ-mas”, as well as new pieces and arrangements l ike “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, and Dr. Cichocki's new arrangement of “O Holy Night” (“Cantique de Noel”), which featured special guest tenor Michael Colvin (SMCS 1983). Welcomed to the stage was the SMCSAA Jubilee Choir, with guest conductor Jordan de Souza (SMCS 2006) and guest accompanist Joshua Tamayo (SMCS 2003). Anne Butler, an alumni mom, told the Choir School, “To see the Choir School continue to g r o w i n m u s i c a l i t y and professionalism is a source of great pride, but to witness the exuberance in honoring the ‘he who sings once, prays twice’ tradition is a source of joy and goose bumps.”

The “O Holy Night” solo along with the Massed Choir was

enough to bring me to tears both nights, as were the Junior Choir

solos and the sweater-clad graduating class singing “White

Christmas.” It was, to me, the best balance ever between liturgi-

cal music and more accessible Christmas pieces which can be

enjoyed by all. - Kathy Oswin-Groh, Gr. 12 parent

P A G E 3

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

C H O R A L N E W S

The memories made on this stage will stay with me for the rest of my life

- Sebastien Duckett, Gr. 12

I looked down at the sea of red jackets and remembered where

it all began that snowy December evening nine years ago. And

then it hit me, this is our last Massey Hall. Thank you, Massey

Hall, for nine years of memories. - William Gatchalian, Gr. 12

I feel like it was helpful to do this Massey Hall because then the school would be

showing what good singers they are. And I also feel proud of myself because it

was two days, and two days is a lot of work. My dad says I’m a Renaissance

Man. - Angelo Billanti, Gr. 3

This was my fourth year—

now eight concerts!—at

Massey Hall and it was

pretty amazing to have my

brother there with me this

time. Every time I sing

there I think about my

grandfather and my dad,

who also sang on the same

stage for so many years,

and it makes me feel like

I'm keeping a really im-

portant tradition going. -

Luca Margani, Gr. 6

Of all the annual concerts we

have attended, in our opinion,

this year's is by far the best

ever concert we have seen.

Best arrangements ever!-

Joey Roque, Gr. 12 Parent

CLASS OF 2016 IN GRADE 5, COURTESY OF GATCHALIAN FAMILY

P A G E 4

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

C H O R A L N E W S

Just knowing that I was about

to go onto a really famous

stage with so many people in

the audience to watch me

sing made me nervous but

also really excited. So many

famous people have per-

formed there, and then I got

to, too. It was pretty cool! -

Gabriel Margani, Gr. 3

Congratulations,

gentlemen all.

A credit to

yourselves,

your art, your

colleagues,

your school.

You should be

proud. - Jonathan Clifford,

Parent

P A G E 5

J A N U A R Y

C H O R A L N E W S

Media Blitz

It's crazy how time

passes by: you watch

yourself grow up on

that stage and sud-

denly it's your last

concert. Things at the

Choir School change

from year to year, but

the one thing that

never changes is

singing at Massey

Hall. I know that

when I look back on

my time at this school,

it'll be those concerts

that I treasure the

most. - Gerard

Mannella, Gr. 12

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

It takes a community to celebrate a milestone, and this year the SMCS community came together to throw its support behind

the boys and alumni in celebration of the 50th annual Christmas concert at Massey Hall. This year’s joyful celebration of the

start of the Christmas season would not have been possible without the generous support of the many people who gave to

the Massey Hall campaign. Special thanks to all the families who went into their neighbourhoods, doctors’ offices, parishes,

and local businesses to support and promote the concert. Thanks to your efforts, we had 4,313 people come to the concerts,

and surpassed our $25,000 fundraising goal, reaching $26,473.00!

We are grateful to this year’s Massey Hall supporters:

A Choir School Christmas

Ferruccio Corrente Jr. John & Mary Newediuk Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Rawlinson In Loving Memory of Alan Sargant

Dr. Joseph Gasser John Plunkett Ronan Joshua L. Roque Ukrainian Credit Union Limited

L.A.M.B. Foundation George & Cathy Rao

Join the Chorus

Strike the Harp

Dandy & Priscilla Balano The Dalmacio Family Kathryn Lagroix Agatha Tawaststjerna

Bright Pics Inc. Tomas Dusatko McAlpine Family The Yao Family

Mr. & Mrs. William Broadhurst Mr. & Mrs. Sam Falcitelli Pina & Paul Povolo 2 Anonymous Donors

Paul & Colleen Bulla Mr. Huynh & Mrs. Nguyen Dr. Norman Spikula

Deck the Halls

Aviado MJ Holdings Sébastien Duckett Doug Stuive

The Becker Family Chee-Kong Leong & Bohdanna Kovalskyj Florante Tameta & Marlene Gamboa-Tameta

Brian Clough Giovanni & Giovanna Leva Ivy & Rembrandt Tirona

Jules Coutinho The Murakami Family Queenie Wang

In loving memory of Virginia Ferrer Jason & Marianne Schwab

& Alfredo I. Dandal Sr.

Feed the Boys

Open the Doors

C H O R A L N E W S

Francesco Agostino Photography

Dan & Tess Aviado

Anne Bolger

Alexis Bowie

David L. & Luba Boyko

Andrea Chun & Dr. Edward Lin

The Clifford Family

Anita Cocetta

Cologero's Cimente

D.A.L.& E. Contracting

Rhonda Davis

Teresita Eranista

Madeline Fiala

Jenm Gamboa-Petrasanta

Rachelle Gamboa-Petrasanta

Mr. & Mrs. Maurino Garcia

Leslie Gesell, Southill Designs

Kevin Gilis

Sharon Gittens

Cesar & Barbara Hincapie

Humbertown Orthodontics

iConcerti

Kapit Bahay Restaurant

Louise Lemaitre

Arlene Liu

Arthur and Pearl Lo

Emmanuel Lo

Gretna Maggiacomo

Dr. Paul Monczka

Msgr. Fraser Alternative High School

Barry Murphy

Maria Nogra-Abog

Seth & Portia Papasin

Dr. Peony Ping

Dr. Constance Price

Bill & Mande Puskas

Romulo Ramirez

John & Marilena Rutka

Monty Shelson

TD Wealth Financial Planning

Gerardo & Eulalia Viernes

Vincent Stanford

Hans & Helga Wiemer

Mary Jo Alcantara

Kimberly Bowie

J. David Cassidy

Margaret Chung

Lutgarda Eranista

Cristina Elopre

Joseph Fasolino

Anna Halych

Betty Ly

Erlinda Lloyd

Rachel Macaraig

The Music Studio

Olga Nazar

John Bai Angela Serapion Dentistry Masters Ins. Ltd. The Rojik Family

Bodybliss Peter Gillespie, Freedom 55 Financial Frank Mercado Anonymous Donor

Peter Bowie Greyfield Construction Ltd. Reverend John-Mark Missio

The Colbert Family The Lee Family In Loving Memory of John and Margaret Muldoon

P A G E 7

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

We ask that you keep the family of Reverend Stephen Somerville, Class of 1945, in your prayers. Fr. Somerville passed away just before Christmas. A long-time staff member at the Choir School, he was the first conductor of the Tenor Bass Choir and a gifted composer. His choral works are an important part of the St. Michael's Choir School music library.

Reverend Stephen Somerville

1931-2015

Reverend Somerville, First TB Choir Conductor, Dies at 84

Cathedral Open House (continued from page 1)

PHOTOS BY PINA POVOLO

AND GEOFF RAWLINSON

P A G E 8

Please be reminded

that as of Monday,

January 4th, 2016,

the new school tie

is the exclusive tie for both the day

uniform and for

concerts. The old

plain maroon tie is

no longer part of

the official uniform.

We thank

everyone for their

cooperation and

commitment to

SMCS and our

transition to the

new tie.

C H O R A L N E W S

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Tschüss, Canada

Elementary Choir Delights at St. Thomas Anglican Church

On Friday, November 20, the Elementary Choir participated in a concert to raise money for Syrian refugees. Along with six other choirs of all ages and from many denominations, they sang to a full and enthusiastic audience. We were happy to

welcome alumnus Manuel Piazza (SMCS '15) to play for the choir. It was a valuable oppor-tunity to work together with others in the greater community and use our gifts to help others in need, to be 'men for others' by raising our voices in song.

With just one month, left it is time for me to share my experiences and thank everybody. I came to Canada without knowing much about it except that it's cold. I learned that there's much than just snow. There’s poutine. I learned how to kayak, I nearly understand hockey, and I have a t-shirt with a maple leaf on it. I think that's a start.

New Year,

New Tie

By Simon Luettmer

Text and Photos by T. Dunn and W. Thorne

When I first arrived, it felt like a Hollywood movie: skyscrapers, yellow school buses and everything in English. Now it feels like a sec-ond home. I found new friends, great places, and thanks to my host family, a good home. I already feel sad to leave all this, but I still have a month full of hopefully great days. Thanks to everybody who made this happen.

P A G E 9

Chaplaincy and

Student

Leadership

by Andrew Hume

As the New Year dawns, many people engage in reflections of how they can resolve to live a better life in 2016. The promise of a fresh start is a chance for us all to become better versions of our 2015 selves. This past year, His Holiness Pope Francis put forward some suggestions on how to increase our happiness in a world often saturated with anxiety and stress. Amongst his ideas include:

* Live and let live.

* Be giving of yourself to others.

* “Proceed calmly” in life.

* A healthy sense of leisure. The Pope said, “Consumerism has brought us anxiety.”

* Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people.

* Respect and take care of nature. Environmental degradation “is one of the biggest challenges we have.”

* Stop being negative.

Work for peace. “We are living in a time of many wars,” he said, and “the call for peace must be shouted.”

May we all be blessed throughout 2016, and may this year be a time of inner growth in all domains.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Our Angel tree was made possible by the support of our students and staff who purchase a Christmas Angel for one dollar. The names of their loved ones were printed on the angels, decorated, and placed on our Angel tree. Once school closed for the holidays, the students took their angels home to place on their trees. We would like to thank our Grade 11 students, Aloysius Wong, Aaron Hernandez, Alex Virdo, and Dylan Madrigal, for their help with our Christmas Angels. The money collect-ed will be donated to The TCDSB Angel Foundation for Learning, which continues to educate, inspire, support and nurture students within the TCDSB through their Four Wings of Support: Student Nutrition Programs, School Allocation Funds, Guardian Angel Funds, and Bursaries and Awards. A Happy New Year to all!

SMCS Angel Foundation for Learning

S C H O O L N E W S

By Taras Rawlinson

Youth Arts Program at Queen’s Park

On December 2, 2015, Konrad Orlowski

and I were invited to represent our school

and participate in the Youth Arts Program

at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at

Queen’s Park. We both had artwork en-

tered in the program’s art show. Two of my

sketches, Small Light and Endless Fields,

were displayed in glass cases in the main

hall of the Assembly.

The visit was fascinating! After I entered

through the main security and received my

name tag, I had a chance to see some amaz-

ing art (including sculptures, mixed media,

sketches and paintings) from students from

all over the province. I also had the chance to

meet the Honourable Dave Levac, the speaker

of the Legislative Assembly, who opened the

art show. My visit ended with an inside tour of

the chamber, where the MPPs discuss and

debate different topics. I was very close to

where our premier sits when in session!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank

Ms. Ferreira for her guidance and support for

this program. I was very proud to represent

the Choir School at this event!

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE RAWLINSON

Text and Photo by M. Dovigo and G. Tarascio

Intermediate Model UN Conference

S C H O O L N E W S P A G E 1 0

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

On Tuesday, December 1st, the Grade 11 Phys. Ed.

class participated in the annual Stop the Stigma confer-

ence at U of T's Hart House. The conference has

been running over the past several years to 'stop the

stigma' towards those who suffer from mental health

problems. We learned about the causes of mental

health conditions and, more importantly, methods to

cope with and prevent anxiety and other mental

disorders. The day was a pleasant yet informative

mix of public speakers, workshops—ranging from

lectures to spoken word and a reading of a new

play—and, of course, good food. It was a great

experience, and we thank Mr. Peacock and Ms.

Dovigo for providing us with the opportunity to

Stop the Stigma at U of T’s Hart House By Aloysius Wong

attend. With inspiration from this conference, we hope to

raise awareness on the issue of mental wellness at our

school. With your help, we can stop the stigma towards

mental illness.

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, Staff and Partners,

As part of the approval of the update to the Board’s policy H.M.30-

Complaint Against a Staff Member at the November Board meeting, the

Trustees moved that H.M.30 be distributed to all school community

stakeholders. As such, please find a copy of the updated policy attached

to this Newsletter. This Policy extends to all Toronto Catholic District

School Board stakeholders including employees, contract employees,

volunteers, parents, students and trustees.

Policy for Complaints Against Staff Members

By Michael Andragna

On December 9, we traveled to the CEC to par-ticipate in Model UN. Model UN is a gathering where students represent countries. In this meet-ing, the students try to solve world issues based on their countries’ views. We had a great experience interacting with the other delegates and wish to participate again. Thank you to Ms. Ferreira for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

PHOTOS BY ASHLEE FERREIRA

Senior Volleyball at the Semi-Finals

P A G E 1 1

Although the Senior Volleyball team played well throughout the season, the conclusion was not as successful as we hoped. Semi-finals against James Cardinal McGuigan were tense and exciting, but unfortunate injuries meant that we were not able to finish as strongly as we hoped. Despite this, our players did well and we could not have come as far as we did without everyone’s skill and enthusiasm. We want to thank our coaches Rod Humana and Mr. Tarascio for their time and effort. We also want to thank Mr. Hume, responsible for igniting enthusiasm and spirit on the PA system. Thank you to the Senior Volleyball team for a memorable season!

Spartan swimming enters a new era with raised expectations. The Swim Team has been training hard since October in preparation for the City-wide meet. We headed off to the Regent Park Aquatic Cen-tre for Time Trials on December 14th. Our Swim Team won the Omni Cup for the second time last year. The team is hoping to win even more medals at the next meet in April. At the Time Trial, we competed in five individual events: back, breast, free, fly, and IM. Coaches Rubacha and McAlpine closed the racing with a 50m free against each other. It was neck and

neck at the turn, then Mr. Rubacha inched out ahead! We ended the great event with some swings on the Tarzan rope. Thank you to all the coaches and the volunteers who bring out the best in our swimmers.

A T H L E T I C S

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Swim Team News

Team Members:

Connor Flannery

Paolo Bordignon

Aaron Groh

Derek Li (C)

Benedikt Licht

Josh Pinto

Paul Picotte

Konrad Samsel

Christian Umipig

Alex Virdo

Coaching Staff:

Mr. Humana, Head Coach

Ms. Bertolo and Mr. Tarascio, Assistant Coaches

By Ethan Kwon

By Derek Li

PHOTOS BY PINA POVOLO

Happy New Year from the Student Council!

December, no doubt, is one of the most de-manding and rewarding months of the year for the students, parents and staff in our commu-nity. Early mornings, coupled with late nights,

on top of an already intense workload is no easy burden, but nevertheless, we kept our heads high and pulled through. I would like to personally congratulate and thank every student for their wonderful performances in Massey Hall. I’m sure that I’m speaking for many of our students when I say what an honour it was to perform at our momentous 50th anniversary concerts. I would also like to specifically recognize the various soloists who performed on stage: their courage in the face of thou-sands of audience members demonstrated their level of professionalism and skill. The organization that such an event takes to pull off is incredibly high, and on behalf of Student Council, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Handrigan and the music staff for their tireless efforts.

As we look back at the various achievements that we have accomplished in 2015, we also look forward to the new opportunities and challenges that await us in 2016. We also extend our support to the grade 12 students, who are currently applying to universities and who are faced with decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. On behalf of Student Council, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

Sebastien Duckett,

Student Council Secretary

P A G E 1 2

December was also a very important month for student voice. As many of you know, we are in the heat of an intense campaign advocating for the hour-long lunch for our high school students, which was revoked by the School Board last year. On December 3rd, a delegation of students and par-ents presented our arguments at the School Board in front of the Trustees, Superintendents and Director of Edu-cation. I would like to personally thank Jacob Brozyna, Student Council

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

We want to hear from you!

We welcome suggestions from students and parents on any and all council initiatives. Your student council looks forward to working in collaboration with all SMCS community partners this year. Please feel free to contact us at StudentCouncilSMCS@gmail.com.

S T U D E N T C O U N C I L

Hour-Lunch Campaign

Gets Massive Support President, and Pina Povolo, CSPC co-Chair, for their passionate and clear speeches, which they present-ed. We received unanimous support from the trustees and are waiting back for an official response. I can-not find the words to describe how grateful I am to the 38 students, parents and staff who came out on a weeknight to support us. When we receive information about possible solutions, we promise to update the community.

PHOTO BY BELLA POVOLO

We could not have done this without your unfailing and constant support, and for this you have our deepest grati-tude. Never doubt that these actions are making a positive impact in the world. Furthermore, these successes are a result of everyone's help and contributions: a multitude of single, simple acts of charity that amounted to this.

I truly hope to continue to do good in the world with your continued sup-port. It has been great so far, but we have much more to do.

I give you my sincerest thanks, and best wishes for the new year!

Christmas is a very busy time of the year, but it is also one of the happiest. It's a time for family and friends, a time to enjoy community in celebra-tion.

Here`s one more reason to celebrate: this year, as a school community, we raised over 900 cans in our annual can drive and $260 in our bake sale. The Christmas Toy Drive also went very well, with a grand total of 187 toys raised for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. That`s 187 children opening gifts they normally wouldn`t get on Christmas; 187 children filled with hope and joy.

Toy Drive Spreads Christmas Spirit By Aloysius Wong, Social Justice Rep

By Sebastien Duckett

P A G E 1 3

At our last Council meeting, it was decided that the Council would sup-port our students in their mission to bring back the one-hour lunch to the high school. In the Spring of 2015, the Board mandated a change to our high school lunch period, decreasing the allocated lunch from a one hour peri-od, to a 40-minute period. This has not been a change that benefits our high school students overall well being; it affects so many aspects of their day. It affects our intermural program, clubs, peer ministry, etc. Some days, our high school boys are at the school

38 Parents and Students Show Support from 8:30am to 5pm with only a 40-minute break throughout the entire day. At the Committee Meeting, a commit-ment was made by the Board to have this issue resolved by the beginning of March Break, and an interim solution implemented by the beginning of the second semester. We would like to thank the delegation of students and parents who attended the meeting in support of this issue. For more information in regards to this matter, please contact us at smcslunch@hotmail.com.

The Parent Council is looking for parents in every grade to act as Class Captains. In this role, Class Captains would act as a liaison between the Council and the parents, assisting with communication between the class and Parent Council and encour-aging parent involvement. If you are interested in this role, please contact us at smcslunch@hotmail.com.

Wanted: Parent

Class Captains

Christmas Lunch Devoured

Thank you to all the families that have contributed to the CSPC Family Fee and Legacy Funds. If you have not had the opportunity to send in your donation as yet, we are still accepting them. Please forward them to the main office.

PHOTOS BY PINA POVOLO

P A R E N T C O U N C I L

Ballroom Dancing Lessons We are excited to introduce Ballroom Dance lessons for our high school boys and St. Joseph’s College girls on Friday afternoons beginning on January 15th. The cost for the 8-week program is $10 and will be held at the auditorium from 3:30-5. Refreshments are included. Please email smcslunch@hotmail.com to reserve your spot. Sign-ups will also take place on January 8th at the cafeteria.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

The Christmas Swiss Chalet Festive Special lunch on Friday, December 18th was a huge hit with staff and students a like, with over 230 people taking part.

The Fall Lunch Program ends on January 22nd. A new form will be sent home the week of January 18th, and the Spring Lunch Program will begin on Friday, February 5th. As per the schedule, there is NO LUNCH the week of January 25th.

Thank You, Volunteers! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the parents who are able to volunteer. Without this wonderful group of parents, many of our programs would not be able to run. Thank you!

This is also an open invitation to get involved. In addition to helping out, volunteering provides an opportunity to connect with other parents and to begin life-long friendships. There are many opportunities to get involved such as the lunch program, multicultural night, attending CSAC meetings and joining the discussion.

If you are interested in volunteering, please come by the academic office and fill out a volunteer form or drop us a line at smcslunch@hotmail.com.

Did your son grow over the holiday. Are his pants too short? Don’t you worry, the Spring Uniform Exchange is just around the corner. Date TBA.

Spring Uniform Exchange Soon

PHOTO BY GEOFF RAWLINSON

Family Fee

in Vancouver to sing at the Ordination of Hilmar Pabel ('82) to the Order of the Permanent Diaconate.

Deacon Pabel is quoted as saying that deacons are asked to "remember that we are the living icons of Christ, who came to serve and not be served. That is my inspiration and that's what I would like to be". The assembled Alumni were hon-oured to sing for a man who so graciously and humbly embodies the school's mission of promoting "the formation of Catholic men through the service of sacred music and the pursuit of knowledge."

A L U M N I N E W S

By Jim Codrington

Alumni Executes Operation Ordination P A G E 1 4

As we walked into Massey Hall, I don`t think that any of us anticipated tumbling down such a rabbit hole of emotions and memories. It instantly transformed seventy-five alumni from 1946-2014 into excited yet nervous choir boys about to take the stage at Massey Hall. The experience can all be summed up in a moment : As our Jubi-lee Choir made our way to the stage through the tunnels of Massey Hall, the Elementary Choir was lined up and started high-fiving us all. In the at-tached video, you`ll see more than words can say.

On Sunday, December 6, moments after singing on the Massey Hall stage, "Operation Ordination" swung into action: John Karapita (83), Michael Masangkay('98), Dave Gatchalian ('87 ), Ken De Los Santos ('92) and Jim Codrington ('82) hopped in a cab and sped off to meet Colin Finlay ('82) at Pearson Airport, from whence the five then jetted off to Vancouver, where they were joined by Joe Mulrooney ('82) of Rochester NY, Jeff Cooke('83) of Squamish BC, and Simon Isherwood ('82) of Vancouver proper. These Nomadic Nine assembled

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Operation Ordination would have been Mission Impossible without the following Benefactors:

Air Canada Captain Colin Finlay, who with Air Canada’s assistance, supplied remarkably reduced airfares and accommodation;

Msgr. Smith and Jason DaCosta of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Vancouver who financed the flights, and finally;

These remarkably generous alumni: Peter Hillar ('74), Chris O' Grady ('82) and Tom Winiker ('82).

(Left to Right)Simon Isherwood, Dave Gatchalian, Michael

Masangkay Jim Codrington, Ken De Los Santos (Conductor),

John Karapita, Jeff Cooke, Joe Mulrooney & Colin Finlay

Coming Back Home By Michael Masangkay

ST MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL

Keep in touch

Call: 416 393-5518 Academic Office

416 397-6367 Music Office

Email: info@smcs.on.ca

musicoffice@smcs.on.ca

Visit: www.smcs.on.ca

Get involved

Like us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/stmichaelschoirschool

CSPC: smcslunch@hotmail.com

Alumni: www.smcsaa.com

Thank you for making our 50th anniversary concert a success!

PHOTO FROM MUSIC OFFICE

DIRECTOR: Ms. Angela Gauthier Principal: Mr. Barry White Vice-Principal: Mr. Linton Soares Superintendent of Education: Director: Mr. Stephen Handrigan Mr. J. Shanahan (416) 222-8282 - Ex. 5371

TRUSTEES: 2015-2016

Wards

1. Joseph Martino

2. Ann Andrachuk

3. Sal Piccininni

4. Patrizia Bottoni

5. Maria Rizzo

6. Frank D’Amico—VICE-CHAIR

7. Michael Del Grande

8. Gary Tanuan

9. Jo-Ann Davis Trustee for St. Michael’s Choir School; joann.davis@tcdsb.org; www.jo-anndavis.ca

10. Barbara Poplawski

11. Angela Kennedy—CHAIR

12. Nancy Crawford

STUDENT TRUSTEES: Allison Gagacad and Karina Duprovskaya

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

Jennifer Danahy - Co-Chair Angela Racco - Secretary Pina Povolo - Co-Chair Maxx-Phillippe Hollott - Treasurer

SMCS 2015-2016 CSPC REPRESENTATIVES

ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO

Chancellor: Thomas Cardinal Collins

St. Michael’s Choir School Advisory Board

Ms. Anne Bolger, friend Fr. Michael Busch, Rector, St. Michael's Cathedral Fr. Ivan Camillieri, Chancellor of Spiritual Affairs, Archdiocese of Toronto Fr. Brian Clough, Alumnus William Dunlop, Comptroller, Archdiocese of Toronto Dr. Joseph Gasser, Alumnus, Board Chair Kathryn Lagroix, past parent, Finance Chair Fr. Larry Leger, friend, Nominating Committee Chair James Milway, Chancellor of Temporal Affairs, Archdiocese of Toronto Ms. Patricia Parisi, friend, Governance Committee Chair Dr. Constance Price, Office of Formation for Discipleship Mr. Geoffrey Rawlinson, parent, Advancement Committee Chair Mr. Stephen Handrigan, ex-officio Mr. Barry White, ex-officio