During Citizenship Week, May 13-19, 2024, the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) was privileged to host citizenship ceremonies at the Catholic Education Centre, St. Pius X High School, and St. Bernadette School. These events weren’t just about formality; they were moments to welcome and celebrate the newest members of the Canadian community right in our schools.
Citizenship Ceremonies Celebrate New Canadians
The first ceremony, held on May 13, 2024, was a bilingual event organized by the OCSB Continuing & Community Education Department in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Forty new Canadians and their families gathered at the OCSB Catholic Education Centre. Clerk of the Ceremony Amevi Aziato and Citizenship Judge Rania Sfeir guided the formal proceedings, but what really set the tone was a traditional greeting from Monique Manatch, Executive Director of Indigenous Culture and Media Innovations, grounding the event in the land’s history.
Adding a unique touch, Grade 3 student Caroline Xian from St. Gregory School performed a Sign Language Dance that underscored the importance of inclusivity and culture in our schools. After the new citizens took their Oath of Citizenship in English and French, OCSB Director of Education Tom D’Amico congratulated them, and our Arts Consultant Bernard Leger led the national anthem. At the reception afterward, conversations were filled with personal stories of the paths to citizenship—stories of perseverance, hope, and a shared commitment to building a life here in Canada.
Community at St. Bernadette School and St. Pius X High School
On May 10, 2024, St. Bernadette School held a ceremony during Catholic Education Week to honour 13 families. The school celebrated the students and their families with certificates and small gifts and presented a large Canadian flag to each family. The Grade 5/6 class performed “What a Wonderful World,” and speeches from Principal Victoria White and Vice-Principal Dan Rigley highlighted the significance of the day. OCSB leaders and community members joined together to celebrate these new citizens, recognizing the importance of this milestone for the families and the broader school community.
On May 16, 2024, St. Pius X High School celebrated and honoured 38 new citizens. The event included introductions, the Oath of Citizenship, and certificate presentations. Students’ moving musical performances added a personal touch to the event. Afterward, the new citizens had the opportunity to connect with staff and community members during a welcoming reception, where they shared stories and took photos to commemorate the day.
Sharing Stories of Belonging
During Citizenship Week, we showcased the stories of OCSB staff members who have gone through the process of becoming citizens. One particularly memorable story was shared by Shabnam Assadollahi, an ESL teacher who talked about her journey from Iran to Canada. She emphasized how embracing Canada’s values of inclusivity and respect helped her find her place here. She said, “Embracing Canada as a cohesive whole, with a commitment to inclusivity, equality, respect, and unity, allowed me to find belonging in a nation that celebrates its diversity while recognizing the common humanity that binds us all.”
We also used our website and social media channels to encourage everyone in the OCSB community to participate in Citizenship Week by suggesting ways to celebrate, such as attending a local ceremony or learning more about the cultures and histories of new citizens.
Coming Together to Celebrate
As a community, Citizenship Week was a time for all of us to come together, honour the new Canadians among us, and reflect on what it means to share this country. These ceremonies and stories remind us that citizenship is more than a status—it’s a shared commitment to building a better future together.