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OUR HISTORY
About Saint Therese of Lisieux:
ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX “The Little Flower” (1873-1897)
Therese Martin was the last of nine children born to Louis and Zelie Martin, on January 2, 1873 in Alencon, France. Only five of these children lived to reach adulthood. Precocious and sensitive, young Therese needed a lot of attention. Her mother died when she was four – it began years of feeling abandoned and disappointed. Her father and sisters babied young Therese. She had a spirit that wanted everything.
On Christmas Eve, 1886, she had a conversion experience which transformed her life. Through grace, her embracing energy and sensitive spirit were turned toward love, instead of being self-serving. Tenaciously she pursued entrance to the Carmelite convent as a Nun, because she felt called by God. At 15 she finally entered the Carmelite convent to give her whole life to her Beloved. She took the religious name St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.
Even community life had its share of disappointments and challenges, which were transformed into pathways of growth and grace. Living a hidden life of prayer, she was gifted with great intimacy with Jesus, and embraced the world with God’s heart. Through sickness and dark nights of doubt and fear, she remained faithful to God, rooted in God’s merciful love. Her heroic heart lived and taught “the little way” of doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. God matured her quickly. After a long struggle with tuberculosis, she died on September 30, 1897, at age 24. Despite the lack of any consolation during those last months, God refined her trust. Her last words were the story of her life: “My God, I love You!”
She promised to spend her heaven doing good on earth. A shower of roses would be the sign that she was listening and God was responding to needs. Her inspiration and presence from heaven touched many people. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925 – she would have been only 52 years old. On October 19, 1997, St. Therese was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church because of her powerful influence and message.
We celebrate the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux on October 1st.
Learn more about St. Therese of Lisieux from the following resources:
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, Third Edition, Translated by John Clarke, O.C.D., ICS Publications
Conversations with Therese of Lisieux, Translated and adapted by Bertha Catherine Madott, Published by Novalis
Therese and Lisieux, Text by Pierre Descouvemont, Photos by Helmuth Nils Loose, Translated by Salvatore Sciurba, O.C.D., and Louise Pambrun, Published by Novalis
Therese: The true story of Saint Therese of Lisieux, A Leonardo DeFilippis Film, Distributed by Xenon Pictures, Inc. (Image of St. Therese incorporated in this web site)
SCHOOL TIMELINE:
St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School is named after St. Therese of Lisieux, “The Little Flower.” St. Theresa is a much loved saint and her strong association with roses was particularly appropriate as Richmond Hill was once known as the “Rose Capital of the World.”
1999 |
The York Catholic District School Board unanimously voted to build the first Catholic high school iin Richmond Hill.
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2000 |
The name “St. Theresa of Lisieux” was selected from over sixty names suggested by all six associate elementary schools and both parishes.
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2001 |
Mary Deveaux is named as the first Principal.
Paul Devlin is named as the first Vice-Principal.
Three “Cornerstone Committees” are formed to plan for the opening of St. Theresa of Lisieux in 2002. The Parent Committee is comprised of representatives from each of the six associate elementary schools, each parish community and parents from the current Grade 9 students at St. Robert and St. Elizabeth Catholic High Schools. Student representatives from Grade 8 comprise a second committee and representatives from Grade 9 comprise the third committee. The purpose of the committees is to advise and assist the administration in the development of the school policies and procedures. The committees further act as a medium through which information and decisions are disseminated to the community.
Grade 8 Cornerstone Committee Alexa Arsenault, Chloe Bechirian, Natalie Bell, Jennifer Brooker, Sean Calaminici, Andrea Carrillo, Daniele Cellucci, Michael Chan, Monika Conti, Daniella De Nardi, Sean Donnelly, Catherine Farrell, Kiera Field, Carol Lai, Christopher Lawson, Vanessa Ley, Robert Lucci, Gabriel Mabrucco, Nick Najdovski, Sarah Payne, Cory Pereira, Melisa Pizzolato, Cassandra Rinaldi, Stefanie Valente, Jenny Weber
Grade 9 Cornerstone Committee Sasha Buccheri, Adam Caldana, Kathryn Collins, Jonathan Crosby, Michael D’Aurizio, Anna Marie De Carli, Laura Di Nardo, Anna Maria Florio, Justin Galaski, Caitlin Genco, Julie Harper, Kathryn Kelley, Alex Lee, Deanna Little, Dylan Marando, Alekhya Mascarenhas, Pat McGuire, Joel Montesanti, David Morassut, Rahul Pinto, Kizil Reder, Maureen Rogers, Daniel Salerno, Lisa Santangelo, Sabrina Sgroi, Mary Zamil, Dante Zicardi
Parent Cornerstone Committee Rose Bell, Nives Caldana, Paula Callahan, Maureen Calaminici, Tara Carothers, Toni Conti, Rosemarie De Carli, Maria De Palma, Anna Dudkowski, Liz Farrell, Heidi Kreiner-Ley, Susie Morasutt, Franca Perri, Mary Rinaldi, Deb Sayewich, Jan Stevens-Majnarich, Andy Stoikos |
2002 |
September 3, 2002 marks the first day of school at St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School.
Administration Principal – Mary Deveaux Vice-Principal – Paul Devlin Ann Smith – Head Secretary
Teaching Staff Pat Annecchiarico, John Babic, Linda Balkovec, Barbara Brand, Judy Cameron, Luisa Capelet, Angela Capozzolo, Park Chin, Frank Dalla Corte, John Dawson, Lynn Eustace, Christina Fair, Mona Franciosa, Sylvie Gagnon, Dan Geras, Tiziana Hayhoe, Lloyd Ianes, Brian Knuff, Benoit Leduc, Sabrina Lelli, Kathy Luxemburger, Jill MacRae, Pat Mannion, Gino Marcuzzi, Dave Markle, Rossana Ottaviano, Maria Rossi, Luca Savo, Paula Shephard, Maria Shwed, Fernando Spigarelli, John Spicer, Jim Stewart, Matt Thompson, Francine Todaro, Aron Tonon, Kevin Woods
Office and Support Staff Rose Abbatangelo, Sharon Bellon, Marie Elise Danaitis, Marie Monahan, Janice Remple, Heather Ridley, Olivana Tonon
Custodial Staff Ed Carvallo, Josie Celetti, Pascua Dinardo, Frank Maceroni, Simon Mefailoski, Scott Melville (Head Caretaker), Claudio Memmo, Rosario Orsi
624 Students in Grades 9-10
October 1, 2002, the Feast of St. Theresa of Lisieux, marks the Solemn Blessing and Official Opening of St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School. Most Reverend Richard Grecco, Auxilary Bishop of Toronto presides. Trustee Ann Stong acts as Master of Ceremonies. Special guests include Elizabeth Crowe –Chair of the York Catholic District School Board, Susan La Rosa – Director of Education, Heidi Kreiner-Ley – Catholic School Council Chair, Bill Bell – Mayor of Richmond Hill, Bill Fisch – Chair of York Region, Frank Klees – M.P.P., Mariusz Gontarz – Architect, Lee Curto – Atlas Construction,
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2005 |
June 29, 2005 -First Graduation Ceremony held at Terrace Banquet Centre.
12 Class Portapac is added to the school.
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2006 |
12 Class Portapac is added to the school.
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2007
2008 - 2009
2009 - 2010
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On October 4th the Consul-General of Japan, Mr. Koichi Kawakami officially dedicated the Sakura Tree Project. Under the direction of Mr. Matthew Kavanagh, a teacher and moderator of the Environmental Council, the project saw the donation of twelve native Japanese cherry blossom trees to the school. A commemorative plaque was unveiled. Fr. Doug Hillmer, Trustee Ann Stong, Superintendent Mary Cosentino, Catholic School Council Chair Garry Borgacci, Member of Parliament Bryon Wilfert and a number of students attended.
The population increases to 1741. Jean Vanier is scheduled to open in September 2009. Administration Mr. P. Bahen - Principal Mr. F. Dallacorte - Vice Principal Ms. Iolanda Faraone - Vice Principal Mr. L. Tavolacci - Vice Principal
The population decreases to 1483. The new Richmond Hill high school, Jean Vanier, opens with grade 9 and 10 students. Administration Ms. C. Rosenberger - Principal Ms. Iolanda Faraone - Vice Principal Mr. D. Flynn - Vice Principal Mr. L. Venditti - Vice Principal
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