May is the month of Mary, the namesake of Our Lady of the Assumption School. Mary is a model of compassion and mercy towards all. In The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis, one section focuses on Mary, Mother of Evangelization. Pope Francis tells us “three words sum Mary’s attitude: listening, decision, and action.” Throughout her life, Mary listened to God. After listening and reflecting Mary “decides to entrust herself totally to God.” Finally, Mary acts. Once she understands what God wants of her she does not hesitate. She quickly acts. Just as Mary listens, decides, and acts; we too are called to do the same.
Here is an example of how we are listening, deciding, and acting. Early this year we heard of the idea to name all the rooms in our school after Saints. After consulting our community, we decided to do it. Finally, we did it. We just renamed many of the rooms in the school after Saints or biblical places. By doing so, we hope that throughout their stay at OLA, our students will learn the importance of Saints, the stories of the Saints, and the significance of some biblical places in the life of Christ. Thank you to our school board for supporting this idea. The name plaques have been installed, and we are now teaching students the new room names. Special thank you to Mr. Matsalla for his work with this project. Here are the new names of our rooms:
| Classroom or Room | Saint Name/Biblical Name | Classroom or Room | Saint Name/Biblical Name |
| #1 – BLAST | St. Philomena – Patron St. of Daycare | #7 – 3N – Mrs. Nemecek | St. Bernadette – Saw visions of Mary at Lourdes |
| #2 – K – Mrs. Bukatka | St. Beatrice – Patron St. of Happiness | #8 – 3/4T – Mr. Tratch | St. John Paul II – Modern St. of unification, love of children |
| #3 – ELP – Mrs. Viney | St. Padre Pio – Known for piety and charity | #9 – Miss Ingham | St. Kateri – First Nation St. |
| #4 – Music | St. Cecilia – Patron St. of Music | #10 – 1D – Mrs. Duke | St. Anthony – St. of lost things |
| #5 – 4C – Mrs. Clewes | St. Joan of Arc – Inspirational of those who feel powerless | #11 – 1/2O – Mrs. Orr | St. Therese – St. of doing small acts of good |
| #6 – 4/5R – Mrs. Roth | St. Andre Bessette – Canadian St. credited with miraculous healings | #12 – 2L – Mrs. Lank | St. Benedict – Following god no matter what |
| #106 – 5B – Mrs. Baptista | St. Michael – The Archangel, protection from evil | #105 – 6N – Miss Nadeau | St. John Bosco – Patron St. of Youth |
| Library | St. Julia – Patron St. of reading | Office | St. Joseph – Patron St. of workers |
| Gym | St. Sebastian – Patron St. of sports | Art | St. Catherine (of Bologna) – Patron St. of Artists |
| Lab | St. Isidore – Patron St. of the Internet | Secret Room | Golgotha – Crucifixion of Christ |
| Blue Room | Galilee – Region in Judea | Break Room | Nazareth – Place where Jesus lived |
| AP Office | Bethlehem – Birthplace of Jesus | Staff Room | Jerusalem – Capital of Judea |
| Mary’s Place | Mary’s Place – St. Mary, mother of Jesus | ||
Respectfully,
Greg Kostiuk
Greg Kostiuk 