Our Catholic School
John Paul II Catholic Secondary School is a publicly funded secondary school that has been educating the children of east London since 1985. The composition of the school reflects the wonderful diversity of our local community with students and families coming from a variety of Faiths, beliefs, cultural backgrounds, countries of origin, socio-economic situations and experiences. The program of John Paul reflects the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum but is enhanced with the infusion of Catholic Social Teaching. In an increasingly diverse, multi-cultural and multi-Faith Ontario, our Catholic Schools provide an opportunity to fully understand and celebrate that diversity. School Masses and liturgies reflect the Catholic Liturgical year, but we are fully conscious and respectful of the fact our students come from such a variety of Faith backgrounds and beliefs. It is our hope that we can help our students come to a greater appreciation of our obvious diversity and thus be more prepared for the challenges of life upon graduation. In order to fully benefit from the Faith experience at JPII, it is expected that students will participate in all aspects of school life and parents will be encouraging and supportive.
St. John Paul II - The Patron of our School (1920-2005)
Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born on May 18, 1920 in the small city of Wadowice, Poland. Young Karol faced tragedy early in his life with the death of his mother when he was
only nine years old. His only brother passed away in 1932, followed by his father nine years later. His faith gave him the strength to get through these trying times.
Karol’s first career choice was the stage. In 1938 he enrolled in university to study drama. After the outbreak of the Second World War, he worked in a quarry and in a chemical factory to avoid deportation to Germany by the Nazis. In 1942, at great risk to his own life, he secretly enrolled as a seminarian.
Ordination into the priesthood came in 1946. Blessed with a brilliant mind, Father Karol completed doctorates in philosophy and sacred theology in 1948 following studies in Rome. His rise in the Church was rapid – Auxiliary Bishop in 1958, Archbishop in 1964, and Cardinal in 1967.
Throughout this time, the future Pope continued his work with young people as a teacher and mentor. What spare time he had was taken up with sports and writing.
Cardinal Wojtyla was elected Pope in October 1978 following the death of John Paul I. Pope John Paul II was arguably the most dynamic Pope of the modern era. He met millions of people and made over 40 official visits all over the world, including his visits to Canada in 1984, 1987 and during World Youth Day XVII in July 2002.
Pope John Paul II’s passing on April 2, 2005 was mourned by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The John Paul II community felt his loss very deeply.
On May 1, 2011, Pope John Paul II became known as Blessed John Paul II as a result of his beatification by Pope Benedict XVI. A “Peace Garden” located at the front of the school was dedicated to mark this event.
Our school’s patron was canonized on April 27, 2014 along with Pope John XXIII. Pope Francis described the two new saints as “men of courage”.
Petition to Saint John Paul II
May we be filled with God’s loving kindness
May we be well
May our actions respect one another
May our words and deeds reflect justice and fairness
May we be joyful and at peace.
John Paul II, Pray for us.
- A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God's presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, and moral living.
- A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates his or her God-given potential.
- An effective communicator who speaks and listens honestly and sensitively, reponding critically in light of gospel values.
- A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
- A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity, and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
- A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community.
- A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice, and the sacredness of human life.