MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission Statement of Father Francis McSpiritt Catholic Elementary School is to deliver excellence in education anchored in Catholic Faith, to build an inclusive environment that creates a mutual respect for all and to inspire our graduates to believe, to achieve and to serve with our Lord Jesus Christ as our model.

CATHOLIC FOCUS

Fr. Francis McSpiritt Catholic Elementary School is located in East Brampton at 55 Lexington Rd. It opened on September 4, 2007. Fr. V. Papais, the previous pastor of St Patrick Church, blessed the school on May 28, 2008. Fr. Francis McSpiritt was built to serve the new community of Castlemore, where many families continue to immigrate from Syria, Nigeria and numerous south east Asian countries. Today the school of 547 students is representative of a rich diversity of cultures. For many families, English is the second language and the socioeconomic status varies widely in the community. The staff, students, parents and parish community work in partnership to support the diverse academic, social-emotional and spiritual needs of our students and to assist them in developing their gifts and talents to the fullest of their God-given potential.

The school is named after the priest who built St. Patrick Church (Wildfield). Francis McSpiritt was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1830. He immigrated to New York in 1854. From there he moved to Toronto, where he studied philosophy at St. Michael’s College. Following his graduation, he became a seminary student and was ordained in 1865. Father McSpiritt’s first placement was in the Gore Mission, north of Toronto, where he served as a curate. This was the first time he was assigned to St. Patrick Wildfield parish. He was then sent to St. Cornelius parish in Silver Creek, where he became a pastor. In 1870, Father McSpiritt was transferred to the Niagara Region. It was here that he gained a reputation as a miracle worker. In 1887, at his own request, Father McSpiritt returned to St. Patrick Wildfield parish. Father McSpiritt died on August 14th, 1895 at the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Sunnyside, Toronto. On August 16th a Requiem High Mass was said and Father McSpiritt was buried in the church’s cemetery. Fr. Francis’ strong belief in the power of the cross led the school to adopt the motto "In Hoc Signo Vinces" (In This Sign, We Will Be Victorious). According to tradition, Emperor Constantine adopted this motto as his rallying cry when he saw a vision of the cross in the sky before battle.