HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Retired superintendents honoured for service to Catholic Education

A Mass of Thanksgiving for retired superintendents of education Corrado Ciapanna, Ivana Fortino and Sandra Pizzuti honoured their many years of sacrifice and service to Catholic education.

From left to right: Ivana Fortino, Corrado Ciapanna and Sandra (Sandie) Pizzuti. A Mass of Thanksgiving for retired superintendents of education Corrado Ciapanna, Ivana Fortino and Sandra Pizzuti on Sept. 19 honoured their many years of sacrifice and service to Catholic education.

Sacrifice - or kenosis, as it's known in Christian theology - "is a way in life we give ourselves totally for the good of, for the well-being of the other," said homilist and presiding celebrant, Bishop Douglas Crosby.

That other - whether student or colleague - "drew the best out of you - that is, the most out of you," he noted, likening their sacrifice to the quintessential kenosis of Jesus who gave everything for us on the cross.

"When we look upon the cross, we learn what compassion means. Compassio - to suffer with, or for the other. Educators learn this very well."

"You get to know the lives of students and colleagues. So many struggle, so many suffer," he acknowledged. "Our response: to look upon the cross, to suffer with, so that the other is not alone in their suffering."

"So tonight, Corrado, and Ivana and Sandra, the education community gathers to honour your exemplary contribution to the mission of the Lord - your self-emptying, your kenosis, your presence, your consolation," commended the bishop.

"Thank you for going beyond the call of duty, for expending yourself for the love of the other, especially one who suffers and is alone."

The mass, held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King on September 19, was an opportunity for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board - after two plus years of COVID restrictions - to formally "honour and give thanks to God and to three outstanding Catholic educators who have collectively provided well over 100 years of dedicated service to publicly funded Catholic education," said Chairperson Patrick Daly in a presentation following the mass.

For Sandie Pizzuti, retirement, in June 2021, capped off a 31-year teaching career, of which 26 were spent in a leadership capacity. Corrado Ciapanna retired in September 2021, after 45 years in Catholic education. He served 19 years as a Superintendent of Education. Ivana Fortino retired in January 2022 after 34 years of dedicated service to Catholic education.

"I could say much about each of them in terms of specific contributions and the positive difference they made, but unfortunately time doesn't permit," said Daly. "What I will say, however, is that what they share is an obvious commitment to the disadvantaged and those students and staff in our system that most need what Catholic education has to offer."

"And for that, we are forever grateful."

The three retirees not only held virtually every job in teaching, but equally provided leadership in responsibilities and portfolios spanning the breadth of the work of the Board, said Director of Education David Hansen.

This not-inclusive list includes school openings, Equal Opportunity Schools, child care, adult and continuing education, library services, health and safety, leadership development, secondary curriculum, student success, and new teacher induction.

"Their collective careers are careers of service - service to students, service to staff, service to colleagues, service to their faith," he indicated. "They have led by example and one could not help but be inspired by the diligence and passion of their careers, and through that model, for those of us fortunate enough to have worked with them, been inspired and indeed made better ourselves."

Most importantly, said Hansen, they never forgot that their appointed vocation was that of a Catholic teacher, "teachers who were contributors if not creators of our future."

"My prayer for you is that you know the impact of your life's work, that you may recognize the influence you have had in creating our future and that you will always be comforted in knowing that you have truly made a difference."

Taking to the podium in turn, Ciapanna expressed his gratitude for "such a wonderful, fulfilling career," stressing, "I did not, and could not achieve this alone."

He thanked the many supportive people along the way, first and foremost his parents whose simple advice - "practise your faith, do your best, help others less fortunate than yourself and be nice to everyone" - became the touchstone upon which he based his career.

Referencing a passage from "This Moment of Promise," he quoted: "Those involved in Catholic education have an awesome privilege and responsibility. They are called not only to create an authentic faith community in school but bring that community into communion with the parish and the wider Church community."

"I hope this was achieved by cherishing our friendships and relationships, valuing our experiences, being a person of good moral character, and obviously seeing the wonder of everyday life," said Ciapanna.

Fortino, also spoke about the great privilege to serve in Catholic education.

"In this moment, my heart is so full of gratitude, joy and hope," she said.

Gratitude, she indicated, for the opportunity to work alongside many giants in Catholic education, and to assist, as teacher, principal and superintendent, in the development of programs and supports for students at risk.

"I can say with certainty that in all my roles, I woke up every day prepared to give 110 percent, willing to serve the students, staff, and the families in our care," she added.

"This joy I found in my work was mainly due to the exemplary teachers, chaplains, social workers, our employee assistance support team, our dedicated secretaries, custodians, EAs, ECEs, managers and consultants."

These important associations were also echoed by Pizzuti.

"I humbly recognize that leadership, and my years in leadership, could only have been accomplished with good mentors, role models and with proper leadership training that prepared me for each and every role."

"I would like to have it known that I have treasured each and every leadership position and have truly considered it an honour to serve as a Christian servant leader," she stated.

"I feel blessed to have worked as a leader in Catholic education and to have devoted myself wholeheartedly, for a good part of my life, to its mission."

Their work, however, is far from over, suggested Bishop Crosby.

"Disciples never retire. We only improve."