HURON-SUPERIOR CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School Teacher Receives 2023 Archbishop Philip Pocock Award for Excellence in Religious Education

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board is extremely proud of Mark Frolick for being named the 2023 recipient of the Archbishop Philip Pocock Award for Excellence in Religious Education.

Frolick, who teaches Grade 7/8 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Elliot Lake, was named the 2023 award recipient at the Catholic Association of Religious and Family Life Educators of Ontario (CARFLEO) conference on March 30.

Teachers are eligible for the Pocock Award by demonstrating excellence in one or more areas of religious education and faith formation, including supporting student learning, demonstrating best religious practices, innovations in practice and teaching, on-going contributions beyond the classroom, leadership with colleagues and continues updating and improving of personal practice as a religious educator.

In nominating Frolick for the award HSCDSB Faith Animator, Sister Pat Carter noted, "Mark is a caring individual who strives to make Religious Education relevant to his students. He is a prayerful man of faith and his students know it. When you are as grounded in the faith as he is, you are able to make connections across the curriculum without effort. His authenticity would be a model of how a Catholic educator can be committed to his professional life without sounding like a television evangelist. His humility is very present so his colleagues would feel comfortable asking him for assistance with their preparations."

"I am sincerely honoured, grateful and humbled to receive this award. The work I do relies on a whole team of people, with the ongoing support of our Faith Team, school and board staff, students, pastors, parishioners, families, friends, community members and partners. I accept this award on behalf of all those who have walked with me on this journey; especially my wife Renee, my children and my family. It has been a privilege and a blessing to have the opportunity to share faith through the hope and joy of the Gospel message! The work continues for all of us and with God's help, anything is possible," said Frolick.

In Elliot Lake, the schools and parish have worked collaboratively to form a Parish Faith Team. Mark was a member of the team for years. The team, made of staff from the board's two schools, Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes, would offer leadership in planning the liturgical seasons, special liturgies, and school-based activities.

Mark's creative and generous service has been appreciated by every pastor who has been at the former Lady of Fatima parish - now St. Bernadette.  He would plan with the Faith Team the schedule for the priest's school visits.

Besides being on the Faith Team, Mark sits on the Parish Pastoral Council. His generous service to the Church is truly exceptional. Recently the parish has been engaged with activities to support Truth and Reconciliation between the parish, schools and the Indigenous communities that live in proximity to Elliot Lake.

"Mark is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award. His dedication to his faith, students, school, education and community is unparalleled. His impact on Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, St. Bernadette Parish, Elliot Lake community and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has been profound due to his dedication and hard work throughout his career. He is always guided by his faith and is a positive influence in all that he does. We are so blessed to have such an incredible educator and person working at Fatima," said Our Lady of Fatima Principal, Andrew Chi.

"Mark exemplifies the dedication, kindness, leadership and reverence of a Catholic teacher, and is an outstanding recipient of this award. On behalf of the board, we share our sincere gratitude to Mark for his genuine commitment to Catholic education and inspiring the staff, students and parents who are fortunate enough to work with him. He truly is a gift to the board, said HSCDSB Director of Education, Danny Viotto.

Frolick is the first teacher from the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board to be a recipient of the Archbishop Philip Pocock Award.