TRUSTEES NAME NEW SCHOOL AFTER SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA
Waterloo Catholic District School Board Names New Elementary School

Trustees selected the name for the new Catholic elementary school currently under construction in Kitchener at the February 27th Board meeting. The name was selected from a shortlist which was vetted through a thorough stakeholder consultation process. The new elementary school in the Huron Brigadoon area of Kitchener will be named Saint Josephine Bakhita.

"Seeing the sun, the moon, and the stars, the beauties of nature, I asked myself, Who is the owner of all these beautiful things?' and I felt a great desire to see him, know him, and pay him homage." - Saint Josephine Bakhita

"It is with great excitement and anticipation that we welcome students and families from the Huron-Brigadoon community to the newest elementary school in the Waterloo Catholic DSB, Saint Josephine Bakhita," said David Lynch, Principal of the new school. "Saint Josephine Bakhita is an exemplary choice after whom to name our school.  She is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking and her personal story of suffering, forgiveness, hope, resilience, strength, and love for God will be an inspiration to our students and the broader school community.  We can't wait to open our doors in September when Saint Josephine Bakhita Catholic Elementary School will become the heart of the community, where each student meets with success, and where all are welcome."

Saint Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947), was Beatified in 1992 and Canonized (declared a Saint) in 2000.  She is the first Black woman to receive this honour in the modern era.