The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has announced the recipients of its 2026 recognition awards, honouring three individuals and organizations for their contributions to Catholic education in the Waterloo Region.
John Murphy, a religion and family life consultant with the school board, received the Chair’s Award. Murphy was recognized for his servant leadership, which included developing spiritual initiatives such as the pray@home webpage and the Gathered to Become theme during the pandemic.
The Community Partner Award was presented to the Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre. Located in Ancaster, the centre is marking 50 years of hosting Grade 8 retreat programs for students. The property was originally built as the Wynnstay Estate in 1925 and was purchased in 1946 by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. In 2019, the Diocese of Hamilton purchased the centre to ensure the facility would continue to operate as a Catholic entity.
Mark Anthony Fernandes received the Distinguished Graduate Award, which has been presented by the board since 2005 under the Celebration of Excellence policy. A graduate of Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School, Fernandes is a mental health lead who also serves as a choir director, organist, and finance committee member at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Cambridge.
The school board, which has operated in the region since 1836, currently serves more than 40,000 students across 44 elementary schools and 5 secondary schools.
