Students and staff at Holy Name of Mary Catholic School in Mississippi Mills (Almonte), Ontario, are observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to January 25, 2026. The annual international observance invites Christians from different traditions to gather for joint prayer, liturgies and ecumenical activities that reflect on their shared heritage.
During the week, the school is holding special morning prayers over the PA system and running classroom activities to help students reflect on kindness and cooperation. This year’s theme, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26), coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), the fourth-century council associated with the development of the Nicene Creed.
According to the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO), these activities align with the board’s broader priorities to foster deep listening and a sense of belonging among students. School leadership, including Principal Dan Lesser, has emphasized intentional acts of kindness through the school’s “Umbrella Project,” which highlights monthly skills such as kindness and grit.
The school regularly connects with Almonte’s ecumenical community for local traditions such as the annual Good Friday Walk of the Cross. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity offers another opportunity for students to connect with other local congregations — including Almonte United and St. Paul’s Anglican — to celebrate shared Christian values.
