Press Release
On Thursday, Oct. 27, the Institute for Catholic Education board of directors held a celebration to commemorate its 25th anniversary.
The Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO) was well-represented at the event with current and former staff, and executive members including former CPCO presidents Mary- Catherine Kelly, Brent Wilson, Dan Tighe, and Clara Pitoscia.
“It was a wonderful celebration of the Catholic organization,” said Kelly, now director of education for the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
ICE was highlighted by remarks from Tom Reilly, former secretary general of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, who gave an entertaining and informative history of the formation of the institute that recognized the many contributions of the people who had the vision for this organization 25 years ago.
He reminded us that it was against the backdrop of the political and legal issues surrounding Bill 30 that the Ontario bishops set about the task of organizing the partners to form the Institute for Catholic Education.
Reilly was especially generous with his praise for Msgr. Dennis Murphy, who was the first executive director of ICE as it opened its office in January, 1986.
He was equally gracious in his praise for Sr. Joan Cronin, g.i.s.c., who succeeded Msgr. Murphy as the current executive director of ICE.
“The event gave everyone present the opportunity to be thankful for an organization that works with, and assists, all the Catholic partners who share the responsibility for English Catholic education in Ontario, and to recognize those who have worked so diligently to make this important organization work,” said Kelly.
