Mrs Patricia Morgetano Forte is the Chaplaincy Leader at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
At Holy Cross Catholic the Chaplaincy Leader is the spiritual heart of our school community. This role is dedicated to bringing the Niagara Catholic District School Board’s Strategic Plan to life: "We are a Christ-centered Catholic faith community that celebrates diversity and fosters spiritual growth, inspiring all to reach their full potential in mind, body, and spirit."
As a faith-filled, practicing Catholic, the Chaplaincy Leader provides spiritual leadership and pastoral care that helps ensure our school remains a place of “encountering souls and opening minds so that all students succeed.” Through presence, prayer, and accompaniment, the Chaplaincy Leader nurtures a vibrant culture of faith where all are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow.
The Chaplaincy Leader models and promotes the Board’s core values—Accountability, Community, Compassion, Faithfulness, Integrity, Justice, and Stewardship—through several key areas of ministry:
1. Spiritual Leadership and Pastoral Care
The Chaplaincy Leader is a visible, compassionate presence who spiritually supports students and staff, offering care during times of need and guiding them in their growth in faith and vocation.
2. Prayer, Liturgy, and Sacramental Life
Life at Holy Cross Catholic is grounded in the cycles of the Church’s liturgical calendar. The Chaplaincy Leader coordinates meaningful opportunities for communal worship, including daily and special-event prayer, classroom reflections, and school liturgies. In collaboration with St. Alfred and St. Vincent de Paul parishes, they support the celebration of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and lead devotional practices such as the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Communion liturgies, fostering authentic encounters with Christ.
3. Faith Formation and Discipleship
The Chaplaincy Leader acts as a vital resource for staff and students, reinforcing the pillars of Catholic catechesis: the Creed, Sacraments, Moral Teaching, and Prayer. Through retreats (Grade 9, Graduation, and Social Justice), they help form intentional disciples committed to the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations.
