Upcoming Events
Don’t miss these important school events.
Back to School 2026–2027
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Back-to-school day schedule includes rosary, staff/new family introductions, student activities, school conference, and a free family BBQ (2:15–3:30 p.m.).
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2026 Christmas Market
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Annual school Christmas Market. Artisans, vendors and organizations welcome. Register now!
View details & registerÉcole Sainte-Marie Mère de Dieu
École Sainte-Marie Mère de Dieu is a private French-language Catholic school whose aim is to instruct students in Christian doctrine and morals through the continuity of advanced general knowledge. Its educational goal is for students to be able to one day explain their faith, namely the certainty of their belief in God and His most holy Mother, to whoever wishes to hear.
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History
Sainte-Marie Mère de Dieu School came into existence in July 2022 as a result of the joint efforts of Mr. Ubertelli, a group of teachers, parents, and benefactors. Its purpose is to advance Catholic education with a traditional mindset in a rigorous, welcoming, and respectful environment, and to meet the needs of families seeking to educate their children through a thoughtful and conscientious approach. The school has assembled qualified and dedicated teachers who are recognized and experienced, each specialized in their respective fields of expertise. These teachers provide a classical and faithful education. The school has extensive premises in the Saint-François d'Assise church in the Hintonburg area of Ottawa.
MANAGEMENT and ADMINISTRATION
Francis P. Ubertelli, B.Ed., D.M.A.
Principal / CEO
Philosophy and Culture, Advanced French
Writer and composer by profession, Professor Ubertelli has taught for over twenty years in Ontario and Europe at the secondary and conservatory levels, and has significant experience teaching music, French, history, and philosophy. His studies and expertise include a Master’s degree in Music (Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, 1996), a Bachelor of Education (Laurentian University, 2009), and a Doctorate in Philosophy of Music (University of Toronto, 2020). A published author, he founded Sainte-Marie School in 2022, partly for his three children. He continues to write and compose alongside managing the school and teaching. For Professor Ubertelli, reason must necessarily be illuminated by faith—a faith informed by history.
Sarah S. Pion, TTS
Secretary
A graduate in Social Work Technology from La Cité College, Mrs. Pion worked for several years in security, then as an administrative assistant for a provincial member of parliament until her first child. A stay-at-home mother, she joined the Sainte-Marie School team in 2025 with joy and enthusiasm.
Liliane Mariza, B.A.
School Counsellor, Resource Teacher and Early Childhood
Ms. Mariza has several years of experience at various primary levels within different school boards in Ontario. Holding a bachelor's degree from Glendon College (York University), she also dedicated herself to social work in Ontario and Africa. Her career reflects a deep commitment to education and supporting family communities.
SECONDARY LEVEL
Gary Knight, Ph.D.
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Advanced Mathematics, Grades 9-12
A physicist by profession, Professor Knight has extensive experience teaching science at both secondary and college levels. He holds advanced degrees in Biophysics (Toronto), Nanostructure Photonics (Ottawa), and completed postdoctoral research (McMaster) in advanced photovoltaic materials. He has lectured at the University of Ottawa and at Seneca and Algonquin Colleges. He also taught high school mathematics for several years. He is a long-time catechist for the Catholic RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) where he lectures on Catholic apologetics in a scientific context as opposed to deceptive environmental “scientism.” For Professor Knight, faith and reason are intimately linked to the true spirit of discipleship.
Michael Trolly, M.A., M.Div.
Music, English
Mr. Trolly's native language is piano. He also learned English over the years and is actively working to improve his French. Mr. Trolly studied piano and organ at Redeemer University (Hamilton), then voice and theology at Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg). Holding multiple theology degrees from Saint Paul University (Ottawa), he serves as organist at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and has been teaching with great finesse at École Sainte-Marie since 2024.
Maximilien Vachon, B.Sc., B.Ed. (cand.)
Latin, Mathematics, Corrections and Guidance, Grades 7-12
Trained as an engineer, Mr. Vachon left his profession to follow the Lord, first at Saint Peter Seminary and then at the Abbey of Lagrasse. Returning to Canada in 2021, he has dedicated himself to teaching Latin, mathematics, and French. He has been teaching at École Sainte-Marie since 2022 while continuing his education studies.
Samy Rekik, B.Sc. pol. (cand.)
History, French, Culture, Catechism
Trained as a political scientist, he studied at McGill University and is now continuing at UQAM. At the age of 20, he converted to the Catholic faith. Following the call to vocation, he began at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal and then at the Fraternità della Santissima Vergine Maria in Bagnoregio for a year. He is now a teacher at École Sainte-Marie and continually enrichs the daily lives of his students and colleagues.
Matthieu Boulerice, D.E.P. in Electromechanics, B.Ed., M.Ed. (cand.)
Computer Studies
Mr. Boulerice is interested in the human, organizational, and practical realities of the school environment. His interdisciplinary background and unwavering faith give him a vision of teaching that is both practical and reflective. He serves notably as a computer studies teacher while also conducting research on the dynamics of teaching work. He joins the faculty team at Sainte-Marie School with gratitude, to enrich its daily intellectual life.
INTERMEDIATE AND PRIMARY LEVEL
Émilie Tissot
Lead Teacher, Intermediate Levels, Health and Safety Representative
Ms. Tissot has an extensive academic background with the French Baccalaureate and a wealth of experience working with numerous students. She is the eldest of 12 siblings. She grew up caring for the younger ones, which helped her develop great patience and a strong interest in youth development. Passionate about creating a naturally caring and stimulating learning environment, especially in French and mathematics where she excels, Ms. Tissot fully invests herself in her students’ daily lives and welcomes every new challenge with enthusiasm.
Fabien Goyette,
Lead Teacher, Primary Levels
Mr. Goyette was a missionary in the Dominican Republic and then a novice at the Abbey of Fontgombault until 2022, when he returned to Canada to teach at the primary level for a year. His many talents as a teacher and painter captivate the children entrusted to him, reflecting his love for the teaching profession.
Appolonie Nibona, B.A.
Lead Teacher, Grades 1–2
Mrs. Nibona was Head of Administrative Services at the Institute of Business Management in Burundi, then Director of the Finance Department at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs. She arrived in Canada in 2023 for an administrative assistant position at Le Carrefour School, and enthusiastically joined Sainte-Marie School in 2025.
KINDERGARTEN
Katherine MacDonald
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten
Mrs. MacDonald is the eldest of eight siblings. She grew up caring for the younger ones, which helped her develop great patience and a strong interest in youth development. Passionate about creating a naturally caring and stimulating learning environment, especially in support and early childhood, Mrs. MacDonald fully invests herself in the daily lives of the students in her care and welcomes every new challenge with enthusiasm.
Liturgical Calendar
Saturday, September 26 - Ember Saturday in SeptemberEpistle
Epistle to the Hebrews 9,2-12.9,2For there was a tabernacle made the first, wherein were the candlesticks and the table and the setting forth of loaves, which is called the Holy.
9,3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies:
9,4Having a golden censer and the ark of the testament covered about on every part with gold, in which was a golden pot that had manna and the rod of Aaron that had blossomed and the tables of the testament.
9,5And over it were the cherubims of glory overshadowing the propitiatory: of which it is not needful to speak now particularly.
9,6Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle, the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of sacrifices.
9,7But into the second, the high priest alone, once a year: not without blood, which he offereth for his own and the people's ignorance:
9,8The Holy Ghost signifying this: That the way into the Holies was not yet made manifest, whilst the former tabernacle was yet standing.
9,9Which is a parable of the time present: according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, as to the conscience, make him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks,
9,10And divers washings and justices of the flesh laid on them until the time of correction.
9,11But Christ, being come an high Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hand, that is, not of this creation:
9,12Neither by the blood of goats or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption.
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 13,6-17.13,6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
13,7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down therefore. Why cumbereth it the ground?
13,8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it and dung it.
13,9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
13,10And he was teaching in their synagogue on their sabbath.
13,11And behold there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. And she was bowed together: neither could she look upwards at all.
13,12Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him and said to her: Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity.
13,13And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight and glorified God.
13,14And the ruler of the synagogue being angry that Jesus had healed on the sabbath answering, said to the multitude: Six days there are wherein you ought to work. In them therefore come and be healed: and not on the sabbath day.
13,15And the Lord answering him, said: Ye hypocrites, doth not every one of you, on the sabbath day, loose his ox or his ass from the manger and lead them to water?
13,16And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
13,17And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the things that were gloriously done by him.
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