Upcoming Events
Don’t miss these important school events.
Benefit Dinner and Conference
May 30, 2026
Benefit evening with a conference by Pierre Lemieux. Spit-roasted beef, tickets and tables available. Partial tax receipt.
View details & buy tickets
Merry Dairy Ice Cream – Fundraiser
May 19 to June 18, 2026
Order your Merry Dairy ice cream pints online or in person. $2 back per pint, $4 per recipe book. School pickup on Friday, June 19!
View details
Theater presentations 2026 (3 Performances)
June 4–6, 2026
Three school theater performances.
View detailsÉcole 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.
Learn more
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.
SECONDARY LEVEL
Gary Knight, Ph.D.
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Computer Science, 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, 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
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.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Denise Émond-Visser, B.A., Sc., N.M.
Lead Teacher, Grades 7-8
Mrs. Émond-Visser holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences (Guelph) and has completed graduate courses in Nutrition and College Teaching (Syracuse). A food services manager in the medical field for 42 years, her love for children led her back to her passion for teaching in 2024 with Sainte-Marie School. Mrs. Émond-Visser also mentors her students at La Cité College in Ottawa in the field of nutrition. She is a member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management and serves on the Accreditation Committee for Nutrition Management Programs in Canadian colleges.
PRIMARY LEVEL
Émilie Tissot
Lead Teacher, Grades 5-6, Health and Safety Representative
Ms. Tissot 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, Grades 3-4
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.
Katherine MacDonald
Resource Teacher and Early Childhood
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.
Gabriel S. Lindor, B.A.
Physical Education Teacher, Grades 1-12
Mr. Lindor holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Translation and Linguistics) and is a veteran of the Canadian Army (Logistics). He currently works in Supply Chain Management. He holds an Assistant Instructor qualification in weightlifting (N.C.C.P.) and has a passion for physical training. He is pleased to take over as Physical Education teacher at École Sainte-Marie.
KINDERGARTEN
Liliane Mariza, B.A.
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
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.
Liturgical Calendar
Friday, June 5 - St Boniface, bishop and martyrEpistle
Book of Sirach 44,1-15.44,1Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their generation.
44,2The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.
44,3Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,
44,4And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.
44,5Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.
44,6Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.
44,7All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
44,8They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
44,9And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.
44,10But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:
44,11Good things continue with their seed,
44,12Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
44,13And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
44,14Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.
44,15Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 5,1-12.5,1Seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
5,2And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:
5,3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5,4Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
5,5Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5,6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
5,7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
5,8Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
5,9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
5,10Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5,11Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
5,12Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
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