Upcoming Events
Don’t miss these important school events.
Open House (February 6, 2026)
February 6, 2026
Open House – Explore classrooms, meet teachers, discover our academic & faith environment.
View details
Open House (May 1, 2026)
May 1, 2026
Open House – Meet staff, review academic formation & community life.
View details
Theater Evenings 2026 (3 Performances)
June 4–6, 2026
Three nightly school theater performances (tickets coming soon).
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.A., B.Ed., M.A., D.M.A.
Principal / CEO
History, Catholic Culture, Philosophy, Grades 9-12
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.
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
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.
André-Javier Finol, D.E.C. Communications, Hockey Canada Coach
Physical Education Teacher, Grades 1-12
Mr. Finol holds a background in broadcasting and coaches goalkeepers for the Juvenile A Mariniers of Aylmer. A skilled teacher, he shares his extensive expertise in sports and training at Sainte-Marie School to the great delight of the students.
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.
Cathy Fontaine, B.A.
Resource teacher, early childhood educator, theatre.
Mrs. Fontaine studied languages, literature, and philosophy. Drawing on the rigorous tradition of France’s leading literary institutions, she brings depth and an enriched perspective to her teaching—cultivating knowledge, discipline, and a love of truth through theatre and the French language for all her students.
Liturgical Calendar
Friday, February 13 - FeriaEpistle
Second Epistle to the Corinthians 11,19-33.12,1-9.11,19Brethren, You gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise.
11,20For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face.
11,21I seek according to dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly), I dare also.
11,22They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I.
11,23They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise): I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.
11,24Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes save one.
11,25Thrice was I beaten with rods: once I was stoned: thrice I suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea.
11,26In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren:
11,27In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness:
11,28Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches.
11,29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?
11,30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity.
11,31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not.
11,32At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to apprehend me.
11,33And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall: and so escaped his hands.
12,1If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
12,2I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.
12,3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):
12,4That he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter.
12,5For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my infirmities.
12,6For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.
12,7And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.
12,8For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me.
12,9And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 8,4-15.8,4At that time, when a very great multitude was gathered together and hastened out of the cities unto Jesus, He spoke by a similitude:
8,5The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side. And it was trodden down: and the fowls of the air devoured it.
8,6And other some fell upon a rock. And as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
8,7And other some fell among thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it.
8,8And other some fell upon good ground and, being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
8,9And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.
8,10To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see and hearing may not understand.
8,11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
8,12And they by the way side are they that hear: then the devil cometh and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.
8,13Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear receive the word with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while and in time of temptation they fall away.
8,14And that which fell among thorns are they who have heard and, going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life and yield no fruit.
8,15But that on the good ground are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it and bring forth fruit in patience.
Your Cart
Total: $0.00