Upcoming Events
Don’t miss these important school events.
Purdy's Chocolates – Easter Fundraiser
Before March 12, 2026
Easter fundraiser with Purdy's Chocolates. Order online before March 12, 2026 and pick up your chocolates at the school during Holy Week!
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Open House (May 1, 2026)
May 1, 2026
Open House – Meet staff, review academic formation & community life.
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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.
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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.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
Sunday, March 8 - Third Sunday in LentEpistle
Epistle to the Ephesians 5,1-9.5,1Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children:
5,2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.
5,3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints:
5,4Or obscenity or foolish talking or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks.
5,5For know you this and understand: That no fornicator or unclean or covetous person (which is a serving of idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
5,6Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief.
5,7Be ye not therefore partakers with them.
5,8For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light.
5,9For the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth:
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 11,14-28.11,14And he was casting out a devil: and the same was dumb. And when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes, were in admiration at it.
11,15But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils.
11,16And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven.
11,17But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation; and house upon house shall fall.
11,18And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils.
11,19Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges.
11,20But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you.
11,21When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth.
11,22But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome him, he will take away all his armour wherein he trusted and will distribute his spoils.
11,23He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
11,24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest: and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out.
11,25And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.
11,26Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself: and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.
11,27And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the paps that gave thee suck.
11,28But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
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