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
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.
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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.
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
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, April 24 - St Fidelis of Sigmaringen, martyrEpistle
Book of Wisdom 5,1-5.5,1Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours.
5,2These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation,
5,3Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had sometime in derision, and for a parable of reproach.
5,4We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour.
5,5Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint John 15,1-7.15,1I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman.
15,2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
15,3Now you are clean, by reason of the word which I have spoken to you.
15,4Abide in me: and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.
15,5I am the vine: you the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
15,6If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch and shall wither: and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire: and he burneth.
15,7If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will: and it shall be done unto you.
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