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.
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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.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.
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
Saturday, April 11 - Easter SaturdayEpistle
First Epistle of Saint Peter 2,1-10.2,1Wherefore laying away all malice and all guile and dissimulations and envies and all detractions,
2,2As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that thereby you may grow unto salvation:
2,3If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.
2,4Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and made honourable by God:
2,5Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
2,6Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him shall not be confounded.
2,7To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:
2,8And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.
2,9But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
2,10Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint John 20,1-9.20,1And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
20,2She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where they have laid him.
20,3Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple: and they came to the sepulchre.
20,4And they both ran together: and that other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre.
20,5And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying: but yet he went not in.
20,6Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre: and saw the linen cloths lying,
20,7And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place.
20,8Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw and believed.
20,9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
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