The Order of St. André Bessette
The Order of St. André Bessette
The Order of St. André Bessette (the Order) was established in 2021. The Order of St. André Bessette (the Order) is the highest honour that the Board bestows upon a member of its community. The award recognizes an exceptional contribution to academia, spiritual life and/or philanthropic achievement. Members of the Order serve as role models for the community.
Review the Board policy The Order of St. André Bessette here.
Nominations to be considered for the Order are received by the Director of Education or the Chair of the Board and referred to the Catholic Education Team for consideration. Nominations for the Order close on December 31st for the current academic year and restart for consideration in the following academic year on January 1st. Upon receipt of the recommendation from the Catholic Education Team, the Board will deliberate and endeavour to approve the appointment(s) to the Order at the March Regular Board Meeting. The induction ceremony takes place annually in May during Catholic Education Week.
If you are interested in nominating a community member please fill out the Nomination Form by December 31 of the current academic year. The nomination form will be directed to the Director’s Office at the Catholic Education Centre. If you have questions regarding the nomination process please email directorsoffice@huronperthcatholic.ca.
Award Recipients
| Recipient Name | Year Awarded |
| Daniel G. Bishop | 2021 |
Board’s Patron Saint: St. André Bessette
In the spring of 2022, the Huron-Perth CDSB’s Board of Trustees adopted the motion to recognize St. André Bessette as the Board’s Patron Saint at the Regular Board Meeting on May 24, 2022.
St. André Bessette is Canada’s first native-born male saint. St. André was canonized on October 17, 2010, and is the founder of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, Quebec. St. André Bessette dedicated his life to welcoming all persons, especially the sick, lonely and poor to find a home in the healing power of Jesus Christ. As the patron saint of Canada, St. André died in 1937 at the age of 91. His patron feast day is celebrated on January 6.
St. André has a special connection to the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board wherein he often visited the hamlets of Huron County specifically, St. Joseph and in Perth County specifically, Kinkora. As shared by St. Joseph & Area Historical Society, while visiting St. Joseph, Brother André expressed his desire to see a statue erected in honour of St. Joseph and even selected a site for the monument. The site of the statue was placed in honour of St. André Bessette at the St. Joseph Memorial Park in St. Joseph, ON.
The HPCDSB established the St. André Bessette Trust Fund in 2011, which supports those in our Catholic schools whose learning and well-being would be enhanced by the benefits it would provide. One hundred percent of all monies donated to the trust fund are disbursed directly to support children and families in need. For more information or to donate visit our website here.
First OSAB Recipient: Mr. Daniel G. Bishop
Mr. Daniel G. Bishop was the first community member to be inducted into The Order in 2021.
Mr. Daniel G. Bishop served as the founding principal of St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Stratford for 13 years. The school opened in September 1986 as the first Catholic secondary school in the counties of Huron and Perth. Mr. Daniel G. Bishop was a lifelong educator and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan who positively impacted the lives of thousands of students during his distinguished career as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, and coach (1965-2019). He had a clear vision of where Catholic education came from and where it needed to go. He had strong views but always listened to and respected other people’s opinions. He not only provided a Catholic framework for his staff, but he also challenged them to grow professionally and spiritually.
Mr. Daniel G. Bishop was the devoted husband of Bernice and father of Sean, Terry, and Paula. He was a loving grandfather who retired to Windsor. Mr. Daniel G. Bishop lived by the words of the prophet Micah, which he established as the motto at St. Michael CSS in Stratford: “Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with the Lord”. He was known to encourage everyone to “Be the best version of yourself!”. The growth in Catholic secondary education in Huron-Perth can be attributed in a large part to the influence of Mr. Daniel G. Bishop. His faith, personal integrity, and compassion laid the foundation for Catholic secondary school education.
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