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
Saturday, March 7 - Saturday of the Second Week in LentEpistle
Book of Genesis 27,6-39.27,6She said to her son Jacob: I heard thy father talking with Esau, thy brother, and saying to him:
27,7Bring me of thy hunting, and make me meats that I may eat, and bless thee in the sight of the Lord, before I die.
27,8Now therefore, my son, follow my counsel:
27,9And go thy way to the flock, bring me two kids of the best, that I may make of them meat for thy father, such as he gladly eateth.
27,10Which when thou hast brought in, and he hath eaten, he may bless thee before he die.
27,11And he answered her: Thou knowest that Esau, my brother, is a hairy man, and I am smooth:
27,12If my father should feel me, and perceive it, I fear lest he will think I would have mocked him, and I shall bring upon me a curse instead of a blessing.
27,13And his mother said to him: Upon me be this curse, my son: only hear thou my voice, and go, fetch me the things which I have said.
27,14He went, and brought, and gave them to his mother. She dressed meats, such as she knew his father liked.
27,15And she put on him very good garments of Esau, which she had at home with her:
27,16And the little skins of the kids she put about his hands, and covered the bare of his neck.
27,17And she gave him the savoury meat, and delivered him bread that she had baked.
27,18Which when he had carried in, he said: My father? But he answered: I hear. Who art thou, my son?
27,19And Jacob said: I am Esau, thy firstborn: I have done as thou didst command me: arise, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
27,20And Isaac said to his son: How couldst thou find it so quickly, my son? He answered: It was the will of God, that what I sought came quickly in my way:
27,21And Isaac said: Come hither, that I may feel thee, my son, and may prove whether thou be my son Esau, or no.
27,22He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob; but the hands, are the hands of Esau.
27,23And he knew him not, because his hairy hands made him like to the elder. Then blessing him,
27,24He said: Art thou my son Esau? He answered: I am.
27,25Then he said: Bring me the meats of thy hunting, my son, that my soul may bless thee. And when they were brought, and he had eaten, he offered him wine also, which after he had drunk,
27,26He said to him: Come near me, and give me a kiss, my son.
27,27He came near, and kissed him. And immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his garments, blessing him, he said: Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord hath blessed.
27,28God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, abundance of corn and wine.
27,29And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother's children bow down before thee. Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings.
27,30Isaac had scarce ended his words, when, Jacob being now gone out abroad, Esau came,
27,31And brought in to his father meats, made of what he had taken in hunting, saying: Arise, my father, and eat of thy son's venison; that thy soul may bless me.
27,32And Isaac said to him: Why! who art thou? He answered: I am thy firstborn son, Esau.
27,33Isaac was struck with fear, and astonished exceedingly; and wondering beyond what can be believed, said: Who is he then that even now brought me venison that he had taken, and I ate of all before thou camest? and I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed.
27,34Esau having heard his father's words, roared out with a great cry; and, being in a consternation, said: Bless me also, my father.
27,35And he said: Thy brother came deceitfully and got thy blessing.
27,36But he said again: Rightly is his name called Jacob; for he hath supplanted me lo this second time: My birthright he took away before, and now this second time he hath stolen away my blessing. And again he said to his father: Hast thou not reserved me also a blessing?
27,37Isaac answered: I have appointed him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants: I have established him with corn and wine, and after this, what shall I do more for thee, my son?
27,38And Esau said to him: Hast thou only one blessing, father? I beseech thee bless me also. And when he wept with a loud cry,
27,39Isaac being moved, said to him: In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above,
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 15,11-32.15,11And he said: A certain man had two sons.
15,12And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance.
15,13And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously.
15,14And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country: and he began to be in want.
15,15And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine.
15,16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
15,17And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger!
15,18I will arise and will go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee.
15,19I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
15,20And rising up, he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him.
15,21And the son said to him: Father: I have sinned against heaven and before thee I am not now worthy to be called thy son.
15,22And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
15,23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and make merry:
15,24Because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.
15,25Now his elder son was in the field and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
15,26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
15,27And he said to him: Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.
15,28And he was angry and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.
15,29And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee and I have never transgressed thy commandment: and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends.
15,30But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
15,31But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me; and all I have is thine.
15,32But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.
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