A fixture of Catholic education in Durham Region is stepping away. Jim McCafferty, who has served as trustee for the City of Pickering for 35 consecutive years, is retiring from the Durham Catholic District School Board.
The board, which also governs Catholic schools attended by families in Ajax, recognized McCafferty during a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, according to a Durham Catholic District School Board news release.
The board described his tenure as a legacy of faith-filled leadership, dedicated service and advocacy for students, families and Catholic education across Durham Region.
A career of advocacy
Over more than three decades at the board table, McCafferty championed student success and well-being and worked to strengthen Catholic education throughout the region, the release said.
His commitment to service has extended well beyond the trustee role. A longtime parishioner of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Parish, he has served as a Eucharistic Minister, usher and lector.
He has also contributed to a long list of organizations and initiatives, including the Knights of Columbus, Scouts Canada, SickKids Hospital, the board's Special Education Advisory Committee and the Minister of Education's Special Advisory Council.
Recognized with honours
McCafferty's dedication has been recognized with several distinguished honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the OCSTA Award of Merit, the Ron St. Marie Council for Exceptional Children Award and the Access Award.
As part of the celebration at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, he received a special blessing and was presented with a letter of congratulations from Bishop Vincent Nguyen, delivered by Fr. Eduardo on behalf of the Archdiocese, recognizing his 35 years of service as a Catholic school trustee.
Board offers thanks
The board extended its sincere gratitude to McCafferty for his decades of leadership and service and wished him every blessing in retirement.
It also thanked the staff and students of St. Mary Catholic Secondary School for making the celebration meaningful, and Fr. Eduardo for leading the Mass and helping honour McCafferty's legacy of service.
