u/Far_Magician8224

Do LTOs in the TCDSB get sick days? If so how does it work?

Do you get any personal days?

Thanks!

I've been around here long enough to know that it's normal to be put down by family who aren't Catholic (or who are, but not practicing).

Two of my closest family members (parent and sibling) are on me - "I told your [not Catholic] uncle not to go to church [on Sunday, so that he could attend breakfast, etc.], and to go another time" ... "he listened, but someone doesn't." "He hasn't gone to church for a month, you don't need to go." "Don't talk to her, you're wasting your time." "She's dumb as bricks."

One member tells me not to join the day trip we are going on today, and that he isn't coming back next year (he's visiting from abroad) because I'm [he used a swear word here.].

We had a day trip scheduled for Friday, which I was going to attend, but I just learned that it has been moved to Saturday. I'm discerning with a third order, and we meet then (once a month) and I had told my family in advance that I wasn't available until the afternoon on Saturday. They make fun of me and insult me for it. I only just joined the order and already missed one meeting due to travel abroad, and we are only permitted to miss two meetings in a year for serious reasons. Am I wrong to attend this meeting for a vocation I'm discerning instead of this day trip? My family member is visiting from abroad and said it's his last full day and to change my plans, and that he's not coming back next year.

After today, I just don't feel like going with them anyway. They are not religious at all, and I am the only Catholic in my family, so I don't expect them to understand. I had previously received threats if I were to enter the convent (which I still did anyway).

I would appreciate honest feedback. Thank you.

Hi everyone,

We started a parish book club, with our introductory meeting. There are a few young adults, some middle age, but mainly those 55+. 20-25 people.

What do you recommend we do to keep discussion engaging and meaningful? I will do some icebreaker questions. We will be sitting in table groups.

This is my first time leading a book club, so I'm nervous about it.

Book: "He Leadeth Me" by Fr. Walter Ciszek.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

We started a parish book club, and had our introductory meeting. There are a few young adults, some middle age, but mainly it was those 55+. 20-25 people, mainly women.

For September, and our first book, we will be reading "He Leadeth Me," by Fr. Walter Ciszek, based on his spiritual odyssey while living 23 years in Soviet prison camps. What ideas do you have for discussion? What do you recommend we do to keep discussion engaging and meaningful once we start our first official session next month?

We will be sitting in table groups. It's mostly women, but there were a few men (20%) there today, with a couple of young adult men who wanted to come but weren't available.

Any thoughts and suggestions on discussion questions/helping it be engaging would be appreciated!

Thank you!

I'm 41, and have played the violin on and off, on for about 4.5 years in total. I recently re-started and hope to commit to it for good this time around.

YouTube showcases people with 4-5 years of progress, and they are so much more advanced than me. My teacher considers me a beginner. I have many bad habits that need to be corrected, which is good know so that I can work on them!

It's not a competition, and I know I'm not naturally musically gifted. I do enjoy the learning process, and playing.

Do you have any encouragement for someone like me--an adult beginner, who's been playing for a few years (with wide gaps in there), but who isn't as playing even half as well as those people who film their years of progress and post it online?

I know it's silly of me to feel this way, and I wouldn't want anyone to feel bad by comparing their progress to others. I just can't help but feel discouraged... but it's not stopping me either. :)

Thank you.

I was shocked to learn that one of our faithful daily Mass-goers suddenly died yesterday. He himself was at Mass yesterday, with his wife. Understandably, she wasn't there today.

You just don't know the day or the hour.

How humbling this is.

Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for his family.

Hello Fathers,

If an optional memorial is being celebrated at Mass, which would be more appropriate to announce: "Today we celebrate the optional memorial of..." or "Today we celebrate the memorial of..."

Thank you!

About two years ago, I was invited to join a ministry at my church. This person became a dear friend of mine. He is elderly and wanted me to take over the ministry when he retired. I was very dedicated, and went above and beyond, filling in when asked.

Last fall, I went away indefinitely. I was not replaced in the ministry, and there was nobody new. My friend told me, of course he wanted me to come back, but he wanted to give me time to settle in. Later on, he said he wanted to wait much longer. Later on, he said he was hesitant because he didn't want to change the schedule of other members. Finally, he told me the other night that he definitely doesn't want me back and he is considering someone else. He said it's because I'm involved in other ministries. However, I had been involved in other ministries before too, and that didn't affect my dedication to this ministry and he still wanted me to take over when he retired.

So now I feel gutted. He went from wanting me to take over after he left, and from definitely wanting me back... to definitely not wanting me back. He would've known this before, as he already had someone in mind.

How do I let this go? I find that this also makes me feel rejected and betrayed. He should have been straightforward sooner if he didn't want me to return. For months, he only ever gave indication that I would come back... just not yet.

I just feel really hurt about this.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you.

I'm extremely introverted and find group social interactions to be draining. I don't sit in the staff room during lunch as I need the alone time.

At the same time, I feel bad that I'm not interacting with my colleagues, getting to know them, etc.

I know I probably shouldn't care so much. I think colleagues get that I'm introverted so they give me space. They've been so lovely and that's why I feel bad.

Can anyone relate?

At my church, my elderly friend had invited to join his ministry and wanted me to take over after he retired from it. I was doing it for a year and went above and beyond and filled in for others when they couldn't make it.

Last fall, I went away indefinitely and came back a few months later. I had not been replaced and he told me he definitely wanted me back but wanted to give me time to settle in.

Over the next four months, he indicated that he still wanted me but kept putting it off. Finally, the other night, he told me he definitely doesn't want me back and is considering someone else. He said it was because I was in other ministries, yet I was in other ministries before too.

I feel like he should've told me the truth. The fact that he's been considering someone else indicates he had been thinking about it for a while. He knows I want to go back, but of course I'm not going to push it.

From telling me he wants me to take over for him, to telling me of course he wants me back... to telling me he definitely doesn't want me back and is considering someone.

It hurts.

Please feel free to tell me if I'm overreacting, or if you have any other thoughts or advice.

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I've reached out to HR about this, but they keep directing me to each other.

Does anyone know if you are permanent with the TCDSB, do you start at the first step on the pay grid and they only accept the TCDSB LTOs you have done? Or do they take prior experience with another school board? I have worked for the TDSB and the TCDSB accepted several years of experience for my LTO pay grid.

I wonder if it would be the same for permanent? Or would I start again near the beginning, with only my one TCDSB LTO accepted?

Thanks!

After being off the lector schedule since October, I'm officially returning as a lector next month.

I'm currently discerning with the Secular Discalced Carmelites. The particular community is Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

I've been scheduled to read on July 16th, on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel!

It made me happy when I realized that. :)

Whether or not that is a pure coincidence, I'll never know... but it's still cool either way!

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering how the steps will change when moving from LTO to permanent. I think you start back at Step 1 and move up from there depending on LTO experience, is that right? Or would it be the same pay as for LTO, just spread out over the year instead of the school year?

The TCDSB has accepted my full-time teaching experience from TDSB for LTO grid pay. Would this also count towards permanent pay too? Or does it start over again with just TCDSB LTO experience?

Thanks!

Hello Fathers,

Do you use (or have you seen any other priests using) the gesture of liturgical/canonical digits while celebrating Mass?

Hello! Has anyone here discerned/a member of a secular institute? If so, I would like to hear more about the process and the institute itself.

Thank you!

I'm new to the TCDSB (elementary). How likely might it be to get an FSL LTO for September in the TCDSB?

I've read that postings come out in August. I know the board goes by seniority, so the principal has to take the top 5 applicants in seniority and choose from there. I was only hired in late April, so I would be very low in seniority.

Thanks!

Has anyone resigned from a permanent position with the TDSB? I wonder what the process is like.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

TCDSB elementary. The last day for kids is June 25th, and June 26th is a PA Day for staff to come in. I'm in an LTO. I don't recall having a PA Day after kids finish school, so I wonder what is this day for? Cleaning up and things like that? I'm used to finishing school the same day kids finish.

Sorry for my ignorance!

I have to put in an order for supplies for next year, a Grade 5 class.

What are some must-haves to start the year? About 20 kids.

Thanks!

Starting a parish book club soon!

What do you recommend reading? It can be spiritual reading/non-fiction or fiction. Looking for something relatively light for the first book, to draw people in.

Thanks!