For those who have asked, here is the text of the letter that was sent to Dr. Browne, Chair de Domenico & Superintendent Walo:

Dear Brendan, Markus, and Richard,

I hope this message finds you well.

First, I want to express my deep appreciation for the thoughtful and inclusive vision being shaped for the new TCDSB secondary school at the former Scarlett Heights site. The plan to incorporate both a Roman Catholic and an Eastern Catholic chapel is a powerful testament to the universality of our faith and a meaningful step toward recognizing the full breadth of Catholic identity within our board.

In that same spirit, I would like to propose that the school’s name reflect this unity. Specifically, I suggest that Blessed Vasyl be included in the school’s name.

There is precedent for dual-name schools within the TCDSB—Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton and Michael Power/St. Joseph, for example—so this would not be without foundation. Including Blessed Vasyl, a Ukrainian Catholic martyr and Redemptorist priest, alongside a Roman Catholic figure would not only honour both lungs of the Church—as Pope St. John Paul II often phrased it—but would offer a profound and timely symbol of Catholic unity.

Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky (https://bvmartyrshrine.com recognized as a Blessed of the universal Church, suffered persecution and imprisonment under Soviet rule and later completed his earthly ministry in Canada, where his relics rest at the Second Martyr’s Shrine in Winnipeg. His life is a moving witness to faithfulness under oppression and a reflection of the enduring strength of the Eastern Catholic tradition.
It is also worth noting that this new secondary school will very likely serve students graduating from the three Eastern Rite elementary schools within the TCDSB: Josyf Cardinal Slipyj, St. Demetrius, and St. Josaphat. Including a Ukrainian Catholic reference in the school’s name would not only resonate with many of those families, but also affirm their place and presence within the larger Catholic educational community.

Thank you again for your leadership and for the care being taken with this new and exciting chapter in Catholic education. I would be happy to speak further if this idea resonates with you.

Warm regards,
Andrij Harasymowycz
Co-Chair, Catholic School Parent Council
Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School