Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School
Encyclopedia
Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School is a private, all-boys Roman Catholic
secondary school
of the Toronto Catholic District School Board
(TCDSB) in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. Neil McNeil is one of 31 high schools run by the TCDSB and one of four all-boys schools, and currently has an enrollment of 811 students.
. The school was named after Neil McNeil
, Archbishop of Toronto from 1912 to 1934. During his entire term as Archbishop
, he fought tirelessly for the extension of funding for Catholic secondary schools. He demonstrated in both words and deeds the school motto “Fidelitas in Arduis”, which translates to “Faith In Hard Times”
Even though the last priest-principal of the school retired in 1990, the Spiritan presence is alive and well through the Spiritan Scholarship Fund established in 1995. By 1998, the fund disbursed more than $50,000 in scholarship awards for students going to university or community college.
Notre Dame is the "Sister School" of Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School located not far from Neil McNeil. Both of these schools are regarded as among the oldest and most discriminative high schools in the TCDSB and in the city of Toronto. It is a school renowned for its elaborate and spirited school assemblies and tight knit community.
on other weekdays.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
secondary school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
of the Toronto Catholic District School Board
Toronto Catholic District School Board
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is the publicly-funded Catholic school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headquartered in North York. It is one of the two English boards of education in the City of Toronto, serving the former municipalities of Scarborough, North York, York, East York,...
(TCDSB) in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Neil McNeil is one of 31 high schools run by the TCDSB and one of four all-boys schools, and currently has an enrollment of 811 students.
History
Founded in 1958 by the Holy Ghost FathersHoly Ghost Fathers
The Congregation of the Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic congregation of priests, lay brothers, and since Vatican II, lay associates...
. The school was named after Neil McNeil
Neil McNeil
Neil McNeil was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vancouver from 1910 to 1912 and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto from 1912 to 1934.-Early life:...
, Archbishop of Toronto from 1912 to 1934. During his entire term as Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
, he fought tirelessly for the extension of funding for Catholic secondary schools. He demonstrated in both words and deeds the school motto “Fidelitas in Arduis”, which translates to “Faith In Hard Times”
Even though the last priest-principal of the school retired in 1990, the Spiritan presence is alive and well through the Spiritan Scholarship Fund established in 1995. By 1998, the fund disbursed more than $50,000 in scholarship awards for students going to university or community college.
Notre Dame is the "Sister School" of Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School located not far from Neil McNeil. Both of these schools are regarded as among the oldest and most discriminative high schools in the TCDSB and in the city of Toronto. It is a school renowned for its elaborate and spirited school assemblies and tight knit community.
Notable alumni
- John CandyJohn CandyJohn Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
, Legendary Comedic Actor - Keith Martin, Current Member of Canadian Parliament
- Elvis ThomasElvis ThomasElvis Thomas is a former Canadian soccer player.He spent the majority of his soccer career in North America, primarily playing for clubs in Canada...
, Former Member of the Canadian National Soccer Team - Lawrence GowanLawrence GowanLawrence Gowan is a Scottish-born Canadian musician. Gowan has been both a solo artist and the current keyboardist and vocalist of the band Styx. His musical style is usually classified in the category of progressive rock.-Career:...
, Musician, STYX - David BourqueDavid BourqueDavid Bourque is a Canadian musician, who has played clarinet and bass clarinet in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 1983, has played on numerous film soundtracks and teaches in higher education....
, Musician, Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Stephen Mosher, Musician, National Ballet of Canada Orchestra
- Andre ChampagneAndre ChampagneAndre Joseph Orius Champagne is a retired Canadian ice hockey left winger. He played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs.-External links:...
, Former NHL Player - Mike Corbett, Former NHL Player
- Mike CorriganMike CorriganMichael Douglas Corrigan is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 594 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
, Former NHL Player - Gary DineenGary DineenDaniel Patrick "Gary" Dineen was a former Canadian Olympian, career minor league hockey player who played four games for the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL, and best known as a top developer of hockey talent in the Springfield area...
, Former NHL Player - Billy MacMillan, Former NHL Player
- Jim McKennyJim McKennyJames Claude "Howie" McKenny is a retired NHL defenceman and a sports reporter for the Citytv television station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He played 604 games between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota North Stars. His nickname 'Howie' came from his resemblance to Howie Young...
, Former NHL Player - Gerry MeehanGerry MeehanGerard Marcus Meehan is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and the former general manager and Senior Vice President of the Buffalo Sabres.-Playing career:...
, Former NHL Player - Rod SeilingRod SeilingRodney Albert Seiling is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962, Seiling played only one game with the Leafs and spent most of his time in the minors. The next year he would participate with the Canadian hockey team that played in the 1964 Winter...
, Former NHL Player - Gary SmithGary SmithGary Smith may refer to:* Gary Smith , long-time writer for Sports Illustrated* Gary Smith , entrepreneur, record producer, and artist's manager...
, Former NHL Player - Mike WaltonMike WaltonMichael Robert "Shakey" Walton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association . He was a forward with explosive offensive skills who made up for his lack of size with blazing speed and superior puckhandling...
, Former NHL Player - Brad ParkBrad ParkDouglas Bradford Park is a retired ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings...
, Hall of Fame NHL Player - Andrew CashAndrew CashAndrew Cash is a Canadian singer-songwriter and a Member of Parliament for the Toronto-area Davenport electoral district. He grew up in Toronto, where he befriended future MP, Charlie Angus, and along with Angus founded the Toronto punk band L'Étranger. In the late 1990s, he also became a...
, Canadian singer-songwriter and current Member of Parliament (New Democratic Party).
School spirit
Every Friday morning, the school song is sung, replacing the singing of O CanadaO Canada
It has been noted that the opening theme of "O Canada" bears a strong resemblance to the "Marsch der Priester" , from the opera Die Zauberflöte , composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and that Lavallée's melody was inspired by Mozart's tune...
on other weekdays.