School History
Father C. W. Sullivan Catholic School is a community of teachers, support staff, parents, pastoral workers and children called to work together in an attitude of mutual respect. Together, we believe that it is our responsibility to foster intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social growth within our Catholic community. Students will be encouraged to develop their talents to the best of their abilities. Each child will be encouraged to grow in respect for all members of the community and for the environment. Staff members will endeavour to foster a sense of self-worth and personal responsibility in each student, while actively participating in the learning journey as co-learners with students. We are committed to the development of each student as a responsible member of society who follows the teachings of Christ. The school has been an integral part of the community for over 40 years and continues to serve in faith, hope and love.
Biography of Father Cyril William Sullivan 1901 - 1977
Born: Saturday, February 9th, 1901, on Berkley Street, in St.Paul's Parish, Toronto. Father: Joseph William Sullivan (died in Brampton in 1950) Mother: Mary Edna Arthurs (died in 1934) He attended St.Paul's Elementary School, Toronto. He attended Sacred Heart School, Calgary, Alberta, in 1914, and attended St.John's College, Edmonton, Alberta, 1914-1919. In 1919 he joined his family in Chicago, but didn't like it there so returned to Toronto. He worked at the Home Bank in Toronto. (The President of the Bank was in New York and met up with his father who asked him to fire his son so that he would go back to school and "make something of himself" - which the President did.) He went to St.Michael's College, Toronto, and graduated with an Arts degree in 1925. That same year he entered St.Augustine's Seminary, Scarborough, and was ordained a Priest on May 25, 1929, at St.Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, by Archbishop Neil McNeil. His first appointment was as Assistant at Holy Rosary, Thorold, Ontario, July 1929 - 1931. His second appointment was as Assistant at St.Ann's, Toronto, from November 1931 to February 1932. His third appointment was as Assistant at Guardian Angels, Orillia, Ontario, from March 1932 to August 1933. His fourth appointment was as Assistant at St.Brigid's, Toronto, from October 1933 to August 1937. On March 30, 1937, he was appointed Procurator in Matrimonial cases for the Archdiocese of Toronto. He studied at St.Michael's College, 1938-39, for a Master's degree in Philosophy (helping out at St.Clare's and other Toronto parishes while in school). On August 1, 1939, he was appointed Chaplain for the Armed Forces, living at St.Patrick's Rectory, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1940, he joined the Army as a Chaplain, in Halifax. In 1941, he went Overseas with the "Montreal 14th General Hospital" Regiment and was stationed in Horley (Surrey County), England. He left England for the battle area in late October 1943. On November 6, 1943, the ship he was on, Ste. Elena, was torpedoed off North Africa - he was in the water with an Olympic swimmer who managed to save him. He then served in Italy. He returned to England in 1944-45 for posting again with the "Montreal 14th General Hospital". He returned home in 1945, arriving in New York on December 8th. When he returned to Toronto, Archbishop McGuigan told him to take a long holiday. On June 29, 1946, he was appointed Pastor of St.Mary's, Brampton with St.Joseph's, Streetsville, as its Mission. Brampton was his only Pastorate. In 1956, Streetsville became an independent parish. He built the new St.Mary's Church in Brampton, which was opened and blessed on December 13, 1964, by His Eminence James Charles Cardinal McGuigan. Father Sullivan retired in 1972 and lived his last years privately in Caledon East where he suffered from paralysis caused by a stroke. He died on Sunday, March 6, 1977. On Tuesday, March 8, 1977, his funeral took place at St.Mary's Church, Brampton, and then on to St.John the Evangelist Church, in Albion, in whose cemetery he is buried.
Blessing of Father Sullivan's Gravestone
Father Cyril William Sullivan was a priest for 48 years. Father Sullivan was pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Brampton from 1946 – 1972, when he retired. Father C. W. Sullivan School was built in 1975 and was named after Father C. W. Sullivan because he was a strong advocate for catholic education. Father Sullivan was co-celebrant at the blessing of the school on May 28, 1976. Father Sullivan died on March 6, 1977. He was buried on March 8, 1977 at St. John the Evangelist Church Cemetery, in Caledon East. At that time, a flat nameplate was placed to mark his grave. In 2006, The Knights of Columbus decided to erect a gravestone in order to make the grave of Father Sullivan more visible. As a result of some fund raising and private donations, a gravestone was purchased and erected on Father Sullivan’s grave. The original nameplate was removed and there is discussion about having it mounted at St. Mary’s Church in Brampton.
On Sunday October 15, 2006, Father Damian celebrated mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Caledon East, in memory of Father Sullivan and blessed the gravestone. Members of the Knights of Columbus Honour Guard were present along with many members of the Knights of Columbus, and some parishioners from St. Anne’s Church. In addition, there were a few close friends of Father Sullivan. One friend brought along a copy of a booklet compiled with letters and prayers written by grade 3 students from Father Sullivan School in 1977. This booklet was given to the school. This booklet will be laminated and stored in the school library.
The staff and students from Father C. W. Sullivan School have been raising money to assist paying for the gravestone. Since all monies were raised through the Knights of Columbus, it was decided, through consultation with the Knights of Columbus that the money raised by the school will assist in paying for the original grave nameplate to be placed at St. Mary’s Church.