St. Thomas More College community comes together to start the year off in fellowship
By Paul Sinkewicz, St. Thomas More College
Each year, the St. Thomas More (STM) community gathers in the college chapel to look for divine guidance in its mission of educating the next generation of leaders in our community.
On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the chapel was filled with voices both familiar and new at the 2023 Academic Mass.
On hand as celebrants were Bishop Mark Hagomoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, as well as Fr. Andre Lalach of the Campus Ministry team, and STM’s newest additions, Fr. Daniel Yasinski, who joins the Campus Ministry staff to preside over masses at the College. and Fr. Greg Smith-Windsor, who has joined the faculty at STM in the philosophy department.
Michael MacLean of the STM Campus Ministry team leads the procession into the Academic Mass. (Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
The celebration began in a very special way, with Knowledge Keeper Jasmyn Albert performing a smudge ceremony.
After the bishop’s homily, Dr. Carl Still, President of STM College, presided over the commissioning of the STM community.
STM President Doug Still (Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
In the commissioning, those leading the college – faculty and staff – reaffirmed that they will work in partnership with its students for learning and growth, and to build a better society through the mission of the college.
The mission pledge states: “As the Catholic liberal arts college federated with the University of Saskatchewan, St. Thomas More College courageously explores the ‘riches of Revelation and of nature so that the united endeavour of intelligence and faith will enable people to come to the full measure of their humanity’. We are an inclusive community open to all persons.
“Through our teaching we are devoted to a partnership of learning and growth with our students which addresses the synthesis of faith and reason in all aspects of the human condition.
“The creative discovery of truth and its open dissemination nourishes our life as teachers and members of the wider academic and Catholic intellectual community.
“As a Catholic college we are called to share in Christ’s service to the people of God. Thus, the work of our college is not an end in itself, but must find application for the good of humanity.
I thereby promise to support and integrate the mission of St. Thomas More College during the upcoming academic year.”
(Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
(Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
(Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
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