Power of togetherness, support, and prayer highlighted at STM opening event
By Paul Sinkewicz, St. Thomas More College
“All are welcome in this place” was the refrain to the opening hymn of the 2024 St. Thomas More College Academic Mass held on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Sung by the STM Alumni Choir, the message of “All Are Welcome” was apropos, given the history and mission of STM College, a place “built of hopes and dreams and visions,” and it inaugurated the 2024-25 academic year perfectly.
A hymn of welcoming started the Mass off. (Photo by Paul SInkewicz, STM)
Each year, members of the STM community – made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters – come together in the college chapel to look for divine guidance in the mission of educating the college’s students.
Dr. Tammy Marche, Dean of STM College (left), chats with Dr. Gertrude Rompré, Director of Mission and Ministry, before the procession enters the STM Chapel for the Academic Mass. (Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
Celebrating the Mass were Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, as well as Fr. Andre Lalach, Fr. Ron Griffin, CSB, and Fr. Daniel Yasinski.
STM Academic Mass celebrants (l-r) Fr. Andre Lalach, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Fr. Ron Griffin, CSB, Fr. Daniel Yasinski. (Photo by Paul Sinkwicz, STM)
Deacon Harry Lafond of the Diocese of Prince Albert, STM’s Scholar in Indigenous Education, shared his thoughts during a grounding moment to kick off the proceedings.
Lafond spoke of the tradition of inclusion and welcoming cherished by Indigenous people, and the strength to be found when people share time together in community and celebration and are supportive of each other. It is in prayer at gatherings like the Academic Mass that we connect with each other and those that have come before, he said. The Holy Spirit is present, and no one leaves unchanged.
Deacon Harry Lafond, STM Scholar in Indigenous Education, speaks at the start of the Academic Mass. (Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
“We have this hope, that whenever we pray together in this life, those who have gone ahead, our ancestors, pray with us,” said Lafond.
As is traditional at the event, Dr. Tammy Marche, Dean of STM College, led those assembled in the commissioning of the STM community with an affirmation of the mission of St. Thomas More College.
After the Mass ended, attendees were invited to a reception in the STM Cafeteria, and the start of the academic year was celebrated with food, laughter and friendship.
(Photo by Paul Sinkwicz, STM)
(Photo by Paul Sinkwicz, STM)
(Photo by Paul Sinkwicz, STM)
(Photo by Paul Sinkwicz, STM)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the STM Academic Mass Sept. 18. (Photo by Paul Sinkwicz, STM)
(Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
The STM Alumni Choir at the 2024 Academic Mass. (Photo by Paul Sinkewicz, STM)
-30-
Paul Sinkewicz is Marketing, Communications and Development Assistant for St. Thomas More College, the federated Catholic College at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.