Annual event recognizes Distinguished Alumni and the 2025 STM Medal recipient, followed by an announcement of the largest single gift in the College history

This article was originally published on the St. Thomas More College website (LINK) and is re-published with permission.

By Jacquie Berg, St. Thomas More College

Awe, gratitude, and respect were pervasive sentiments among the one hundred plus in attendance Saturday, October 4 for the annual St. Thomas More College (STM) Fall Gathering of Alumni and friends.

The 2025 STM fall gathering included the announcement of a $5-million gift from Les Filles de la Providence (Sisters of Providence) to establish the Catholic college’s new Providence Kanaweyihtâkosowin Chair of Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation.

“Faith put into action can accomplish great things.” That theme of the afternoon homily by Fr. Ron Griffin, OSB, was appropriate as the college recognized distinguished alumni and the 2025 STM Medal recipient, followed by an announcement of the largest single gift in STM’s history, with an order of religious women leaving a legacy in this province to continue through STM’s distinctive scholarly initiatives.

Distinguished Alumnus award-winner, Bishop Bob Kasun, CSB (auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Toronto) presided at celebration of the Eucharist in the college chapel before STM’s Director of Advancement, Connie Andersen, emceed the recognition event in the Fr. O’Donnell auditorium.

Andersen reminded all those gathered that the occasion highlighted the purpose of a Catholic liberal arts college. “After 89 years as a federated member of the University of Saskatchewan, the heart of our college’s mission remains the same: to provide to our students the education and opportunities that will help them develop into the best versions of themselves,” she said.

Examples of success in achieving that mission were reflected not only in the many alumni in attendance that afternoon, but also in the impressive resumés and impactful personal endorsements that were cited in the announcements of the most recent inductees.

Distinguished Alumni awards 2025

STM Director of Mission and Ministry, Dr. Gertrude Rompré (left) presented a gift to Distinguished Alumna honouree Georgina Jolibois during the 2025 recognition celebration. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

STM’s Director of Mission and Ministry, Dr. Gertrude Rompré introduced the Distinguished Alumna honouree Georgina Jolibois, lauded for leading and supporting others through crisis and building better relations for Indigenous communities.

Georgina Jolibois received her BA in Political Studies and Native Studies through St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan in 1991. She would later return to her hometown and serve as the Mayor of La Loche for over a decade. During that time, along with many achievements, she led her community through moments of crisis, including a major evacuation during wildfire season and painful, personal efforts to counter youth suicide in the community.

In 2015, Jolibois was elected as the NDP MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchhill River. As a member of Parliament, she became known as an advocate for Indigenous peoples, introducing a private member’s bill (Bill C-369) that sought to make National Indigenous Peoples Day a stat­utory holiday which led to the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation held on September 30 – an historic highlight Jolibois noted in her award acceptance.

Jolibois spoke of her pride as a Dene woman, her parents’ and grandparents’ role in keeping her grounded, her strong faith and commitment to prayer, and the wonderful friendships she made attending St. Thomas More College – naming particularly Dr. Gertrude Rompré.

Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, OSU, presents a gift to Distinguished Alumnus honouree Bishop Robert Kasun, CSB. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, a Distinguished Alumna herself, former STM campus minister and teacher in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, introduced STM’s 2025 Distinguished Alumnus, Bishop Bob Kasun, CSB.

Bob Kasun received his B.A. through St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan in 1972. After graduation he joined the Congregation of St. Basil in Toronto and completed his Masters of Divinity degree at St. Michael’s University College, Toronto.

Ordained to the priesthood in his home parish in Cudworth, SK, in 1978, Kasun completed his Bachelors of Education then received his Masters of Education from the University of Toronto. Drawn toward ministry with immigrants and marginalized people, he served as pastor in Calgary and Edmonton in inner-city parishes.

Kasun was named as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto in 2016, overseeing care of the pastoral needs of the Central Pastoral Region, and later as Archbishop’s Liaison to the Charismatic Ministry in the Archdiocese. In this role it is reported that Kasun con­tinues to be “a champion for the poor and disenfranchised and is known for his love of the poor and those on the peripheries of life. He is a very strong leader and advocate for the homeless.”

At the recognition ceremony Oct. 4 in Saskatoon, Kasun spoke fondly of his time at STM – encouraged by his father early on to attend the Catholic college on campus – then inspired by the Basilian scholars that made up the faculty. His time at STM was enhanced through involvement and friendships through the Newman Club, as well as singing in the first Newman Sounds production “Songs from Jesus Christ Superstar.” As the Western Representative on the General Council of the Congregation of St. Basil, Bishop Kasun maintained his connection with STM for many years.

St. Thomas More Medal

The St. Thomas More Medal is the highest award that the college bestows, honouring individuals, groups, or organizations that embody the outstanding characteristics of the college patron, St. Thomas More – distinguished public service, elevated by personal virtues, including care, integrity, and faith.

STM President Dr. Carl Still presented the 2025 St. Thomas More Medal to Dr. Helen Horsman. (Photo by Kily Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

STM President Dr. Carl Still announced Dr. Helen Horsman as the 2025 recipient of the medal, recognizing her story as one of “perseverance, a passion for continuing education, and a drive to serve that took her to the highest levels of leadership.”

Horsman’s teaching career began in 1968 after two years of teacher training.  She taught for seven years before beginning her family with her husband Ken – himself a well-known educational leader and public servant in Saskatchewan.

Horsman would go on to earn a Bachelor of Education, followed by a post-graduate Diploma in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Educational Administration and a Master of Education. Her commitment to higher education continued as she enrolled in the doctoral program at the University of Saskatchewan. She modelled the importance of life-long learning for her children, Timothy and Katherine, who witnessed their mother receive her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995.

Still noted that in her extraordinary career Horsman taught across all levels, from the elementary grades to the university level, as an instructor for students in the Education faculties at both Saskatchewan universities. She supported the education of Indigenous students by teaching courses for ITEP, SUNTEP, NORTEP and at the Indian Federated College, as it was then known.

Still added that it was perhaps the breadth of her teaching career that set her up for leadership roles in education. From Superintendent for Moose Jaw Catholic Schools and later as Director of Education, Horsman returned in 2004 to Saskatoon to begin the position of Director of Education for the Saskatoon Catholic school division. During these years, her classroom experience and formal education included in-depth work in the specialized areas of First Nations and Métis, alternative, Francophone, and community education.

After years of leadership in the Catholic school system, Horsman took on roles in the provincial government related to K-12 education. She began working for the Department of Learning in 2006 and the following year was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Learning, a position she held until 2011. Horsman’s contributions extended into her community with a commitment to human services integration.

An advocate and witness to the many benefits in faith-based education, Horsman spoke to her initial interest and involvement with St. Thomas More College beginning through professional and family connections. She shared with the audience that her relationship with STM came at a difficult time in her life, as her husband had recently lost his battle to ALS.

Horsman was invited to join STM’s Board of Governors, where she served for six years, including three years as chair. She spoke of the relationships formed over those years in governance with the college, in addition to the learning and better understanding the roles and challenges of post-secondary faculty and administration.

Major gift announcement

A $5 million donation from the Filles de la Providence sisters, will allow STM to hire its first Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation. The gift will also support a range of experiential learning programs based on Catholic Social Teaching, offered through STM’s Engaged Learning department.

Following a viewing of a video developed in the previous year to share the college’s vision and fundraising goal for the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation, President Dr. Carl Still announced, “that dream – which we worked towards for almost a decade – is now a reality.”

He then introduced the much-anticipated gift announcement to top off the evening: St. Thomas More College has received a $5 million gift from Les Filles de la Providence (FDLP) of Saskatchewan.

This transformational $5 million donation from the FDLP sisters, will allow STM to hire its first Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation to conduct research and teaching activities to advance a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural study of Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being.  The Chair’s activities will align with the FDLP’s respect for Indigenous peoples and their education, and will establish STM as a leader within Canada for Indigenous spirituality and reconciliation, making a significant contribution on the journey towards right relationships.

The gift will also support a range of experiential learning programs offered through STM’s Engaged Learning department.  Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, experiential learning offers students the chance to serve real community needs, gain volunteer experience and, as the FDLP  sisters also envision: “have young people put their faith into action and make the world a life-giving place.”

Five FDLP sisters were in attendance, including Sr. Nellie Pozdzik, FDLP, age 97. When the sisters gave the cheque to STM, she said said, “I sign this cheque today, on behalf of all 225 FDLP sisters and our lay associates who served in Saskatchewan for the past 128 years, since 1897.”

FDLP spokesperson Mariette Martineau described the motivation of the sisters in presenting the gift.

“Throughout the history of the congregation, the sisters have answered God’s call to educate the young, care for the sick, the poor, and to carry out all kinds of educational activities at the service of the Church throughout the world,” Martineau said. “This gift to STM for the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation is given on behalf of all the sisters in the past 128 years and their ministry companions that have responded to God’s call of service. It is given with a deep trust in the providence of God, that God’s providence will continue to support and deepen the relationships we have with our First Nations brothers and sisters and enable many students to value the power and beauty of First Nation spirituality and culture. It is in a spirit of trust and mutual respect for the work of STM, including the work of Elder Harry Lafond, that has given Les Filles de la Providence great hope and joy in knowing their work in this province will continue through this Chair.”

The FDLP were founded in France in 1818, in the wake of the French Revolution with a mission to educate the young. The first group of six sisters arrived in Prince Albert in 1897. Their passion was education, and from 1897 to 1959 they opened schools throughout the province, originally serving in small towns with French Canadian settlers, but quickly expanding to serve those of different religions and ethnicities, including the Indigenous peoples for many years. During 128 years in Western Canada, there have been a total of 225 sisters serving here.

Still also acknowledged the other major donors who have given in support of the Chair over the past decade, noting over 95 per cent of the funds received toward the Indigenous Chair were from religious congregations of women and men.

Unable to be present, Bishop Mark A. Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon sent a message to the gathering, noting, “The congregation has a long-standing tradition of ministering to those in need through health, education, and social services, adapting to changing needs and advocating for human dignity, and social and environmental justice. I thank God for their presence and work in Saskatchewan and extend my thanks and congratulations for the Filles de la Provindence’s tremendous generosity to St. Thomas More College.”

MC Andersen reiterated profound appreciation, saying: “Since the beginning of their mission in Saskatchewan in 1897, Les Filles de la Providence have answered God’s call to educate the young and accompany the sick and the poor. These humble sisters worked alongside Métis and Indigenous peoples and have deep respect for First Nations spirituality and practices. Their remarkable gift ensures that the FLDP’s values and mission among Indigenous people and other marginalized people will continue as their lasting work of solidarity.”

Still added that “the announcement is the culmination of a discernment that began back in 2016, when the college formed an Indigenous Advisory Circle, and that group discerned the need for an endowed Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation.”

A member of that original Advisory Circle, Dr. Gordon Martell shared the name of the new Chair: Providence / kanaweyihtâkosowin: Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation.

Advisory Circle member Dr. Gordon Martell spoke about the significance of the new Chair of Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Martell described the inspiration for the Chair: “Wisdom listens and understands, values and respects diversity of experiences and ways of knowing, and appreciates that profound learning is of necessity multicultural, multidisciplinary, multidimensional, and relational.”  Accepting this assumption may well be the single greatest pathway to reconciliation, he said.

“Faith over the past decade has led us to the gift of the sisters of Les Filles de la Providence to the Providence / kanaweyihtâkosowin: Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation,” Martell announced. He thanked Deacon Harry Lafond for his stewardship of protocols and seeking inspiration for a name in ceremony. Kanaweyihtâkosowin translates as The Divine Care of God or Providence.

A special ceremony followed to honour Les Filles de la Providence as well as the Distinguished Alumni and STM Medalist.

Deacon Harry Lafound, STM Scholar in Indigenous Education, led an honour ceremony for Les Filles de la Providence, which included an honour song and the presentation of star blankets to the sisters. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Deacon Harry Lafond, an elder of the Muskeg Cree Lake First Nation, as well as STM’s Scholar on Indigenous Education, led a Star Blanket Ceremony and he and President Dr. Car Still presented each of the FDLP representatives in attendance with a blanket. The Star Blankets were created by Gabrielle Lee, a Cree Métis artisan, and student.

Lafond shared with the audience, ” Work in Indigenous knowledge and reconciliation is always in practice here at the St. Thomas More College. With this special gift, we will now be able to ensure that the Chair is a living entity at STM. We can open the doors to actively invite Indigenous knowledge into the college spirit, curriculum, beliefs, and values for students working to understand the world they live in.”

Lead singer Allan Bonaise from Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan and four additional drummers performed a powerful honour song from the auditorium stage.

Allan Bonaise from Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan and four additional drummers performed an honour song. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Guests of honour at the Fall Gathering. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Harry Lafond, St. Thomas More College’s scholar in Indigenous education, presents Sr. Henriette LeStrat of Les Filles de la Providence with a star blanket during the college’s annual Fall Gathering. The event celebrated a $5-million gift from the congregation of religious sisters — the largest in STM’s history — to establish the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation and to support Engaged Learning programs.(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

STM President Dr. Carl Still presents a star blanket to Sr. Delores Bussiere, FDLP. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Representatives of Les Filles de la Providence with their star blankets — they were greeted by all those present before leaving the auditorium. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Dr. Carl Still greets Sr. Nellie Pozdzik, FDLP, at the conclusion of the Oct. 4 program. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

All attendees had an opportunity to share their congratulations with the sisters and STM’s newest Distinguished Alumni and STM medalist as they left the auditorium to share in a ‘Feast of the Land’ banquet in the college cafeteria.

STM College Fall Gathering 2025 – Photo Gallery – LINK

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