Jesuits in English Canada

Father Fred Power, S.J., publishes 500th issue of the Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart

communications — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:19:12 +0000

Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart is Canada's oldest Catholic magazine

February 2012 marks the 500th edition of the Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart magazine published under Father Frederick J. Power, S.J.’s stewardship. It is Canada’s longest running Catholic magazine and even though editor Fr. Power turns 88 in May, he has no plans to step down from the magazine that has been continuously published since 1891. His first issue was October 1966.

Below is Fr. Power’s February 2012 editorial. For more on Fr. Fred please read The Catholic Register article - “Messenger of the Sacred Heart won’t give up, and neither will its editor” here.

My "500th Visit"

In the October 1966 issue of the Canadian Messenger, my first issue as Editor, I wrote, “The faithful readers of our magazine can rest assured that nothing drastic will be done to the publication that they have learned to like and appreciate.” This February 2012 issue, my 500th issue, is proof that “nothing drastic” has been done in changing the magazine. As I continued to write in 1966, “Really it is more a problem of expressing the ageless lessons of the love of God in language that is understood by our generation.” I trust that our present “faithful readers” will agree that we have been true to our word these many years.

In the past 46 years, all of us have experienced many changes of one kind or another. When I produced my first issue of the magazine, I had the very competent Associate Editor, Mary Pujolas, who assumed her duties in July 1957, when Father Joseph Bergin, S.J., was Editor. She continued when Father C.C. Ryan, S.J. became Ediitor in 1959 and until March 1972 when she retired. The veteran Catholic journalist, Alfred De Manche, then became the Associate Editor and provided invaluable service until ill health forced his retirement in July 2007. The present Joan Levy Earle assumed the role of Associate Editor. Her creative guidance is evident in each issue.

Besides these truly dedicated and reliable associate editors, the pages of these 500 issues have benefitted from a whole array of talented writers who have contributed articles, stories and series on various topics that have made the magazine a treasure trove of help to our readers for their daily Christian living. Without their writings in the past and at present, the Messenger could not have fulfilled its role of reliable guidance and inspiration. Your responses to the readership surveys are testimonials of appreciation for what these authors have provided to you as our readers.

For my first 21 years, until his death in 1987, I had the editorial help of Father Daniel H. McLarnon, S.J., who brought a wealth of business and personal experience to the service of the Messenger in addition to his directing the Sacred Heart Program on radio and television. That broadcasting apostolate was the responsibility of the Messenger office until it was discontinued in 2005. Those early years were particularly difficult when the futures of various apostolates were being questioned by those who felt that many things from the past should be abandoned for the new “in the spirit of Vatican II” with its many changes. It was then that Father McLarnon contributed invaluable stability to the Messenger office. We collaborated as close friends for we previously had entered the Jesuit novitiate on the same day.

Much more could be written about the past 46 years with the 500 issues of the magazine. As I conclude these reflections, I want to give a testimonial to St. Joseph whose powerful intercession with God, I truly believe, has kept this publishing service alive and flourishing these many years. When I was appointed by my Superiors to be Editor, the status of the magazine was precarious financially. The very first thing I did of any consequence was to buy a small statue of St. Joseph and install it in the Messenger office which at that time was located at 68 Broadview Ave. The statue of St. Joseph moved with the office to 833 Broadview Ave., and to the present 661 Greenwood Ave although it had to be replaced when the original statue was broken accidentally. More often than I care to remember, we relied on the income contained in Monday’s mail to cover the cheques sent out on Friday to pay bills that were due. A very serious financial situation developed in 1998. A special appeal to our readers was enclosed in the March issue, the Month of St. Joseph, which brought in the necessary funds “to keep the wolf away from the door,” thanks to the intercession of St. Joseph. We have been kept our expenses under cautious control ever since. Thanks be to God for being able to celebrate this 500 issue of my term as Editor of this magazine which has been serving the Church for 121years since January 1891.

Father M.J. Abraham, S.J.

I deliberately did not mention any individual writer in the above account of my stewardship as Editor. Father Abraham rightly deserves a truly Honourable Mention. The June 1961 issue had his first article, “Mission Schools.” He wrote numerous articles for the Messenger over the years with the December 2011 having his last article. It was on the Mission Intention which he had writing about every month since January 2001. His health has deteriorated in recent years after serving for 63 years in the Darjeeling District of India.

His first articles were written in the time of Mary Pujolas. She was a very discerning editor who always regarded Father Abraham as her favorite writer. Many of you, no doubt, share her appraisal of the outstanding quality of whatever he wrote. His exceptional literary talent was recognized when his article about Pope John XXIIIs encyclical, “Pacem in Terris” (Peace on Earth” in the December 1963 issue was reprinted in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper as a special Christmas Day feature on its editorial page. It subsequently was reprinted in other newspapers around the world and in numerous magazines. Nothing that appeared originally in the Messenger ever received so wide a coverage.

Father Abraham is not only an exceptionally gifted writer, Your editor had the privilege of hearing him speak in practice sermons for the first six years of their seminary life together before Father Abraham went to India. I am convinced that if he had not gone to India he would have been the “Fulton J. Sheen” of Canada, the equivalent of the celebrated Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen of radio and television fame in the United States. Canada’s loss is India’s gain indeed.

Our deep thanks go to Father Murray J. Abraham, S.J.

February Novena

February 3 is the First Friday. I’ll begin my Novena of Masses on that day and conclude on February 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. You are invited to send your petitions and thanksgivings to be included in these nine Masses that I will offer for you. I will include a special thanksgiving for being able to serve you for these 500 issues of the Canadian Messenger in which I have tried to present in each issue what I believed would help you the most at that time. My thanks to all of you who have supported me with your prayers and encouragement.

Father Frederick J. Power, S.J., Editor

NB. To reach the magazine, please write to: Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart c/o 661 Greenwood Ave., Toronto, ON, M4J 4B3 or visit their website here.

Vatican astronomer, Jesuit Br. Guy Consolmagno, to lecture at UBC on Feb. 25 and 27

communications — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:31:51 +0000

Vatican astronomer, Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, presents the Carr Lecture Series on February 25 and February 27 at UBC . 

St. Mark’s College and Corpus Christi College, the Catholic Colleges in Vancouver, in partnership with the University of British Columbia and the Newman Association of Vancouver, are proud to host this year’s Carr Lecture series on Faith and Reason. We invite you to join us at one or more of the events. Please feel to widely distribute this invitation to anyone interested in hearing Brother Guy present in Vancouver. Tickets are first-come first-served, so book early.

You are also invited to attend a celebration of the Jesuits 400 Years of Service in Canada on February 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 4925 Cambie St. in Vancouver. On that occasion, we would also like to offer special thanks to the developing presence and contributions of Jesuits at St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi.

For more information, please click here for the Feb 25 lecture "Pluto and the Vatican," and here for the Feb 27 lecture "Discarded Worlds." For more information or to reserve a seat, please contact Florence Allaye-Chan at tel: 604-822-6862 x119 or via email: fchan@corpuschristi.ca.

UPDATE Re. Town of Midland discussion of waste transfer site at Ste. Marie and Martyrs' Shrine

communications — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:37:11 +0000

UPDATE:

As of February 14, negotiations are currently underway to find a more suitable location for the recycling facility. We thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to announcing a positive outcome soon. For recent news coverage, see news below.

***

February 1, 2012 -

The site plan application for the proposed recycling facility at 1001 Frankee Kindred Rd. in Midland was not on the agenda for the Town meeting February 1, 2012. The application has been delayed to allow the parties involved more time to discuss the matter.

January 2012 -

The Town of Midland has announced that the Planning and Development Committee Meeting to discuss the site plan application for a proposed waste transfer/recycling facility will be postponed to February 1, 2012. The meeting was originally set for January 11, 2012 after Midland Council decided it would not discuss the plan on December 7, 2011. See attached Dec 24 release from Town of Midland. Click here for a letter from Fr. Peter Bisson to Midland Mayor McKay.

In December, more letters against the site were delivered to the Town, making the total count of letters delivered 5,727. Thank you for your continued support. Please note, you can still email and fax in your letters against this proposed facility to shrine@jesuits.ca and fax 705-526-1546.

***

Opposition to proposed outdoor industrial waste site focus of Midland march in late November, 2011.

Unpleasant weather did little to dampen the spirits of walkers who trekked from Martyrs' Shrine to deliver over 5,500 letters of concern to Midland Town Hall. The letters were in opposition to the outdoor waste site proposed to be built at the doorstep of the Martyrs' Shrine and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons.

It was the last day for citizens to register written concerns about the proposed waste site before the issue is considered by Midland Town Council on December 7.

Martyrs' Shrine and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons are the two largest tourist attractions in the area, bringing in 180,000 visitors annually and employing 127 people throughout the year. Should the waste site be built as proposed, a noise assessment suggests it would spoil the peace and beauty of the heritage and religious sites.

Father Peter Bisson of the Jesuits in English Canada stated: "There is significant concern about the impact of noise associated with day-to-day operation of the waste handling facility on the contemplative nature of both sites."

Letters of concern were written by Midland area residents, as well as a wide range of supporters of Sainte-Marie and the Martyrs’ Shrine from across Ontario and Canada. A handful of letters came from outside the country, including a letter from the Vatican.

The letters were personally received at Midland Town Hall by the Mayor of Midland, Gordon McKay.

Father Bisson observed, "It would have been best for all had the Martyrs' Shrine and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons been properly informed and involved as neighbours, as we have been since 1926. Obviously, at least 4,000 people recognize the importance and value of this site remaining a quiet site for contemplation. The community support we have received has been overwhelming. I thank each walker, volunteer and letter writer."

Father Bisson concluded by saying, "We wish the Mayor and Council best wishes as the Christmas holidays approach and trust that they will consider the full implications of the decision before them."

For photos of the march, interviews, or more information, please contact: Don Huff, Environmental Communication Options, at 416-805-7720 or huffd@ecostrategy.ca

***

See proposed recycling plant location here. Read more about the "Walk of Support" here. Route map. See the letter sent attached.

For additional information please call the Jesuits at: (416) 962-4500 x225

You can also visit the Protect the Martyrs’ Shrine/Sainte-Marie Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/ProtectMartyrsShrine

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News coverage about this proposed waste site may be found here:

http://www.cbc.ca/ontariomorning/2012/02/03/martyrs-shrine-and-recycling-plant/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/01/toronto-midland-shrine-recycling-centre.html

Martyrs' Shrine threatened: Jesuits battle development again - Christian Week News - http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=1812

Meeting on recycling plant next to Martyrs' Shrine delayed - The Catholic Register - http://www.catholicregister.org/news/canada/item/13478-meeting-on-recycl...

Decision on recycling plant put on hold - Town will use extra time to study objections to proposed facility - Midland and Penatanguishene Mirror- http://www.simcoe.com/news/article/1258318--decision-on-recycling-plant-...

CTV News - November 30, 6 p.m. newscast, at 12:47 minutes - http://ctvnewsbarrie.ca/videos/618/wednesday-november-30,-2011-ctv-news-...

Protestors want recycling plant canned - Group marches from Martyrs' Shrine to town to deliver 4,000 letters - Midland and Penetanguishene Mirror - http://www.simcoe.com/community/midland/article/1254616

Halt development of recycling facility, letters urge council - Midland Free Press - http://www.midlandfreepress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3389872

SUN TV - Byline's Brian Lilley's blog - under "Trashing our history?" - http://blogs.canoe.ca/lilleyspad/

Radio- Canada - Émission du vendredi 25 novembre - Regardez - at 3:28 minutes - http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/telejournal_ontario/2011-2012/integ...

CTV News - November 24 broadcast, at 8:51 minutes - http://www.ctvbarrie.ca/category/news/

Salt + Light TV, Perspectives news program - http://youtu.be/m79EJ2mqnxE

Waste site plans disturb English Canada's most visited Catholic shrine - National Post- http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/11/21/waste-site-plans-disturb-english-canadas-most-visited-catholic-shrine/

Jesuits fight recycling operation planned for next to Martyrs' Shrine - The Catholic Register - http://www.catholicregister.org/news/canada/item/13382-jesuits-fight-recycling-operation-planned-for-next-to-martyrs-shrine

North American Martyrs’ Shrine opposes nearby industrial site - EWTN - http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=4389

Shrine, Sainte-Marie marshal forces in bid to stop recycling plant - Midland Free Press- http://www.midlandfreepress.com/PrintArticle.aspx?e=3373166

Wrong spot for recycling facility, say Sainte-Marie officials: Proposal raises concerns regarding noise, debris, impact on tourism - Simcoe News - http://www.simcoe.com/news/article/1220470--wrong-spot-for-recycling-fac...

St. Marie, Shrine register objections to recycling facility- Midland Free Press -http://www.midlandfreepress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3307903

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Letter to the Editor in Midland and Penatanguishene Mirror - Nature lovers upset by proposal

Letter to the Editor in Midland and Penatanguishene Mirror - Hard to see logic behind recycling facility - http://www.simcoe.com/community/midland/article/1251120

Letter to the Editor in National Post - Holy ground for all Canadians - http://www.financialpost.com/todays-paper/Holy+ground+Canadians/5747382/...

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To learn more about Martyrs' Shrine please visit: http://www.martyrs-shrine.com/

To learn more about Sainte-Marie among the Hurons please visit: http://www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/sm/en/Home/index.htm

Files:

Protect Martyrs' Shrine and Ste. Marie petition.

Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Toronto, Fr. William M. Addley, SJ dies of cancer

communications — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:12:14 +0000

Father William M. Addley, SJ, died peacefully on January 21, 2012 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, in the 69th year of his life and the 48th year of religious life.

Fr. Bill was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 16, 1943 to Gordon Addley and Margaret Tobin. He was educated at Saint Mary’s University High School and Saint Mary’s University (B.A. ‘64) in Halifax. He entered the Guelph Novitiate in 1964, pronounced vows two years later and studied Philosophy at Mount St. Michael’s of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He did a Master’s degree at Loyola University in Chicago in Sociology, 1969 - 1971. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1974. Immediately after studying Theology at Regis College (1971 - 1975) he was appointed Socius to the Provincial of the Jesuits in English Canada Province, first to Fr. Terence Walsh and later to Fr. Bill Ryan.

Soon after in 1984, Fr. Bill was appointed Provincial by Father General. After a full term in Jesuit administration, he was appointed Superior of the Jesuit Pickering community in 1990. He remained there until he was appointed Pastor and Superior of Toronto's diverse parish Our Lady of Lourdes in 1999. He was still serving as Pastor when he died suddenly.

Fr. Bill was very gifted, intellectually and personally. He was universally loved, had unfailing good humour, charity and a great sensitivity to the lives and feelings of others. His generosity and hospitality were remarkable. Many people placed their trust in him and in his judgment. He was never too busy in his days of Jesuit administration to do pastoral work and care, particularly for those in need. His homilies were well worded and thoughtful. He served on many boards and committees, notably those of Regis College and The Jesuit Communication Project. During his years as Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish his devotion to his parishioners was reciprocated by their devotion to and appreciation of him.

Fr. Bill will be sadly missed by his sister Allana Addley-Mont, his niece Tarra Mont-Colgan, and his many friends and colleagues.

Visitation at Our Lady of Lourdes at 520 Sherbourne St. in Toronto, Jan. 26 and 27, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Jesuit Cemetery in Guelph.

For more on Father Bill please see The Catholic Register article here.

St. Paul’s High School honours Canadian Ambassador to the United States

communications — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:39:46 +0000

On November 1, the St Paul’s High School community bestowed its highest honour, the Ignatian Challenge Award, to His Excellency Gary Doer ’66.

Mr. Doer humbly accepted his award at the 18th Annual Tribute Dinner in front of a crowd of close to 1,100 friends, colleagues and fellow alumni at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

In accepting the award, Mr Doer credited his alma mater for forming him and other young men into Men for Others, teaching them to act with “integrity, honesty, with passion and the belief in community and with love for your fellow human being.” Mr. Doer spoke highly of his days as a St. Paul’s student, the Jesuit training he received and the lifelong friendships he cultivated – even proclaiming St. Paul’s the “greatest high school in Canada.”

His lifelong friend and previous Ignatian Challenge Award recipient, Mr. James Tennant ’66, introduced Mr. Doer with anecdotes of their time at St. Paul’s while Mr. Mark Chipman ’78 spoke of Mr. Doer’s accomplishments as Premier and the difference he has made to the Province of Manitoba.

In his address, Fr. Alan Fogarty S.J., St. Paul’s High School President, praised Mr. Doer’s service to his community, which he noted as a central tenant of Jesuit education. “St. Paul’s works in a discerning and focused way to bring God to our students so that they can become people of competence, conscience, compassion and faith” explained Fr. Fogarty. He thanked Mr. Doer not only for his work as Premier of Manitoba and in his role as Ambassador, noting that the night was in “honour of his many achievements in the area of service, for and in the care of others, [and] in his personal and community focused campaign for a better world.”

Prior to taking up his current position as Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Doer served as Premier of Manitoba for ten years. In 2005, he was named by Business Week as one of the top 20 international leaders on climate change. During his time as Premier, he led strategic investments in health care, education and training and infrastructure.

The Ignatian Challenge Award Tribute Dinner, which raises money for the St. Paul’s High School Bursary Endowment Fund, is the School’s annual fundraising gala where friends and alumni of St. Paul’s honour those who live with integrity to embody the Mission and Vision of the School.

Mr. Shawn Alwis ’00, Director of Advancement & Alumni Affairs, thanked sponsors and attendees for their support of the event and the 2011 Tribute Dinner Committee, chaired by Mr. Tony Demarin ’84 and Ms. Virginia Robertson, for their efforts in helping to make the evening a huge success for St Paul’s High School and the Bursary Program: “Tonight, your support of this 18th Ignatian Challenge Award Tribute Dinner helps to ensure that we keep our promise to maintain the accessibility of a Jesuit education in Manitoba. Tonight we are both humbled and honoured by your support.”

Additional revenue for the Bursary Fund was raised through the 2011 RBC Tribute Dinner Raffle. This year’s prizes totalled over $30,000. Tickets were one for $100 or three for $250. Raffle sponsors Mr. Martin Thibodeau from the Royal Bank of Canada and Mrs. Tina Jones of the Tolaini Family joined Mr. Alwis on stage to draw the night’s seven prizes. In total, 773 tickets were sold – a tremendous show of support from the evening’s attendees.

Jesuit Father John O’Brien receives Concordia’s Loyola Medal

communications — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:55:17 +0000

Friends, colleagues and alumni gathered on October 18 to pay tribute to Distinguished Professor Emeritus Father John (Jack) E. O’Brien, S.J. - the founder of Concordia University’s renowned Department of Communication Studies. The evening featured the presentation of the 2011 Loyola Medal to Father O’Brien, one of the highest honours awarded by Concordia University.

Father O’Brien founded the Department of Communication Arts in 1965. It was Canada’s first department dedicated to the study of communications.

In his acceptance speech, Father O’Brien reflected upon the highlights of his career, emphasizing it was about “being at the right time and at the right place” and being “supported by people who were with me and enjoyed what they were doing.”

Graduates of O’Brien’s program have had impressive and diverse careers, incuding: filmmaker Kevin Tierney, CBC journalist Hanna Gartner, television producer René Balcer (Law and Order), fi lm producer Don Carmody, and Barry Julien, head writer at The Colbert Report.

Father O’Brien joins a distinguished group of past recipients that include Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar (2009), Sen. and Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire (ret.) (2006), the late Oscar Peterson (1997), fellow Jesuit, the late Rev. Bernard Lonergan (1971), and the late Governor General of Canada, Georges P. Vanier (1963).

Article Source:

http://www.concordia.ca/now/community-engagement/alumni-affairs/20111019/father-...

Jesuit priest receives Loyola Medal

communications — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:55:16 +0000

Father John (Jack) O’Brien receives Concordia’s Loyola Medal

Friends, colleagues and alumni gathered on October 18 to pay tribute to Distinguished Professor Emeritus Father John (Jack) E. O’Brien, S.J.- the founder of Concordia’s renowned Department of Communication Studies. The evening featured the presentation of the 2011 Loyola Medal to Father O’Brien, one of the highest honours awarded by Concordia University.

Father O’Brien founded the Department of Communication Arts in 1965. It was Canada’s first department dedicated to the study of communications.

The Catholic Register newspaper publishes special supplement on Jesuits in Canada

communications — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:37:09 +0000

Four hundred years ago a pair of brave, but no doubt anxious, French Jesuit missionaries landed at Port Royal in Acadia on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. In 1611 the small fort was a gateway to the vast, unexplored territory called New France.

Over the decades that followed, the Jesuits moved steadily inland and, while fulfilling their mission as evangelists, they also became explorers, cartographers, educators, chroniclers and pastors. More so than any other religious order, the Jesuits not only witnessed the birth of Canada, they shaped significant parts of its history.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of their arrival to the “New World” and to celebrate their many spiritual and temporal contributions to Canada, The Catholic Register has published a 36-page homage to the Jesuit priests and brothers whose courage brought them to our shores in 1611 and whose faith and commitment to service has entwined them in the fabric of Canadian life to this day.

We originally envisioned this tribute as a 12-page section. But it tripled in size over the summer due to an outpouring of support from the many organizations on these pages that wanted to extend their own congratulations in an advertisement. As a result, when the special section is combined with our weekly 20-page paper, the 56-page Catholic Register you are holding is probably the largest we’ve ever published.

The story of the Jesuit martyrs is an important part of the Canadian education curriculum. Therefore, in addition to being delivered to subscriber homes, an additional 14,000 copies of the Jesuit section have been printed for distribution to more than 1,000 Catholic elementary and high schools in Ontario at the expense of The Register.

This 400-year milestone is worthy of celebration. We hope you enjoy it.

Jim O’Leary, Publisher and Editor

The Catholic Register

Find the supplement here: http://www.catholicregister.org/jesuits

First Jesuit NativityMiguel Network School in Canada

communications — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:15:08 +0000

The Most Rev. Daniel Bohan, Archbishop of Regina, His Worship, Pat Fiacco, Mayor of Regina, and Mr. Paul J. Hill, Chairman President and CEO, The Hill Companies, joined students and faculty to officially announce the grand opening of the Mother Teresa Middle School (MTMS) of Regina on September 6.

The school opened its doors to highly motivated, economically disadvantaged youth and is the first Jesuit NativityMiguel Network educational facility to establish roots in Canada. The Network supports schools in over 60 communities in North America providing grade 6, 7 and 8 students with mentorship support throughout their academic career to employment, smaller classroom sizes of approximately 20 students, and an extended school day and school year. “Our work is driven by incredibly passionate leaders whose impact will be lasting as they offer the students and families of Regina hope for a brighter future,” said Melodie Wyttenbach, Director of Mission Effectiveness, NativityMiguel Network.

Archbishop Bohan read a special prayer to open the celebration; Carol Hill read a letter of congratulations from Premier Brad Wall who was unable to attend, two Kookums (grandmothers) Darlene Yuzicappi and Doreen Topp of students gave brief statements; Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco congratulated everyone involved and spoke briefly about his own upbringing in Regina’s North Central. Hill also told the invited guests that he hopes and expects Nativity Miguel will eventually be opened in other Western Canadian cities. He is already in discussion with interested parties in Winnipeg.

The school is the brainchild of Paul Hill, CEO of the Harvard group of companies and his wife Carol. “We were part of a group who were privileged to meet Mother Teresa. After hearing her speak she was asked if we could help her but she told us she didn’t want our money but to go back to our communities, identify a need and help there,” said Paul in a brief address at the opening. “Inner city children have a large drop out rate and that’s a terrible waste to our community,” he said. Sometime later the couple were at a social function in the U.S. where they heard about the Nativity Miguel schools, explored it further and decided to bring the concept to Regina. Three years later, September 6, 2011, it was officially opened.

The NativityMiguel model has a proven track record for success with 82% of eighth graders graduating from high school and 67% of these students choosing to enroll in post secondary education. “I strongly believe in the NativityMiguel model,” said Curtis Kleisinger, Principal, MTMS. “Our entire faculty is honored to have the opportunity to partner with our students and their parents to ensure they are provided with every opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

For more on the school visit:http://mtmschoolregina.com/blog/

Also see interviews with Jesuit Father Ben Fiore, S.J., (President of Campion College), Curtis Kleisinger (Principal Mother Teresa Middle School), Gwen Keith (Executive Director of Mother Teresa Middle School) here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owgIWoIQt-w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyaWps-iby4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trSAT1iiBJg&feature=related

Vow Day - August 20, 2011

altilia — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:23:55 +0000

Four young Jesuits pronounced their first vows on Saturday, August 20, having completed their two-year novitiate program in Montreal. For a fuller article and photos, click here.