Students, scholars, staff ask for guidance at annual Academic Mass

STM community comes together to start the year off in fellowship

By Paul Sinkewicz

Each year, the STM community gathers in the 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 Most Rev. Mark Hagemoen, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, as well as Fr. Andre Lalach 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.

The celebration began in a very special way, with Knowledge Keeper Jasmyn Albert performing a Smudge Ceremony.

After Bishop Hagemoen's homily, Dr. Carl Still, President of STM College, presided over the Commissioning of the STM Community.

In the Commissioning, those leading the College - faculty and staff - reaffirm they will work in partnership with its students for learning and growth, and to build a better society through the Mission of the College.

For those who have never attended an Academic Mass, 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.

Campus Minister Michael MacLean instructs the STM faculty on the order of entry to the Academic Mass

Professors, in their traditional academic attire, await the start of the Mass

Most Rev. Mark Hagemoen visits with Harry Lafond, STM Scholar in Indigenous Education, before the ceremony

STM supporter Irene Ositis-Schmeiser (left) and Kari Sinkewicz, Manager of Development and Alumni Relations

Jacquie Berg, Director of Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment, and Sherry Richert, Administrative Assistant, President's Office

Sr. Teresita Kambeitz (right), a longtime friend of the College, visits with Jacquie Berg before Mass

Michael MacLean leads the procession into the Academic Mass

Fr. Andre Lalach (from left), Most Rev. Mark Hagomoen, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Fr. Daniel Yasinski, and Fr. Greg Smith-Windsor

Dr. Carl Still, President of STM College, leads the Commissioning of the STM Community

STM Faculty at the annual Academic Mass

Gertrude Rompre, Director of Mission and Ministry at STM College, leads the Prayers of the Faithful

Most Rev. Mark Hagemoen delivers his homily during Mass