STM Fall Gathering celebrates leadership, faith, service, and generosity

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.

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

Following the celebration of faith in the chapel presided by Distinguished Alumnus, Bishop Bob Kasun, STM’s Director of Advancement, Connie Andersen, oversaw the recognition event held in the College’s Fr. O’Donnell auditorium.

Andersen reminded the audience that the occasion highlighted the very purpose of a Catholic liberal arts college, like STM. “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.”

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

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 – a 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, 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.

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 M.Div. degree at St. Michael’s University College.

Ordained to the priesthood in his home parish in Cudworth in 1978, Kasun completed his B.Ed. degree, then received his M.Ed. de­gree 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. He was esteemed, admired, and loved by his brother priests.

Bishop 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 we are told that Bishop 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.”

Bishop Kasun spoke fondly Saturday evening 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.

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 namesake, Thomas More – distinguished public service, elevated by personal virtues, including care, integrity, and faith.

Dr. Carl Still announced Dr. Helen Horsman as the 2025 recipient 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 Dr. 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 called.

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 appointed Director of Education, Horsman returned in 2004 to Saskatoon to begin the position of Director of Education for Saskatoon Catholic Schools. 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, Dr. 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 6 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.

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 Still announced, “that dream - which we worked towards for almost a decade - is now a reality.”

With that he introduced the much-anticipated gift announcement to top off the evening. St. Thomas More College 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, a dynamic scholar who will 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, establishing 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. Based in Catholic Social Teaching, experiential learning offers students the chance to serve real community needs, gain volunteer experience and, as the Sisters believe, “have young people put their faith into action and make the world a life-giving place.”

Six of the FDLP Sisters were in attendance including Sister Nellie Pozdzik at age 97. When the Sisters gave the cheque to STM, Sr. Nellie 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.”

Mariette Martineau spoke Saturday evening on behalf of the FDLP Sisters regarding their motivation for the gift and investment in this initiative.

“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. 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.

Still also acknowledged the other major donors who gave to the Chair over the past decade, noting over 95% of the funds received toward the Indigenous Chair were from religious congregations of women and men.

Most Reverend Mark A. Hagemoen, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon sent congratulatory and appreciative remarks 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 FDLP’s tremendous generosity to St. Thomas More College.”

Connie Andersen reiterated her profound appreciation, “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.”

President 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 the original Advisory Circle, Dr. Gordon Martell spoke to the significance of the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation – and shared the name of the new Chair.

Martell referred to the inspiration for the Chair in the following terms: “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.

 “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 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 individually wrapped each of the six FDLP Sisters in attendance. 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.

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.

This year’s STM Fall Gathering was indeed a special day to recognize many individual and cumulative journeys of service, character, faith, and pursuit of reconciliation. The fall evening was filled with inspiration, joy, and peace, in knowing legacies will be fulfilled.

Faith put into action can indeed accomplish great things.

Click on link to view photo gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCwNSU  

Photos by Michelle Berg

Announcing the transformative gift of $5 Million from Les Filles De La Providence

The new official name for the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation!