Past Events

April 21, 2010

Closing of the Academic Year and Celebration to honour Luc Tardif, OMI.

Wednesday, April 21 found the community of the Centre for Ministry Formation gathered for a festive liturgy to celebrate the conclusion of the academic year and to honour the accomplishments of many of the members. Luc Tardif, OMI was honoured, in a very special way, as he brings his time as rector of Saint Paul Seminary to a close. Please click on the photos to follow to see some wonderful moments from the gathering.

March 13, 2010

A Commitment to Social Justice:  an essential dimension of Ministry

In response to a commitment among the various ministry formation communities to gather to share, learn and build relationships several times a year, the members of Holy Spirit Ukranian Catholic Seminary welcomed other formation communities from the Centre for Ministry at Saint Paul University, The Anglican Studies Program at Saint Paul University, The OMI Lacombe Formation Community and students from the MP.Th. program, to share in a very meaningful session reflecting on the essential place of social justice in Christian ministry.

Franciscan priest, Benoît Fortin, and deacon Paul Soucie, in ministry at ‘Shepherds of Good Hope’ provided personal testimonies about their call and work in social justice.  Professor Carolyn Sharpe engaged in some theological reflection, based upon their testimonies, inviting participants to honour charity but push forward into asking the tough questions about how to change systems and structures that oppress.

Those in ministry formation, who were gathered for this event, engaged in rich and meaningful dialogue and reflection about the implications of the presentations for their ministry.  Many who are already immersed in social justice issues shared about their experiences, learnings and challenges as well.  All went away having made a concrete commitment to act on their insights and learnings.  Hopes were expressed to continue and deepen this exploration.

March 1, 2010

All you need is love:  unpacking Pope Benedict's "Caritas in Veritatae"

The Centre for Ministry Formation joined in partnership with the Archdiocese of Ottawa to present an evening unpacking this most recent encyclical from Pope Benedict.  An amphitheatre full of interested people joined Fr. Bill Ryan, S.J., highly respected economist and spokesperson for social justice, as he gave a presentation that claimed this encyclical holds the ingredients for a revolution that will be empowered if people join together in small groups to decide how to act on what Pope Benedict recommends.  This was a topic of significance and interest to people, especially in the context of the season of Lent.

February  8th-10th, 2010

Ministry at the Service of Building Christian Community:  Annual Symposium of the Centre for Ministry Formation

Students from Saint Paul University and members of the faculty and staff, members of local religious communities, parishioners, pastors and pastoral associates from local parishes as well as an alumnus in leadership for the Archdiocese of Ottawa came together for a few days of study, reflection, and dialogue on the theme of “Ministry at the Service of Building Christian Community.”  Led by the team of the Centre for Ministry Formation, the symposium also included input from Theology professors, Gregory Bloomquist and Susan Roll, as well as from Spiritual Director and former Professor of Adult Education at St. F.X. University, Jane Dawson, and several workshop presenters. This symposium is an annual event the Centre for Ministry offers so partners in pastoral leadership at the university and in the local churches and beyond may come together to grow in Christian ministry and leadership.