Guest Homilist Deacon Andrew Bennett with students after Sunday Liturgy in Sheptytsky Institute Chapel
TORONTO – This year, the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at Toronto’s University of St. Michael’s College returned to offering a weekend student chaplaincy. Since the Institute’s re-location to Ottawa in 1990, and subsequently to the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto in 2017, the Institute has provided an array of educational programs and outreach initiatives.
“The idea of also being a kind of Newman Centre for Eastern Christians has always been dear to us,” said Fr. Alexander Laschuk, PhD, Executive Director of the Sheptytsky Institute. “With Fr. Peter Galadza retiring as professor emeritus, he became available to take on weekend ministry here. Many universities have chaplaincies. Such pastoral activities round out a school’s theological profile. Thus, the outstanding academic work of Sheptytsky Institute professors like Fr. Andrew Summerson, SThD, receives extra-curricular grounding in worship and fellowship,” continued Fr. Laschuk. “Fr. Summerson was already doing student chaplaincy on weekdays, and the addition of weekend services is wonderful.”
2022 at the Sheptytsky Chaplaincy began with inspiring presentations by Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, who spoke about the heroic work of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata. The fact that her Sisters have been working in Ukraine since the 1990s, and have continued their work there during the Russian invasion, made the presentation particularly apropos.
Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, was ordained a Ukrainian Catholic priest in 1984 by Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk, CSsR in the presence of Mother Teresa herself. After her death, he became the postulator for her canonization. Kolodiejchuk has written and edited several books about the saint. Recently, discussions were undertaken to introduce a community of priests associated with Mother Teresa’s Congregation into Ukraine.
Institute Professor, Fr. Andrew Summerson, brings smiles to students from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Kolodiejchuk’s talks took place in the context of the Sheptytsky Student Chaplaincy’s regular weekend services. Friday, January 19 he spoke after evening prayer. On Saturday he met with students after the Vigil service (Vespers and Matins) and Sunday he preached during the Divine Liturgy.
Singing at the worship services is led by an experienced cantor, Jasmine Butcher. “Jasmine received her training from the best,” notes Fr. Galadza. “She is the daughter of Sheptytsky Institute graduate and subsequent lecturer, Dr. Brian Butcher. “Dr. Butcher’s liturgical and musical acumen are outstanding, and it’s so gratifying to see the baton passed on to the next generation.” Fr. Peter continued: “We are also blessed to have Quinton Peralta, a Ukrainian Catholic PhD student at the University of Toronto, who serves as sacristan as well as organizer of film nights and similar gatherings.”
“Student to Student” Evening at Sheptytsky Institute
Among the movies screened this year at the Sheptytsky Student Chaplaincy was “Kapelany,” a moving documentary about military chaplains in war-torn Eastern Ukraine.
Windle House, the stunning Victorian mansion housing the Sheptytsky Institute at the University of St. Michael’s College, provides a spacious venue for Chaplaincy events. “Most people in our community don’t realize that in relocating to Toronto, St. Michael’s College gave the Institute exclusive use of this 22-room building,” noted Taras Pidzamecky, a member of the Sheptytsky Institute Foundation (MASIF) and prominent community leader. “The Institute has a fabulous presence at the centre of Canada’s largest university.”
The Sheptytsky Institute is thus able to be a hub for various students, including those from Ukraine. This year, for example, 21 students from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, took part in “Students to Students: An Evening for U of T Students Concerned about Ukraine during the War.”
This complements the central mission of the Chaplaincy. “Today’s young people are increasingly thirsty for the Spirit,” noted Fr. Galadza. “Thus, having a chapel and other space where Eastern Christian students can gather for worship, theological discussions, spiritual direction – and just plain fellowship – is very important,” said the chaplain.
Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, seated, being introduced by Sr. Bernice of the Order founded by Mother Teresa
Friday evening services were particularly well attended. On a rotating basis, vespers as well as the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (during Lent), and even the Akathist Hymn were sung. On Saturdays great vespers was served, along with matins and the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. “We were blessed to have guest homilists at the Sunday Liturgies such as Fr. Michael Smolinski, CSsR, the Redemptorist Provincial Superior and former director of Welcome Home in Winnipeg, and Deacon Andrew Bennett, PhD from Ottawa. Fr. Andrew is the former ambassador for the Canadian Government’s Office of Religious Freedom. He also serves as a Board member of the Sheptytsky Institute Foundation.
The Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies was founded in 1986 by Fr. Andriy Chirovsky, SThD. It is an autonomous academic unit of the Faculty of Theology of St. Michael’s College through which its courses are accredited and professors hired. Last year, the St. Michael’s Faculty federated with the Regis College Faculty, a Jesuit School. The combined Faculty is a member of the Toronto School of Theology, North America’s largest theological consortium. The Sheptytsky Institute continues to publish its scholarly review, Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies. Post-Covid it has also returned to sponsoring its famous annual Study Days. The latter brings theology “to the people in the pews.” For more information: www.sheptytskyinstitute.ca.
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