OLSWA alumni at Rise Up: Elizabeth and John Espadero (both '10); CCO staff: Kevin Darwent ('08) and Rob Koechl ('01); Veronica Grossling ('06) with son Matias, Quin Kleiboer ('03), and Marie Koechl ('10).From December 28 to January 1, several OLSWA students and alumni rang in the new year at Catholic Christian Outreach’s Rise Up Conference. At this gathering of over 500 university and college students from across Canada, participants were treated to dynamic speakers, engaging workshops, a forum to network with peers from other campuses, a chance to explore Vancouver,  and an opportunity to grow more deeply in relationship with Our Lord. The theme of the conference was “JP II: Inspired by his Legacy”.

There were many familiar faces at the Rise Up Conference, as the OLSWA display was flanked by booths run by our good friends, Madonna House and the Sisters of Life. Many interested students stopped by our display to learn more about the exciting things happening with Catholic Higher Education in Canada. There are currently two OLSWA alumni serving on staff with CCO, contributing the solid formation they received from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy to the crucial work of evangelization on university campuses across the country.  

On Dec. 17th, a Christmas dance and silent auction were held in Looma (near Edmonton, AB) as a fundraiser for Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. The event was organized by the families of four current students. The Aalbers, Morrises, Isingers, and Bulmans drew dancers from across the province for an evening of music and fellowship. The group, primarily young people and their families, was both energetic and enthusiastic, and it certainly showed on the dance floor! The Barter family pulled together a play list that kept the whole room moving to the beats of the jive, foxtrot, waltz, and others. The evening also included a number of Ceilidhs (Irish country dances) called by OLSWA alumna Maria McDonald ('11), and spot dances, where the couple dancing nearest a previously picked spot in the room won OLSWA wear.

                Current students and alumni took the opportunity to share their impressions and experiences of OLSWA with the company. They praised the school’s strong community life, its commitment and fidelity to Church teaching, and the quality of the academics. When they were done speaking, they were surprised by each being handed a hula hoop to show off their twisting skills! Another highlight of the event was a Toonie Toss, where anyone with two dollars to spare could try their eye and hand at a target for the chance to win three tickets to an Edmonton Oilers hockey game.  The challenge certainly fit the stakes – the competitors aimed to land their toonies through the mouth of a mason jar inside an ice cream bucket from a room’s length away!

                Through the kindness of those in attendance, the dance and auction were an enormous success.  Over three thousand dollars was raised for OLSWA.  The Academy extends its deepest thanks to the organizing families as well as to all who came out to support Catholic higher education in Canada.

This past year, OLSWA alumni Katie Hanlon (’10) and Jonathan Quist (’09) attended Campion College in Sydney, Australia.  After one year of studies at Australia’s first Liberal Arts college, they both graduated on December 12 with a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree.  Katie shares a little of her experiences here:

Last February, after studying for two and a half years at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, I left Canadian snowdrifts for the warm coast of Sydney, Australia. Campion College attracted me because of its similarities to OLSWA: a traditional liberal arts education, loyalty to the Catholic Church, and a close, family-like community. Moreover, Campion was willing to accept all my relevant OLSWA credits. I applied, was accepted and given a scholarship, and soon found myself at a small but beautiful campus, its pillars shining white and draped in green ivy. 

One of the first things anyone told me was that Australians and Canadians are known for getting along. Staff and students were very welcoming to international students such as fellow OLSWA alumnus Jonathan Quist and myself, and it didn’t take long to settle into dorm life and the schedule of lectures and tutorials. I was particularly impressed with the quality and dedication of all the professors.

Student life was full to overflowing and heaps of fun! Every Monday was the College Formal Hall, where we wore our academic gowns, listened to a visiting speaker, and were served incredible meals by the chef, Neil. Also, some of my friends were keen to swing-dance, so every week we spent hours twirling and flipping and learning crazy new moves. And in a small college there is always something spontaneous happening. Throughout the year, you could see white-clad fencers duelling on the lawn, girls sneaking down the hall to play pranks on the “blokes”, everyone decked out in suits and long gowns for the College Ball, or even a life-size chess game with human players. Australia was also exciting in its own right, what with getting used to the Aussie slang, enjoying Sydney nightlife and the beaches (though not the sunburns!), and seeing a koala, a penguin, and a pod of whales.

This year’s twenty-eight graduates (myself included) received a three-year bachelor of arts degree, from which some are going on to honours or masters degrees. There is some interest among Campion students in doing an exchange semester at OLSWA, and it’s fantastic for OLSWA students to be able to complete a degree “down under”. I couldn’t be more grateful for my many dear friends and the Aussie experience of a lifetime.

Graduates Katie Hanlon and Jonathan Quist with Campion President, Dr. David Daintree, and Mr. John Howard, the former Prime Minister of Australia who gave the Occasional Address.

Sister Mary Regina Anderson (formerly Mary Beth Anderson of Fraser Lake, BC) studied at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom from 2004-2006.  On August 15, 2011, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, she made her solemn profession and consecration as a nun in the Order of Citeaux at the Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Wisconsin, USA.  She writes:

After thirteen years of schooling at home, I spent four semesters at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, following which I entered Valley of Our Lady Monastery. Having lived here five years (during which I professed my first vows, on Mary’s Assumption), this past August, 2011, I was solemnly consecrated as a Cistercian nun.

I had quite a strong sense of a calling to contemplative life since my mid-teens, and so I wanted to study where my awareness and response to the will of God could be safeguarded and strengthened. I chose the Academy hoping to grow intellectually, relationally, and spiritually; and this desire was satisfied through the round of courses and the discipline they required, through the dedicated example and personal openness of my professors and fellow students, and through the opportunity for a sacramental life of prayer. While each class I took expanded my mind and heart, I would mention in particular how the study of Holy Scripture began to unfold its beauty for me. I acquired a deeper reverence and an insatiable hunger for the teaching of Christ. In my monastic life now, the devoted reading of His sacred word (lectio divina) is a primary means of union with Jesus, the Word made Flesh. 

I would draw a comparison between being at the Academy and being a monk or nun. To spend years studying the liberal arts is seen by many as a waste of time. The reply is to explain how one finds freedom in learning the truth, and how the truth is worth seeking for its own sake. Young people at the Academy are continually being apprehended by Christ the Truth, Who invites each to know Him personally, and to commit to Him. 

To give myself to the monastic way of life is similarly a choice that’s hard to explain; attempting to defend it pragmatically (e.g.“My job is to pray for people”) really falls short. The mystery of this divine call is, again, one of seeking and finding. Ultimately, the  criterion for a monastic vocation is “whether [the novice] truly seeks God”(Rule of St. Benedict). God is loved most of all, and for His own sake.  There really is no other reason. The “all” of my life, my experience, my desire, is awakened to His constant presence: to His love for me. For He is the one Who has come continually seeking me; and I am only here because God has found me and keeps me, “hidden with Christ” in Himself.

I say He seeks and finds me as I relate my own choice of commitment to Christ. I want to encourage and affirm each of my brothers and sisters now on path of His truth. It could be, it is you; rejoice and don’t be afraid! For every one of us, He has chosen a certain way leading to union with Him. Jesus Christ is indeed the Truth; and He is also our Way of Life.

 Sr. Mary Regina with her family on profession day.

On the second Sunday of Advent, OLSWA students, staff, and parishioners of Saint Hedwig’s gathered for OLSWA’s regular evening of Praise and Worship to sing hymns and songs of praise to God, to listen and meditate on His Word, and to adore the Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. 

The night was organized by student Katerina Meckleborg and members of the OLSWA’s Spiritual Life Committee.  Thank you to the student music ministry team, which included musicians on keyboard, cello, and guitar, for their inspiring music.  OLSWA’s talented Kathleen Dunn sang one of her original praise compositions.  

The hymns included Our Blessed Mother’s Magnificat, and the Lectio Divina also reflected on Our Blessed Mother’s visit to Elizabeth(Luke 1:39-56).  After the reflections on the Word, Deacon Probert presided over Exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar followed by a time of silent Adoration and Benediction.  At the request of the President of the Right to Life Club, those gathered prayed a Rosary for the protection of an unborn child known to be at risk of abortion over the next few days.  The evening ended with a short time of fellowship at a simple, but delicious reception provided by Mrs. Cassidy.

...

What is “Praise and Worship”? What is its purpose?

Two or three times a semester, a student team is organized to provide music ministry to support students, faculty and staff of OLSWA and others who wish to gather for an hour or so in the parish church to pray and worship the Lord together. This includes Lectio Divina (praying with God’s Word), Adoration of the Eucharist, and songs of worship and praise.  Afterwards, we gather for a short time of fellowship and simple refreshments.  This came about in response to a request from the students for a regular opportunity to pray to and worship the Lord together in a combination of ways – musical, Word-directed, and Eucharistic.  The music is chosen to be appropriate to the liturgical season, and to the setting in the church.  Silence is used, for example, during adoration; joyful though worshipful music is used before Exposition, and sets up a spirit for reflection and meditation on God’s Word.  “Praise and Worship” is a complementary Catholic spiritual expression to Rosaries and the Liturgy of the Hours, which are common forms of prayer at OLSWA.

When is the next Praise and Worship? 

Praise and Worship is planned according to the academic schedule (exams, drama productions, …) so as to fit appropriately into the student’s life.  Watch the Events board on the website for the next time we gather.  You are most welcome to come and try it out – you might just like it!

What is “Lectio Divina”? 

On December 4 for Praise and Worship, the Word was Luke 1:39-45, 56  (Mary Visits Elizabeth).  Click here to see the Lectio Divina meditation style we used to help us to pray about and meditate on Our Blessed Mother’s part in that first Advent, and to open our hearts to her motherly presence this Advent, and throughout Christmastide.

After several years of research, composition, and editing, Dr. Ryan Freeburn, a professor of history at OLSWA, has recently published a biographical study: Hugh of Amiens and the Twelfth Century Renaissance. The work was made available this past November by Ashgate Publishing, a major academic publishing company in England. Dr. Freeburn’s interest in Hugh of Amiens began with his longstanding interest in twelfth century monasticism. He states that while he was a graduate student, a friend of his pointed out that there was a lot to be discovered about the life of Hugh of Amiens, who became the topic of Dr. Freeburn’s doctoral thesis at the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland. A few years later, Dr. Freeburn returned to his research and began compiling his book. 

Hugh of Amiens (A.D. c. 1085-1164) turned out to be a very influential figure and a representative of various aspects of his time, says Dr. Freeburn. He participated in many different forms of the Church life such as that of a cleric, a prior, and an abbot, until he was appointed Archbishop of Rouen in Normandy. At first, Hugh thought very highly of monastic life, holding it to be better than the life of regular cannons and better than that of priests. But when the monk became a bishop, he showed tolerance and support to other religious lifestyles. Many men at the time had difficulties leaving the monastic regime after they were appointed to a higher office.  Hugh, however, made a smooth transition from monasticism to active life.

With regard to his influence on education, Dr. Freeburn asserts that Hugh of Amiens was a scholastic who “put together the first true work of systematic theology in carefully crafted dialogue form,” which paved the way for later accomplishments by theologians like Peter Lombard and Thomas Aquinas. Hugh was very concerned about heresy and wrote a treatise against heretics. He wrote a number of other works as well, including a poem summarizing the Pentateuch, and the life of St. Adjutor, a hermit from Normandy. Hugh was also acquainted with many church figures, the best known being Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter the Venerable.

Dr. Freeburn confesses his excitement at finally having his book in print. It took nearly six years’ worth of work in total for his book to reach the press, and OLSWA is honoured to add Hugh of Amiens and the Twelfth Century Renaissance to its library. Congratulations, Dr. Freeburn.
 

American Thanksgiving does not go uncelebrated at OLSWA. This year, eleven Academy students hail from the States, as well as three professors. On the evening of November 24, 2011, in honour of our southern neighbours, the OLSWA community enjoyed turkey dinner with all the fixins’. Earlier that day, students gathered at the local ice rink for a game of hockey.  The festivities did not end there, however. On Saturday, the 26th, the party continued when many of the students spent the afternoon baking pies for the ceilidh (Celtic dance) later that night. OLSWA alumnae Marissa and Jenna Henry called the dance and a large number of people turned out for the jolly occasion to have some fun. 

The Fall 2011 edition of VERITAS is hot off the press! Veritas is OLSWA's regular newsletter, published three times per academic year, and covers student, alumni, faculty, campus and development news. 

If you are on the mailing list for the print edition of the newsletter, you should be receiving your copy shortly. 

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On November 25, OLSWA was honoured to host Dr. Peter Burnell of the Department of History at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Arts and Science. Dr. Burnell has taught at several Canadian universities, including McMaster and Queen’s. He received his BA at the University of Wales, in his native Britain, and wrote his PhD thesis on the classical writer Virgil. Dr. Burnell is a classicist who has developed a special interest in St. Augustine and has published many works.

Dr. Burnell lectured on the controversial topic of the “damnation of babies,” as discussed by St. Augustine. At first, Augustine seems to posit unequivocally the horrifying thought that babies who die before baptism are “consigned to hell for eternity.” Dr. Burnell went on to show how complex the issue actually was to Augustine.

“You need to be free from sin in order to enter heaven,” said Dr. Burnell. “All human beings are conceived in a state of spiritual alienation from God.” They need the gift of the Holy Spirit if they are to be brought into intimacy with God. A necessary means of this intimacy is baptism. But unbaptized babies die in the state of original sin.

It turns out that, contrary to what many people think, Augustine did not invent the concept of original sin; he only coined the phrase. It first appears in his Confessions. Dr. Burnell indicated that some Church Fathers who preceded Augustine, such as St. Irenaeus and Tertullian, seemed to support such a doctrine. Importantly enough, the 1997 Catechism of the Catholic Church maintains similar principles regarding the necessity of baptism for salvation. Yet the Catechism also states that, “[A]s regards children who have died without baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God” (CCC 1261).

Dr. Burnell would yet want to extend the hope of salvation that is also expressed in the Catechism to Augustine’s thinking as well: “Augustine does not assert or imply that unbaptized babies are damned as a class.”  He notes that in both the Catechism and in Augustine, “divine compassion is limitless, and that God applies that compassion to every human being, and does not withhold it for enigmatic reasons.” Thus, those who do not receive God’s compassion are those who reject it. But what about the guilt of original sin? “Augustine… allowed numerous exceptions to baptism… like the martyrs, the Patriarchs, and [the non-Israelite] Job, who all give witness to the vital grace of faith.” Most curiously, Augustine included among the martyred, the ‘Holy Innocents,’ who were, of course, unbaptized infants.

His conclusion was both provocative and elegant. “The Church is careful in its assertions. It doesn’t propose a theory. The Church is content to point out what it does not know, and shows what it may believe.” Therefore, it is possible to maintain a note of hope with regard to the salvation of unbaptized infants. Neither Augustine nor the Church is without this hope: “There is no divergence between Augustine and the Church’s teaching today.”

Dr. Burnell’s lecture was well-attended and well-received. The OLSWA community appreciated his brilliant insight into such a controversial subject and appreciated his thorough explanation.