Third-year graduates with Bishop Michael Mulhall.

It was a glorious weekend of celebration at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy.  The eleventh graduation of OLSWA was held in the afternoon on Saturday, April 30th.  Saint Hedwig’s Church was filled with family and friends for the graduation Mass celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Michael Mulhall of Pembroke.  

 In his homily the bishop reflected on the reading from the Acts of the Apostles that describes the fearlessness of Peter and John after the Resurrection and their profound desire to spread the Good News: “We cannot stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).  By their deep-seated confidence and peace that comes from their personal relationship with Christ, others recognized that these men were disciples of Jesus.  The bishop explained that it is identification with Christ, fruit of an encounter with Him, that brings us the same peace and confidence to share with the world the good news of salvation. 

Following the beautiful Mass and warm words of welcome by President Dr. Keith Cassidy, the Commencement Address was given by Sr. John Mary, S.V., a member of the Sisters of Life religious community, and originally from Calgary, AB.  The Sisters of Life, a religious order founded in 1991 in New York and devoted to the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life, recently established a foundation in Toronto, where Sr. John Mary is now serving.  In her inspiring address, Sr. John Mary spoke to the graduates of Christian discipleship, reminding them that the deepest question one is asking at this time in their lives is not “What am I going to do?”, but “Who am I?”.  Quoting Blessed John Paul II, whose beatification was on May 1st, Sister told the students that it is the voice of Jesus deep in their hearts who tells them who they are as Christians.  Sharing her own vocation story and the story of the founding of her community, Sister encouraged students to “Give God permission.”  She explained, “These three little words, Give God Permission, are at the root of every mission of every Christian disciple in this world.”  She closed by exhorting students to “proclaim the truth of the sacredness of human life.”   Her address can be found here.

After the address, Dr. Cassidy presented the Sisters of Life with OLSWA’s Culture of Life Award for their profound dedication to the task of creating and sustaining respect for the dignity of human life by means of prayer, the support of individuals in need, and evangelization.  Sister Mary Rose, local superior at the Toronto house, received the award on behalf of the sisters. 

Over 40 students received either the one-, two-, or three-year Certificate in Christian Humanities.  While most 1st and 2nd year students will return for further studies at OLSWA, the third-year students will be going on for a final year at other colleges and universities where they will receive their Bachelor of Arts degree:  Redeemer University College, Tyndale University College, Christendom College, and Franciscan University of Steubenville.   Graduating students also received personalized certificates of congratulations and best wishes from MPP John Yakabuski.  

Ten scholarships and bursaries were awarded to deserving students, including the Mosielski Family Scholarship in memory of Boguslaw Mosielski, and the Fr. Archie Afelskie award donated by the Barry’s Bay Area Knights of Columbus.  A full list of scholarships and bursaries with recipients can be found here.  A new award, the Blessed John Paul II Award, was presented to Amy MacInnis of Whitby, ON, for receiving the highest CGPA among students receiving the three-year certificate.

Third-year student Jonathan Baker of Montreal gave the farewell address on behalf of the graduating class. He was chosen by his classmates as a student who both demonstrates academic excellence and upholds the mission of OLSWA.  The graduate representative is “a well-balanced individual who readily contributes to the community, demonstrates a willingness to serve, and who fosters their spiritual life, persevering in holiness, charity and integrity.”  Jonathan spoke warmly of his experience of OLSWA which he has always considered, since his first visit, as a “home” and like a family.  He also expressed his appreciation for the way the faculty and staff call the students higher.  He quoted John Paul II’s words to the youth, “It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity.... Do not be afraid.  Do not be satisfied with mediocrity.  Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” He ended by offering heartfelt thanks for “all those who have laboured so hard to make the Academy a reality” and for his fellow students “for being a constant source of encouragement, edification, inspiration and friendship.”  His address can be found here.

Dean of Students, Miss Maja Polic, who will be moving on from OLSWA this summer, was thanked by Dr. Cassidy for her three years of dedicated service to OLSWA in the area of student life.  In her parting words to the student body, she expressed her love for them and encouraged them in their daily living out of God’s great plan for their lives.  

The Academy community offers heartfelt thanks to all friends, parents, and benefactors for their support and encouragement over the past year.  Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, and Blessed John Paul II, pray for us!