On March 18th, OLSWA was proud to host a presentation by well-known Catholic journalist and senior correspondent for Sun Media, Brian Lilley. His talk was on the timely topic of “Catholics in the Media.” Lilley, who has been a political correspondent for ten years and is to host his own television program, “Brian Lilley Byline,” on Sun News beginning in April, certainly spoke from his own practical experience. He explained to the audience the vital importance of an active Catholic voice in the increasingly secular and biased world of journalism.

Respect for the dignity of life is a passion of students both at OLSWA and after they move on from the Academy.

Whether it is pursuing studies in Life Issues, as Jenna Henry (’10) is doing at Franciscan University of Steubenville (with a Human Life Studies minor), or simply furthering the culture of life by their participation in Pro-Life events (such as the March for Life), and by raising faith-filled families open to the gift of life, OLSWA alumni are making a difference. Of particular note are the alumni who have taken on leadership roles in the Pro-Life movement.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy is very blessed to be part of the parish community of St. Hedwig Catholic Church, and there is much that we receive from the parish on so many levels. As a way to say “Thank you,” the Academy decided to put on a Valentine Cabaret on February 12, both to raise funds for the church renovation fund, and to share with the community the gifts and talents of members of the Academy. The goal was to treat guests to a lovely evening of entertainment and delicious desserts, and by every account, the Academy definitely succeeded.

There are definitely benefits to Ontario’s winter climate - snowball fights, sledding, and, of course, ice skating. This last becomes perhaps five times more fun when one skates on the frozen Rideau Canal, the world’s largest skating rink, in Ottawa - and that is just what approximately thirty-five OLSWA students found on Saturday, Feb. 5th. The Academy’s annual trip to skate the Rideau is always popular, and this year no less than before. Fr. Brian Christie of St. Hedwig’s Parish was kind enough to offer a special early Mass so that the students could attend the Holy Sacrifice before setting out. Then it was time to board the bus for the big city. The students enjoyed the chance to spend a day in the Nation’s Capital, and take a spin on their blades down the canal. And of course a stop to grab a famous “Beaver Tail” treat along the canal is a must.

Naturally, having the whole day to spend in Ottawa, students found plenty to do in addition to skating, such as visiting local landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, taking in the ice sculptures in Rogers’ Crystal Garden, visiting friends in the city, shopping, and chatting with each other over a cup of coffee in a cafe. In the evening the students regrouped to have Scottish fare for dinner, and finally returned home after a most enjoyable day.

Photo by Lois Siegel

There is so much more to the Academy than just sacred music and ancient history. On February 3rd, OLSWA students and members of the local community were treated to a lecture on “Folk Music of the Ottawa Valley,” by Brian Hebert, a master fiddler, composer, teacher, and recording artist. A native of Pembroke, ON, in the Ottawa Valley, Brian was awarded the Canadian Grand Masters “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2006 for his contribution to the development of Canadian fiddle music.

Eighteen Academy students spent a weekend serving at the second annual Diocesan High School Youth Retreat held in Pembroke from January 28-30. Over seventy teenagers from across the Pembroke Diocese participated in this event. Entitled “A Revelation Revolution,” the retreat was based on Jason and Crystalina Evert’s “The Pure Life” series from EWTN.

One quarter of the student body of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, travelled 12 hours to be among the 400,000 pro-lifers marching for the protection and dignity of human life at Washington D.C.’s annual March for Life. Despite the frosty and frigid Washington weather, the numbers of participants at the January 24 event were astounding. Throngs of high school and college students made up the majority of the participants, and the 20 students from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom were honoured to represent Canada among them.

 
OLSWA students and staff marching at Washington D.C. annual March for Life

Dr. Christine Schintgen of OLSWA recently had an article concerning the morality of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight book series featured as the cover story for the January 2011 issue of Catholic Insight. The article, “Is Twilight Pro-Chastity?” is based on a talk which the assistant literature professor delivered to the Academy in November as part of OLSWA’s Faculty Presentation series. The subject Dr. Schintgen tackled in the article is an extremely controversial one. The wildly popular young adult series concerning the romance between a vampire and a human girl has enjoyed an immense success, garnering applause not only from secular reviewers but from many Christians as well. As she notes early in the article, the fact that the teenaged leads abstain from intimacy until marriage “is a much discussed aspect of the novel series, and has led some commentators to describe the series as ‘pro-chastity.’” Dr. Schintgen challenges this view, arguing that while Twilight and its sequels might appear at first glance to contain moral messages about chastity, they actually embody an unhealthy view of relationships, sexuality, and marriage.

On January 6th, the men of St. André Bessette Residence celebrated the first feast of their patron saint since his canonization on October 17. As is tradition at OLSWA, the students honoured their saint by holding an open house for the Academy community. The celebration began with Vespers in St. Hedwig’s Church, led by OLSWA chaplain Fr. Paul Burchat. After prayer, the students and professors made their way to St. André’s House. There Fr. Burchat formally installed a first class relic of St. André, which was displayed for veneration throughout the evening. Special thanks are due to Jean-Paul Patenaude through whose efforts the relic was secured, and Deacon Robert Probert and his family who provided the reliquary in which it is housed. When the prayers and blessings concluded, the guests were treated to an evening of food, fellowship, and music. The men of the residence were happy to have a number of Jesuit seminarians in attendance, who had delivered a talk to them about the nature of vocations earlier that day. It was a pleasure to see that the residence of St. André’s, one of the Academy’s smallest, could give such a lovely evening to their guests. But then, as their patron said, “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.”