On Oct. 22nd, OLSWA hosted the second in its ongoing series of Faith and Formation lectures in the basement of St. Hedwig's Parish. This time were honoured to have Father Scott McCaig, CC, General Superior of the Companions of the Cross, speak to us on the highly relevant topic of "A Life of Personal Prayer." Fr. McCaig's talk was both uplifting and exhortative. He challenged the students, professors, and members of the general community in attendance to bring their relationship with Christ to a new level through the myriad ways in which we can put ourselves in His presence through prayer. The highlight of the evening was Father's practical step-by-step explanation of Lectio Divina, the Church's traditional method of using Scripture as a tool for meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

The following talk was given by Fr. Paul Burchat of Madonna House at OLSWA's Day of Recollection on September 15. 

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child;  when I became a man I gave up childish ways.” (1Cor. 13: 11).

 “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2:49).

  The significance of the first quote is fairly obvious. The second less so but very important. Jesus is only twelve years old but already knows that it is time to respond more directly to His Father’s will.  He is not asserting His independence for any selfish reason nor is He making a complete break from home at this time.  However, He is informing His parents that a process of separation has begun.  

  In light of this I would ask you, “Why have you come here?”  Simply to move away from your family - to assert a false independence – or because like Jesus you know you must now be more focused on and busy with God’s will for your life and have come here to learn how to better do this?

On Oct. 5th, 2010, OLSWA was blessed with the wisdom and eloquence of Father Denis Lemieux of Madonna House, who delivered a rousing talk on "God and the iPod".  The address, which centred on the place of technology in our lives as Catholics, was the first of an ongoing series of talks on formation offered by the Board of Directors and organized by the Board Subcommittees on Spiritual Life and Student Life.  As President Dr. Keith Cassidy observed, it was difficult to think of a better speaker to start the series than Father Lemieux.  By the end of the evening, it was clear that everyone in attendance agreed.

Anticipation was in the air on Sept. 26th when a large group of students assembled in front of St. Joseph's building, equipped with hikers, bottles of water, and Rosaries. Yes, the time had come again. OLSWA was about to embark on its annual walking pilgrimage to St. Mary's Church in nearby Wilno. The walk is one of the highlights of the year for many. These sentiments are not found only among the student body. This year the students were joined by Prof. John Paul Meenan, who organized the pilgrimage, and Prof. Michael Schintgen.

Led by a cross bearer, the pilgrims set out from the heart of Barry's Bay into the woods, following the path of the old railway track. The next three hours were a time of both prayer and pleasure. The students took time to recite prayers such as the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and to sing hymns. Some walked in silence, surrounded by the beauty the changing autumn colours. Of course, nature is not without its surprises. Near the beginning of the trail the students found that a portion of the track had been flooded by the rain. Shoes and socks were pulled off, and the water, though cold, was easily crossed. Talking and laughter abounded, and all in all the pilgrimage seemed to go by very quickly.

"We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature--trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.

These words of wisdom by Mother Teresa become a first-hand experience for Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15th. Students, professors, staff and Board members gathered for OLSWA’s third annual Day of Recollection. This much-loved event is an opportunity for students to step back from the rush of beginning a new academic year to ground themselves once again in God.

Academy students enjoy a game of impromptu Ultimate Frisbee

The event was held in the beautiful natural setting of Bucze Campground in Kaszuby. Once the group assembled in the main building, which was to be the hub of activity for the day, they were greeted by Deacon Robert Probert, who introduced the Chair of the OLSWA Board of Directors, Mr. Richard Sauro, and Academy President Dr. Keith Cassidy. They encouraged the attendees to take advantage of the day’s opportunity for prayer and reflection. They assured all present that it would benefit them both in their spiritual and practical lives.

After a summer of quiet in the halls of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, the air is once again ringing with the sound of excited voices. On Sept. 3rd, OLSWA welcomed its eleventh first-year class for the 2010-2011 academic year. Spirits were high as the forty-two first-year students arrived on the campus that is to be their home for the next eight months. The largest incoming class to date, they were greeted by the Dean of Student Life, Maja Polic, the Student Life Team of Residence Assistants and Proctors, and a number of volunteer returning students.

Dean of Students Maja Polic addresses the incoming first-year class.

That evening, the students and their families shared a dinner with our president, Dr. Cassidy, who congratulated the new class and encouraged them to put themselves in God's hands. The year would be like nothing found elsewhere, he told them, but if they embraced the Academy wholeheartedly they would find themselves deeply rewarded. After the meal, the new students were off to their first meeting in residence, where they gathered with their housemates to get acquainted with residence life and with one another. Meanwhile, their parents were invited to a reception at the Cassidys' house for fellowship.

The following two days were anything but slow. They were a rush of activity, including ice-breaker games such as "people-bingo", policy assemblies, a Barry's Bay-wide scavenger hunt , daily Mass, a burger cookout, an academic address by Assistant Academic Dean Prof. Scott Nicholson, and the annual hike with chaplain Fr. Paul Burchat to Kluke Lookout in Algonquin Park. The evenings were no less busy than the days, with a movie night, an indoor "beach" party, and a weekend finale featuring a bonfire with live music, singing, and games.

The theme of the Orientation Weekend was "Wilderness", a metaphor for the wild wonder and beauty that is so central to the Academy. Though Barry's Bay and OLSWA may seem a strange wilderness to navigate at first, the Student Life Team told the first-years, one soon realizes the fulfillment that comes with "hunting" for the truth. The theme found its way into many of the Orientation events, including an appearance by "Elliott the Moose" in the scavenger hunt and a hunting-based skit performed by returning students.

As upper-year students came back one by one to campus, they found OLSWA a bigger place than they had left it. This year there are eighty full-time students enrolled, as well as some part-time students. As such, a new residence has been opened this year—a women’s residence dedicated to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha—and one of the former women’s residences has been converted to a men’s residence dedicated to Blessed André Bessette. Both Blessed Kateri and Blessed (soon to be Saint) André are great examples of holiness from our continent. As OLSWA expands in size, it also expands in the diversity of places from which our students come. This year, again, there are a number of American students, bringing the total of U.S. states that our students have come from to twenty-one.

The red and gold vestments of the Mass of the Holy Spirit shimmered, the full-voiced tones of the organ resonated, and incense rose high above the congregation as Bishop Michael Mulhall ascended into the sanctuary of St. Hedwig's Parish on September 7th. The entire student body and faculty of OLSWA were in attendance at the academic year's inaugural Mass, graced by the presence of the diocesan bishop of Pembroke. The solemn Mass marked the first day of classes, and provided the professors their opportunity to swear their annual Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium.

"Our role is to bring Jesus to the world," His Excellency told the congregation in an inspiring homily. Expounding on the day's reading from St. Luke's Gospel, he reminded his listeners that just as the twelve apostles were called by Christ to bring the healing of faith to all people, so are we also summoned to do the same. All of us are called to be close to Our Lord, to be healed by His touch, and in our turn we must lead others to the same closeness for which we strive ourselves. This mission is particularly relevant for a faithful Catholic post-secondary institution, where by seeking the truth through education we both deepen our relationship with Christ by learning the truth and become better able to pass it on to others.

Students Jonathan Baker, Michael Hayden, and the small Canadian Crossroads team passed through Barry’s Bay last week on their summer-long walk across Canada. Faculty and staff of OLSWA were proud to welcome back these students who, with the help of their small team, have collectively walked some 3800 km of the 5000 km walk.  

Baker, Hayden, and the rest of the Crossroads team have walked both night and day, in all kinds of weather. They have walked through the mountains, across the desert, through the flooded prairies and dry western Ontario. The Crossroads team has spoken at churches and prayed outside abortion clinics, wearing white t-shirts with “Pro Life” written prominently across the front.  While the visual witness is important, however, it is not the only aspect of their walk.   According to student Jonathan Baker, it is the sacrificial aspect of the summer that is perhaps the most important. 

Every year approximately 1.6 million children are aborted in Canada and the United States. Worldwide the figure is over 40 million. The numbers are stunning. This summer two students from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Michael Hayden and Jonathan Baker, have decided to do something about it. They’ll be going for a walk.

Pope John Paul II, as part of what he called the New Evangelization, made an impassioned plea for Catholics, especially the young, to promote the dignity and the sanctity of all life. In response to the Holy Father’s call Michael and Jonathan will be walking across Canada, from Vancouver to Ottawa, as part of a Pro-life group called Crossroads. Founded in 1995 by a student at Franciscan University in Ohio, Crossroads is composed of small groups of college students who walk across Canada and the United States to raise awareness for the pro-life cause and work towards ending the tragedy of abortion.

During their 5500 kilometer walk, which will take them almost three months to complete, Michael and Jonathan will pray morning and evening prayer plus 20 decades of the rosary every day, attend daily Mass when possible, speak to Churches and youth groups across the country, and pray in front of abortion clinics in every major city they visit.

It will be the walk of a lifetime but it won’t be without sacrifices. In order to do the walk they will have to forgo their summer jobs and will be unable to meet the costs of their education next year. If you would like to help Jonathan and Michael in their mission, donations may be sent to Michael Hayden (attention: Walk for Life) at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, 18 Karol Wojtyla Square, Box 249, Barry’s Bay, ON K0J 1B0.  (Please note that these donations are not tax-deductible.)