I cannot adequately express what an exceptional school OLSWA is, and how blessed Canada is to have such a place! I also cannot thank God enough for leading me there... 
| Student Handbook 2008-2009 |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Monday, 19 May 2008 | |
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Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy 2008-2009 Student Handbook The STUDENT HANDBOOK is published annually by the Student Life Office. Copies are available to all students of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy. Each student at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is responsible for knowing and observing the policies, procedures and regulations contained in this handbook as well as additional policies or changes in policy officially distributed during the 2008-09 academic year. The Student Handbook is available on the Web at www.seatofwisdom.org in its entirety. Disclaimer:The Academy reserves the right to change any provision, program, regulation, or requirement at any time. In the event of a policy change, deletion, or addition, every attempt will be made at notification through any or all campus communications.
I Introduction and General Information The Vision of the Academy Under the mantle of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, we will provide a vibrant Catholic liberal arts education that integrates faith and reason in all of its disciplines, embraces Divine Revelation, and is rooted in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Our students will be nourished in a thriving Catholic culture that, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, will lead them to answer God’s call to transform the world through their witness to the saving power of the Truth Who sets us free, Jesus Christ.
HistoryA Catholic liberal arts college here in Canada has been an aspiration and an ideal in the minds of many in the Madawaska valley. In the Jubilee year of 2000, the diocese, which supported the project of a Catholic college, offered the use of the former Saint Joseph’s convent, located in Barry’s Bay just north of Combermere. That fall, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy began its official inaugural year, with nine students and a handful of teachers. We gathered what furniture we could, housing the students in the upper level of the convent and in a rented house. The original curriculum of basic courses in introductory theology, philosophy, history, logic and Latin still provides the basis for our now much-expanded course of studies. Each year since then we have grown, bit by bit, hiring more teachers and staff, and renting more housing, to accommodate our growing student body. After two years of operation, we began a second year of studies, and, in 2004, a third. OLSWA awarded the three-year certificate for the first time in April, 2005. Our faculty has grown to a respectable group of teachers in a variety of disciplines, and our student body hails from all over Canada and the United States. In 2008-2009 there are approximately 60 students enrolled in full-time studies at the Academy. The 2007-2008 academic year was one of great change for the Academy, including great joys and great sorrows. We were pleased to hire our first full-time president, Dr. David Warner, who brought with him a strong vision for Catholic higher education, in the spirit of John Henry Cardinal Newman, and we made great headway in acquiring some long-awaited residence and administrative/academic space. Painfully, we were also struck with the great loss of two of our beloved students in a tragic accident, Paul Sanders and Janine Lieu. In the wake of such a major blow, the community nevertheless found the courage to come together in mutual support, assured by our Catholic faith of the support also of our two dear friends. ValuesWe recognize that what is truly valued most in a society influences all other aspects of that society. The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Church’s life and mission.” For Catholics, the Eucharist is a criterion for our evaluation of everything that we encounter. Eucharistic spirituality “embraces the whole of life” (c.f. Pope Benedict XVI, “Sacramentum Caritatis” 77-78). ObedienceWe are obedient to Christ through the authority of the Church. Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and ResearchIn our pursuit of excellence in education, we ensure that the teaching provided is of the highest quality. We are committed to offering an integrated program that features a strong core curriculum in the Catholic tradition of the liberal arts, but that also allows students to pursue individual intellectual interests. By ensuring both depth and breadth, we encourage students to see the greater context of what they are learning, and to approach the pursuit of truth as a life-long endeavour. Our small classes are intended to ensure interaction between students and faculty, and among students themselves. Students are to pursue their studies in a conscientious and responsible manner. Faculty are to conduct research in order to enrich their teaching and to engage in dialogue amongst themselves and with the broader academic community. HolinessUnion with God is the ultimate goal of our life, and is achieved by the life of holiness, the life of ever more perfectly knowing, loving, and serving God. Our transformation is the work of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. As Catholic scholars, we impart the truths of Divine Revelation included in Church Tradition and Teachings, which form a basis for the spiritual life in which the Holy Spirit accomplishes our transformation into holiness. Union with Christ is approached most efficaciously by worship and reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Mass, encounters which are prolonged and deepened in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Prayer enables kenosis or emptying of self so that “I must decrease and Christ must increase.” Our faculty, staff, and students choose a life of holiness, and we will do all we can to encourage and support one another to “be perfect as [our] heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). The ways of holiness are many, and we will provide support and encouragement according to the vocation of each individual [JPII] by teaching, example, spiritual direction and the fullness of the sacramental life, including employing the Sacrament of Reconciliation to maintain the entire academic community in the state of Grace. Thus, holiness will enter into every aspect of our life as each individual strives to perfectly know, love and serve God. CharityKnowing about God must be coupled with our active love of God and neighbour. As St. Paul reminds us, possessing all knowledge, understanding and eloquence is meaningless without love. Mindful of this, we recognize each person as a son or daughter of God who reflects His image and likeness, worthy of inestimable dignity. As such, students and faculty are expected to express charity in word and deed, ministering to the Lord present in each other. Incarnating the generous love of Christ, who commands us to love our neighbours as ourselves, we hope to cultivate compassion toward the human family at large. “Love is the fulfillment of all our work…” ~St. Augustine. Service “To learn...to love...to serve” “What good is it, my friends, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (James 2: 14). By their baptism, all are called to exercise their faith for and with those who surround them. Faith is expressed in liturgy and also in works. Through their witness to Christian values, all members will be to those around them a light, a ray of hope and a fount of love. We will offer our students and staff the opportunity to exercise their faith in concrete forms such as the ministries of music, art, help to families, to the sick and the elderly, liturgy/chapel and catechesis, to name a few. We will be to the surrounding community a source of support and a model of Christian living not so much by who we say we are, but by who we really are. CommunityCommunity is founded upon a shared pursuit of a common good. A Catholic community is united by its desire to give glory to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is built on the person of Jesus Christ, imbued with His Holy Spirit, and nourished by the sacramental life of the Church. As a Catholic academic community, we pursue a deeper knowledge of the truth, both natural and revealed, and we provide an atmosphere animated with love and reverence for God and others. This entails conforming ourselves daily to the image of Christ and recognizing His Kingship in every activity. United in our mission of mutual sanctification, we are to see the face of Christ in each member, being mindful of our responsibility to serve one another, the community at large, and the Mystical Body of Christ. FreedomAn academic community naturally serves freedom, the ability to pursue the good, by removing ignorance. Ignorance of the good and the proper means of pursuing the good is a greater constraint upon an individual than anything that might be imposed from without. The removal of external constraints to the pursuit of the good is also of value. We seek to ensure that our community does not impose undue impediments, such as intellectual, moral, or financial ones, upon its students and staff in their pursuit of what is truly good, but always encourages them along the path of true freedom. Our community, apart from its academic aspects, promotes freedom by encouraging a desire for what is truly good, and opportunities to seek true goods. This internal desire for the good, coupled with a knowledge of the good, results in individuals who are truly free. JusticeJustice is the rendering to each what he is owed. As all that we have is from God, justice toward God demands a continual striving to live in accordance with the Divine order. Justice toward our fellow creatures involves giving to those to whom we owe what we owe at the appropriate time. Justice toward God, however, demands a more generous approach toward one’s fellow man: while delivering what one owes from a human perspective, one must also ask if one may advance God’s order by giving more, and so, gradually, lay down one’s life for one’s friend. We are committed to treating all people according to their inherent dignity, giving them their due, and in turn expect them to deliver good and honest work. We are also committed to providing a sound philosophical and theological formation, which, along with the experience of an authentic Catholic culture, facilitates justice through a recognition of gifts, limitations, obligations, and opportunities to serve God, Who has entrusted to us the stewardship of creation. IntegrityIn light of Saint Paul's admonition "to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received" (Eph. 4:1), we will integrate what we believe and teach into our daily lives. We will maintain the integrity of our curriculum in both what is taught and how it is taught, and foster a truly Catholic culture in our community. For individuals, staff and students, we will confirm in all ways the mission to live fully our Baptismal vocation. CultureOur students will be nourished in a thriving Roman Catholic culture to transform the world through the “charism of intellectual charity” (Pope Benedict XVI, “Address to the Bishops of Ontario, September 8, 2006). Culture, meaning both learning from and immersion in the traditions of our Catholic heritage, will be integrated into the harmony of the liturgical year by whatever means are available. While we will experience the treasures of two thousand years of Christianity, we will also witness to contemporary society our commitment to the Culture of Life and the fullness of joy that the Truth gives to us. We will be prepared by both the living teaching of modern encyclicals and the example of all those who strive to incarnate the life of the Gospels and the teachings of the Church. Members of our community will be invited to participate in a variety of activities beyond their academic pursuits, which will contribute to the growth of the whole person. ResidencesThe Academy has several houses throughout Barry’s Bay that serve as residences for students. These residences vary slightly from year to year as enrollment grows. St. Sebastian’s LoungeThe Lounge is located in the heart of Barry’s Bay, right across from Loeb’s grocery store, and is a place for recreation and relaxation. The following amenities are provided there for general use: a television with DVD/CD Player and speaker system (available for movies only with permission), a ping pong table, a foosball table, a microwave, as well as cards and various games. The Lounge is open until curfew every night. St. Jerome’s ClassroomSt. Jerome’s was graciously built for the Academy by the parish in the basement of St. Hedwig’s Parish Rectory. This classroom is used for our larger classes. St. Hedwig’s Church HallIn order to accommodate our growing student body for meals, we now use the church hall as our refectory, and also for some exams and certain classes. Please see the Meal Plan section below for more information, including meal times. Academic Support Services Academic AdvisingEach student has a faculty advisor to assist him in scheduling his courses each semester and to advise him in academic matters, such as transfer of credits and degree planning. Computer ServicesThe Academy has a number of personal computers available for general student use all of which may be used for internet access. Their primary use is for research and word processing (for essays and other written assignments), but may also be used for e-mail and other activities. Laptop users may connect to the Academy’s wireless network, which is accessible throughout the main building. Please see the Student Policies for the Academy’s policy on computer use. Library The Academy houses a growing library in the main building, with collections in theology, philosophy, history, literature, languages, some science, and other areas. The following are the rules and regulations for library use. BorrowersOLSWA recognizes three groups of borrowers: 1. Faculty— full-time or part-time teaching staff.2. Students – anyone registered for at least part-time studies at OLSWA. 3. Community Borrowers – anyone from the Madawaska Valley area. All community borrowers must register with the librarian prior to being rewarded borrowing privileges. The librarian has the right to revoke any person's borrowing privileges for just cause. Circulation ProcessTo check out a book, a member must place an entry in the library ledger located in the St. Thomas Aquinas Library. The entry includes his name, the title and author of the book, and the room in which the book was found. The member must also stamp one of the slips provided with the accompanying date due stamp, and place the slip in book to serve as a reminder to return the item on time. The librarian will retrieve the entry, notify when it was placed and when the book is due. Return ProcessTo return a book, the borrower must deposit it on the Returns Table in the St. Thomas Aquinas Library, by 7 pm on the day the book is due. Failure to meet this deadline will result in fines. Circulation PrivilegesCirculating materials are borrowed for the following times for the following classes of borrowers: Faculty – course use – course lengthFaculty – personal use – 30 daysStudents & Community – 10 days Reference materials and reserve items are not circulated, and are not to be removed from the library. Failure to abide by this regulation will result in a fine and the revocation of borrowing privileges for a full semester. RenewalsLibrary materials may be renewed the following number of times by the following class of borrowers: Faculty: unlimited renewalsStudents: two renewalsCommunity: two renewals Maximum number of items borrowedThe following number of library materials may be borrowed by each class of borrower: Faculty: unlimited numberStudents: 10 itemsCommunity: 5 items HoldsIf a desired item is checked out, it may be placed on hold, and will remain as such for four days in the Hold Area. When the book is returned, the holder will be notified and he will then have four days in which to claim the book. After these four days, the book will be returned to its place on the shelf. FinesIf a library item is not returned on the due date, the borrower will be fined $0.25 a day until the item is returned. If an item has been placed on hold and is not returned on its due date, the borrower will face an additional $0.25 a day until the item is returned. Failure to pay overdue library fees at the end of each semester will result in the withholding of grades, transcripts and certificates. For community borrowers, failure to pay overdue library fees at the end of the academic year will result in the revocation of borrowing privileges until such a time as the fees are paid. Lost itemsIf an item is reported as lost, all efforts will be made by the librarian to locate the item in the main library areas. If it cannot be located, the borrower will be held responsible for the cost of replacing the item, as well as an additional processing fee of $20.00. Reserve itemsReserve items are not to be removed from the library. They may be accessed in the library only with a guarantee of two hours before another patron can request the item. Once the item has been requested, it must be relinquished. LaptopsStudents may use their personal laptops in the library. No sounds from laptops must be discernible to other library users JournalsCurrent issues of print journals are found in the Aquinas Room. Past print Journals are located in the St Augustine classroom. The Academy makes use of JSTOR, an online journals service and can be accessed in the computer room. Follow the posted instructions in the Computer Room for access to: www.jstor.org General Usage and DeportmentTo maintain a cleaner working and learning environment, students are responsible for their own belongings in the library. Every student should be aware that other people also need to make use of the very limited space in the library. No personal work or belongings of any sort should be left behind once a student has stopped working and left the library. If a student has left his workspace without taking his work and belongings, once fifteen minutes have elapsed, any material left behind may be collected and removed by library staff. The library and its staff are not responsible for any lost or stolen materials, nor for any damages to belongings arising from their removal from the library. A designated area will be established outside the library for removed items. Unclaimed belongings will be given to charity at the end of every semester. Photocopying and PrintingThe Academy has both a photocopier and a printer available to students. The photocopier is located in the main office, and is available whenever the office is open. The printer is in the Computorium. There is a sheet to record printing charges. The cost for both photocopying and printing is $0.10 per page. Other Services CommunicationVarious means are provided by the Academy for the ease of communications between members of the Academy community. A white board and bulletin board are made available for student use, and there is also a white board and bulletin board reserved for official communication. Additionally, each residence has both a white board and bulletin board to facilitate communication within the residence. Each student is also provided with a mailbox (which is usually shared with a few other students), that allows for messages to be delivered when necessary. It is very important that both students and staff look at the message boards and check their mailboxes frequently. Day-Time StorageThe Academy provides shelves in the basement of the main building for storing bags and other items during the day. These shelves are not to be used for long-term storage as one would a locker, but for day storage. Occasionally, items that have been left too long may be put into the lost and found (see below). LaundryThe Academy has laundry facilities and detergent on campus for student use. When using the Academy’s laundry facilities, please keep in mind the following. Students are permitted to do up to 2 loads per week on campus, for which there may be a nominal charge. Please do not overstuff the washing machines, and never wash on the “Hot” setting; a warm cycle will suffice. Students should remember to put their laundry in the dryer promptly after washing so as not to hold up others, and should empty the lint filter after each use. Once a load of laundry is complete, it should not be left in the laundry room. Lost and FoundThere is a lost and found box where unidentified items may be placed. Lost items may be placed there, along with, if appropriate, a note on the student whiteboard, to alert the owner of the location of his property. Please check this box if an item is lost. MailEach student has a mailbox that he shares with a few other students. These mailboxes are arranged alphabetically. They are used for correspondence between members of the Academy community, official Academy correspondence, and regular mail. Students may have their mail sent to the Academy’s address and the mail is generally picked up every day. The address is: Our Lady Seat of Wisdom AcademyP.O. Box 24918 Karol Wojtyla SquareBarry’s Bay, ONK0J 1B0 Meal PlanThe Academy offers a meal plan, mandatory for on-campus students and optional for off-campus students, that provides 19 meals a week. Certain students have been exempted from the meal plan in the past due to dietary restrictions. Please speak to the Dean of Students if this is a concern for you. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided from Monday to Friday, breakfast and dinner on Saturday, and brunch and dinner on Sunday. Meals are taken in the Academy refectory, located in St. Hedwig’s Church Hall. Off-campus students who wish to take certain meals at the Academy may pay for individual meals, and should record these meals on the ‘Day Student Meal Form’, so they can be billed. The cost for individual meals can be found on this form. Students are responsible for clearing away their eating space and carrying their dishes to the dishwashing area, and for cleaning any major spills or messes they make. Students must, further, clean their own breakfast dishes and return them to the appropriate cupboard. Meal TimesMeal times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be posted. Students should be sure to arrive for meals within the specified time period. Special Dietary NeedsIf a student has need for a specialized diet due to a medical issue, they should discuss this with the Dean of Students and the Head Cook. For further information about the meal plan, and our policies regarding meals, please see our policy on Kitchen and Dining. RecreationThere are various recreational resources available for student use. These include:
TransportationBecause of the Academy’s somewhat remote location, if there is interest, an Academy staff member will usually be available around major breaks to transport people to or from the Ottawa airport and locations along the way. The cost of these trips is divided among those being transported. Should a trip be needed, students should request this from the Dean of Students at least two weeks before the transportation date. Students are asked, however, to first look for transportation with other students who are driving. Work-StudyThere is a small amount of work-study available for students with financial need, generally obtainable on a first-come first-served basis. If you are interested, please contact the Dean of Students. Student Discipline Dispute Resolutions Committee The Student Discipline Dispute Resolutions Committee (“DRC”) exists to allow for the resolution of contentious issues at the Academy. The DRC hears student grievances, and student appeals regarding disciplinary decisions.
III Local Information and Services The Village of Barry’s BayOLSWA is located in the picturesque village of Barry's Bay, Ontario, Canada. Just south of the famous Algonquin Park the Academy is nestled in the natural wonderland of the Madawaska Valley and the cultural bouquet of Catholic Kashub Polish, Irish, French and Native cultures. Students are well placed to enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, skating and skiing. By car, we are approximately two hours from Ottawa and four hours from Toronto. The Madawaska Valley is a spiritual getaway for many people throughout the year. Only kilometers away in Combermere you will find opportunity for spiritual direction and retreats with Madonna House Catholic Apostolate and the Companions of the Cross. The region is also home to dozens of active Catholic families and a thriving Catholic homeschool network. Services in Barry’s Bay Available to Our Students Barry’s Bay has a lot to offer our students. Many enjoy it for its rural setting, picturesque landscape, and slower pace of life, but there are also many attractions, services, and local establishments available to Academy students while they are here. Much of these can be found simply by walking around town and talking to the local people, but we highlight a few here in order to ease the transition into Barry’s Bay life. Much of the information here is taken from the Madawaska Valley township website (http://www.madawaskavalley.on.ca/mvevents.html). AccommodationsThere are several motels, hotels, and cottages for rent in the area. We can recommend a place upon request, or you can look in the Barry’s Bay business directory at http://www.madawaskavalley.on.ca/. Attractions Zurakowski ParkA small park dedicated to the memory of Janusz Zurakowski, test pilot of Canada's renowned Avro Arrow, and former resident of Barry’s Bay. Has information about the Avro Arrow, a statue of Mr. Zurakowski, and a suspended replica of the Avro Arrow. Located across the street from the Visitor Centre in the Barry's Bay Railway Station. See www.zurakowskipark.ca for more information.Railway Station and Watertower ParkBuilt in the 1890s, the Barry's Bay Railway Station now houses the Visitor Information Centre, Railway Museum, and South of 60 Arts Centre (http://www.southof60.com). The water tower is one of only two free-standing wooden railway water towers remaining in Ontario. Water Tower Park features an outdoor museum of railway and farm artifacts. Heritage Walking TourSelf-directed walking tour of Barry's Bay featuring historic locations with read-along interpretive info. See http://www.madawaskavalley.on.ca/images/bbtour.pdf for a map. MV MuralsThe MV Mural Project continues to preserve memories. Projects completed to date include a thank-you to volunteer firefighters, a tribute to Irish settlers, and a remembrance of a maritime tragedy. Banking Bank of Montreal Personal, commercial, industrial, and agricultural banking. 24-hour automated banking. Located at the three way stop on Opeongo Line.Phone: 613-756-2693 Northern Credit Union Ltd.Commercial and personal accounts, payroll, loans, mortgages, investments, automated banking. Located across from the Valu-Mart on Opeongo Line. Phone: 613-756-3097Web: www.northercu.com DiningThere are many eating establishments in Barry’s Bay and surrounding area. Ask an upper-year student, or Barry’s Bay resident, and they can tell you what is available, or simply take a walk around town. For a list of restaurants, visit the Barry’s Bay business directory at http://www.madawaskavalley.on.ca/. Events TimberfestA fun-filled family weekend celebrating logging and the timbering heritage of the Madawaska Valley. Lumbermen compete in the logging games. Events include a parade, bed races, a fish derby, and lots of kids’ activities. See http://timberfest.com. Madawaska Studio TourBrowse studios in the villages and on the back roads. Excellent way to enjoy the fall colours. Happens in late September or early October. See http://www.madawaskastudiotour.com/. Tree LightingGather for music and hot chocolate at the annual launch of the hospital's Tree of Lights campaign. Happens on the first weekend of December. Health Services St. Francis Memorial HospitalLocated a few minutes’ walk past the cemetery on Siberia Road. Has 24-hour emergency and ambulance service, with ambulances based in Barry's Bay.Phone: 613-756-3044Web: www.sfmhosp.com Dental ServicesDr. Ewa DonovanPhone: 613-756-2748 Massage TherapistBrian Tyrrell R.M.T.Phone: 613-756-9959 Naturopathic DoctorDr. Terry VanderheydenPhone: 613-756-6309 Library Barry's Bay & Area Public LibraryFrom the Library website: “The Barry's Bay and Area Public Library was established in 1960 and throughout the years has seen much growth, not only in content, but in physical facilities as well. The library, which is located on the Opeongo Line in Barry's Bay has expanded twice since its inception and its resource circulation is around 30 000 annually. The Barry's Bay and Area Public Library has become an integral part of the community's life. It is committed to the growth and overall benefit of its patrons and our community as a whole.” The library has summer activities programs for children, internet, word processing, and books for all ages. The library also offers an inter-library loan service, so that patrons may obtain books from other libraries that are not available in the Barry’s Bay branch. Memberships at the library are available to Academy students upon request. Phone: 613-756-2000Web: www.webhart.net/bbcap/library/index.htm RecreationThere are various opportunities for recreation in Barry’s Bay. Several of these are listed below. Activities +From the Activities + website: “Activities + is a community centre aimed at offering leisure and recreation activities for youth and adults ages 12 and up. We offer affordable, quality activities/services that satisfy a wide range of interests such as 2 treadmills, ping pong, board games, VCR, DVD player (PG rated movies only), karaoke machine and much, much more! We have partnered with the Community Resource Centre and are a CAP site. We have 6 computers with high-speed Internet and access to a computer instructor. We have a monthly calendar of activities that are scheduled such as scrap booking, arts and crafts, exercise classes, entertainment and more! We invite you to drop by, pick up a calendar and see for yourself what we have to offer the community! “ Phone: 756-0855 x26 Web: http://www.mvacl.ca/activities.htm Aquatic ActivitiesOur Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy overlooks beautiful Kamaniskeg Lake, and there are numerous other lakes and waterways in the surrounding area, so students are well situated to enjoy many recreational activities on the water, such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The Academy has one canoe for student use, but there are several places in town to rent canoes and kayaks as well. Hockey and SkatingThe local community centre, the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre, houses an indoor ice pad, with bleacher seating up to 1000. The ice is available beginning mid-September until the first week of April. It is available for both recreational and organized sporting purposes. Many Academy students play hockey at the community centre in a weekly game organized with local families. There are also public skating times. Additionally, there are some outdoor skating rinks in the area which students often use for hockey and skating. TennisThere are two tennis courts by the lakeshore available to members of the Lakeshore Tennis Club. Memberships and keys are available at the Municipal Office, and are relatively inexpensive if one plays a lot of tennis. The student rate per season as of July 2007 was $30. VolleyballTwo sand volleyball courts are available for public use by the playground on the lakeshore. Bring a ball from the Academy. IV Student Life The Academy’s academic program is complemented and enhanced by a vibrant and active student life program, through which the riches of the Catholic faith that are learned in the classroom can be expressed in day-to-day life. Below are described the various student life offerings at the Academy. Spiritual LifeOur Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy is a Catholic institution, and is therefore committed to encouraging all towards the achievement of their ultimate end – union with God – through the means He has provided, principally the sacraments. The Academy’s spiritual life is focused on the sacraments, but our truly Catholic life builds from the sacramental life and permeates all we do. We strive to begin and end all we do in prayer, whether it be class or sports, so to allow all we do to be enriched by a spirit of prayer. We facilitate and encourage various apostolic works, such as visiting the local nursing home or helping families in their homes, while recognizing that these works are nothing without prayer, the very ‘soul of the apostolate’. We have a weekly Academy Mass on Monday evenings, in which the entire community participates, and which is mandatory for all full-time students. Apart from this, students are highly encouraged to acquire habits of daily private prayer, daily attendance at Mass, and frequent Confession. Our classes are scheduled around daily Mass times at the parish, and there are plenty of opportunities for Confession and spiritual direction between the parish and the Academy chaplain. Spiritual life at the Academy is cared for by the Academy Chaplain, who is supported by the Spiritual Life Committee (a sub-committee of the Board of Directors), and assisted by the Dean of Students. Listed below are the various opportunities that students at the Academy have for spiritual growth. Academy ChaplaincyThe Chaplain is here to assist the students in the practice of Catholic faith and morals and to foster their spiritual life by offering the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, spiritual direction and counsel, and by facilitating various formational programs for the students. The chaplain celebrates the Academy Mass every Monday at 5:00 p.m. Reconciliation and spiritual direction are available in the afternoon up until the Mass, and following Mass and dinner, the priest may be available upon request. St. Hedwig’s ParishParish Priest: Fr. Chris Shalla Phone: 613-756-2243 The Academy is incredibly blessed to have St. Hedwig’s right next door to the main building, and the parish has always been very good to us. The parish’s main liturgical ceremonies are as follows:
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