“Love...is an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken...” (Sonnet 116)

Shakespeare’s romance The Tempest portrayed a fantastical island where justice and forgiveness played out amidst the workings of magic, betrayal, and love. The beginning of the play found the sorcerer Prospero (Alex McCune), the rightful Duke of Milan, marooned with his daughter Miranda (Theresa Wilson) after being set adrift twelve years earlier by the duke’s ambitious brother. Shortly afterwards Prospero’s enemies were scattered on the island during a furious gale raised by the magician. Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel (Sally Beresford) gracefully flitted about the stage, luring characters into her master’s plan. His other servant, the hideous monster Caliban (Jonathan Quist), burst into the scenes with furious rage. Justice and forgiveness triumphed in the end when Prospero’s enemies fell in his power, and the magician finally relinquished his arts.

The Academy held its annual OLSWA formal on January 10th in special remembrance of the Feast of Epiphany. The students had freshly returned from Christmas holidays and were enthusiastic to celebrate the beginning of a new semester. Earlier in the day a bustling crew of volunteers transformed the basement of St. Hedwig Church into a hall of glowing candles and glittering lights, sweeping hangings, and exquisitely decorated tables. At evening all of the students, teachers, and staff arrived in their formal dress. After everyone mingled and greeted each other for a while, our school President Dr. Warner gave a short welcome, and people sat down to enjoy a lovely four-course dinner. At the end of the meal, two of the students performed a song for the ladies, while all of the men present left their seats and honoured every single woman in the room by presenting them each with a flower.

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                   The Hall  - Enjoying a Formal Dinner

After the meal, fine coffees and desserts baked by the students were brought out on tables. The lights were dimmed, and a student-led band kicked-off a night of dancing and entertainment.

Thank you to all the men of St. Paul Residence for organizing a wonderful evening of prayer and socializing to honour St. Paul’s Conversion. ¸

Alex McCune on keyboard, John Espadero and Jon Quist on Guitar

On Sunday, January 25th, the men residents of St. Paul’s invited all students and teachers to join them in an evening of praise and celebration. The night began with vespers followed by songs of worship. The boys had decorated their home cafe-style—complete with fine baked desserts, hot chocolate, fancy teas, and delicious coffees. Everyone enjoyed the refreshments and each other’s company for a while, and then to end off the evening, the lights were dimmed and a projector screen set up. The home-made movie, featuring the Epic Men of St. Paul Residence, played scenes from the many adventures and memories of the students’ year thus far at OLSWA.

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Thanks for the delicious food, good company, and cheer!

Winter 2008 

January 24, 2008 marked the opening night of the Academy’s latest theatrical production, Molière’s full-length, hilarious comedy, The Learned Ladies.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy’s Don Bosco Drama Club is pleased to announce our fourth theatrical production, Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons. The play will be performed in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, in St. Hedwig’s Parish Hall. Performances will be held on Thursday, February 9th, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, February 10th, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 12th, at 2:00 p.m.

On December 4th and 6th, 2003, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy’s Don Bosco Drama Club presented their first production, Christopher Marlowe’s play Dr. Faustus. The story of a man who sells his soul to the devil for 24 years of power, knowledge, and fame, the drama presents the dire consequences of letting the devil into one’s life, no matter how attractive his promises may be.