University of St. Michael`s College in the University of Toronto

Transcription

P e a c e f u l Pa r t i n g s • F l o r a t h e c l o w n • C e lt i c C l a s s
St.Michael’s
Volume 49 Number 1 Spring 2010
www.utoronto.ca/stmikes
University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto Alumni Magazine
West
Side
Story
Staged entirely by enthusiastic,
dedicated and talented
SMC students, last fall’s show
was every bit as engaging as
the musical’s first production
43 years ago
St.Michael’s
The University of St. Michael’s
College Alumni Magazine
Publisher
Office of Alumni Affairs
and Development
EDITOR
Mechtild Hoppenrath
copy editors
J. Barrett Healy
Fr. Robert Madden
Betty Noakes
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
J.P. Antonacci 0T7, Paul Durcan,
Francesco Imbrogno,
Deb Loughead 7T7,
Andy Lubinsky 7T9,
Mimi Marrocco 6T9,
Cynthia MacDonald 8T6,
Jerome McGrath 0T4,
Moira McQueen,
Charles Oberdorf, Graham F.
Scott, Amy Stupavsky
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE &
PHOTOGRAPHY
Eva Wong & Sheila Eaton
Distribution
Ken Schnell
Art Direction & Design:
Fresh Art & Design Inc.
COVER
Bruce Scavuzzo as Riff and
other Jets in last fall’s SMC
production of West Side Story;
photo by Geoff George
Publication Mail Agreement
No: 40068944
Please send comments, corrections
and enquiries to Ken Schnell,
Manager, Annual Campaign
Alumni Affairs & Development
University of St. Michael’s College
81 St. Mary Street,
Toronto, ON M5S 1J4
Telephone: 416-926-7281
Fax: 416-926-2339
Email: [email protected]
Alumni, friends and students of
St. Michael’s College receive this
magazine free of charge.
Visit our website at
www.utoronto.ca/stmikes
2 Spring 2010 St. Michael’s
Contents
05
10
Campus Notes
West Side Story
Staged entirely by SMC students, last fall’s
show was every bit as engaging as the musical’s
first production 43 years ago
By J.P. Antonacci 0T7
16
Flora the Clown
An SMC alumna offers reprieve to palliative care
patients at Toronto’s Sick Kids hospital
By Cynthia Macdonald 8T6
18
Celtic Class
Life is abuzz in SMC’s Celtic Studies program
22
White Night
Buckets of nails, plastic string and a dozen dedicated
friends make artistic magic for Toronto’s Nuit Blanche
By Jerome McGrath 0T4
24
28
30
In Print
03
Columns
Building Bridges
04
Zeitgeist
Peaceful Partings
08
Giving
The Dynamic Murphy Duo
15
Alumni Association
We Are Listening
26
The View from SMCSU
Kelly’s Korner
27
Snapshot
At the Kelly Café with Manuel Filipe
34
Art on campus
Honours
Bulletin Board
The View from elmsley place
Little Old Lady
The view from elmsley place
Building Bridges
A
University of St. Michael’s College we believe ing groups where commonalities are celebrated and differences
that an integral part of building up the Reign of God in the understood and respected. The influence of this event has moved
well beyond St. Michael’s into groups initiated and nurtured
here and now impels us to build bridges between peoples,
here throughout the year. One such group is the Three Faiths
cultures and faith traditions. However, before respect and appreciaForum, an interfaith group of prominent Toronto religious leaders
tion can flower, knowledge of and appreciation for the other is esand scholars.
sential. St. Michael’s finds itself at the heart of what has been called
Several members of our Faculty of Theology are dedicated to
the most cosmopolitan city in Canada. We are also an integral part
of the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology. engaging in formal dialogues with other faith traditions. These
Both institutions draw students from many countries, cultures and dialogues influence and enhance the way in which students are
faith traditions. So, we at St. Michael’s have the privilege of explor- formed for ministry within the Roman Catholic Tradition. The
ing first-hand the opportunities for building bridges of
unity and reconciliation while eliminating misconceptions and misunderstandings. Our Basilian heritage creates and shapes for all of us at St. Michael’s an ambiance
of goodness, discipline and knowledge, out of which we
engage in the delicate task of bridge building.
We could not have been more delighted by our
Honorary Degree recipients at the 14 November 2009
Convocation for the Faculty of Theology and the
Continuing Education Division. We honoured
Professor Susannah Heschel, the Eli Black Professor
of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College, Professor
John Esposito, Religion and International Affairs at
Georgetown University, who specializes in Islamic
Studies, and the late Sister Marion Norman IBVM
3T9, whose lifelong commitment to teaching in the
Roman Catholic tradition was an inspiration for all.
Professor Heschel delivered an unforgettable Convocation address (see p.28.) These three scholars embody
for us one of the goals of St. Michael’s—that of buildProf. Anne Anderson csj (l.) with Honorary Degree recipient
ing bridges of understanding through research, scholand Convocation keynote speaker Prof. Susannah Heschel
arship and publication.
Our commitment to bridge building reaches beyond academ- reward for seeking to understand and appreciate other traditions
is most often accompanied by a renewed appreciation and respect
ic recognition to active engagement in the process of fostering
for the richness of one’s own faith tradition.
understanding and appreciation. One of the ways St. Michael’s
May Easter bring for each of us a renewal of faith, hope and
actively meets this challenge is through the biannual Interfaith
abiding joy as we eagerly anticipate the warmth of nature’s rebirth
Symposium and Furlong Lecture. This highly regarded and well
in springtime. F
attended two-day event makes a real and valuable difference in the
relationships between the three Abrahamic Faith Communities.
Prof. Anne Anderson csj, President and Vice-Chancellor
The academic structure of the symposium, its lectures, small
discussion groups and panel discussions create effective workt the
Photo: Shelia Eaton
St. Michael’s Spring 2010 3
Zeitgeist
Peaceful Partings
End of life matters to the Church as much as it should to all of us
By Moira McQueen
M
edicine’s increasing ability to sustain life, coupled
Moira McQueen is Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute
at USMC. She teaches moral theology in St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology and designed and teaches “People in the Pews,” a CCBI program in
bioethics for parishes.
Illustration: Anson Liaw
with an aging population and the rapidly escalating costs
of health care, have led inevitably to questions about when
to cease life support. The Catholic Church has a long history of protecting life from conception until natural death, and has much assistance
to offer in thinking through the rights and wrongs of these situations.
Many people in parishes mention the peaceful deaths of their
spouses or family members, or the difficulties that needed to be resolved. They tell of reconciliations among family members,
or the ways in which hospital and hospice staff and
those who cared for people at home helped ease the
passage from life to death. Pope John Paul II referred to that transition as “from life to life”
in his Letter to the Elderly, 1999, telling us
to “live life to the end.”
Death and dying can be difficult to
discuss, but as a colleague once said,
“dying is the most important thing we
do.” That insight completely changed
my thinking. After all, most of us
want the grace of a happy death,
and we often ask St. Joseph for
precisely that. Some people are
practical about death, organizing
their wills or powers of attorney,
and making their burial arrangements. A dying friend derived great
comfort from choosing her favourite
hymns for her funeral, and we felt her
presence strongly during the Liturgy.
At end of life, if we are of sound mind,
we will continue to make our own health
care decisions, usually in discussion with physicians and family. A Power of Attorney for Health
Care will name our decision maker(s), should we become incompetent through dementia, memory loss or unconsciousness. Those
nominated must be informed they have been chosen, and, if agreeable, should be part of the discussion about possible courses of action. Catholics want to be sure that treatment decisions conform to
Church teaching, and most of us have concerns about beginning or
discontinuing extraordinary treatment. We need to be reassured that
when a treatment cannot cure an illness, and/or when the treatment
is overly burdensome to the person, it may be discontinued.
Many of us will have a good death, receiving the Church’s last
sacraments, and have time to say our goodbyes and perhaps reconcile with estranged family or friends. We need not assume that dying
will always involve pain and suffering. There used to be a notion that
Catholics are “supposed” to suffer, as if, in some way, that would
be “good” for us. Pope Pius XII, however, clarified that we are allowed to take pain-relieving medication even to the point of
unconsciousness. He emphasized that we first take care
of our spiritual duties, say our goodbyes to family and
friends, and then may die peacefully, without pain.
If someone decides to stay conscious and not
take strong pain relief, then that person
could nobly join his/her suffering to that of
Christ. The Pope stated (and here it is pastorally reassuring) that one way is not morally superior to the other. We are called to
make the best decision possible in light
of our situation, and that will be doing
the right thing.
Many among us are beginning to
realize that good palliative and end-oflife care are important human needs.
Ironically, suffering and lack of effective
pain control are often invoked as reasons
for legalizing euthanasia on “compassionate” grounds. If we want a society that
respects life at all stages, that life is to be
lived until the end and that euthanasia is not
an option, then we have a religious and civic
duty to ensure that effective pain control and good
palliative care are available for all. Dying is a kairos, a
supreme moment in our lives—a time of deep human need
and of deep spiritual significance. It is up to us to both help people
die well and to preserve that sense of mystery. F
Campus Notes
Book Sale Co-ordinator Peter Rogers 6T8 shares a prize
find with SMC Principal Mark McGowan.
Photos: Top Left: Eva Wong; Bottom: Sheila Eaton; Top Right: Amy Stupavsky;
Books for Sale
The 6th annual Kelly Library
Book Sale proved another
great success last fall, raising
$25,500, to be used for library
furniture and a new computer
lab. From 27 to 31 October,
the Friends of the John M.
Kelly Library set up shop in
the library’s reading room to
book lovers’ delight. The sale,
which operates solely with help
and donations from USMC
alumni, students, faculty and
friends, offered books of many
genres, including a sizable
collection of volumes on music
donated by Fr. Owen Lee CSB.
“We attracted many new
customers who had not visited
our sale before,” said President
of the Friends Caroline Di
Giovanni 7T0. “They were
uniformly impressed!”
Happy Birthday,
Sheila Watson!
On 24 and 25 October, the
College fêted the birth 100 years
ago of Canadian writer Sheila
Watson 6T5 Hon., renowned
for her modernist novel The
Double Hook (1959). “Celebrating Sheila: Reflections on the
legacy of Sheila Watson on the
occasion of her 100th birthday”
honoured the author’s life with
a series of events and receptions,
including a dramatic rendering
by Bill Kischuk of The Double
Hook and a panel discussion
with Canadian authors George
Bowering, Elizabeth Hay,
Michael Ondaatje and Jane
Kelly Library exhibition celebrates modernist novelist
and Marshall McLuhan student Sheila Watson.
Urquhart. Home to the Sheila
Watson Archives, the Kelly
Library extended the celebration with an exhibit of Watson’s
personal affects.
Legacy Wall
Morley Callaghan 2T5, Marshall McLuhan and Cardinal
George Flahiff CSB 2T6 have
company. On 29 September,
the Feast of St. Michael, President Anne Anderson CSJ and
Principal Mark McGowan added Sister St. John O’Malley CSJ
2T1 and Sister Frances Nims
IBVM 3T9 to the Alumni Hall
Legacy Wall, a portrait gallery
presenting prominent
alumni and faculty.
The additions honour
the St. Joseph’s and
Loretto orders’ long educational commitment to
St. Michael’s, and mark
the first women to
join the group.
Terry O’Malley (l.) with his brother
Brian, former USMC executive director
of USMC Alumni Affairs and
Development, at the Legacy Wall
Dracula Lore
Riding on the success
of the Twilight books
Campus Notes
Tea Time
Rugby Rocks
Marilyn Elphick, USMC Director of Ministry (l.), with
Patrick Ryan 6T4 and daughter Lorraine Ryan 9T5 at last
December’s Christmas Tea.
The SMC rugby team reclaimed the winning title from
their long-standing Engineering rivals in this year’s final
match on 22 November with a score of 26-0. For more
details, see www.utoronto.ca/stmikes.
fanged protagonists as figures
following a Biblical narrative
of damnation and redemption.
Lunch Lieder
and True Blood TV series,
the popularity of Christianity and Culture Prof. Jennifer
Harris’s “Blood Relations: On
Christianity, Pop Culture and
Vampires” lecture confirmed
contemporary culture’s fascination with the undead. On
22 October, Madden Hall
brimmed with vampire fans
eager to know more. An initiative of the Rabanus Project
student club, the lecture
revealed much vampire lore,
focusing on Dracula and other
SMC’s Michael O’Connor (far right) and the SMC Singing Club
build a bit of confidence. I
would be happy if people who
never felt that they could sing
discovered the joy of singing.”
He is quick to extol singing’s
benefits: “Music is good for
the mind, and singing is very
good for the heart and body.
Making music is a way of feeling connected to each other.”
Appointments
Loretto College welcomes
back one of their own! Lauren
Troncone has returned to St.
Michael’s College as Associate Dean of Loretto College.
An Honours graduate from
Loretto Abbey, Troncone
completed her undergraduate
degree in History and English
at St. Mike’s in 2005. While
at SMC, She demonstrated
leadership during SMC Orientation, as secretary of UTICA,
and as Don at Loretto.
She went on to receive her
Bachelor of Education from
OISE in 2006, after which she
taught History, English and
PHOTOs: Top Left: Eva Wong; TOp Right: Courtesy of DUane Rendle; Bottom: Amy Stupavsky
Jennifer Harris
“It’s somewhere between a singsong around a campfire and a
formal choir,” says Dr. Michael
O’Connor of the SMC Singing
Club, which he founded last
September. O’Connor, a Christianity and Culture lecturer
and music maven, has been
directing choirs since his teens.
A core group gathers Thursdays
at noon in St. Basil’s parish
hall to belt out a selection from
the club’s broad repertoire,
ranging from plainchant and
hymns to the American
Songbook, folk songs and
other delightful ditties.
“It seems to be filling a
need,” says O’Connor. “People
who feel that they’ve very little
in terms of a singing voice can
Leadership at Michael Power/
St. Joseph Catholic High School
until February 2009, when she
was seconded by the Loretto
Sisters for her new position.
Lauren Troncone
Kudos
Arbor Award winners
Since 1970, Asian immigration
has been an integral part of Canadian religious history. In New
Faces of Canadian Catholics: The
Asians (Novalis, 2009), Fr. Terence J. Fay SJ, who teaches theology at St. Michael’s, focuses
on five of the largest groups of
Asian Canadian Catholics—
Chinese, Filipino, Korean,
Tamil and Vietnamese. Fr. Fay
previously published A History
of Canadian Catholics (McGillQueen’s University Press, 2002).
Troncone is a dedicated
and compassionate educator
who enjoys the esteem of students and colleagues alike. On
this, the 400th anniversary
of the Loretto Sisters, she
continues to serve the young
women at Loretto College
in the footsteps of Loretto’s
foundress, Mary Ward, with
integrity and a joyful spirit.
Leslie Belzak, USMC Director of Development (far l.), with the
2009 Arbor Awards winners (l. to r.) M. Daniel Ferady 8T2;
Sr. Johanna D’Agostino IBVM (on behalf of the late Sr. Marion
Norman IBVM 3T9); Joseph J. Barnicke Hon 9T3, long-time
SMC friend Betty Hill 4T8 and Kevin O’Brien Fehr 7T0. Also
honoured: Joseph. J. Colangelo 7T3, Frank W. Morneau 9T6
Hon. and Steven Williams 9T4.
The Arbor Awards were created in 1989 to recognize volunteers
for their outstanding service to St. Michael’s College and the
University of Toronto.
PHOTOs: Top Left: Sheila Eaton; ToP Right & Bottom: Eva Wong
2009 Boozer Brown Football & Family Day
Alums and undergrads gathered on the back field for the
41st annual Boozer Brown football match. The alums won
the trophy with a score of 6-4.
Family Day takes its toll
on alum-to-come John Henry
McFadden 2027.
Giving
The Dynamic Murphy Duo
Celebrating six decades of Christian and civic dedication, two lifetimes of giving
By Fr. Robert Madden CSB 5T2
W
hen it comes to celebrating
a history of commitment
to the University of St. Michael’s College, we would be very hard
pressed to come up with a better example than the Murphys. A dynamic duo,
Harold 4T9 and his wife, the late Mary
Agnes (Garvey) 5T1, have shown a won8 Spring 2010 St. Michael’s
derful example of what committed alumni
can achieve.
Like many of their era, the Murphys
met while attending school here at St. Michael’s. Theirs was a lifelong romance; devoted to each other, their faithfulness to
their children and the generous hospitality
that marked their home life did much hon-
our to the College. They formed a Family
of Faith that on more than one occasion has
been a source of encouragement and support to others.
After graduating, Harold completed his
law studies at Osgoode Hall. He entered
into successful legal practice, being appointed Queen’s Council in 1964. Before retiring,
Photos courtesy harold Murphy
he was a Senior Partner in the firm of Garvey
Ferriss, Barristers and Solicitors, of Toronto,
and President of PMD Management and Development Incorporated. Through the years,
Mary Agnes supported him; while contributing countless hours of volunteer work, she
created a wonderful home for Harold and
their children: Paul, Harold Jr., Michael, Joanna and Mary Christine.
For almost 60 years, the Murphys have
demonstrated their unwavering support, commitment and loyalty to the College, playing an
important role in developing many initiatives
that have beneficial effects today. They helped
revitalize the College’s Alumni Association,
for example, and Harold served on its Board
of Directors for several years, for some time
as president. Also, he was instrumental, with
his close friend Fr. John Kelly, in developing
the St. Michael’s College Foundation into the
productive body it is today. Unbeknownst to
many students over the decades, their scholarships came from funds generated by the work
of Harold Murphy, Fr. Kelly and other members of the Foundation. He contributed by his
business acumen, his legal counsel, his begging abilities and his and Mary Agnes’s own
financial generosity.
Harold was an alumni appointee on the
Collegium, St. Michael’s highest governing
body; he served on the St. Michael’s College
Foundation as vice-president and, with Mary
Agnes, contributed greatly to the planning and
practical execution of the Capital Campaign,
including as gracious hosts for special events
in their home. Thanks largely to the Murphys’
generosity with their talent, time, experience,
and substantial financial assistance, the Campaign enjoys continuing success.
The University of Toronto recognized the
couple’s hard work with Arbor Awards (his in
1994, hers in 2000.) This award recognizes
volunteers for outstanding personal service
to the University. At the 1998 St. Michael’s
Convocation Baccalaureate Mass, Harold was
made an Honorary Fellow of the University of
St. Michael’s College. Established by the Senate of St. Michael’s, this fellowship is the high-
(Left page) A long and rich life together
began in January 1953, when Harold
Murphy 4T9 and Mary Agnes Garvey 5T1
exchanged wedding vows at Toronto’s
Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
(Above) Setting out in style for their
honeymoon, the Murphys continued
their journey through life for more than
50 happy years, travelling to places
of history and those of the heart.
est recognition of alumni whose achievements
greatly ennoble the College.
The Murphys’ energies must be as limitless as their sense of Christian and civic obligations. A member of the Board of Trade
and a director in a number of Canadian
corporations, Harold has long been involved
with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of
Metropolitan Toronto, serving at one time
as its president. The couple’s concern for the
unemployed in the Ottawa Valley, a region
with family ties, led them to develop the Calabogie Peaks Resort, which not only brought
financial relief and security to many of the
area residents, but also restored their sense of
pride in their community. Harold also served
on the Board of Directors of the French
Foreign Missions and was one of the three
founding members of the Loyola Arrupe
Centre, a continuing care and independent
living facility in Toronto for seniors, a joint
project of lay people and the Jesuit Fathers. The Murphys’ great contributions to the
life and work of St. Michael’s College and to
their ecclesial and civic community never faltered. Even in the thickest of despair, the magical bond between Harold and Mary Agnes
held strong and fast. In September of 1989,
their daughter Joanne Murphy 7T5 died suddenly. Not to be undone by sorrow for the rest
of their lives, the two transferred their grief to
a positive place and created a professorship in
medical research in Joanne’s name at a teaching hospital of the University of Toronto.
The University of St. Michael’s College
lost a great friend this past December, when
Mary Agnes passed away. Her last visit to the
campus was to help celebrate Harold’s 60th
graduation anniversary in May of 2009.
St. Michael’s College could not be more
grateful for the support of our alumni and
friends, Harold’s and Mary Agnes’s lifelong
commitment being a wonderful case in point.
They have our thanks and our continued
prayers, especially Harold, who continues
on without the physical presence of Mary
Agnes, but we can be sure she remains with
him – and so with us at St. Michael’s. F
Cover story
West
Side
Story
Staged entirely by enthusiastic,
dedicated and talented
SMC students, last fall’s
show was every bit as engaging
as the musical’s first
production 43 years ago
By J.P. Antonacci 0T7
Photography by Geoff George
I
t’s two days before the opening night of
West Side Story, and the cacophony backstage
at the Betty Oliphant Theatre is the sound of
a show that is magically coming together.
“Maria, Mariiiiiiia,” sings actor Alex Morrow
as he dashes into the dressing room to become
Tony, the conflicted gang member who falls for
Puerto Rican beauty Maria, intensely portrayed
by the petite Amanda Indovina.
A group of Jets and Sharks wander past, joking
around now but bitter enemies on stage. Hammers
and whirring electric sanders make adjustments to
the set. A solo trombone and saxophone conduct
a jazzy debate for the entertainment of the 30-odd
players in the orchestra pit, before being silenced
by the determined baton of musical director Anastasia Tchernikova, a serious 3rd-year Piano major
conducting her first musical. On stage, director/
choreographer Shakir Haq patiently imparts some
last-minute wisdom to his “America” dancers, who
chirp “Ii! Ii! Ii!” as they mambo.
In a performance to rival any student musical,
SMC’s triumphant November 2009 production
of the notoriously difficult West Side Story was
a hit, selling over 1,200 tickets and twice filling
the house.
Producer Laura Fallico, SMCSU Theatre Commissioner and graduating European Studies student, invigorated a moribund music theatre scene
with last year’s splashy, well-received production
of Grease. “I guess I have big ambitions,” Fallico
laughs. “It was a bit of a risk taking [West Side Story]
off campus. Having the orchestra, a big stage and a
large cast really shows people that, you know what,
St. Mike’s is serious. Theatre is back.”
Though she wasn’t aware of it, West Side Story
had revived SMC Theatre before.
In 1966, after modest successes with two short
plays, friends Richard Aguglia 6T7 and Frank
Marrocco 6T7 co-produced the Leonard Bernstein
musical at the newly built Ryerson Theatre, and to
much acclaim: their three performances played to
capacity crowds each time (see sidebar, page 15).
This year, the poise displayed by the many rookie dancers—only four in the 45-member ensemble
had significant stage experience—impressed Dance
Captain Megan Reddicks, a 4th-year Art History
undergrad who serenely led the fleeing Tony and
Maria from danger with a solo ballet routine.
“We’ve got the singing, there are the funny
aspects of the dancing, and then there are some
Taking dance, drama, music,
tech and set design to new
heights, SMC’s top-notch
production of West Side
Story made a splash last fall.
On stage, in the orchestra pit
and behind the scenes, students
showed off their burgeoning
skills and brought in record
crowds with this classic story
of star-crossed love.
“I guess I have
big ambitions.
It was a bit of
a risk taking
West Side Story
off campus.”
of the more serious pieces, when you can just tell
everyone’s going all out,” Reddicks says, explaining
the show’s broad appeal. The guys certainly gave it
their all during a playful, wisecracking version of
audience favourite “Officer Krupke.” Even SMC
Chaplain Fr. Jim Murphy csb got in on the act,
bringing a sense of urgency to his role as a shop
owner who tries in vain to dissuade the wayward
youth from violence. Haq, who had seen him the
year before in Grease, had asked him to audition.
“You’ve got to meet the students where they are,”
Fr. Murphy said. “And as ‘the old guy,’ I could
often explain the lingo from the 50s,” he laughs.
The cast unanimously attributes their confidence to Haq, an upper-year Woodsworth student
studying Human Biology, South Asian Studies
and Aboriginal Studies, who guided them for two
intense months. After choreographing SMC’s
Little Shop of Horrors in 2006, lighting Into the
Woods the following year and designing costumes
for Grease, Haq assumed the weighty task of choreographing and directing West Side Story, and by
all accounts pulled it off with aplomb.
“Oh, he is unbelievable. He’s very patient, and
with so much that he’s done—acting, choreography, costumes, props—I have not seen him break
down,” says Arianna Benincasa, a 1st-year student
who brought spot-on dancing and plenty of sass to
her role as Maria’s tough-talking best friend, Anita.
“And his choreography is absolutely amazing. He
made it extravagant and big, and everyone got it.”
Productions like this take up a lot of time.
Performers past and present had to remember to
leave the stage occasionally and visit the library.
In the 1960s, Aguglia recalls, “we had to be very
careful because the president of the College was
telling us that people were spending more time on
the play than on their studies.” Last November,
while Benincasa bore the shock of first year in her
ballet slippers, Reddicks, in the wings, filled out
grad school applications.
Marrocco, the youthful 1966 theatre producer
who is now an Ontario judge, enjoyed this year’s
edition of West Side Story, with his wife, Mimi
6T9. “I thought this year’s production was very
effective. The set design showed great ingenuity,
and the student orchestra was just excellent. We
would have loved to have had them when we put
the show on,” he said. “I thought the dancing was
particularly well done, and the story itself continues
to speak to today’s generation as it did to ours.” F
intense months preparing
“To-niiight, to-niiight
Won’t be just any night”
West Side Story. A bit of
For readers who remember the glory days of
meditation (this page, bottom)
“Theatre Mickities” and those to whom the name
SMC students spent several
never hurts. As director
and choreographer of this
technically demanding
musical, Shakir Haq (below)
was always on the go.
has become legend, last year’s revival of West Side
Story (no, not the Stratford version, but our very
own undergraduate production) was a wonderful
illustration of the timeless magic of the musical.
With its complex choreography and challenging
score, West Side Story is difficult to stage and very
demanding to produce. So demanding, in fact,
that student producers back in 1966 relied on the
services of a professional director, choreographer
and full professional orchestra. The strain on the
relatively modest student budget was so enormous that the only way to recoup the expense
was to take the production off campus to a venue
three times the size of their traditional Hart House
Theatre space and to sell every single ticket for
every single show. And so, after modest successes
with two short plays (on campus, and on budget),
friends Richard Aguglia 6T7 and Frank Marrocco
6T7 co-produced the blockbuster Leonard Bernstein musical at the newly built Ryerson Theatre.
Aguglia, then a 3rd-year Sociology major and
now a lawyer in Washington, DC, excitedly recounts one particularly daring publicity stunt. “We
carted over a fire escape by truck and did a couple
of numbers down Yonge Street,” he says, adding
that his actors would also perform short numbers
on the subway while handing out playbills. Their
efforts paid off. The three performances sold out,
and ticket holders were not disappointed. “It was
an electric feeling,” recalls Aguglia. “It seemed like
the whole school was working on it together.”
Alumni Portrait
Flora
the Clown
Camilla Gryski 7T1 offers reprieve from the
rough reality of life in palliative care to Toronto Sick
Kids Hospital’s young patients and their parents
By Cynthia Macdonald 8T6
W
Flora the Clown walks
down the hall at Toronto’s
Hospital for Sick Children,
even the adults smile. Harried staffers and
visitors grin shyly as Flora—in red nose,
flowery pantaloons and mismatched vest—
waves a hopeful hello. Standing at the elevator, a middle-aged doctor sneaks a curious
look at the colorful toy kit she carries with
her everywhere. In that look you can see the
five-year-old he once was.
Flora invites this sense of wonder. Gentle
and soft-spoken, she bears no resemblance
to the garishly painted circus performers
many people assume clowns must necessarily be. But Flora—the alter ego of Camilla
Gryski 7T1, a former teacher and librarian—is a different breed entirely. As a therapeutic clown working with the Palliative
and Bereavement Care Service at Toronto’s
Hospital for Sick Children, Gryski’s work
requires that she be small, not outsized; soft,
not loud. “It’s not about me, it’s about the
child,” she says. “I can hold my energy in so
much, it’s as if I’m not even there.”
Gryski began work as a librarian at the
hospital in 1977. Eighteen years later, she
decided she was ready for a change. Clowning seemed a natural fit: she had worked extensively with children, was also an authority on string games, and had been an avid
“circus mom,” overseeing the burgeoning career of her son Damian, a juggler and busker.
It was a time when the new profession
hen
of therapeutic clowning was coming into its
own. In Canada, clowns have been working
in health care settings for the past 23 years,
offering patients (adults as well as children)
a chance not only to laugh, but to take time
away from what can be a gruelling regimen
of treatments, appointments and operations. As a member of Sick Kids’ palliative
care team, Gryski offers moments of respite
to children at the end of their lives that have
a particular urgency and poignance.
Gryski’s first persona was Posy, a pretty,
lavender-haired vision in white greasepaint.
“For the first couple of years I didn’t speak
[while playing],” she says. “Then one day
I was with a little boy, who asked me my
name. Of course, Posy was written all over
me, but he said: ‘I’m only 6, I can’t read!’”
That was the first step toward Flora, a
more “Camilla-like” figure who jabbers gently and wears no makeup. But as Gryski says,
both Posy and Flora truly resemble her: a
distilled essence, perhaps, of who she really
is. “The true clown is authentic, honourable,
works from the heart,” she says. “There’s not
a lot of artifice there.” Indeed, she believes
that clowns represent us all: “My vulnerability and joy is on the outside—but inside
every single one of us is someone who’d like
to skip through shadows in the sun.”
Working with young people at the end
of their life’s journey presents many unique
challenges. First, Flora must keep children
safe, ensuring that hands are washed and
toys sterilized. When patients are feeling
well, play can sometimes be “wild,” but the
clown must be mindful of things such as
stitches and equipment. In one of the numerous articles she’s written about her work,
Gryski recalls a four-year-old’s vocal command: “Power Rangers, attack!” He then
added: “Bring my IV, Posy.”
This episode epitomizes Gryski’s philosophy—that play must offer the dying child a
sense of empowerment. “Lots of choice gets
taken away from kids [in this situation],” she
affirms. “They are always being told, ‘You
can’t do this,’ or ‘You have to do that.’ So
every time I offer a piece of play, what’s built
in is choice. And the best thing for me is
when the child takes over the play.”
Gryski calls herself a play facilitator, and
her stories illustrate how mortally ill children
ingeniously develop strategies to deal with
their threatening reality. She recalls one tenyear-old girl who developed a special connection with a hand puppet from Flora’s toy
kit. “She had a lot of skin problems, and her
dressing had to be frequently changed. One
day she was screaming and screaming, and
nobody could figure out why. But she felt
comfortable telling Bunny—the puppet. She
explained to her that she wasn’t in pain, particularly...screaming was just something she
had to do, to calm herself. Still, she wouldn’t
talk to me. She’d talk to Bunny.”
Palliative care—in which a dying
patient’s needs are looked after, with the
PHOTO: Sheila Eaton
underlying acknowledgment that no cure
will be possible—is a relatively new field in
Canada, having been introduced here little
more than thirty years ago. Its very existence
makes many uncomfortable, especially where
children are concerned. “It’s hard, because
the medical profession tries to cure people;
that’s its thrust,” says Gryski. “It’s hard not to
see a child dying as a failure. That’s why there
has to be more education in this area, so that
families don’t become invisible to staff when
there’s no longer hope for a cure.”
Gryski works as part of a child’s support
team, alongside doctors, nurses and such
other complementary professionals as massage, music and art therapists. These last
provide critically important services; while
doctors try to add time to a child’s life, Gryski
insists she is there to “add life to a child’s
time.” She works largely within a home setting, providing play opportunities for siblings
and friends as well. And in a recent article,
Gryski wrote about how Flora sometimes
offers parents their own opportunity to “express the inexpressible.” While she was showing a nine-year-old girl that a wind-up bear
needed to be tapped on the head to move,
her mother commented: “if I tapped you on
the head, would you go on?”
The work can be emotionally gruelling,
but Gryski has learned to take care of herself.
Having the support of a team is important
to her, as is the cultivation of calming rituals. After rounds, midweek, she sometimes
walks labyrinths or draws mandalas. “You
have to come to a personal belief about why
children die,” she says quietly. “You might
believe that they are old souls, or that they
had a special purpose here. Or you might
hold to the Buddhist belief that this was one
life, and there will be another one.”
But play with children at this time in
their lives gives great pleasure, too. To hear,
as Gryski once did, that she was responsible
for a little girl’s last smile is inestimably rewarding. “It’s an absolute privilege to have
a child who is days from dying wake up and
play with you,” says Gryski. “There comes a
time in their journey when all they can do
is say paint me a bee, or a butterfly. Just my
presence, my being with them, is tremendously important.” F
Cynthia Macdonald 8T6 is a Toronto writer.
Her father, Neil MacDonald 5T5, is a palliative care physician, as was her late uncle,
Claude Macdonald 4T6.
CELTIC STUDIES
2009 Artist-in-Residence,
Irish poet Paul Durcan
Photo: Amy Stupavsky
W
Professor Ann Dooley taught the
initial “Celtic Culture through the Ages”
Celtic Studies course in 1976, her class was
intimate; ten students enjoyed her full attention. Clearly, they were inspired and the
first to spread the word.
Today, SMC’s Celtic Studies undergraduate program enrolls some 300 students
in its courses on the languages, literature,
history, music, folklore, art and archaeology of the peoples of Ireland, Scotland and
Wales. Courses offered now range from
“Celtic Literature and Society 500-1500”
to “Contemporary Irish Women’s Writing,” “Celtic Folklore and Music” and
“Celtic Cinema.”
hen
Over the years, the program has attracted
international attention. The Irish Government’s Department of Community, Rural
and Gaeltacht Affairs today funds a number
of awards to support the teaching of the
Irish language at St. Michael’s. For the next
academic year, this support, administered by
the Ireland Canada University Foundation,
will be equivalent to $100,000.
For the present academic year, one beneficiary was Joanne Ní Fhathaigh, who received
a Celtic Studies teaching assistantship sponsored by the Government of Ireland. Next
year, in academic 2010-2011, the Irish government will also fund a senior scholar from
Ireland to teach and be active in all aspects of
Celtic
Class
Fall millinery finery at the
Ireland Fund’s Day at the Races
Artists-in-residence, visiting professors, a speaker series,
an annual conference and, new in 2010-11,
a Government of Ireland senior scholar: life is abuzz
in SMC’s Celtic Studies program
Photos: (top): Julie Bernard; (Middle & Bottom) Sheila Eaton
Irish TA Joanne Ní Fhathaigh at work
this popular program at St. Michael’s.
In addition, Celtic Studies offers summer
scholarships for students to examine things
Celtic across the Atlantic, and organizes
conferences that draw international scholars
to come to St. Michael’s.
Closer to home, each year for the past
12 years, the program has been the beneficiary of the Ireland Fund of Canada’s Annual
Day at the Races at Woodbine Racetrack,
an Ascot-worthy showcase of fine haberdashery and fancy millinery. This year’s Day
at the Races was on 25 September, a beautiful, sunny fall day enjoyed by all. Proceeds
from the day, which included a live auction
with very active bidders, support the Celtic
Studies “Artist-in-Residence” program.
Later, in October, the year’s Artist-inResidence, Irish poet Paul Durcan, treated
SMC to his trademark irreverence and insights. In addition to giving workshops and
readings, Durcan enthralled listeners at the
annual Celtic Studies Conference, on 25
October, where he read a selection of poems
from his 2009 anthology Life is a Dream
(see also Art on Campus, p.35.)
Throughout the year, the Celtic Student
Society not only puts out an annual literary journal, called Garm Lu!, a going concern for 23 years, but also keeps up with
social traditions, organizing ceilidh dances,
drama, storytelling and pub nights. F
Dr. John Kelly, Executive Director
of the Ireland Canada University
Foundation with, at right, SMC
Principal Mark McGowan
Alumni Association
We Are Listening
A recent survey shows personal ties and learning top lists
of both fond memories and desired alumni events
By Andy Lubinsky 7T9, President, USMC Alumni Association Board
Fondest Memories of Life as a Student (Percent of Mentions)
Informal Socializing
35%
Residence Life
18%
Courses & Profs
16%
Social Events
14%
Frosh Week
6%
Sports
Club/SMCSU
Kelly’s Korner
5%
3%
2%
What Type of Alumni Event Would You Attend?
19%
Family Activity
Sporting Event
40+
25%
11%
25%
53%
Guest Speaker
47%
51%
Lecture/Seminar
Professional/Networking
Under 40
55%
25%
58%
It
is said that being listened to is perhaps the single
most important human need. As we embarked on our
strategic planning effort, the USMC Alumni Association
Board of Directors decided that the best first step was to listen. We conducted an online survey with over 800 alumni from all walks of life
and across all age groups, educational backgrounds and professions. The
purpose of the survey was to gain a deeper understanding of the topics
or initiatives that would be of greatest interest to you and of ways we can
better connect with you. Here is some of what we heard.
The Magic of St. Mike’s
First, it was abundantly clear you feel a strong passion and pride in the
“Magic of St. Mike’s.” Respondents were asked to rate their level of
agreement with the statement: “I am proud to be a University of St.
Michael’s College graduate.” Nearly 90% agreed strongly, proving that
there are a lot of great memories and emotional bonds with USMC.
When asked to state their fondest memories of student life, a combined
83% of responses described studying at Kelly Library, hanging out with
and having great discussions with friends at Brennan Hall, residence
life, great professors, courses you loved, and oh let’s not forget: St. Mike’s
pub nights and memorable parties. In short, the magic of St. Mike’s has
endured the test of time.
Relevance
We also heard some enthusiastic approval of certain kinds of events.
What we sensed from the survey is that you want to be connected (or reconnected) with St. Mike’s as long as the events are relevant to your current interests. But these interests varied depending on age. For example,
more recent graduates, who are understandably interested in building
their careers, said they need events that allow them to network with
people related to their occupation or profession. Recent graduates also
expressed more interest in sporting and family-oriented events. Events
associated with the arts appealed strongly to all age groups, though
more to seasoned graduates. Differences were not just limited to age.
Not surprisingly, those who had stayed in residence expressed a desire to
reconnect with their old residence mates. All graduates expressed equally
strong interest in relevant educational lectures and guest speakers that
celebrated the quality of thinking and the worldview that is unique to
St. Mike’s. Overall, these findings taught us that while we can continue
to run successful events that appeal to the full range of graduating years,
there are some specific needs that should be addressed.
Moving Forward
The USMC Alumni Association Board wants you to know that we
heard you and that we will continue to listen to your feedback. Our
future plans will recognize and celebrate the differences and commonalities of you, the alumni, to ensure that all of you have compelling reasons to attend USMC events.
A Personal Invitation to be Part of the Future
We would love to hear from any of you who are interested in actively
contributing time and effort toward making the future happen. If you
are interested in discussing a possible role in our activities, I want to invite
you to contact me personally at [email protected].
I look forward to hearing from you. F
U p c o m i ng
A lumni Events
Kevin Barry
Thursday, April 1, 6 pm
One of Ireland’s rising literary stars
reads from his 2007 Rooney-Prizewinning There are Little Kingdoms
Fr. Robert Madden Hall, Carr Hall,
100 St. Joseph St.
Free admission, no registration required
www.utoronto.ca/stmikes/celticstudies
Christianity & the Arts
Annual Lecture
Wednesday, April 7, 7:30 pm
Presenter: Irish author Claire Keegan
2009 Davy Byrnes Award winner
Room 400, Alumni Hall,
121 St. Joseph St.
“The Perfect Pint”
Wednesday, May 5, 6 pm
2nd Annual Beer Event,
incl. complimentary snacks
The Brazen Head Pub,
Liberty Village
161 East Liberty St.,
Toronto
Claire Keegan
2010 Spring Reunion may 28, 29 & 30
FRIDAY, MAY 28
11 am
Class of 6T0 50th
Anniversary Mass
St. Michael’s College Chapel
(below St. Basil’s Church)
12 noon
Class of 6T0 50th Anniversary Lunch
Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall
81 St. Mary Street
2 pm
The Donovan Art Collection Tour
led by Fr. Dan Donovan
Charbonnel Lobby, Elmsley Hall
81 St. Mary St.
7 pm
St. Michael’s College Alumni Association Annual General Meeting
Room 203, Brennan Hall
USMCAA Constitutional
Amendments to be tabled
For more details, call 416-926-7260
or see Amendments at
www.utoronto.ca/stmikes/alum-dev
8 pm-12 am
All Alumni Reception
Sam Sorbara Auditorium
Brennan Hall
SATURDAY, MAY 29
10 am, 11 am, 12 noon
UofT Campus Bus Tour
starts at King’s College Circle
1 pm
St. Mike’s Campus Walking Tour
starts at John M. Kelly Library
113 St. Joseph St.
2 pm
“Arts, Religion and the Spiritual”
Lecture by Fr. Dan Donovan
Room 400, Alumni Hall
121 St. Joseph St.
6:30 pm
Honoured Years’ Cocktail Reception
81 St. Mary St.
7:30 pm
Honoured Years’ Dinner
Brennan Hall
9:30 pm
After Dinner Reception
81 St. Mary St.
SUNDAY, MAY 30
11:30 am
All Alumni Mass
St. Michael’s College Chapel
(below St. Basil’s church)
12 noon
Complimentary Brunch
Brennan Hall
For information on alumni events, please call Eva at 416-926-7260
or visit our website at www.utoronto.ca/stmikes
First Flight
WhiteNight
Metal floor nails by the bucket, plastic
string by the pound and a dozen dedicated
friends helped create an urban forest for
Toronto’s all-night installation arts festival
By Jerome McGrath 0T4
F
or the last four years, hundreds of thousands of people
have flooded Toronto’s downtown streets one Saturday night
in early fall for the Nuit Blanche arts festival. This is an event
when people explore back alleys, public squares and other urban
spaces, seeking out hundreds of dusk-to-dawn contemporary art installations. In the midst of all this, my partner Rina Grosman and
I built a small refuge from the big-city bustle entitled The Lost and
Found Forest for last year’s festival.
The Lost and Found Forest is a 40-foot-long tunnel that mimics
a natural landscape with artificial materials: life-size images of trees
are recreated using lengths of plastic string intricately woven around
thousands of nails. Sounds reminiscent of the forest are present, too,
but also man-made. If you listen carefully, you can hear the creaking
of the trees, the wind and the chatter of woodpeckers—they are, in
fact, the rustling and wobbling of different plastics and the hammering of nails. The installation allows visitors to be immersed within a
forest within a city for only a short while before they exit and find
Photo: Torstar Syndication Services
Jerome McGrath 0T4 and his partner, visual arts grad Rina Grosman, assemble the pieces for their 40-foot-long Nuit Blanche urban
forest installation, The Lost and Found Forest. For one brief early October night, visitors passing through their plastic corridor of
manufactured forest sights and sounds were put in touch with Toronto’s past, before nature gave way to urban growth.
themselves back in the urban landscape they know, in this case in
Toronto’s trendy Liberty Village.
This was our third collaboration and first public display. Rina
has a background in fine art, and mine is in economics and international relations. A hobby of mine since university has been to gather
sounds of all types and make them into audio collages and new
music. It was at the previous year’s Nuit Blanche that we thought
to combine our talents and create this project together. For me, it’s
quite a change of pace from my career as an investment advisor.
For more than four months we worked with over a dozen friends
and volunteers who gave up their evenings and weekends to help
create all the parts of the exhibit. Many of them are friends I made at
St. Mike’s: Kazuki Mukai 0T5, Casimir Soare 0T4, Lily Wong 0T4,
Elizabeth Bozek 0T3, Nick Magnone 0T3, Erin McTernan 0T4,
Michael Muir 0T4 and Joe Figueredo 0T4. A small plug: St. Michael’s
College is a great place to meet your best friends and the kind of place
that has many opportunities for you to explore and grow in different
and complementary ways. A few of my personal favourites include
the Out of the Cold soup kitchen, the Dean’s Cup intramural sports
and the SMC Student Union. It’s the kind of place that can help you
accomplish more than just good grades.
When the sun rose the morning after Nuit Blanche, more than
5,000 people had walked through The Lost and Found Forest, and
many were obviously deeply affected by the experience; we were one
of three winners of the People’s Choice Award, which is given each
year based on a vote by the public. Though it’s exciting to receive an
award, knowing that our artwork connected with the people who
saw it is the best compliment any artist can get. F
Jerome McGrath is an investment advisor and financial planner with
RBC Dominion Securities in Toronto, and serves on USMC’s Alumni
Association Board. The Lost and Found Forest is currently displayed at
the WideAwake Entertainment Studio in Toronto and thelostandfoundforest.blogspot.com.
In Print
Pulling Through
By Deb Loughead 7T7
A bolt of lightning seems to have changed Claire’s teenage life. The
main character in Struck, the latest young-reader novel by Deb
Loughead 7T7, Claire sees many of her secret desires suddenly come
true. Real change, though, happens only once she deals with her new
situations. In the following, Claire takes a bold step and visits her
nemesis, Lucy, who is in hospital, unconscious after an accident:
I
made my decision after school. Instead of heading for
home, where Mom and Dad would most likely be snuggling
and smooching, or fighting, I hopped on the bus and headed
for the hospital. I felt the need to see Lucy. I wanted to speak to her,
even if she couldn’t hear me.
Lucy and I had never been close. We were just classmates who
talked sometimes. I’d only considered her a rival since I’d become
fixated on Eric and on the role of Ophelia. And now I couldn’t stop
thinking about her lying in that hospital bed on the verge of death.
Her poor family must be feeling awful. And somehow, in some
warped way, I felt responsible.
That stupid, stupid umbrella. It was like a curse. The minute I’d
touched it and been struck by lightning, my life, and so many others’,
had changed directions. I’d been trying so hard to convince myself
that none of it was my fault, that the lightning hadn’t triggered the
changes. But it wasn’t working anymore. Everything was different,
some of it good and some of it bad. And every bit of it was completely
confusing. I desperately wanted to at least get my own life back on
track! No wonder somebody else had pitched that umbrella in the
trash! I wondered if their life was screwed up the way mine was now.
I’ve never liked hospitals. The antiseptic smells, the hushed worried voices. Every corner you turn, you see somebody connected to
an IV, shuffling along the hallway looking like they’re on the brink
of death. Everyone looks sad and defeated. Ugh. That’s why it was so
hard to walk through those sliding doors. That, and knowing what
I had to face when I got to Lucy’s room.
A total nightmare!
In the gift shop I bought a tiny stuffed teddy bear to give to
Lucy. It was hand-knit by someone, from the look of it. But it was
cute and not expensive. The woman at the information counter
directed me to the ICU up on the third floor. ICU. Intensive Care
Unit. Where very sick people went. To recover, or not. Cripes!
I crept along the hallway like I was in a funeral procession. I kept
my eyes straight ahead, fearing what I might see if I looked into one
of those sad rooms. At the nursing station on the third floor I could
barely look the nurse in the eye when I said Lucy’s name. “Lucy.
Lucy Mantella.”
“Her family is with her right now, dear,” the nurse said without
looking up. “She’s down the hall, third door on the right. Wait there
until someone comes out. Only two people are allowed in the room
at once. And only family right now. Are you a relative?” “Um…yes,”
I lied. “I’m her…her cousin.” “Okay,” she said and tilted her head
toward the room.
I sort of melted into a chair in the hallway, just outside Lucy’s
room. The door was shut. Maybe the doctor was with her now.
Photo: Steve Loughead
Deb Loughead 7T7
Maybe a nurse was with her now. I should just make a mad dash for
it before the door opened. I could leave the tiny teddy sitting on the
chair and bolt like a scared rabbit. I so did not want to face this.
And that’s when the door opened. A woman was standing there
looking totally destroyed. Lucy’s mother, with circles under her eyes,
her dark hair tangled. She jumped a bit, like she was startled to see
me out there in the hallway. I’m pretty sure that I jumped too. And
in that moment I lost my chance to make a run for it.
I stood up and tried to smile. It wasn’t working out very well,
though, because my lips wouldn’t stop trembling.
“Oh. Hello. You took me by surprise,” she half whispered.
“Sorry,” I said. Then I held out the teddy bear, and she took it.
“How adorable! Is…is this for Lucy?” Like a complete fool, I
stood there nodding. I couldn’t even speak.
“Who are you, sweetie?” Mrs. Mantella said. Her voice was soft
and kind.
“I’m…I’m…just a friend,” I told her. “My name’s Claire Watkins. We’re all really worried about Lucy at school. I just had to
come by to see how she is.”
Mrs. Mantella’s face dropped, and she gasped. For one crazy
instant I thought she was angry. Then she reached out, pulled me
against her chest and hugged me hard.
“You can’t even imagine how much this means to me,” she said
near my ear.
Apparently I was the very first friend of Lucy’s to make that awful trek to the hospital. And I wasn’t even a close friend! Alice hadn’t
stopped by yet. She’d only called the house once. Mrs. Mantella
frowned when I asked about Eric. He hadn’t been there either. And,
for some reason, when she told me that, I wasn’t surprised at all.
“It’s because they’re all afraid,” Mrs. Mantella explained to me.
“Afraid to hear what I might say. Afraid that I might cry.” Two
huge teardrops trickled out when she said that. “And who wouldn’t
be. This is a difficult thing for anyone to face.” Then she squeezed
my hand.
“I just felt like I needed to be here for some reason,” I whispered.
Because I feel as if it was all my fault, a little voice in my head was
whispering. “You were very brave to come,” she said. “And I’m sorry
you can’t go into her room right now. The doctor is with her, and
they’re doing some tests. The good news is that she’s stabilized.” She
managed a weak smile. “There’s a fifty percent chance that she might
actually pull through after all, you know.”
I heaved a huge sigh. That was the best news I’d heard in days.
We both stood up, and she hugged me hard again. “I’ll tell her you
came by, and I’ll be sure to give her this teddy, Claire,” Mrs. Mantella told me. “She’ll be so happy to know that you were here today.”
Then she slipped through the door back into Lucy’s room. F
Deb Loughead is an award-winning author, poet and workshop leader.
She has written 16 books for children and young adults, and is the current
President of CANSCAIP, the Canadian Society for Children’s Authors,
Illustrators and Performers. Her latest novel, Struck, was published by
Orca Book Publishers, Victoria, BC, October 2009.
the view from smcsu
Kelly’s Korner
A stage to share in Brennan Hall
By Francesca Imbrogno, President, St. Michael’s College Student Union
S
Wednesday night Kelly’s
Korner performers (left)
Thomas Cattana and Apostolo
Zeno and (below) cast
members from last year’s
SMC production of Grease
through Brennan’s doors, we meet friendly
faces playing pool, or foosball, or just talking and watching TV.
This year, there are more occasions
than ever for coming into the lounge. For
example, our Day Students’ Commission
holds monthly free breakfasts, and there
is now a new Seattle’s Best coffee pot in
place. It is great to see the trend of students
taking time to trickle out of the library and
into the warm and welcoming heart of St.
Michael’s College. F
Photo: Dean Penafiel
t. Michael’s College has many
unique traditions. One of the staple events we are most proud of is
Kelly’s Korner, an open mike night that
happens on the last Wednesday of every
month. Kelly’s Korner is tailored not only
to those with writing or performing talent
(of whom there are many at SMC!) but
for anyone who enjoys listening to their
music, poetry and songs.
Kelly’s Korner has been growing steadily each year, thanks to the St. Michael’s
College Student Union’s creativity in its
presentation and hard work at publicizing it. The College has so many talented
people, and that Wednesday night enables
them to show off their skills. In years past,
the event itself was great, but too few students were aware of it. Now there is a great
effort to promote not only those nights
that bring in the most attendees, but also
the small, hidden gems.
This year during frosh week, we held the
first outdoor Kelly’s Korner in the orientation field. We set up a stage, microphones
and speakers and enjoyed what was left of
the beautiful summer weather by pulling
up porch chairs and benches and listening
to some amazing live music.
For the colder months of the year
though, we’ve returned Kelly to its rightful
“Korner” in Brennan Hall, where events
like this have been increasing traffic to a
beloved student hangout. This is the busiest the lounge has been in my four years
at St. Mike’s, which is wonderful to see.
It is not in classrooms or lecture halls that
we make our best friends at university, but
in student spaces like this. When we walk
Snapshot
A Cup of Joe…
…with Manuel Filipe
Photo: Amy Stupavsky
A
mainstay at St. Michael’s for 34 years, Manuel Filipe,
Senior Supervisor of Facilities and Services, is the College’s
‘jack-of-all-trades.’ He is responsible for housekeeping, the
lock system, parking and student residences.
St. Michael’s: Thirty-four years is a long time. Don’t you ever get
tired of your work?
Manuel Filipe: Well, each day before 7:30 am, I go to the schedule
and there are always surprises. It’s never routine. That’s what makes
my job challenging and not boring. My
friends sometimes say, “Why are you so
worried about the College? It’s just bricks
and mortar.” But I love this place. I love
coming to work. It gives me incentive to
always do my best.
SM: Would you share some of your fondest
moments at SMC?
MF: I’ve got too many. I’ve worked with
so many good people over all these years.
But one of the moments that really stands
out was seeing my son graduate from the
College in 2006. It was a dream, and I
have it in my heart.
Meeting the wonderful Basilians
is another, like Fr. John Kelly and Fr.
Harold Gardiner. All positions used
to be filled by them. It saddens me to
see that they are now such a small part
of the College. They’re the ones who
built the path that makes it possible for
us to work and study here. In the 1970s,
I was a new immigrant from Portugal. The Basilian Fathers gave
me work. They were welcoming to people; they cared about us.
This College has been good to me. I feel at home here. This is my
second family.
SM: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
MF: A lot of people don’t know that I run marathons. I run
six days a week. I’ve run the Mississauga Marathon. As a matter
of fact, I’ve run a marathon to raise money for the College. I haven’t
officially run a race in my homeland
yet, but one of my goals is to run the
Lisbon Half Marathon and come first
in my age group.
SM: If you weren’t working at St.
Michael’s, what would you be doing?
MF: If I had had the opportunity—I
had dreams when I was a kid of becoming a doctor. I would want to be
out there helping people.
SM: Of all the tasks you do, which is
your favourite?
MF: It’s probably working the locks. I
like to challenge my brain with trying
to assemble the springs and pieces when
they fall apart. If you’re not very precise,
you can run into a lot of trouble.
SM: And finally, how do you take
your coffee?
MF: Decaf. I get the jitters. My favourite
coffee is the one I buy at the Portuguese
bakery, where I take milk and sugar. F
Honours
On Scholarship and Education
Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters,
Prof. Susannah Heschel defines a scholar’s responsibilities
Excerpted from her 14 November keynote speech at the Faculty of Theology
and the Continuing Education Division Convocation 2009
The weather played its part on USMC Convocation day. Stepping into the fall sunshine
are (l.) Mimi Marrocco 6T9, SMC Director of Continuing Education and SMC Principal
Mark McGowan (centre r.) with newly conferred Doctors of Sacred Letters, honoris causa,
Prof. John Esposito (centre l.) and keynote speaker Prof. Susannah Heschel (r.). Also
honoured (posthumously) with the same degree was Sr. Marion Norman IBVM 3T9.
W
e are gathered together not only because we want
to bring you, graduates, joy on the occasion of your
graduation, but because you, as newly born scholars and
teachers of religion, bring us the excitement of a new generation of
scholars, with new ideas and perspectives.
…There is a Jewish story of a student who comes before a rabbi
and announces with great pride that he has gone through the whole
Talmud three times. But, the rabbi asks him, what of the Talmud
has gone through you? With all that we study and master at the university, how much goes through us, transforms us? Do we emerge
solely as masters of a discipline, or are we also gaining respect and
delight for the wonder and marvel of the world, for the diversity of
creation and its gifts? You have gone through graduate education
at St Michael’s; what of your education at St Michael’s has gone
through you? In what ways have you been transformed as a person?
…We are trained as scholars to acquire and transmit knowledge,
to teach and to undertake research—certainly important endeavors—but we also become scholars in order to become aware of the
mystery inherent in nature and history, to inspire others, to speak
out against injustice, for scholarship at its heart is an endeavor that is
profoundly rooted in moral values. There are bitter problems which
scholars of religion have to address: agony, sin, despair. There is
wickedness in the world, horror in the soul. What can we offer?
…We scholars of religion have an exceptionally important role
to play in our world today. We are in difficult days, politically and
economically, a period in which the humanities, in particular, are
PHOTOS: Sheila Eaton
(top l. & bottom r.) 0T9 SMC Class procession down Elmsley Place, enroute to
St. Basil’s Church for the November 9
Baccalaureate Mass; (bottom l.) Fr.
Madden presents Apostolo Zeno 0T9
with a Fr. Robert Madden Leadership
Award, given to students who have
made significant contributions to the
SMC community by demonstrating
leadership, cooperation and solidarity in
student-run organizations or community
endeavours; (bottom centre) SMC Principal Mark McGowan welcomes 2009 SMC
graduands and guests to the Reception
and Awards Presentation in Fr. Robert
Madden Hall.
needed above all. Many of us will have to rely on our inner resources,
feeling unprotected or even betrayed by the caprices of the current
economic crisis. We need philosophy, art, history, and religion; these
are precious assets. We need to explore our inner lives, learn more
deeply who we are, what we believe, how we can dream and reflect,
not in isolation but with our community of fellow explorers.
…What is the ultimate significance of education? God calls upon
us to cultivate our awareness of the greatness and mystery of life, to
remember that each person is an image of God. Let us seek in our
work moments of holiness, and make our own lives instruments for
perfecting the world. “Stand still and consider the wondrous works
of the Lord,” says Job. We human beings will not perish for lack of
information, but we may perish for lack of appreciation. Intellectual
truth is not sufficient, and the love taught by religion cannot stand
alone; God is in need of us. Scholars need many things: integrity;
wisdom in choosing the right topic to study; and a certainty in the
heart that our work is important. Appreciate your work, be aware
that it bears ultimate significance. F
Susannah Heschel is the Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. Her many publications include Abraham Geiger and the Jewish Jesus (University of Chicago Press 1998),
which won a National Jewish Book Award and Germany’s Geiger Prize,
and her most recent one, The Aryan Jesus: Christian Theologians and
the Bible in Nazi Germany (Princeton University Press 2008). She is
presently writing a book on the history of Jewish scholarship on Islam.
Bulletin Board
“Bulletin Board” publishes pertinent information received about developments
in the lives of St. Michael’s alumni. Please keep the ‘newsbits’ coming; should
you wish to email a photo, too, please submit it in high resolution so it can be
printed appropriately. The effectiveness of “Bulletin Board” depends on YOU!
By Father Robert Madden CSB 5T2
[email protected]
Andrew V. Abela 8T7 is Associ-
services public relations firm, and
Anne-Marie Carayiannis Beau-
ate Professor of Marketing and
also works as a freelance journalist
clair 9T5 and her husband, Martin,
Chairman of the Department
and correspondent. Kate’s mother,
welcomed their second child, Alex-
of Business & Economics in The
Mary Menihan Barrette 6T3, her
ander Robert, 13 July ’09, a younger
Catholic University of America,
husband, Philippe, and daughter
brother for Maxime Maurice, 3.
Washington, DC. He has published
Amy live in Ancaster, ON. Mary
and lectured extensively on ethical
holds a Master of Social Work
Robert Carson 7T0 is a 2009-10
aspects of Business and Econom-
degree from St. Patrick’s College,
Visiting Scholar at the Centre
ics, and is currently preparing
Carleton University, Ottawa.
of Canadian Studies, University
a “Catechism for Business,”
of Edinburgh. Bob is on leave
applying Church teaching to
Christina Attard 0T3, St.
Monica Burns Dell’Isola 7T3,
from his Ottawa-based work as
ethical questions faced in business.
Michael’s former Charitable
daughter of Robert Burns 4T8,
Assistant Deputy Minister, Inter-
Andrew and his wife live in
Gift Planning Officer, and her
and her husband, Gianfranco,
governmental Affairs, Government
Virginia and have six children,
husband Jim Farney welcomed
live in Milan, Italy, where Monica
of Nunavut. He will return to
ranging in age from thirteen
their first child, daughter
teaches Linguistics and Cultural
his Ottawa office at the end of
to one: Theresa, Dominic,
Bridget Antonia Farney 20
Mediation in the Department of
this May.
Monica, John-Paul, Lucy and
Nov. ’09, 9 lbs. 6 oz. Christina
Political Science of the Università
Mary-Clare.
is on maternity leave from her
degli Studi di Milano. She is part
Larry Cimino 7T3 remains busy
position as Senior Planned
of a team of native speakers of
in his “post retirement life,”
Richard Alway 6T2, OC, O.Ont.,
Giving Officer, Queen’s Univer-
different languages who teach
consulting with international
Praeses of the Pontifical Institute
sity, Kingston, ON. Jim recently
applied language and translation
professional organizations in the
of Mediaeval Studies, former
received his PhD in Political
in such areas as business, science
neuroscience area, and running
President of the University of
Science and is the Skelton-
and languages to provide students
projects aimed at comorbid mental
St. Michael’s College, and former
Clark Post Doctoral Fellow in
with practical skills as well
and medical disorders. Larry’s
long-time Warden of Hart House
Political Science at Queen’s.
as cultural background to prepare
oldest son, Christo, is in third-year
at the UofT, has been appointed
The family lives in Kingston.
them, in Monica’s words, “for
pharmacy studies in Philadel-
the new multicultural reality here
phia; his next two sons, Joseph
Supervisor of the Toronto District
Catholic School Board. Dr. Alway
Kate Barrette 9T7, after graduate
in Europe.” Her daughter Rita
and Thomas, are in engineering
is also Chair of the Federal
studies at Ryerson University, To-
is in third year at St. Michael’s
programs at Purdue University, and
Government’s Historic Sites and
ronto, now lives in New York City,
and has been in residence at
youngest son, Sean, is a freshman
Monuments Board of Canada.
is a writer and editor for a financial
Loretto College.
in high school.
nominated by New York Governor
David Paterson as a member of the
Kevin Janus 9T6 continues to pursue his
Court of Claims. Richard and his
career in show business in NYC. He has
family live in Rochester, NY.
just launched his new website, www.kevinjanus.com, where, in his words, “I’ll be
Chris Driscoll 7T6 and his wife,
posting the latest news on my upcoming
Maura, live in Aurora, ON. Maura
shows, projects and endeavors…and some
teaches Grades One and Two;
jokes to keep you entertained while on
daughter Emily graduated from
site…check it out…and let me know what
Fr. Michael Brehl CSsR
St.Michael’s/UofT in June ’09
you think: [email protected].” Kevin
7T5, Theol. MDiv ’79 was
and has joined the work force;
has recently appeared in the off-Broadway
elected Superior General
daughter Sarah is in second year
Wake Up World, for which he also writes.
of the Congregation of the
at St. Michael’s. Chris continues his
Most Holy Redeemer
managerial work with IBM Global
tice. They have four children: Molly,
Executive Editor of The Birmingham
(Redemptorists) in Novem-
Services, IBM Canada and has
Sarah, Madeleine and Joseph.
News and Pat, although retired
ber ’09. Fr. Brehl had been
embarked part-time on a second
serving as Provincial Superior
degree, this time in Physics and
Nancy Gorla Gaughan 8T4 and
agency, continues part-time, doing
of the Edmonton-Toronto
Astronomy, in his words, “to be
her husband, Richard, live in East
contract travel agency business.
Redemptorist Province of
sure my brain doesn’t atrophy.”
York, ON. They have four children:
Their son Hunter has two children
Jeffrey, an April ‘09 graduate of
and lives in Tacoma, WA; daughter
Canada. He has also been a
from full-time manager of a travel
member of the Redemptor-
Fr. Richard Elmer CSB 5T2, after
King’s College, U of Western On-
Julie lives in Wisconsin and has a
ist Congregation’s General
teaching, serving as Principal and
tario, London, ON; Kevin, studying
young daughter. Hunter and Pat
Secretariat of Formation, of
then President at Detroit Catholic
architecture at Ryerson University,
paid a nostalgic visit to St. Michael’s
the Theological Commission
Central High School, Novi, MI (near
Toronto; Hannah, finishing high
in late summer ’09.
of the Canadian Religious
Detroit), has retired, but continues
school at Notre Dame, Toronto, and
Conference and of the
his dedicated work in the cause of
applying to university; Claire Mary
Board of Directors of the
Catholic education, remaining active
is in Grade Two and is making her
Joint Apostolic Ministry of
at Catholic Central and also assisting
First Communion this year. Nancy
Ontario. He has also served
in the establishment of an all-girls
comments, “Can’t believe how the
as the Congregation’s novice
Catholic high school in the area.
time flies.”
Provincial Council, and as
Laura Rock Gaughan 8T6
Hunter and Patricia George left
the Vicar Provincial.
received “The Readers’ Choice
St. Michael’s before graduation;
Award” in UofT Magazine’s recent
they married and finished their BA
Richard Dollinger 7T3 received
literary contest for her poem
degrees at the University of North
Jeanne Barton Gehret 7T5 lives
his Law degree from Albany Law
“In Rocco’s House (My Grand-
Carolina. Since graduation Pat has
in Fairport, NY, and recently pub-
School. After practicing Law for
mother’s Poor Beginning).” Laura’s
been in the travel agency business
lished three books dealing with
several years and serving as a mem-
fiction and essays have appeared in
and continued her painting; Hunter
children’s disabilities and ADD: The
ber of the Monroe County (NY)
the Antigonish Review, the Toronto
has worked in the newspaper
Don’t-give-up Kid and Learning
Legislature, he was elected a mem-
Globe and Mail, and the Peter-
business in Miami, FL, Raleigh, NC,
Disabilities; Eagle Eyes: A Child’s
ber of the New York State Senate
borough Examiner. Laura and her
and Toronto in ’91 with Thomson
Guide to Paying Attention; Hou-
and, in 2005, was elected Town
husband, Tim, live in Lakefield, ON,
Newspapers. They now live in
dini’s Gift (a book about remem-
Justice of Brighton. In 2009, he was
where she has a consulting prac-
Birmingham, AL, where Hunter is
bering), all published by Verbal
master, on its Extraordinary
Bulletin Board
Images Press. For more informa-
Frances Hyland, Thomas Courchene
tion about Jeanne and her books:
and Guy Vanderhaeghe.
www.verbalimagespress.com.
Bill McKenna 5T5 and his wife,
Rev. Mr. John Kohler 0T4 was
Ann, live in New Rochelle, NY.
ordained to the Transitional Dia-
They have five children: William jr.,
conate in June ’09 for the Diocese
Kevin, Virginia, Katherine and John.
of Calgary, AB. Ordination to the
They have thirteen grandchildren.
Priesthood will follow comple-
After retiring as Second Assistant
tion of his studies at St. Joseph’s
Attorney, Bill joined the law firm of
Seminary, Edmonton, AB.
Frank Connelly 5T6; Frank and
Bill had been classmates at the
Monika Korolczuk 0T9 began
Fordham University Law School.
graduate studies in August ’09,
pursuing an MA degree in Public
John L. McLaughlin, Theol
Administration at St. Louis
MDiv 8T7, PhD ’98, published his
University, the Jesuit university
fourth book, Justice in the Balance
in St. Louis, M0.
(Ottawa, Novalis Press) in 2008.
After receiving his PhD, John
Dan 5T1 and Muriel Murphy had a busy and exciting ’09, with a
week-long gift trip on a lake freighter through the Great Lakes and
the St. Lawrence Seaway and trips to Calgary, Missouri, California
(with a visit to Dan’s 5T1 classmate Jim Dewey), and with various
family gatherings. The year’s highlight was the 24 May family
gathering of their children and their spouses, grandchildren, sisters
and brothers in Goderich, ON, to celebrate Dan’s and Muriel’s
50th wedding anniversary at a Mass in the parish church. It is not
surprising to hear that a good time was had by all.
Darlene Madott 7T5 has been
taught for seven years at Wheeling
awarded the F.G. Bressani Liter-
Jesuit University in West Virginia.
ary Prize for short fiction for her
In 2002, he was appointed to
collection Making Olives and
the Faculty of Theology of St.
Other Family Secrets, Longbridge
Michael’s, where he is Associ-
Continuing Education courses. Son
at the business advisory firm of
Books, Montreal. The Bressani
ate Professor of Old Testament/
Dan graduated from SMC/UofT in
Barrington Capital Corp. Carl and
Prize, awarded every two years by
Hebrew Bible and is Director of
June ’09; other Milway children
his wife, Margaret Shaw (VIC 8T6),
Vancouver’s Italian Cultural Centre,
Advanced Degree Programs. John
are in Toronto, Kingston, and
have two children, 11 and 14. The
honours literary works by Canadian
is cross-appointed to UofT’s School
Charlottetown, PEI. In April of ’09,
family lives in Toronto.
authors of Italian heritage or who
of Graduate Studies, Dept. of Near
Jim and Sheila travelled to Spain
write about the Italian experience
and Middle Eastern Civilizations.
with Rui 7T6 and JoAnn Tierney
David Mulroney 7T8 has been
Figueiredo 7T5.
appointed Canadian Ambassador
in Canada. It is named for the 17thcentury Jesuit priest who was the
Jim 7T3 and Sheila Tierney Mil-
first Italian missionary in Canada.
way 7T4 were thrilled to welcome
Carl Mitchell 8T4 was elected
Minister Stephen Harper. David
their first grandson, Declan James
the new President of the UofT
has served the Federal Govern-
Fr. James McConica CSB, Theol.
Milway, in 2009. Declan James is
Alumni Association (UTAA) in
ment in several capacities in the
STB ’68, former President of USMC
doing well, as are his parents and
June ‘09. He previously served on
Privy Council and the Ministry of
and former Praeses of the Pontifi-
grandparents; there is hope he will
the UTAA Board as treasurer, and
Foreign Affairs and International
cal Institute of Mediaeval Studies,
be of the USMC Class of 2031.
as a member of several awards
Trade. Before his recent appoint-
was honoured as an “Alumnus
Jim has reunited with UofT, join-
committees and of the Industry
ment to China, he served in Seoul,
of Influence” by the University
ing the Rotman Centre’s Martin
Advisor Board for the UofT’s Dept.
Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur and
of Saskatchewan 2 Oct. ’09 in a
Prosperity Institute as Executive
of Computer Science. He was
Taipei. David and his wife, Janet
celebration of the centenary of
Director; he continues in the
instrumental in the development
Wakely, have three children.
the University College of Arts and
same position with the Institute
of the Bahen Centre for Informa-
Science. One hundred alumni
for Competitiveness & Prosper-
tion and Technology in the Dept.
Monsignor Dennis Murphy 5T6
were chosen to mark the occa-
ity. Both organizations focus on
of Computer Science; a com-
of the Diocese of North Bay, ON,
sion, including such other notable
issues of prosperity, innovation
puter lab in the Centre bears his
former Secretary General, Canadian
graduates as Hilda Neatby, John
and well-being. Sheila is working
name. A software engineer after
Conference of Catholic Bishops and
Diefenbaker, Ramon Hnatyshyn,
part-time and enjoys taking USMC
graduation, he is now a partner
founder of the Institute of Catholic
to the Republic of China by Prime
Education, has recently published
’04 in Toronto, with their reception
lot of key-note speaking on the fu-
research in the area of hematology
A View from the Trenches: Ups
in the SMC Canada Room. Tim
ture and technology, is working on
at UofT, and recently played
and Downs of Today’s Parish Priest
received his actuarial fellowship
his memoirs (“My Days in Elmsley
a role in arrangements for
(Ottawa, Novalis Press). The book
in Sept. ’06. Mika completed her
Hall”), and is an “active grandpa!”
“Publicly Funded Health Care
reflects on and analyzes the envi-
respiratory therapy diploma at
He and his wife, Christine, plan to
and its Preservation in Canada,”
ronment in which priests exercise
the Toronto Michener Institute of
split the year between Juneau and
featuring Ralph Nader and Shirley
their ministry today. Monsignor
Applied Health Sciences in ’97 and
Prescott Valley, AZ.
Douglas, Tommy Douglas’s daugh-
Murphy received the Doctor of Di-
her PhD in rehabilitation sciences
vinity Degree (honoris causa) from
at UofT in ’08. Tim works with
Nancy Olivieri 7T5 was selected
in support of the development
St. Michael’s in ’95. His previous
RGA International, and Mika has a
recipient of the 2009 American
of a new health studies program
book is Catholic Education: A Light
post-doctoral fellowship at the To-
Association for the Advancement
at University College to be named
of Truth (Catholic Register Books
ronto Rehabilitation Institute. They
of Science (AAAS) Scientific Free-
in honour of Tommy Douglas.
2007). Monsignor Murphy resides
have two children: Michiko Evelyn
dom and Responsibility Award.
Nancy recently adopted a baby
in Callander, ON.
Bishop, born 17 June ’07, and Lee
In the words of the AAAS, the
girl, Allegra, from China.
Yoshio Bishop, born 13 Aug. ‘09.
prize “recognizes scientists whose
The family lives in North York, ON.
exemplary actions, often taken
Mike Patullo 9T1 and his wife,
Victoria Zubal Nann 8T4 and her
husband, Bernhard, live in Minne-
ter; the event, held at UofT, was
at significant personal cost, have
Catherine Bauman (VIC 9T7), wel-
sota; they have three sons: a Navy
Jason Ohler 7T7 has retired and
served to foster scientific freedom
comed twin boys, Massimo and
officer (graduate of Marquette
is now Professor Emeritus, Univer-
and responsibility.” Nancy was
Nicholas Patullo, 27 Dec. ’09 at
University); a sophomore at Purdue
sity of Alaska, where he taught for
honoured for her “indefatigable
the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Mother
University; and the youngest, a
the last several years and was Di-
determination that patient safety
(and father) and twins are doing
high school junior. After gradua-
rector of the Educational Technol-
and research integrity come before
well. Catherine is a union-side
tion, Vicky earned an MBA from
ogy Program. Jason reports he is
institutional and commercial inter-
labour lawyer with SGM Law;
Ohio State University and in 2000,
working on another book, does a
est….” She continues her medical
Mike is an engineer with iDirect
received an MA degree in Germanic Studies from the University
of Colorado. After several years in
the corporate world, she decided,
in her words, “to pursue my dream
of a career in real estate, and having a lot of fun ever since.”
Angela Nikolakakos 9T5 has accepted the position of Senior Legal
Counsel, Global Asset Management and Investment Funds, with
the Bank of Montreal Financial
Group. Angela, her husband,
Peter Carayiannis 9T2, and
their young son George (at the
climbing-on-everything age!) live
in Toronto and recently moved to
a new home. Peter continues his
legal career and is involved in the
development of wind energy.
Mika Nonoyama 9T4 and Tim
Bishop 9T3 married 28 August
Bulletin Board
Technologies, a company that
and theology: Philosophical
Fr. Martin Solma SM, Theol.
builds internet over satellite sys-
Memoires: Constructing Christian
MDiv 7T8 has been appointed
rest in peace
tems. The family lives in Ottawa.
Theology in the Contemporary
Provincial of the United States
Armstrong, Rev. Monsignor
World; Dehellenization and Dr.
Province of the Marianists (Society
T. Barrett 5T0
Dewart Revisited: A First Person
of Mary). As Provincial he will
Bell, J. David
7T3
Dan 5T8 and John 5T3 Regan
made a pilgrimage to Tanzania,
Philosophical Reflection (the late
also serve as Chancellor of St.
Berry, Patricia A. M. (Walsh) 3T9
East Africa, in spring ’09
Dr. Leslie Dewart was a Professor
Mary’s University, the Marianist
Byrne, Margaret T. (Huntley) 4T4
in memory of the life of their
at St. Michael’s); The Ecology:
university in San Antonio, TX.
Connolly, Lucy P. (Gabor)
7T6
uncle, Fr. James Manning CSSp,
A ‘New to You’ View. An
Fr. Solma, after teaching high
De Monte, Dante M.
5T0
a Holy Ghost (Spiritan) mission-
Orthodox Theological Ecology.
school in the U.S. for a few years
Donnelly, Mary L. E. (O’Brien) 4T9
ary who served from 1935-60
For further information about
after ordination, has ministered
Doser, Rev. A. Edward CSB
in the Diocese of Moshi, located
these books: www.mentor
in the Marianist apostolate in
Gariepy, Helen M. (Prendergast)5T0
at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
computers.on.ca/savage.
Eastern Africa.
Gaudet, Sr. Barbara CSJ
6T0
Griffin, Anthony D.
8T0
They visited the places in which
5T2
their uncle laboured and talked
Mark Slade 9T6 and his wife,
Peggy Ryan Williams 6T8,
Hawkins, Mary-Louise K. (Guay) 6T1
to people whom he had taught.
Prachayawan, welcomed their
President Emerita of Ithaca
Hayes, Marie (Writt)
Their trip included a brief safari.
second child, daughter Sonya, 3
College, Ithaca, NY, was awarded
Herringer, Helen Phyllis (Teolis) 4T4
Dan is Professor of Philosophy at
April ’09, a baby sister for Kate, 3.
an Honorary Doctor of Letters
Hoy, Patricia A. (Flood)
3T6
Villanova University and lives in
Mark and the family live in
by Ithaca College in October
Hughes, Laura A. N.
9T0
Wayne, PA. John is retired from
Tokyo, Japan, where he is Chief
’08. On 8 October ’09, Peggy
James, Joanna Mary (Watson)5T4
his position as Judge in Rochester,
Operating Officer of DHL Global
was joined by some of her
Kavanaugh, Gerard P. A.
6T6
2T6
3T3
NY, and lives in Toronto with his
Forwarding. Mark’s sister Krista
SMC 6T8 classmates for the
McCarthy, Sr. Helena J. CSJ
wife, Joan Garvey MacDonald
9T3 continues her work for the
official opening and dedication
McCarthy, Rev. Paul J. P.
6T3
Regan 5T2.
Council for Advancement &
of the newly constructed Peggy
Melichercik, John
5T2
Support of Education (CASE) as
Ryan Williams Center, which
Murphy, Mary A. T. (Garvey) 5T1
Fr. Allan Savage 7T4, Director
Executive Director for CASE
houses the College’s welcome
Mushet, Robert J.
5T0
of the Adult Faith Office of the
Asia-Pacific (which includes
center, offices of the president
Myers, William M. J.
4T8
Diocese of Thunder Bay, ON,
Australia, New Zealand, China
and other administrators, admis-
Patterson, Helen M. (Egan) 3T4
has published three books in
and India). Krista works out
sions, human resources, student
Robertson, Donald A. P.
5T0
financial services and the Divisions
Rohr, Anna R. (French)
4T6
of Graduate and Professional
Shannon, Sr. Julianne IBVM 5T0
Studies. The Board of Trustees
Stokes, Rev. Thomas J. CSB
4T7
has established in her honour
Tulk, Rev. John D.
7T2
The Peggy R. Williams Difficult
Ward, Rev. John J. CSB
6T4
Dialogues Symposium, an annual
Weiler, Ralph
5T3
forum for dialogue on complex
Wilson, Laetitia M. (Joy)
6T6
and controversial issues, bringing
Wintar, Barbara-Jane (Dunlop) 6T1
to the campus prominent leaders
Woods, Edward A.
‘09 in the area of philosophy
of Singapore.
4T1
to present opposing viewpoints
Fr. Jeffrey Stephaniuk 8T3, Theol. MDiv 8T6 organized a
delegation on behalf of Saskatchewan Pro-Life Association, which
included former Premier of Saskatchewan Dr. Grant Devine, to
present former U.S. President George Bush with “The Humanity of
the Unborn Child Pro-Life” award 21 Oct. ’09. Fr. Stephaniuk is a
Ukrainian Catholic priest serving in Saskatchewan.
on important topics. Peggy and
Pat Wood 7T5 has had a busy
her husband, Dave, live in
2009 in her new position with
Johnson, VT. Among other
McGraw-Hill, which included
involvements, she remains active
complicated media relations is-
as a member of the Board of
sues, much travel (UK, Singapore,
St. Michael’s College in Vermont
Beijing, Washington, DC, Houston,
and as a leadership facilitator
Denver), and, she adds, “a lot of
for the American Council on
nightly emails and conference
Education Fellows Program.
calls with Asia.”
Art on Campus
Little Old Lady
By Paul Durcan
From Life Is A Dream, Harvill Secker, London 2009
Described as “by turns a surrealist, a mystic, an Irish comedian with perfect comic timing and an
angry champion of the oppressed,” Paul Durcan is famous for his poetry readings. He was the
2009 Celtic Studies Artist-in-Residence at St. Michael’s College (see also “Celtic Class”, p.18.)
In 2001, he received a Cholmondeley Award, given annually by the U.K’s Society of Authors
to honour distinguished poets. From 2004 to 2007, Durcan was Ireland Professor of Poetry.
Part of St. Michael’s Donovan Collection, Susan Shantz’s The Tree
(mixed media, 1985) is now on display in Carr Hall. Shantz is a mixed-media artist
originally from Waterloo, ON. Her work is owned by private and public collections
and has been shown across Canada and internationally.
Photo Courtesy the Donovan Collection at St. Michael’s College
Mummy shrank as she grew older
And, after Daddy died, she became so small
She began to look like a little girl
And, after a period of grief,
To disport like a little girl—the little girl
In the photograph album of 1927
Making hay in Mayo, raking, tossing it,
In the summer before her twelfth birthday.
At seventy-three she beat her way out of the lethargy
Of old age and she began to hop about
Not only the apartment but the city streets,
Beginning conversations with strangers at bus-stops
And hanging out in the new space-age shopping centres.
From a sports-shop catalogue she purchased
A steel-and-rope trapeze which she installed
In a niche over the kitchen door.
‘It’s compact’ she confided one lunchtime
‘It folds up and folds down like a dream.’
After I’d washed up and dried the dishes
She demonstrated it and teasingly
Tried to persuade me to buy one for myself.
On the morning of her eightieth birthday
When I’d brought her a gift of a bucket of begonia
To my chagrin she showed only
A perfunctory interest in my begonia
Which I had gone to some trouble to purchase.
Instead she stood on the seat of her trapeze
Mocking me as she swung to and fro,
Her little white tennis skirt fluttering
Above her match-stick knees. She cackled:
‘Now what do you think of your little old lady?
Do you think she is surplus to requirements?
Well, don’t think I’m fishing for compliments.’
Make a Bequest
Make a bequest in your Will to the
Help to secure the future of
students at Canada’s premier
Catholic post-secondary
institution
For more information
call (416) 926-7286,
1 (866) 238-3339 or
email smc.legacygifts
@utoronto.ca
Francesca Imbrogno
President of SMCSU
Office of Alumni Affairs and Development
81 St. Mary Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1J4

University of St. Michael`s College in the University of Toronto

Transcription

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