Our Righteous Deeds by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University Where are your acts of charity? Where are your righteous deeds? ~Tobit 2.14~ Every year St. Mary’s University in Calgary puts together a volunteer contingent to support the Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch, which organizes a massive Christmas charity event for underprivileged children. [...]

A Note of Thanks by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell.” ~ 2 Corinthians 13.11 ~ This is the last of my regular monthly columns as The Carillon adopts a new format and focus. While I never expected to have the privilege of writing this column on an on-going [...]

Educating the Heart by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University Besides being wise, the Teacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs. ~ Ecclesiastes 12.9 ~ In the hilarious television program Mr. D., the titular character expounds a basic philosophy about teaching. “Mark the smart kid’s exam first and [...]

The Saints Have Us Covered! by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “Contribute to the needs of the saints.” ~ Romans 12:13 ~ It’s been said that Catholics have a saint for virtually every situation, event or possibility. Some of the more unusual include a saint for fireworks, unattractive people and dysentery (Saints Barbara, [...]

A Season of Growth by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue. ~Ecclesiastes 4:24~ St. Mary’s University in Calgary is a unique institution. The only unaffiliated Catholic University in the west of Canada, St. Mary’s was created by the lay community [...]

The Sweater by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University ... because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. ~ 2 Kings 22.19 ~ Let me confess that I am someone who tends to wear his clothes until they virtually fall apart. My favourite pair [...]

A Mediator for Humanity by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” ~ Luke 1.41 ~ The 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima is approaching. It will be a celebration of one of the most dramatic accounts of Marian apparitions in our time. [...]

The Most Humbling Act by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “Mandātum novum dō vōbīs: I give you a new commandment.” ~ John 13:34 ~ One of my favourite words is Maundy. Growing up I never knew what Maundy Thursday meant. I just knew that it was a pretty serious time during Easter. For [...]

Reconciling the Art of the Possible by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “…learn to do good and seek justice.” ~ Isaiah 1:17 ~ In July 2016 Pope Francis declared, “I want to be a spokesperson for the deepest longings of Indigenous peoples. And I want you to add your voice to mine.” In [...]

A Noble Man by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “Whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.” ~ 1 Timothy 3:1 ~ While driving to work on the 4th of January I heard on the radio that the Pope had officially accepted Bishop Henry’s resignation. While I had an inkling [...]