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 [...]
Searching for Our Special Star by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” ~ Matthew 2:10 ~ This may seem like an odd question to ask, but how many of you have ever asked yourself about Nativity scenes – in particular, when [...]
The Air that We Breathe by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.” ~ Job 12:10 ~ Famed astronomer, the late Harlow Shapley, once ruminated on a remarkable notion. He explained that some components of our air, and [...]
The Mysteries Chef by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” ~ Luke 1:42 ~ There is a funny story about an elderly woman doing a rosary, unaware that a painter is on a scaffold above her repairing the church ceiling. As [...]
The Strongest Stem by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “It's strongest stem became a ruler's scepter” ~ Ezekiel 19:11 ~ The Mace has been a staple of university ceremonies for over six hundred years, with Oxford University first using one in the 16th century. Alternately a weapon of war and of diplomacy, the [...]
The Flame of Compassion by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” ~ James 3:5 ~ The fires of Fort McMurray have catalyzed the world, and they have proven once again how large the heart of Albertans are at all times, but [...]
Building the Future by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University “It's strongest stem became a ruler's scepter” ~ Ezekiel 19:11 ~ A friend of mine proudly admits that she has celebrated her 30th birthday for nearly fifteen years and I wisely never add: “and you have not celebrated it for a further ten!” Sometimes [...]
