The Christ the King Chapel at the U of M hosted faculty, students and families this year for the annual St. Paul’s College academic mass on Sunday, Sept. 28. The ceremony featured the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the opening of the academic exercise and the installation of a new chancellor.
The event serves as the formal opening of the academic year. Christopher Adams, the college rector, welcomed attendees and outlined the day’s purpose and schedule.
The liturgical mass was presided over by Most Reverend Murray Chatlain, eighth archbishop of Winnipeg, assisted by Fr. Mark Filips, the college’s priest chaplain.
In his homily, Archbishop Chatlain encouraged the congregation to embrace fasting, describing it as “one of the best medicines” that deepens faithfulness and generosity.
Installation of the chancellor
Following the liturgical mass, the investiture of the new chancellor proceeded. Rector Adams explained the appointment. “According to our college bylaws, it’s always the archbishop of Winnipeg who is our chancellor,” Adams stated. The chancellor serves as the figurehead of the college and performs oversight duties.
The installation ceremony included a smudging ceremony performed by Elder Norman Meade, a blend of faith, tradition and spirituality. Dorothy Scott, chair of the college’s board of governors, presented the Archbishop Chatlain to be installed as the chancellor of the college. The installation was carried out by the college rector who administered the oath of office.
In his acceptance speech, Archbishop Chatlain outlined his view of the position. He described his role as creating connections across the university. “I think that’s an important role […] that we work together for the future of the students that are coming,” Archbishop Chatlain said.
He also disclosed his readiness to support the community. “I would be committed to praying for the students,” he stated, adding, “Our catholic community will be here to support all of you.” The academic community expressed its support for Archbishop Chatlain with the words, “We will.”
Archbishop Chatlain also spoke on the college’s role in serving students’ holistic needs. “I think that we’re made up [of] four parts — that we are physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual, and so each of those parts [needs] to have a balance and a strengthening,” he said.
Archbishop Chatlain, appointed by Pope Francis as the eighth archbishop of Winnipeg, previously served as archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas under Pope Benedict XVI.
The St. Paul’s College Students’ Association (SPCSA) was then presented before the priest chaplain for a blessing to lead the academic year.
Awards ceremony recognizes student achievement
The ceremony included an academic awards presentation. Dilantha Fernando, the college’s dean of studies, moderated the event and expressed gratitude to the donors providing financial support.
This year’s awards given totalled $48,996. Nine students from four Winnipeg Catholic schools received entrance scholarships. Fernando explained, “Entrance scholarships are granted to students registering for the first time as full time students in the college and in the university.” Recipients are selected by their high school principals and teachers based on academic performance.
An additional 17 continuing students who are members of the college received scholarships.
Hans Alday, the senior stick of the SPCSA, received the Diane Dowling Memorial Scholarship. Alday shared that his continuous engagement in the college contributed to winning the award. “I first started out on the [SPCSA] as a photographer […] and then [became] the director of fundraising and now [I am the] senior stick,” he stated.
One awardee, Nathaniel Casiano, received two scholarships — the Ayotte Fund for the Study of Faith and the Environment Endowment and the Diane Dowling Memorial Scholarship. He expressed gratitude for the financial relief. “It’s just very beautiful that there are donors that would be willing to donate to help students,” Casiano said. “These awards really help with paying for schooling.”
College membership and centennial
Fernando described this year’s event as “special” for him, given his years of service as a dean and being able to witness the first installation of a new chancellor.
The college is open to both Catholic and non-Catholic students at the U of M. Alday stated, “St. Paul’s College is very welcoming […] Any religion […] you are always welcome.”
Casiano shared how membership has “been a really great opportunity to connect with like minded people […] who share a lot of the same values.”
Adams encouraged students to join for the dual benefits. “We call ourselves a smaller community in the big community. So, all of our students are [U of M] students, so they get the benefits of being in this very large university, [and] at the same time they get the added benefit of being at the college,” he said.
The college will celebrate its 100th anniversary in September 2026. Fernando stated, “We are going to have several events in relation to the centennial, and I look forward to many people coming to those events.”
Adams also encouraged students to cultivate the act of giving when “they go out and get a career.”
The ceremony concluded with a luncheon in Hanley Hall, providing an opportunity for attendees to connect.
Students who would like to become members of St. Paul’s College can find more information on their website umanitoba.ca/st-pauls-college/ or on Instagram
@spc_college.
