In this story from the Spring 2021 President’s Report, St. Michael’s prof Dr. J.O. Richard discusses the role the Christianity and Culture Club has had in enriching community for students in the St. Michael’s-sponsored program.
The Christianity and Culture Club is an informal, student-run weekly gathering during the Fall and Winter semesters. What prompted Dr. Tardif and me to set it up in 2018 was the realization that our students lacked a comfortable space dedicated to unwinding and engaging in deep (or not-so-deep) conversation over food and coffee.
From early on, it also turned into an opportunity for the program’s faculty to get to know their students better. Theology graduate students, alumni, and administrative staff sometimes attend too. This all coincided with the reopening of the Basilian Fathers Common Room, a lounge officially reserved for faculty and special events, but not used to full capacity. With the support of the President’s Office, we were granted access, on the condition we did not make a mess; with the support of the Principal’s Office, students were granted funds to purchase snacks, on condition we did not invite mice. We’ve been tidy and I’m happy to report no complaints so far!
Since COVID, the group has transitioned online. Parlour games have replaced the chessboards, breakout room, and the little couch-islands of the lounge. While we are eager to resume our meetings in person (no chessboard on Zoom, sadly), our dynamic student leaders have kept the C&CC alive and kicking. It brings me joy and great satisfaction to see our initiative take on a life of its own, becoming a site of recruitment. Indeed, for students who chance upon Christianity and Culture courses, our weekly meetings become gateways into our tightly knit and supportive community. I look forward to the day when we can look back and call it a tradition.
Celebrating Clubs at St. Mike’s
The Christianity and Culture Club is just one of many clubs and associations St. Mike’s offers, with a clubs fair held every fall for students to become acquainted with ways they can become involved. (Some events have been delayed or moved online during the pandemic.) Here are some examples.
- The Book and Media Studies Student Association represents students in the two streams of the program, hosting workshops, social events, and lectures.
- Build SMC is a student-run club that hosts Minecraft events and provides an online space to come together in creativity.
- The Celtic Studies Student Union offers lectures, workshops, Irish cultural events, and an annual Academic Journal, the Garm Lu.
- Clean SMC promotes clean initiatives to support sustainable development across the college, focusing on three main goals: building awareness, increasing community involvement in sustainable activities, and developing environmentally friendly projects.
- The Italian Undergraduate Student Cultural Association (IUSCA) works to establish, maintain and further ties with Italian culture among undergraduate students via academic, cultural and social events.
- The Medieval Studies Undergraduate Society offers lectures, workshops, an annual Medieval Studies Undergraduate conference, and other events.
- Pair-A-Dice is a board game club designed to help students meet their peers and create friendships.
- Rosa Sanctissimi is a weekly ecumenical prayer group that uses scripture and Divine Liturgy to guide discussion and community prayer.
- SMC Inclusive’s primary purpose is to represent people who identify as queer or transgender (LGBTQ+), encouraging the queer and trans community and playing an active role in fighting discrimination through both education and social means.
- The St. Michael’s College Troubadours, St. Mike’s drama society, has a goal of putting on a full season of productions (about four shows throughout academic year), showcasing voices and stories of U of T.
- University of Toronto Students for Life offers workshops, talks, and events that discuss Catholic Social Teaching and especially the dignity of the human person.
- USMC Wellness hosts de-stressing, community-driven and community-building events, providing spaces, resources, and a community for students to take care of their wellness in all forms, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.
From University of St. Michael’s College President’s Report, Spring 2021