The University of St. Michael’s College is now home to Sheptytsky House.
Following a generous $1-million donation from the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute Foundation (MASIF), the building known as Windle House has been renamed in honour of one of the most important figures in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
“For nearly 40 years, the Sheptytsky Institute has made a global impact in the dissemination of, and advocacy for, the theology, history, and culture of the Christian East, inspired by the work of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky,” says Catherine Pawluch, President and Chair of MASIF. “Through the Sheptytsky Institute, the University of St. Michael’s College has this access point to divine wisdom through the Eastern Churches in the heart of campus, in the Faculty of Theology, in St. Sophia Chapel in Elmsley Hall, and now in our newly named Sheptytsky House.”
Sheptytsky House, located on the east side of Elmsley Place and adjacent to Brennan Hall, houses the offices and classrooms of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies (MASI) which operates as an academic unit within the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology.
“Anyone looking to find our institute won’t need to look very far: it’s right in the name!,” says MASI Executive Director Rev. Alexander Laschuk, PhD. “This also gives recognition to one of the great leaders of the Catholic Church in the 20th century. Despite living through numerous foreign occupations, including Nazi Germany, Metropolitan Sheptytsky always preached tolerance and hope. We continue to pray for his beatification.”
The gift from MASIF was made possible by a $5-million donation from the Temerty Foundation.
“The Temerty Foundation commends the University of St. Michael’s College for honouring the legacy of Metropolitan Sheptytsky by renaming Windle House to Sheptytsky House. This action recognizes Metropolitan Sheptytsky’s immense contributions to the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage and his brave efforts to protect Jewish lives during World War II,” says James C. Temerty CM, who is Chairman of the Temerty Foundation.
A special reception was held at Sheptytsky House on October 30 to announce the gift and to unveil signage indicating the new name. The announcement came just before MASI’s conference marking the 80th anniversary of the death of Metropolitan Sheptytsky.
Following speeches from President David Sylvester and Catherine Pawluch, guests gathered outside Sheptytsky House for the unveiling of the new sign. Bishop Bryan Bayda of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada provided a prayerful reflection on the renaming.
The donation will support the continued upkeep, maintenance and improvements to Sheptytsky House.
“MASI is an integral part of the St. Michael’s community, and we are honoured by MASIF’s commitment to join us in enhancing our campus for both students and scholars,” says Lisa Gleva, Executive Director Advancement at St. Michael’s.