With the fall semester in full swing, we had a rich range of activities take place, including many that focussed on caring for our neighbours. From mental health awareness workshops to St. Mike’s beloved traditions, here is a sampling of the things we celebrated in November and December.
Christmas Market, Community Efforts Raise Funds to Help Others — Elmsley Place was lit with lots of light and merriment on December 7th for the 2nd Annual Christmas Market. St. Michael’s welcomed 30 vendors (students, alumni and community members) and hundreds of shoppers to purchase gifts at this festive occasion. With many tables donating their proceeds to charity, we were able to raise more than $2300 for the Romero House. The market was a success and we look forward to continuing the tradition next year.
Another $1378 was raised for St. Basil’s Out of the Cold program via donations collected at St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum concert, the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, Campus Safety U of T, our Christmas Luncheon, and in-kind donations. Thanks to all who gave so generously and lent their time and talents.
Alumni Christmas Tea Delights — One of our favourite traditions, the Alumni Christmas Tea, took place just before the Christmas Market opened. It was great to see longtime friends back on campus for high tea and gorgeous music from the Schola.
Falalala Formal — Student leaders at SMC celebrated a fantastic first semester at the inaugural Falalala Formal. The formal was organized as a way to thank our involved students for all their hard work and dedication to serving their peers.
RSM Marks Convocations — In November, Regis and St. Michael’s theology students participated in their respective convocations. The keynote speaker at St. Michael’s convocation was Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina, while the Keynote at the Regis Convocation was Sr. Elizabeth Mary Davis.
Regis College hosted its annual Chancellor’s Lecture, delivered by theologian Prof. Werner Jeanrond, in November, and the students gathered to let their hair down with a Karaoke night early in December.
Fall FAS Convocation — More than 100 St. Michael’s students received their diplomas at the Fall Faculty of Arts & Science convocation in early November. Festivities also included an awards ceremony for some of St. Mike’s top students.
St. Mike’s Visits Rochester Alumni — President David Sylvester and Lisa Gleva, our Executive Director, Advancement, had a great time getting caught up with our many alumni members who live in the Rochester, NY, area. We loved the feedback on life at St. Mike’s and we were excited to share lots of news about exciting developments at their beloved alma mater.
Be There Certificate Contest Winner — Congratulations to SMC student Dzhafar Kabidenov, winner of the Be There Certificate contest and a $50 gift card. Thank you, Dzhafar, for completing the certificate and building the knowledge base, skills, and confidence to safely support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. The Be There Certificate is a free online self-paced learning opportunity featuring an actionable framework designed to increase mental health literacy and provide the knowledge and skills needed to recognize signs of distress and safely support yourself or anyone struggling with mental health.
More SMC Frontline Staff Received Suicide Prevention Training — SMC registrarial staff participated in professional development and received SafeTALK (‘Suicide Alertness for Everyone’) training in a November workshop co-facilitated by Emily VanBerkum-Farahat and Emma Oliver. The primary goal of SafeTALK is to provide participants with the confidence and skills to become suicide alert so that people with suicidal thoughts can be identified and provided life-affirming care.
SMC Students De-Stress Through Creative Arts — SMC students put stress relief in action in November with canvases, brushes, and paint provided for students to make their own masterpieces. An instructor was on standby in case students wanted to learn basic techniques or brainstorm ideas for how to get started or what to paint. This was the fall term’s final event in the ‘Wonderful Wednesday’ art-based series piloted. The series will return this semester with a variety of activities such as dance and creative writing that nurture and celebrate artistry, imagination, self-confidence, and self-expression!
SMC Students Explore Coping Skills — During prime mid-term season, Manager of Community Wellness Emily VanBerkum-Farahat, SMC’s Wellness Council, and student participants explored the topic of stress and coping. Together, we learned what stress is, how it’s triggered, and how to bolster self-awareness and natural resiliencies to cope better in personalized ways. Students also had the opportunity to foster open and direct talk about stress management and wellbeing through conversation guided by St. Mike’s Talking Circles leaders, while eating a delicious dinner together.
SRS Capstone Award Winners — Student Capstone Projects, the summative exercise in the Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability Program, were awarded in early November. These projects are designed to create positive social and environmental impact. The 2022-23 winning projects focused on embedding equity in social and environmental practices, creating shared value in the construction and music industries, and embedding sustainability and social responsibility within small and medium companies, in public institutions and at the country level. Congratulations all!
John M. Kelly Library Alive with Activity — Library staff welcomed grade 12 students from Peele and Halton in November as part of the college’s Capstone program. Students learned about the U of T libraries, Library of Congress classification, and got practice finding a book on the shelf.
The Dark Flame of Poetry exhibit launched in November. Curated by Remi Pulwer, Head of the Kelly Library’s Technical Services, this exhibit celebrates 160th anniversary of the birth of Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.
The library held an open house for students this fall. Students dropped by the ground floor to meet staff, pick up pamphlets, and munch on snacks.