The Alumni/ae Association can be contacted by email at regis.alums@regiscollege.ca. We would be happy to hear from you.
Because of the increased attendance at our AGM meeting this past May, it is our intention to have our 2013 meeting on Friday, May 3rd. The meeting will commence at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner. More information to follow.
Regis Alumnae Association is now in the sixth year and I believe that this coming year will see us continue to grow as a community proud to be associated with the spirit and genuine caring that is our trade mark. This excellence can be found in the well balanced faculty membership and the outstanding caliber of students pursuing higher forms of education in their Advanced Degree programs, enabling the graduates to acquire the basic skills for theologically informed ministry as they face the challenges of the Church in the world today.
Wednesday, November 19, 2011 Raymond Ryan, president of the Regis College Alumnae submitted his resignation and I quote:
“After much deliberation and soul searching, I respectfullysubmit my resignation as President of the Regis Alumnae Association”
Raymond went on to say that he would continue to participate in Regis activities and remain dedicated to and willing to assist when called to do so, and he has indeed done so.
Last June four members of the Executive worked together on developing a survey that would meet the needs of this group and hopefully encourage graduates to participate in the ongoing activities of Regis College. Mary Lou Gormley took responsibility for collating the results and after much creativity and patient analysis she has put together an overview which will be shared at this meeting.
A huge amount of time was given to updating the file of graduates, email addresses, phone numbers etc. and this was accomplished by Lyn O’Leary and Wilma Scherloski. We now have no excuse for not increasing our active membership and vow to get out the word of what is coming and going here at Regis. Thank you Lyn and Wilma for a job well done.
The 2nd Christmas Boutique ran for 8 rather than the 4 days with our hours extended to 7:00 p.m. This year we attracted a good number of Christmas shoppers from the government building across the street which helped our attendance increase and our sales rise somewhat. The Chinese Raffle and Silent Auction were an exciting part of the Sale and what proved to be most exciting of all was that Gerard Ryan SJ won the electric train set and I understand it took Michael Kolarcik and his tool box to get it running on Christmas morning. We raised $11,000.00 for Regis College.
The most challenging project of the year thus far was the organization and presentation of our first annual Book Sale. More than 13000 used and new books of all categories were collected, sorted, packed, unpacked, displayed and sold to some 760 very pleased book lovers. The Sale ran from April 18th – 21st and the doors were open until 8:00 p.m. each evening. The weather was perfect and our customers loved the season of the year, as opposed to the Fall events; our selection of books, the most popular being religious/spirituality subjects and the spirit that they found to be evident throughout the College. Of the more than 52 ‘friends of Regis College’, many were present students and alumnae. Some 5000 unsold beautiful books were carefully sorted and stored away for our second Sale that will take place next mid-April. We will meet in September to organize the manner in which we will collect books throughout the entire year and most especially advertise the event throughout the GTA. It is with a sense of pride and excitement that we will make this an annual event. Our total intake was in the range of $10,700.00 all of which was directed to Regis College. For the generous souls who contributed their time, energy and talents to making this event a success, a Tea Party took place on Tuesday, May 8th at 3:00 p.m. in the Solarium. It was a lovely event and thank you to all who participated.
As a member of the executive, I believe strongly that the role of Alumnae at this particular time in the life of Regis College should be strongly directed to fundraising, combined with other matters of the spirit. I look upon fundraising as Henri Nouwen did with such conviction, “Fundraising is first and foremost a form of ministry.” He continues, “It is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick or feeding the hungry. It is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” He ends with the thought that fundraising is always a call to conversion.
Other matters of the Spirit as evidenced in the Survey might well include the organization and presentation of a Retreat at Regis held in the Fall whereby we might come together to thank God for His gifts to each of us and to Regis College – a time of reflection and discernment as we enter the sacred season of Advent. More information to follow.
It is important that our website be kept up to date and that it continues to challenge each of us to commit to sharing the experiences we enjoy and welcoming the stories of our community. A warm welcome is extended to all graduates of Regis College with the prayer and hope that you too will join us as we celebrate the opportunity to study, to pray and to reflect on God’s will for us at this time in our lives.
Members of the executive will meet early in September to fill the positions now open. If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining our executive please contact us ASAP.
Respectfully submitted.
Catherine von Zuben
Acting president
Past President
Raymond Ryan, MDiv, 2004
A displaced Maritimer, Raymond Ryan came to Toronto in 2000, a late in life learner and former waiter. His time at Regis offered him many opportunities to develop and hone hidden gifts. After graduating Regis College he entered a Residency program in Clinical Pastoral Education with The Canadian Association of Pastoral Practice and Education in the spring of 2005 where he assisted patients, family and staff deal with the emotional and spiritual issues that may arise when hospitalized. After a 12 month internship at UHN he began working in Hamilton at the General, continuing to assist people in their time of crisis. The General (primarily known for its trauma and Cardiac work), was an amazing blessing in Raymond's life but to continue to develop professionally, transferring to the Henderson Hospital and Juravinski Cancer Centre to develop a greater understanding of the spiritual issues that arise when working with Cancer patients.
After a time, Toronto’s pull reasserted itself and Raymond wound up at West Park Healthcare Centre, a complex continuing care and rehab centre in the Jane St. and Weston Rd. area. The community of West Park is actually that and the people who work there are a remarkable family, one which he hopes to be a part of for a long time.
Raymond is delighted to be a part of the Alumni/ae Association as his Regis experience of collegiality and opportunity for personal growth and challenge is one which he wishes to continue for a very long time and he anticipates enjoying his time with the talented women and men of the Association Board and the further fostering of an exceptional community.
Acting President
Catherine von Zuben, MAMS, 2010
Catherine thoroughly enjoyed thirty-five years in education in the role of teacher, consultant and principal. For the past many years (50 to be exact!) she has conducted children’s choirs, and in her parish of Good Shepherd 60 children sing God’s praises every Sunday morning.
Catherine joined the Regis College Community four years ago filled with enthusiasm at the thought of studying in a Jesuit College of Theology. The spirit and love which emulates from this environment challenged her to commit to the MAMS program which she enjoyed to the utmost. She graduated last year and her studies have awakened in her the desire to continue to teach Sacramental Preparation in her parish and to encourage other retired parishioners and members of the CWL to also be open to the invitation and privilege to study at Regis College.
As vice-president of the Alumnae, Catherine’s goal is to invite and welcome all graduates of Regis programs to be involved with the College after graduation. She is committed to raise funds for Regis through an annual Christmas Boutique which promises to offer the most beautiful Christmas gifts to be found anywhere. She invites you to assist in this fun project by donating raffle prizes, Christmas items and/or precious time to assist selling. Please contact Catherine or Wilma if you are interested in sharing your gifts, talents and time! The dates for our exciting project for 2011 are: Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. the weeks of November 28th and December 5th. Please join us!
Secretary
Wilma Scherloski, MAMS, 1999
After retiring from a long career in education as a teacher, Vice-principal, Principal and Supervisory Officer, Wilma decided to return to further studies. She received a MA in MS in 1999 and a Diploma in Spiritual Direction in 2001.
Presently, Wilma is Dean of Students at Regis College, a position she has held from 2001. Wilma spends a lot of time in Saskatchewan where she grew up.
Mary Lou Gormley, MAMS and DSD, 2008
Mary Lou Gormley is a graduate of MAMS and the DSD program at Regis (2008). She has been involved in pastoral care and spiritual direction ministry for several years and continues to explore new ways to make this ministry available to others. She is an active member of Spiritual Directors Ontario (SDO) annual retreat planning committee and involved in her local community. She is also a mom to an active thirteen-year-old named Andrew, stepmother to three wonderful women, and a Nana to seven grandchildren. She looks forward to her work with Regis’s alumina committee in the years ahead.
Beverly O'Grady
Beverly O'Grady is currently completing her last two courses for the Diploma of Spiritual Direction at Regis College. She has a Masters of Theological Studies degree (2001) from St. Michael's College. Bev works part time for the Archdiocese of Toronto in the Office of Formation for Discipleship as a faith animator and part time as a Catechist for St. Dominic's Parish in Mississauga. Her parish ministry includes First Reconciliation/First Communion preparation and Spiritual Direction. Bev has two young adult children, a spinning wheel and more fleece than anyone can possibly spin in one lifetime.