Union: NL – Saint Paul University Celebrates the Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality

 

From left, Manal Guirguis-Younger (Dean Faculties of Human Sciences and Philosophy), Sister Fatima Rodrigo, PBVM Congregational Leadership Team, Sister Miriam K Martin, PBVM (Associate Professor, Director of the School of Transformative Leadership), Sister Sandra Shannon, SP (General Superior, Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul), Chantal Beauvais (Rector), The Honourable Catherine McKenna MP and Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Soeur Rachelle Watier, SCO (General Animator, Sisters of Charity of Ottawa)

From left, Manal Guirguis-Younger, Dean Faculties of Human Sciences and Philosophy; Sister Fatima Rodrigo, PBVM Congregational Leadership Team; Sister Miriam K Martin, PBVM, Associate Professor, Director of the School of Transformative Leadership; Sister Sandra Shannon, SP, General Superior, Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul; Chantal Beauvais (Rector); The Honourable Catherine McKenna MP and Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and Soeur Rachelle Watier, SCO, General Animator, Sisters of Charity of Ottawa.

On April 7, 2017, Saint Paul University in Ottawa Canada, held a very special celebration to thank and recognize the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul of Kingston, Ontario, for their cornerstone gift of $2.5 million, launching the new Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality. This celebration coincided with Sister Fatima Rodrigo’s visitation in Ottawa to meet with Sister Miriam Martin, who had been appointed director of this new school within the faculty of human sciences. It was also delightful that Sister Sharon Fagan was able to attend this event, which marks the culmination of several years of planning and preparation for new programs in leadership development in a faith context for today’s world.

The first of its kind in Canada, the Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality will be uniquely positioned to address a growing national and international need for preparing purposeful and committed leaders – whether they are from the not-for-profit, governmental or educational sectors – to integrate into their professional practice the values of social justice, enhanced human development, sustainability, diversity and inclusion.

“We sincerely wish to thank the entire congregation of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul for their generous donation to our University. The School will perpetuate the congregation’s mission by engaging transformative leaders, organizations, communities and institutions towards building a stronger, more inclusive and more humane global society,” said SPU Rector, Dr. Chantal Beauvais.

“The congregation in some way wanted to honor our sisters, past and present, who through education ministry witnessed to our charism over the 156 years of our existence. We came to the conclusion that all of us are educators, no matter what ministry we have been involved in. We are pleased to partner with Saint Paul University in this way,” said Sister Sandra Shannon, general superior of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul.

Before the celebration, Sister Fatima offered a wonderful presentation on the work of the UN and the role of NGOs. Her presentation to members of the Saint Paul University community of students, staff and professors was very well received by everyone.

These events certainly highlight the collaboration of many different religious congregations and the importance of sharing the gifts of our common charisms for ongoing education in faith for the life of the world.