Pastoral Team

Fr. Michael Machacek, Pastor and Executive Director, was born in Toronto, and raised in Etobicoke, the first of the two children of Mirek Machacek and Gloria Dal Bello (his younger brother is Robert).
After attending Michael Power/St. Joseph's HS in Etobicoke, he enrolled in the Engineering programme at the University of Toronto. He graduated in 1983 with a degree in Metallurgy and Materials Science Engineering. During his undergraduate years he would often go to the Newman Centre for weekday mass, as well as being part of a faith sharing group.
Upon graduation, he then worked for 3 years a Plant Engineer for a company in Scarborough that specialized in precious metals and jewellery. In 1986 Fr. Michael entered St. Augustine's Seminary and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Toronto in 1991. He has served in 4 parishes: Nativity of our Lord in Etobicoke, Epiphany of our Lord and St. Martin de Porres in Scarborough, and finally St. Patrick's in Markham.
Fr. Michael is an avid sports fan, particularly soccer and hockey, and his favourite activity is working out at the gym. Fr. Michael deeply appreciates the Nemwan Centre for the role it played in his own faith formation, and he looks forward to serving in this very special parish community.

Patrick Douglas, Director of Human Resources and Operations, has served on staff at the Newman Centre since 2001. Patrick graduated from Queen's University in 1998 with a Bachelors of Science in Engineering Chemistry. Before coming to Newman, he developed a career at Xerox in business and information management. Patrick has recently completed a certificate program in Human Resources Management through the University of Toronto and has earned the designation, Certified Human Resources Professional.  Patrick lives in Sutton with his wife, Carissa, and six children.

Nicole Castelino, Pastoral and Executive Assistant: Hi Everyone! I feel so blessed to be a member of the Newman Community! In fact it was coincidence (or perhaps not) that I had my interview on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas – so thank you, St. Thomas!
        Here’s some small stuff about me: I love puppies, books, movies, eating out and shopping! I’m terrified of bugs and heights! Now the big stuff: Life has had a funny way of revealing to me that it is the grace of God that moves all things and keeps all things in being. Little did I know, that after graduating from high school as a vocal student, receiving my BA in Marketing and working in a bankruptcy trustee firm, that one day in a small church in Singapore I would be called to drop everything and go learn about our faith! If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that when God’s hand moves, it moves swiftly and mightily, so one must always be attentive to His voice. In less than a month I had quit my job, applied for my MA Theology degree, got accepted, moved to Steubenville, Ohio and was enrolled in my first semester as a Theology Grad student at Franciscan University. I went from being a Business major to a Theology major and my life has never been the same since!
        Now, four years after beginning that journey, I look back and am in complete awe of God’s presence at every moment of my life! I hunger for Him in the Eucharist and constantly pray to know and love Him more! I feel so blessed to be a part of an organization that carries out His will everyday and pray that He might use me in whatever way He pleases! I wake up each morning and thank Him, for as Scripture says, ―He has a Plan and Purpose for Me‖ – and for each and every one of us! I am absolutely in love with our faith and look forward to being of service to Newman and meeting you all! In the mean time, I’ll leave you with a quote from Robert Bresson’s film, The Diary of a Country Priest, that in my experience has always rung true: ―Tout est Grâce!― All is Grace!

Josh Canning, Director of Chaplaincy Services: Hi there!  My name is Josh Canning, and I am thrilled to be back at the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto.  I was a Student Campus Minister in 2005-06 as I was completing my final year in Kinesiology and Health Science.  From there I went on to work full-time in campus ministry at the Catholic Chaplaincy at York University for four wonderful years.  In the interim I got married (in the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel) to my wonderful wife Lisa, and we have been doubly blessed by God with one child, and another on the way. 
        In my new role as Director of Chaplaincy Services I am working with a mandate to serve the students of the University of Toronto on the downtown campus.  This means a number of things, including:
* Providing pastoral guidance to students
* Organizing programs of faith formation for students during the week
* Reaching out to new students through various channels
* Promoting the Newman Centre to students through campus advertising, social media, etc.
* Determining how to utilize and orient the space and resources we have available to us at the Newman Centre during Monday-Friday
* Planning and implementing retreats and days of reflection
* Fostering strong relationships between the Newman Centre and the university
* Serving as liaison with other Canadian Catholic university chaplaincies and organizations
        To all you students, I hope you will make the Newman Centre your second home on campus this year.  We are here for you!  And we want to hear from you.  Please drop by soon, get comfortable in the Centre, and check out our new webpage for upcoming events. Thanks, God bless!

Bruno Cormier, Director of Music, has been a church musician all his life, beginning at la Paroisse St-Pierre in Chéticamp, Nova Scotia where he was a chorister in his childhood and became the director of its Youth Choir during his high school years. During his undergraduate studies, he was a cantor at the Notre-Dame d'Acadie Parish as well as the Notre-Dame de L'Assomption Cathedral in Moncton, New Brunswick.
        Since coming to Toronto in 1997, He had sung as a bass soloist at St. Matthew's United Church, St. James' Cathedral and at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. At TEMC, he served as Assistant Conductor from 2008 to 2010, and as Interim Director of the TEMC Choir School from 2005 to 2006.
Outside the realm of church music, Bruno has enjoyed a busy and fulfilling career as a private voice teacher and opera singer. He has sung with many renowned companies including Edmonton Opera, the Veroza Opera Company in Japan, Tanglewood in the U.S., and the Canadian Opera Company, but to name a few. He has also continued to perform oratorio and concert work.
        A recent highlight has been the 2006 release of Départs, a critically acclaimed recording featuring Bruno and his sister Aurélie Cormier, mezzo-soprano, performing some of their favourite Acadian folk songs. “A labour of love” as one critic stated, Départs features 14 of Bruno’s own arrangements, accompanied by Ana Maria Nunes, piano. In 2009, they released Dans le silence de la nuit, a Christmas recording of their favourite carols, arranged by Bruno, and accompanied by chamber orchestra, piano and organ.
        Bruno is very excited about his new role as Director of Music at the Newman Centre, and is looking forward to being part of this vibrant community of faith!

Fatima Martins, Housekeeper: My name is Fatima Martins. I have been working at Newman for the past 19 years. I consider the Centre my second home. I feel a strong connection to the rhythm that gets woven on a yearly basis with meeting new students each school year.

Karen D'Aoust, Residence Cook, has been a member of the Newman Centre since 2004. Her strong involvement in the Music Ministry found her spending increasing amounts of time at Newman and consequently becoming more impassioned about the life of the community.
        In 2006, her life long love affair with cuisine found a fantastic opportunity. She became the resident "cook" responsible for preparing the meals for the Newman residents throughout the week. Her experience and love of cooking and baking is put to into high gear and she thoroughly enjoys the creativity that these skills require. Karen loves to make foods of various kinds, but particularly enjoys preparing French and Italian cuisine. When you visit Newman during the week, don't be surprised to hear an opera aria or two coming from behind the closed doors of the kitchen. In the process of rolling out a pastry dough or stirring up a pot of one of her delicious homemade soups or sauces, Karen just might be belting it out in preparation for an upcoming performance at one of Newman's many exciting concerts! 

José Gonzalez-Guel, Facilities and Events Manager, José studied law in Mexico and worked as a lawyer for the Government of Mexico .He also completed a post-graduate program in Business Management, and then managed a fitness centre in Toronto. He loves working out and especially enjoys weight-lifting, wrestling, and boxing. He also loves cycling to work each day, even when its minus twenty degrees outside! He has a passion for languages and speaks Spanish, English and French.   Jose served as a Student Campus Minister on the 2005-2006 team and became a staff member in 2007. He is primarily responsible for managing the maintenance of the Newman Centre’s historical buildings and inspects the facilities to ensure safety in accordance with governmental regulations. He loves working for the Church, and feels so blessed to come to work each day in a holy place like Newman. He has a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas and St. Joseph, his patron saint.  José lives in downtown Toronto with his wife Kate (who he met and married at Newman!).