Student Campus Ministers

Student Campus Ministers are an integral component of the Newman Centre's Campus Ministry Initiative. Under the supervision of the Chaplaincy Coordinator and Executive Director, Student Campus Ministers are first and foremost part of the Newman Centre Residential Community. This Community is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, striving to hear and live the Word of God in the Tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, Student Campus Ministers are bearers of and witnesses to Christ. Our deepest unity and meaning is found in the celebration of the Eucharist, a celebration that does not end with the Mass, but is instead the focal point that invigorates all our activities.

Each member of the Campus Ministry Team plays an important role in the overall campus outreach of the Newman Centre, bringing his or her own unique personality, talents and skills to the community-at-large. This experience also provides the opportunity for a significant deepening and sharing of personal faith (peer ministry), helping others to grow in the process.

Some of the Newman Centre's programs and activities require a team effort and presence in which the Student Campus Ministers act as a group. During these events, together we provide an environment in which University students and parishioners can come to a deeper involvement and understanding of faith and God, community and friendship, social justice and compassion for others.
 

2011/2012 Student Campus Ministers:

Barbara Forbes
Sophie Pigon 
Julia Chin Yen Tze
Jennifer Kolz
Deanna Burrows
Anna Nguyen
Christina Alaimo
Sonal Castelino
Shawn Beckett
Hailey Siracky
Brenton Pereira

Barbara Forbes

Hola! It's wonderful to be returning for year 2 at Newman - this time around in the position of House Representative. I had a phenomenal summer where I spent the first three months at Newman while working on a university research project. The more relaxed summer atmosphere was great for meeting more parishioners and I loved occasionally joining 7pm music ministry.

I spent the month of August in Europe during which 2 weeks were spent volunteering at World Youth Day in Madrid. It was a phenomenal experience that included meeting Catholics from around the world and having the opportunity to attend masses in 5 different languages (Spanish, English, French, Slovak, and Polish - of course not all at the same time!)

Now back in Toronto I am entering my 3rd year of International Development Studies co-op at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Here at Newman, I am looking forward to interactions with parishioners, students, and the new SCM team- and sometimes bringing out my ukulele! If you haven't met me before (or even if you have) feel free to come and say hi!
 

Sophie Pigon

Hi my name is Sophie and this will be my first year as an SCM to the dynamic Newman community! I formerly lived in the quiet city of Oakville and am thrilled to be immersed in the heart of Toronto's lively city, where I was born. My two loving Polish parents and older brother Matt have given me a world of experience, love and understanding. In addition to studying in the field of humanities at St. Michael's college, I look forward to getting to know my new family in Christ. I'm sure that I will learn from them, and that each one of them will challenge me in a special way as I grow closer to God.

It's an incredible blessing to be able to share my personal journey of faith with all of you and with the world at large. The call I've felt to apply to The Newman Center came at a young age and I'm excited to see the Lord's will for me slowly unfold! It's a great privilege to undertake the role of SCM and to work as a team with fellow SCM's and staff - it's going to be a remarkable year!

Julia Chin Yen Tze

Hi everyone, my name is Julia (though family and some friends call me Julie) and I'm entering my third year at the U of T as a Trinity College student specializing in Linguistics and majoring in Asia Pacific Studies. I hail from Sarawak, Malaysia, but English is my first language, Malay is my second and I am currently learning Mandarin. I have been coming to Newman ever since I came to Toronto in 2009 and I couldn't be more thankful for a spiritual home that's ON campus. I enjoy laughing, playing music, singing, working out (e.g. badminton and swimming), reading and getting to know the people around me. I look forward to fellowshipping with all of you and I count myself very blessed to be on the SCM team this year - to serve more actively in the Church and to live in a spiritual community. I've also never bitten anyone in my life so don't be afraid of saying hi!
 

Jennifer Kolz

Dear Newman,

Welcome to all of the new Newmanites, and welcome back to all of the seasoned ones! I can't believe how fast time flies. Once again, it is September and we are back to the books and making our introductions. Where did the time go? But, I digress.

My name is Jennifer and I hail from North Bay, ON. I am a PhD candidate at the University of St. Michael's College, studying in the area of Pastoral Theology and Catholic Religious Education. As of the end of this past April, I celebrated my first year at Newman, and what a year it has been! Thank you to all of the parishioners, students, staff and also to my fellow SCMs, for making my time here enriching, fun and memorable. God has truly blessed me with your presence in my life, as each and every one of you have given me so very much, for which I will forever be indebted.

2011-2012 looks to be an exciting year filled with new promises and opportunities, such as the new Roman Missal. As a Theology student I am excited at the prospects of sharing the Church's journey in faith with you as well as serving as the new coordinator for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program (RCIA). As daunting as those two may seem, particularly the Missal, they are both occasions for us to recognize and accept the work of the Holy Spirit and God's Providence in our lives.

I thank you once again for inviting me into your community. I anxiously await the opportunity to get to know and serve each of you, understanding that in doing so I will come closer to knowing, experiencing, realizing and being blessed by God's love through your gifts, talents, charisms and faith-filled dedication.

Deanna Burrows

I consider it a blessing and a privilege to be a part of the SCM team this year. Being an only child, I am so excited to be part of such a dynamic and beautiful family.

A little about me: I work at U of T as a web and graphic designer. I'm also doing my Masters in Inclusive Design at OCADU. By stature, I'm small and petite, and I'm very passionate about various cuisines, especially sushi. I wouldn't say I'm an avid reader, however I enjoy reading, love photography and watching all genres of film (except horror), and I'm open to all kinds of music.

My parents have been instrumental in my faith journey. Through example, they have taught me to be optimistic when I saw no way out, to love when people are being difficult, and to be strong in faith when I didn't feel the presence of God.

I believe that God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Anna Nguyen

Hello fellow Newmanites! I feel very blessed to be returning to the Newman Centre and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Serving as a Student Campus Minister last year was a tremendous experience of personal growth and faith. I particularly enjoyed meeting new friends and being able to share all our thoughts, joys and struggles as Catholic university students. 

During my free time, I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, babysitting my nephews and niece, helping my mom in her garden, and singing for the Vietnamese parish at St. Cecilia's.

Just in case you were wondering, I am of Vietnamese origin and am currently in my fourth year of undergraduate study at the U of T, pursuing a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. I study the brain because I find the human mind extremely fascinating and I want to understand it; the human heart and its kindness, however, has at times proven to be much more difficult to explain.

The Newman community has a special place in my heart because of the incredible warmth and compassion that is felt and shared between all the parishioners. And as a side note, Newman is especially meaningful to me, since it is where I met the love of my life. I have no doubt that this year will be filled with many more blessings. Please feel welcome to come talk to me anytime! I look forward to getting to know you!

Christina Alaimo

Hi everyone! My name is Christina Alaimo and I am currently entering my third year of undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. I am dividing my degree between theology, French, Italian, and English studies. My favourite colour is purple and my favourite flowers are orchids and carnations. I enjoy trampolining and gokarting and any activity that can be done outdoors.

It is both a blessing and a joy to be a part of the SCM team here at the Newman Centre and to meet my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I will be spending the next 8 months. I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you better! You are all in my prayers.

Blessings,
Christina Alaimo

Sonal Castelino

Hello beautiful people! My name is Sonal and I am a new SCM this year.
Facts about me:
My name means "gold" in Hindi and "sweet" in Bengali.
My favourite drink is well-steeped black tea.
My favourite Bible passage is  Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think over you, says the Lord: thoughts of peace and not affliction, so that I may give you patience and an end."

I did my Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting and Economics at U of T Mississauga and l will begin my Graduate studies in Theology (M.Div) at Regis College this fall.

I am an Indian by origin but I was born and raised in Abu Dhabi, a city in the United Arab Emirates just like Dubai – that's where my family lives. I heard about the Newman Centre from Oriana, an old SCM.  So I am very grateful to have YOU Newman Centre folks as my new family here in Toronto.
I am very excited to get to know all of you during Mass and all of the other wonderful events that the Newman Centre has to offer.

Peace and prayers,
Sonal

Shawn Beckett

They say that the third time's a charm, so I hope everyone can tolerate a third of Shawn Beckett as a Student Campus Minister!

This year, I will be helping our young candidates prepare to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of our younger parishioners (and of course getting to know the older parishioners even better!).

Over the summer I was back at home in Pickering, but I spent a fair bit of my time downtown as I started as a research assistant in a U of T laboratory - I never thought I'd get so close to rats! As I enter my third year in the Psychology Specialist Program, I think my new knowledge of these four-legged animals will serve me well. I also want to learn to make electronic music during my spare time, and hopefully can churn out some beats for people to listen to!

Finally, I would like mention my ongoing love affair with all things culinary. If you know of any interesting grub spots or eateries in the area, let me know! Life is too short to be eating dull food.

With God's grace, the upcoming year will undoubtedly be an excellent one for the Newman community! Excelsior!

Hailey Siracky

Hi everyone! My name is Hailey and I'm from the tiny town of Lamont, Alberta – a bustling community boasting 1,500 residents and more churches per capita than anywhere else in North America. It's no surprise, then, that I have found myself at the Newman Center – with a church so close to where I live, it's almost like being back at home!

I'm only partly joking - Toronto is really quite different from where I grew up, but the Newman community is already beginning to feel a little like family, and no matter where I am in the world, the celebration of mass helps me to feel at home.

I am entering my first year of a Masters of Information at the U of T, specializing in Library and Information Science. I have always loved both books and learning, and librarianship is the way I want to put those loves to use. Outside of school, I love creative projects, and spend a lot of time writing and taking photos.

I am so excited to be a part of all the action here at the Newman center, and look forward to getting to know all of you over the course of the year.

Brenton Pereira

My dear Newmanatees,

I thank you for being a kind and welcoming congregation these past two years. Naturally, I am grateful to be participating in our Newman community as an SCM for another year. For those of you who do not know me yet: I am from Goa in India, although I was born and raised in Dubai. I am a fourth year international student studying Computer Science as well as Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto. My hobbies include reading, playing the guitar, circuit training and football. My patron saint is St. Anthony of Padua. His teachings and example have influenced my faith immensely and have inspired me to be more Christ-like in all of my duties.

This year, my ministry is to be a Chaplaincy Intern responsible for media. I will be working closely with Josh, our Chaplaincy Director, to bring you the latest updates and promotions for upcoming chaplaincy events. Stay tuned to the new website, chapliancy.newmantoronto.com for photos, videos and reports of all goings on at the Newman Centre. As always, I will endeavour to serve, in conjunction with the SCM team, the Newman Centre and its faith community to the best of my abilities, as I continue to grow and further develop in our Catholic faith.