History and Renewal: My Internship at the Diocese of Calgary Archives

I recently completed an internship at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary Archives, located at the Catholic Pastoral Centre. This experience was truly amazing. I met many kind people and learned countless valuable lessons that will help me in my future endeavours.

I initially didn’t know what to expect from this position because I was unfamiliar with the work in archives. I thought I would mainly sort through and organize historical documents, but my expectations quickly changed when we began receiving research requests and blueprint maps from St. Boniface's Parish in Calgary. When I started working with artifacts and vestments, my expectations shifted once again; I had no idea the archives also stored artifacts. 
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My internship has been an eye-opening experience. Working at a place where historical documents and artifacts are preserved has made me realize that archives are not merely repositories of the past. Instead, they are dynamic resources that serve the present and future. This experience showed me that archives play a crucial role in our society. Without documentation of the past, we would lack the information necessary to guide and shape our future. I believe that if more people understood this, archives would gain recognition and be celebrated as an essential foundation of our collective public history. 

The community atmosphere at the Catholic Pastoral Centre was refreshing. I witnessed employees actively discussing Pastoral Renewal and the Catholic state of affairs in our Diocese. This conversation was unique and inspiring, demonstrating their deep passion for both their work and faith. One of the goals of Pastoral Renewal is to engage with youth meaningfully, and I can wholeheartedly say that this internship at the Pastoral Centre granted me that privilege. I’m sure that many future youth (and past interns, including myself) will appreciate the opportunity to engage with our Diocese and grow spiritually and personally. By offering internships at the Archives, the Diocese welcomes new audiences and provides young people with a meaningful way to connect with our Catholic community. 

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Bishop McGrattan, and he shared insightful advice for all young people: “Freedom is a gift, and you have to have the confidence to know that God wants us to respond to that free gift and to shape it, and not to have timidity or the lack of confidence.” As young people, we should embrace our freedom fully and confidently seize the opportunities God places before us. 

Beyond the practical experience I gained at the archives, I learned many valuable lessons about dialogue and conversation, which play an important role in Catholic life. It is crucial to have meaningful and productive conversations with one another, allowing for discernment of the truth. The Archives are more than just a collection of old documents; they are a space where people can actively participate in the pursuit of historical knowledge, personal growth, and form meaningful connections. The archives also serve as a valuable resource for discovering information about family members and loved ones. Marianna Kalaczynski, the Archivist, regularly engages in conversations with a wide range of people, fostering an environment of communication that extends beyond the Catholic community. The Catholic Pastoral Centre and our Diocese continue to grow, along with the rich exchange of ideas and perspectives that strengthen their sense of interfaith dialogue. 

I have undoubtedly seen the values of Pastoral Renewal demonstrated within our Diocese, even in such an unexpected place as the Archives. I’m already looking forward to the next time I can volunteer. This experience has been truly amazing, and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it. 

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Written by Lidia Wodynski for Faithfully. Lidia Wodynski lives in Calgary and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in History at St. Mary’s University. She recently completed an internship at the Diocese of Calgary Archives and hopes to return frequently as a volunteer. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and painting.