Mary's Festival: A Celebration & Consecration of St. Mary's University to Our Blessed Mother

As I shared when I wrote for Faithfully a few months ago, I learned about Calgary and the wonderful Catholic community in the diocese here when I was invited to apply for the job to become St. Mary’s University’s next president in early 2022.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
– Isaiah 43:19

From my home in Texas, as I was preparing to share with the search committee a vision for the university, the scripture that came to my mind was the following: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? – Isaiah 43:19​

We are so very drawn to fresh starts and new beginnings as humans, aren’t we? ​The liturgical calendar itself, remembering our Baptismal calling, the sacrament of reconciliation - each of these permit us to start anew. I believe that that is a large part of the reason that it has been so refreshing and life-giving to experience a movement of Renewal across the diocese following the synodal process.

St. Mary’s University is embarking on a renewal of its own as we launch our 2024- 2029 Strategic Plan Expanding Minds, Inspiring Hearts. With our sights set on becoming the preeminent Catholic university in Canada, many new things are springing up, as the prophet Isaiah invites us to realize.

To that end, I’m very pleased to share that we have a special event that everyone in the diocese is invited to: Mary’s Festival on June 1. If you have not ever been to our beautiful campus before, mark your calendar and purchase your tickets today!

We are opening our doors wide for a fun family day with live music, food trucks, and games on Saturday, June 1 from 11 am to 4 pm. If you haven’t heard about it yet, consider this your personal invitation from the president! From food trucks to a dunk tank, a vendor marketplace and live musical entertainment, we want Mary’s Festival to be a joyful celebration and I invite everyone to come for what will be a whole lot of fun for the whole family including junior and senior high programming with FacetoFace Ministries!

I encourage you to help us spread the word to your friends, family members, and colleagues!  ​

​The first time people visit St. Mary’s University, they often say, “Wow! This place is amazing. I had no idea that this was here.” For that reason, those of us who work here often call St. Mary’s a “hidden gem.” Our aim is to help people discover the wonderful community and excellent education that is offered at St. Mary’s. 

​From our campus, we have a stunning view of Fish Creek Provincial Park as well as the Sisters of Providence lands. If you don’t want to drive to the SE Quadrant, consider taking the LRT and getting off at the Lacombe / Fish Creek stop. What a great opportunity we have to come together, in the spirit of renewal and community, to draw strength from one another and to invite others under God’s big, beautiful tent! ​

We thank the Calgary Diocese, God Squad Canada, and St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy for coming alongside us in co-sponsorship of this event! Importantly, I also invite you to come the evening before, Friday, May 31, at 7 pm for a Consecration Mass where we will officially consecrate St. Mary’s University to Mary on the Feast Day of the Visitation. Bishop McGrattan, University Chancelor, will be presiding and will be joined by Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Nathan Siray, and St. Mary's University Chaplain, Fr. Troy Nuygen.

The Mass and reception will take place in McGivney Hall, M100.

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Written by Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, President and Vice Chancellor, St. Mary’s University, for Faithfully.  ​