St. Therese Institute of Faith Wa and Mission Y O, Come Let Us Adore Him

Christmas 2008 Vol. 2 No.1

TheThe Publication ofLittle St. Therese Institute of Faith Wa and Mission y www.StTherese.ca O, Come let us Adore Him

St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission 650 Ursuline Ave., P.O.Box 310, Bruno, SK, S0K 0S0 ph:/fax (306)369-2555 PAGE 2 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission

Striving Towards Healing & Growth ��

650 Ursuline Ave., P.O. Box 310, Bruno, SK, Canada, S0K 0S0 t is with great pleasure that 9-day program. It ph: (306)369-2555 fax: (866)895-0305 I write to express my joy in will be designed web: www.StTherese.ca e-mail: ofﬁ [email protected] beingI part of St. Therese in Bruno. To to take people Publisher: St. Therese School of Faith get through the inaugural year with from all walks of and Mission, Inc. Editor: Andras Tahn such great success has been a blessing life—businessmen, Associate Editor: Jim Anderson from God and now in 08-09 to have farmers, profes- Layout & Design: James Riley 13 wonderful students, who are sionals, husbands, Photographs: St. Therese Staff & young but are very mature and also wives, singles— to Students, JG Photography. very serious in their growth of faith bring them from Articles and photographs may be reprinted upon crediting St. Therese School of Faith and and formation. They are very open worldly thinking Jerry Kristian Mission. and cooperative with our teachers; we and living (which, Chairman of Board look forward to another successful many times can be non-gratifying) COVER IMAGE: “O, Come let us Adore Him” year with the school. into spiritual thinking and living; by St. Therese School students There is good progress being made helping them give up the falsehoods of Melanie Mahar, Marissa Banadyga and Elishah Stilborn spend some time in forming the programming for the the past and to deal with the tragedy in Advent reﬂ ection before Jesus, Healing and Growth Center. The of non-forgiveness and other life- present in the Holy Eucharist, in the centerpiece to the healing center will long hurts in their lives. Through this St. Therese Chapel. be our core program, which will be a (continued on page 16)

INTERCESSORS OF THE LAMB coming to St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission We are pleased to announce that the Intercessors of the Lamb from Omaha, Nebraska will be helping St. Therese launch the Healing and Growth Centre program, February 27 – March 4, 2008. A 5-day training session will be offered for people who want to learn more about intercessory prayer and “spiritual burden bearing.” The Intercessor’s visit will be highlighted by a public talk on the power of intercessory prayer given by Mother Nadine, foundress and Superior of the Intercessors of the Lamb. Mother Nadine is also the author of Bathe Seven Times, now considered a standard in intercessory prayer and healing ministry. Dinner with Mother Nadine Friday, February 27, 2009 - 7:00 PM at St. Therese Institute $45.00 / person Workshop with the Intercessors of the Lamb Team Saturday February 28 - Wednesday March 4, 2009 - 7:00 PM at St. Therese Institute Registration: $525.00 / person ($675.00 after Feb. 1. 2009) Student rate: $425.00 ($525.00 after Feb. 1, 2009) (above fees include Feb.28-Mar.04 accommodation at St. Therese (space is limited), meals and workshop materials)

To register or for more information, please contact St. Therese Institute: (306)369-2555 or online at www.StTherese.ca Workshop fees include a $100 non-refundable deposit. THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission PAGE 3 Litt le Th ér e:

ABishop Super-Model Albert LeGatt t. Thérèse of Lisieux is ofindeed a Holinessbe astounded by this statement and S lasting example of holiness for wish we could be even somewhat each generation and certainly for young like her. people. Even though she passed away However it is good to remind quite young, these years of youth were ourselves that this continual presence fi lled with a deep spirituality, a deep to the Lord was the fruit of her deep closeness to Jesus whom she loved life of prayer. Openness to the abiding with all her heart. presence of Christ will always be the It is indeed fi tting that the students ultimate goal of prayer whether it is of St. Therese School of Faith and liturgical prayer or individual prayer, Mission turn to her as a guide in their whether it is the celebration of the own journey. In fact this year all thir- Eucharist or Eucharistic devotion. teen students at St. Therese are under For the students of St. Therese 24 years of age and so even by age School and for all of us (whatever they are peers of this great our age) the path to being fi lled with contemplative saint. God’s love is none other than prayer. St. Thérèse when asked St. Thérèse’s example invites us about her apostolic mission in meditation, in contemplation, in said, “To love, to make Him worship and in intercession to always loved.” Her whole life, indeed turn to the Lord desiring above all to her whole being was know his presence and his love. constantly taken up “For me,” wrote St. Thérèse toward by the love of Jesus the end of her life, “prayer is an for her, a love she aspiration of the heart, it is a simple wished to share at all glance directed to heaven, it is a cry times and in the simplest of gratitude and love in the midst of of ways. Hers is the trial, which expands my soul and “Little Way”. unites me to Jesus.” At another time St. Thérèse thought she wrote, “It is prayer … which of God unceasingly. gives me all my strength.” One day a fellow May the example of St. Thérèse Carmelite sister encourage us all to be people of deep asked her, “How and constant prayer. do you think of God always?” The Most Reverend . St. Thérèse Albert Bishop ofLeGatt Saskatoon answered, “It isn’t diffi cult, we naturally think of the one we love” adding, “I do not believe I Bishop Albert LeGatt have ever been shepherds the fl ock of Christ in the Diocese three minutes of Saskatoon. We are photo: Statue of St. Thérèse in the at a time with- blessed to welcome chapel of St. Therese Institute out thinking of him on occassion as Him.” We may a visiting teacher at St. Therese. PAGE 4 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission The Heart of St. Therese: “I WWantant to BecomBecomee

Jim Anderson

photo: Vincent Brûlé (Class of 2008) silhouetted against a Bruno sunset. (Photography by JG Photography) parish priest once hung an enorenor-- A mous sign over the doors at the back of his church. The sign read TheThe Church’sChurch’s CCallall ttoo his life, one of unfl agging zeal for the “Entrance”. His parishioners could Gospel, his great love for young people read it as they left the building after the LayLay FFaithfulaithful and families, and the incredible witness Sunday Mass. Of course, the point he The Church recognizes the essen- he gave throughout his pontifi cate of was trying to make was to remind his tial role that the lay faithful have in calling the youth of the whole world to fl ock that they had come to the TTableable of bearing witness to the person of Jesus. make a radical decision for Christ, to the Lord to feed from the WWordord of God The laity can carry the WordWord of God be “salt of the earth, and a light to the and from the Bread of Life. Now they into the marketplace, those areas of world” in this time of the “springtime of in turn had the responsibility to “enter” human activity and life where the the faith” and the “new evangelization.” the world and feed their brothers and institutional church cannot reach— His successorsuccessor,, Benedict XVI has taken sisters with the bread of faith and the the business offi ce, the classroom, up the same standard and declares the Gospel lived out in daily life. Catherine the factory,factory, the construction site, the same message. Doherty,Doherty, the foundress of Madonna family home. The lay faithful are But the work to be accomplished by a House, a training center for the lay called upon by the Church, particu- lay person can only come about if it is apostolate, and a great devotee of St. larly in the documents of the Second fi rst accomplished in that person. Every Thérèse of Lisieux and practitioner of VaticanVatican Council and the writings of one of us needs to be transformed from her “little way”, said that we consume subsequent popes, to accomplish within, to wholeheartedly response to the Eucharist so that we in turn may be two great works: to grow in personal John Paul II’sII’s other call: Be not afraid consumed by others. Simply put, we holiness and to bring about the conse- to open wide your hearts to Christ! It can’tcan’t give what we don’tdon’t have. WeWe are, cration of the whole world, the latter requires of the lay person the deep desire each of us, empty vessels in need of being consequent to the former.former. The to surrender to God and enter the unthink- being fi lled with the love of God; but writings and actions of John Paul II able depths of God’ God’ss mysterious love, once fi lled, we can pour out that love to are a witness to this two-fold call. One to cry,cry, with little Thérèse of Lisieux: “I anyone we meet. need only refl ect for a moment on WANTWANT TOTO BECOME A SAINT!” THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission PAGE 5

The Heart of St. Therese her path of spiritual childhood—humility, which frees us to truly love God and be “I want to become School of Faith and Mission loved by God. St. Thérèse shows us, too, This call to holiness is at the very heart of that the path of holiness passes through a saint, and so St. Therese School of Faith and Mission. the garden of community life. So, as we St. Therese is a place where young adults follow the example provided by her, our change the world in can come away from their regular pursuits faith formation program is built upon the and the busyness of their lives to grow foundation of basic Christian community. which I live, turning and mature as Christian men and women, The discipline of a common life at St. so that they can more fully and actively Therese School of Faith and Mission has the hearts of others respond to the call of God to all the the necessary aspects of prayer, study, toward God as well...” faithful, that of proclaiming the Gospel fellowship, and service. of Jesus Christ by their lives. Indeed, The Eucharist is the center of our life the students of St. Therese, through the at St. Therese, with time each day spent one another in Christ helps the person program of faith formation, follow in the with our Lord at Mass and in adoration of grow in sanctity. Often our relating footsteps of both Jesus and his disciple, the Blessed Sacrament. From this fl ows with one another can trigger habitual our patroness, St. Thérèse. Jesus, himself, the rest of our prayer as individuals and patterns of behaviour in us which are before every major event of his public as a community—Liturgy of the Hours in in fact obstacles to our growing in ministry, withdrew to a deserted place to the morning, the Rosary in the evening, relationship with God and with our pray and receive strength from his Father times of praise and worship, personal neighbour. Opportunities for prayerful in heaven, and he exhorted his disciples to prayer, journaling, Lectio Divina and examination of negative attitudes and do likewise, to grow deeper in communion an introduction to other devotions and past hurts help the person to re-establish with the Father that they might be able to prayer-practices of the Church. healthy and holy patterns of relating. At convey his love to all people. So, too, St. To share the faith requires that one St. Therese, we learn not to rely on our Thérèse the Little Flower withdrew into know the faith, and so regular classes are selves or on one another as the center the desert, the Carmel of Lisieux, a little- a vital part of life at St. Therese. With the of our attention, but to always focus our known French convent in a little-known guidance of teachers, among whom are attention on Christ. Christ stands as the French village, to learn and live her little priests, religious and lay men and women, center of our lives, individually and as a way of holiness, simply discovering and students enjoy learning the fundamentals community. He is like the hub of a giant attending to the will of God in each and of Catholic doctrine, the study of Sacred wheel at which all the spokes meet. As every moment of her life. Thereby did Scripture, Church history, Christian moral we journey ever closer to Chirst, the she become the co-patroness of mission- principles, critical thinking for apolo- center, as along the spokes of the giant aries, a Doctor of the Church, and one of getics, the principles of inner healing wheel, we will necessarily draw closer the best loved and most popular saints in and spiritual growth, personal character to one another. This, then, is the core of the Church. formation in community life, and drama Christian relationship and friendship, “I want to become a saint!” is the and Christian culture. The drama compo- each of us assisting the other on our his life, one of unfl agging zeal for the heart-cry of each student that has come nent has become a beautiful part of the mutual journey toward Jesus. Gospel, his great love for young people to participate in the nine-month faith program as students not only participate and families, and the incredible witness formation program, “I want to become a in the production of a professional-quality “Love Serves” and he gave throughout his pontifi cate of saint, and so change the world in which play for a three-week tour in the Prairie calling the youth of the whole world to I live, turning the hearts of others toward Provinces, but also learn the application “I Am Third” make a radical decision for Christ, to God as well, inviting my brothers and of virtue and practical skills that will Respect for one another is best be “salt of the earth, and a light to the sisters to become companions on this benefi t them throughout their lives. expressed in loving service. Two signs world” in this time of the “springtime of journey home to our Father in heaven!” But as the adage goes: “All work and hang in the St. Therese dining hall: the faith” and the “new evangelization.” no play makes Jack a dull boy”—or under a crucifi x, “Love serves”, and His successor, Benedict XVI has taken The Faith Formation Jacqueline a dull girl! And St. Therese (continued on page 7) up the same standard and declares the students have always been known for same message. Program their exuberant joy. Games, sports, social Jim Anderson, M.A. Theo., a graduate of The nine-month program of faith outings, movie nights, lots of music, the Franciscan University of Steubenville, But the work to be accomplished by a is the DirectorDirector of lay person can only come about if it is formation is divided into three trimesters, arts and crafts, and other forms of recre- St.St. ThereseTherese SchoolSchool of fi rst accomplished in that person. Every each dedicated to one of the three persons ation are indispensable to the health and FaithFaith and M Mission.ission. one of us needs to be transformed from of the Holy Trinity, and each focusing on vitality of our community at St. Therese, HeHe liveslives in Bruno,Bruno, one of the three reasons that God made us: and provides the opportunity for students SK with his wif wifee Lisa within, to wholeheartedly response to and their thr threeee sons John Paul II’s other call: Be not afraid to know Him, to love Him, and to serve to enjoy one another’s company while Stephen,Stephen, Malc Malcolmolm and to open wide your hearts to Christ! It Him so that we might be happy with Him building solid relationships based on David.David. JimJim and Lisa areare requires of the lay person the deep desire in this world and the next. Essential to principles shared with fellow Christians. musicians with threethree CDs to their credit. to surrender to God and enter the unthink- this beatitude, this happiness with God, Fellowship, or what might better be Jim is presently able depths of God’s mysterious love, is learning and embracing the virtue described as Christian friendship, is working on a to cry, with little Thérèse of Lisieux: “I of humility. This is the great gift of St. essential to solid faith formation. Building series of epic WANT TO BECOME A SAINT!” Thérèse in her little way of holiness and relationships founded upon respect for fantasy novels. PAGE 6 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission

Lift High the Cross Fr. Albert Lalonde n the last two years, the small Saskatchewan town If these are some of the signs of our times, what does St. I of Bruno has witnessed a phenomenon. A group Therese Institute have to offer us? In the Catholic Church of committed Catholics have given birth to St. Therese where we have so many institutions that are a constant drain Institute of Faith and Mission. By opening the School of on our fi nances and personnel, do we need to be Faith and Mission and Healing and Growth Centre, burdened with one more institution? the founders collaterally have also saved an important In the face of negative forces and the “culture historical landmark in Bruno, the former St. Ursula’s of death” surrounding us, St. Therese is calling Academy and Convent, and are also incidentally people to a place where they can seek Christ, carrying on the Ursuline sisters’ tradition of Cath- the rock and foundation of their lives. The olic education. A legitimate question for everyone School of Faith and Mission provides students concerned is: Why? the opportunity to live in His presence and learn Whenever we see an initiative taken in the Cath- from Him. The School will strive to renew olic community, it is always because someone the grace of Baptism in each student has a vision of what needs to be done. Another by creating an way of saying it is that they read the signs of environment the times and say: “This is what the Church where the source needs at this time.” What are the of unity for signs of our times that everyone is their have infl uenced the union and communion in Christ. founders of St. Therese The absence of love experienced by Institute? so many is often a result of the absence of We live in times of God. The object of gathering people at St. confusion. In face of Therese is to help them experience the love the seeming paralysis of many of the of God in Jesus. It is that experience of the love systems: social, political and religious, upon of God, lived together, that they will later be able which we relied in the past, we have had to to share with others. try and deal with much anxiety. People One of the signs of our times that is easily over- have felt betrayed by their leaders and left looked is that we are surrounded by a great deal to fend for themselves. The hardest trial of ugliness. An integral part of the program at St. for everyone is that in their search for Therese School is the arts, in their various forms. solutions, they have consistently been People need to know that God is; they need to know getting confl icting advice. The ground that He is just; they need to know that He is holy. But seems to be perpetually shifting. Who they especially need to know that He is good and that can one trust? He is beautiful. That will be the function of the arts in Many have adopted the only survival tech- the program at St. Therese. niques they know. For example: “Since there St. Therese Institute is anything but a gathering place is little or no evidence of a common search for the elite. The candidates come as they are; they for the truth, since there seems to be only the come as sinners—sinners who know that they have been choice between “my truth” and “your truth,” I forgiven because Jesus died for them. That is why the will take refuge in my own opinion because that Healing and Growth Centre is an integral part of the is the only thing I trust. Since no one else will institution: it is for those who know they are sinners, but look after my interests, I must always and every- who have an overwhelming ambition to become saints. where affi rm and promote my rights and follow St. Therese does not consider that it has the mission nor only my conscience because that is the only truth carries the burden of saving the world: Jesus already did I know.” Then, too, “I am surrounded by so much that. What it is doing is showing leadership. In the smoke, suffering, violence, ugliness and stress; I must turmoil and confusion of the battle of life, it is lifting up fi nd some relief some place. If I fi nd that relief in the crucifi ed and risen Jesus as the hope of the world. alcohol, soap operas, computer games or pornog- raphy, so be it. I hear a lot of talk of love around photo: The Crucifi x that hangs over the tabernacle in the St. Therese Chapel. It was one of the many beautiful me, but experience very little love.” furnishing generously donated to St. Therese Institute. THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission PAGE 7

Getting the St Therese Institute up I Want to Become a Saint! and running is an achievement, but (continued from page 5) it is not the end: It is the beginning. over the door, “I am third.” Students way of a rough analogy, we come to As St. Therese follows its vision, learn the little way of holiness by be formed at St. Therese, by learning, its greatest achievement will be to finding God in the simple tasks of loving and living out our Christian faith succeed in sharing God’s vision for loving service—dishes washed, floors in community life, and by becoming the wonderful life He offers each of swept and mopped, rooms tidied, good solid members of the Body us, and spreading far and wide God’s gardens weeded, fruit and vegetables of Christ. Each student becomes a harvested, snow shoveled—all done servant that can be used in the way, not healing love in a broken world. for the love of God and the love of as he or she wants, but as God wants! . neighbour. The great lesson learned Following St. Thérèse’s example, we Fr. Albert Lalonde, omi in these mundane tasks is that we do each learn to say as she did, that I am not have to do anything great, but just no more than a broom which God can Fr. Albert Lalonde, OMI, was the editor love God greatly in the little things and use as He sees fit and then place back of the former Our Family magazine. He by so doing the seemingly ordinary behind the door. Humility is the key: currently lives in Winnipeg, MB and is a becomes extraordinary, it becomes It is the great desire to love God with member of St. Therese’s Board of Directors. a powerful prayer and a redemptive one’s whole being and one’s neighbor act. Apart from serving one another in as one’s self. attending to the physical needs of St. The days at St. Therese are busy, Therese School, students serve those without a doubt, full of life and learning who come to the St. Therese Healing and love. Every part is ordered by “You know and Growth Center, as well as serving the Holy Spirit, under the care of his in the local parish community, and in spouse, Mary, the Mother of God, to well enough the broader community, responding to the development of a deeper and deeper the expressed needs as they are able. reliance upon God. I firmly believe that Our Lord and I am convinced that St. Therese Learning to Be School of Faith and Mission is a first does not fruit of the Spirit in this third Chris- for Life’s Mission tian millennium that John Paul II and look so much The purpose of St. Therese School Benedict XVI have called the spring- of Faith and Mission is to prepare the time of the faith and the new evangeli- at the greatness Christian for the mission field of his or zation. I am convinced that the humble her own life. The formation program offerings of our simple faith formation of our actions, is not meant to train or empower program and the faithful few who anyone for a specific ministry in the come and go through the doors of St. nor even Church—though many students do Therese will be the seeds that will go on to active lay ministry—but yield a great harvest—thirty, sixty, one at their difficulty, rather to equip the Christian to live hundred-fold or more!—for the Lord a life of faithfulness in the modern in the days and years that lie ahead. but at the world, which is the lay apostolate To all those who have assisted love and will in itself bear perhaps the the work of God in the lives of the with which best witness to the truth of Jesus. The students at St. Therese School of key is that our whole life, no matter Faith and Mission by their spiritual we do them.” how humble or apparently insignifi- and material support, I offer my most cant our specific “work” is, it can be heartfelt thanks. To any who read St. Thésèse of Lisieux a profound prayer of praise to God this description of the work that the and can effect the greatest drawing Holy Spirit is doing here, I beg your of souls to Him. As Mother Theresa prayers for the staff and students of of Calcutta said, “It is not the magni- St. Therese, that this time of prayerful Sign up for our tude of what you do, but the love with formation in the faith may indeed which you do it that matters.” Cath- produce a solid band of labourers to Online e.Mail List erine Doherty expressed the thought work in the Lord’s vineyard. • receive regular e-mail updates on another way by saying: “What you In the peace of Christ and the friend- St. Therese and upcoming events do matters, but not much. What you ship of good St. Therese, • get online FULL COLOR newsletters are matters tremendously!” • help us to save on mailing & At St. Therese, we want to learn Jim Anderson printing costs; save trees too! how to be, more than how to do. By www.StTherese.ca/e.list PAGEPAGE 8 THE LITTLE WAYWAY - St.St. TheThereserese Institute ofof FFaithaith anandd MiMissionssion

“Life and study at St. Therese is even more beautiful than Meet the Class! I could have ever imagined: I feel loved and challenged in all the right ways. God is teaching me so much “What a blessed beginning! here about myself and my Since arriving here, God faith. He has truly blessed has been planting many me by being here and I am seeds and tending to them looking so forward to the so they may grow within year that He is unfolding my heart. I have never here at St. Therese that will desired humility more than I do now, and with this I Danielle Baillargeon change me forever.” have come toto see see the the beauty beauty Saskatoon, SK of obedience, surrender and suffering for the sake of love. Through all this, “My time here at Melanie Mahar I am growing in total St. Therese has been St. Nicholas, PEI dependence and conﬁ dence a time of joy but in God. As St. Thérèse says: also facing different “My time at St. Therese ‘I am too little to climb the struggles. Being at St. has been an amazing stairway of perfection. The Therese has taught me experience thus far. I have elevator which must raise how to properly deal a new desire for daily me to the Heavens is the with struggles and to Mass, daily adoration, arms of Jesus.’ The Holy overcome them and community and personal Spirit is moving powerfully grow with joy. I feel prayer. I count myself as in this place, but more very blessed to be here, being extremely blessed to importantly, in my heart! and I can’t wait to see be here with these amazing He has been revealing to me His unending faithfulness, what the rest of the individuals who are all year will hold!” here for the same reason I and I know that I have Dylan Greenwald Kyle Banadyga am, that is to build a solid nothing to fear because Wilkie, SK Saskatoon, SK foundation and relationship He is faithful and will provide for my every need. with Christ.” Praise God!!!”

to the very School “God hashas trulytruly blessedblessed me me back to the very School my conversion took through thisthis School.School. II was was where my conversion took raised Catholic but had place, to learn and to grow. never personally chosen I am confi dent that this is to actively participate. exactly where God wants me After attending a Come to be. I have been growing and See Weekend, and a deeper in my relationship Healing Mass, both hosted with Jesus and deeper in my by St. Therese School, and knowledge of the teachings through the guidance of the of the Catholic Church. I facilitating priest, I became am looking forward to the a practicing Catholic just rest of this faith formation program as God continues Veronique Poulin this past May. It only Zenon Park, SK Shancelle Lalonde to reveal Himself to me.” Saskatoon, SK seemed natural to come “St. Therese is where God has called me for this year, and I am glad to Meet the Class! answer his call. My love for Christ has grown, my love for my brothers 2008-2009 and sisters in Christ, as well to serve others with an act of love. Our “What a blessed beginning! community life is like a big strong Since arriving here, God family, we encourage and love one has been planting many another, but we also go through seeds and tending to them times of struggle and hardship with so they may grow within ourselves and one another. I thank my heart. I have never the Lord for all that he has done desired humility more than Mathieu Denis for me and all his blessings here at I do now, and with this I St. Therese.” have come to see the beauty St. Denis, SK of obedience, surrender and suffering for the sake of love. Through all this, “My time here at “What isis thethe answeranswer to to life, life, Melanie Mahar I am growing in total St. Therese has been the universe and everything? St. Nicholas, PEI dependence and confi dence a time of joy but It’s quite simple actually, yet in God. As St. Thérèse says: also facing different very diffi cult to comprehend. ‘I am too little to climb the struggles. Being at St. The answer is God. I’m stairway of perfection. The Therese has taught me defi nitely not bursting with elevator which must raise how to properly deal knowledge. I am far from me to the Heavens is the with struggles and to being perfect. I have failed arms of Jesus.’ The Holy overcome them and many times and have looked Spirit is moving powerfully grow with joy. I feel upon so many things as being in this place, but more very blessed to be here, importantly, in my heart! impossible. However, the and I can’t wait to see He has been revealing to me more I come to know God His unending faithfulness, what the rest of the personally, to understand His and I know that I have year will hold!” Déneige Loiselle infi nite mercy and love for Dylan Greenwald Vonda, SK nothing to fear because Wilkie, SK us, my dependency on our He is faithful and will Maker, the importance of the provide for my every need. Bible, of prayer, the teachings Praise God!!!” of the Catholic church and its history,history, thethe moremore I Icome come to realizerealize that that nothing nothing is is “St Thérèse la petite fl eur, be accountable, responsible, impossible. EverythingEverything is is through her example of community-oriented, and possible, asas long long as youas you humility and surrender, is joyful? But the biggest truly,truly, whole-heartedlywhole-heartedly sur- sur- question of my heart, one of leading me to Christ! As I render everythingeverything in in your your which my salvation and that of follow her example, many life and believe inin thethe Truth.Truth. all Christians depends upon: questions arise that I must I’m stillstill workingworking onon that— that— Am I working on fi nding God’s answer to make sure I am but it’sit’s comingcoming along.along. I’mI’m aa purpose for me, on bringing being a faithful disciple.Am I work in progress.” opening the door of my temple others to know Christ’s love to Jesus? Does my day consist and mercy, and fi nally on of a deeper appreciation of the attaining the eternal reward gift of my faith? Am I offering of sanctifi cation? Please keep each opportune moment for praying for us, that our year Veronique Poulin personal sacrifi ce and praise may be blessed with many Zenon Park, SK to the Father? Do I strive to more answered prayers.” PAGE 10 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission Meet the Class! (...continued from page 9) “Humility is a running 2008-2009 theme here at St. Therese but also in my own life as well. I’m “Before coming to St. Therese beginning to understand I had always been active in the importance of my faith, but I didn’t have an accepting myself in authentic relationship with all my weaknesses, Christ. By coming to St. Therese and surrendering I am beginning to know Christ everything up to God. in a more real and personal Though we cannot way. I am constantly challenged control what happens in and pushed everyday, and I am Monica Tahn our life, I am learning learning how to respond with Humboldt, SK we can control how we great love and humility. God has respond. This choosing really been working in my heart to respond to everyone, to form me into a young woman and everything, out of Marissa Banadyga solid in my Catholic faith.” love and humility, is Saskatoon, SK the kind of holiness I “Here at St. Therese, am striving for.” God is really allow- ing me to experience his infi nite Love and Mercy in different ways. I am fi nding my worth in Christ, and my place and purpose in his kingdom is being unfolded day by day. I feel very blessed to be here!” Sylvie Quiring Chilliwack, BC “My year so far at St. Therese has been a very wonderful experience, and I fi nd “My time at St. Therese myself wanting more thus far has been much and more to turn more benefi cial than I away from the ways had imagined it would of the world and just be. I have discovered how follow Jesus wherever to live as a Catholic in He leads me. The today’s society, developed journey that I have a deeper relationship with begun is not an easy our Lord Jesus Christ, one, nor is it a short and learned to live in Elishah Stilborn Melville, SK one, but with both the a community with 12 students and the staff companions to help me walking beside me, grow. My choice to attend it is most defi nitely St. Therese is without a Michael Lund an enjoyable one, doubt the best decision I Killaloe, ON with encouragement have ever made.” around every bend.” THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission PAGE 11

“Humility is a running theme here at St. Therese but also in my own life as well. I’m beginning to understand the importance of accepting myself in all my weaknesses, and surrendering everything up to God. Though we cannot control what happens in Monica Tahn our life, I am learning Humboldt, SK we can control how we respond. This choosing to respond to everyone, and everything, out of Welcome Class of 2008-2009! love and humility, is We had the honor of welcoming our new class of 13 AMAZING young the kind of holiness I adults to the second year of St. Therese School’s faith formation am striving for.” program on September 7, 2008! Above: (l to r) Back: Veronique Poulin (Zenon Park, SK), Marissa Banadyga (Saskatoon, SK), Monica Tahn (Humboldt, SK), Melanie Mahar (St. Nicholas, PEI), Dylan Greenwald (Wilkie, SK); Middle: Michael Lund (Killaloe, ON), Shancelle Lalonde (Saskatoon, SK), Déneige Loiselle (Vonda, SK), Elishah Stilborn (Melville, SK), Danielle Baillargeion (Saskatoon, SK), Sylvie Quiring (Chilliwack, BC); Front: Kyle Banadyga (Saskatoon, SK), Mathieu Denis (St. Denis, SK)

All Study and no Work Makes Students a Dull Lot Classes during the fi rst few weeks were more laid back and informal, giving students (and staff too) time to ease into life, “My year so far at study and work. During this time, the students spent several St. Therese has been afternoons outside, cleaning-up the grounds, helping to tend the orchard (Left: the students with orchard manager Tom Duggleby, a very wonderful back right, get ready to do some weeding in the orchard; experience, and I fi nd Bottom Left: Melanie, Mathieu and Marissa; and myself wanting more Bottom Right: Michael, Sylvie, Shancelle and Monica take a moment during weeding to pose for a quick snapshop), harvest and more to turn potatoes at St. Peter’s College in Meunster (Above: Michael fi lls away from the ways his pail with potatoes) and helping with groundswork. of the world and just follow Jesus wherever He leads me. The journey that I have begun is not an easy Elishah Stilborn one, nor is it a short Melville, SK one, but with both the students and the staff walking beside me, it is most defi nitely an enjoyable one, with encouragement around every bend.” PAGE 12 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission

Patroness Party October 1st is the feast day of our patron saint, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. To celebrate (and contemplate), we made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Theresa located in Wakaw, SK (only 60km north of Bruno), followed by a feast back at St. Therese School. Above left: (from l to r) Déneige, Danielle, Shancelle, Dylan, Melanie, Elishah and Veronique stand outside the Shrine of St. Theresa in Wakaw; Above right: St. Therese staff, students family and friends pose with St. Theresa Shrine pastor Rocque Concepcion (center of 2nd row); Left: Shancelle, Danielle, Melanie and STI staffer Naomi Senten prepare to join in the feast. Right: friend Siiri Miller, staffer James Riley, Michael, Veronique and director Jim Anderson whip-up some fast and furious ﬁ ddle and bluegrass tunes. Wishing you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas! - The Staff & Students of St. Therese

Ladies’ Labours Persuade Leaves to Leave One of the joys of autumn is watching God change to a different pallet of colors as he repaints the canvas of nature. Afterwards, there is a bit of clean-up to help with though. Sr. Lenore Moldenhauer, OSU, spent many hours doing fall clean-up around the facility this year. The girls jumped in to help her rake up all the leaves one warm October afternoon. Left: (back) Danielle, Sr. Lenore, Marissa and Shan- celle; (front) Monica, Elisha, Veronique, Déneige and Melanie lounging in a pile of leaves. THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission PAGE 13

The Shepherd visits the Sheep It’s always a time of great blessing when Bishop Albert LeGatt is able to come and impart some of he great knowledge and insight upon us! Left: (back) chairman Jerry Kristian, Michael, Kyle, Dylan, Bishop Albert LeGatt, Mathieu, Jim, executive director Andras Tahn; (middle) maintenance man Kevin Weinberger, Naomi, Elisha, Danielle, Melanie, Veronique, Marissa, Shancelle, teacher & director’s assistant Lisa Anderson; (front) Monica, Sylvie, Déneige

Feeding the Soul and Mind Our bodies need more than just physical food to survive. The students feed the soul at daily Mass through God’s word and by receiving His precious Body and Blood, and through through both private and community prayer. Students feed the mind through learning about His Church and ways to live out our vocation of holiness. Below: Danielle leads the class in 7:00 am Liturgy of the Hours in the St. Therese Chapel. Bottom: a “Reading Room” study session in the student lounge.

Fiddling (and Viola-ing) Around Amoung the many talents God has given this year’s class, four students play the strings. They’ve had the opportunity this fall to participate in the 16-or- so member St. Peter’s Chamber Orchestra, strung out in nearby Humboldt, SK (Monica’s hometown). Above: Michael, Veronique, Elishah (violins) and Monica (viola) pose with orchestra conductor Terence Struge (cello)

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing. St. Thésèse of Lisieux PAGE 14 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission

All Saints Day Eve Party Looks like our All Saints Day Eve Party has become an annual affair! Both students and guests went all-out on their costumes this year in an attempt to take top- spot in our costume contest. Above Left: Fr. Joseph Ackerman, CSB, pastor of St. Bruno Parish poses with Joseph (shepherd David), Samuel (St. Francis) and Isaiah Rivet (St. Patick). Above Right: Victor Granger, St. Bruno Parish Council Chair (St. Luke) and wife Lucille (St. Kateri). Right: A good selection of the Heavenly Host of Angels & Saints, spanning the Old & New TestamentTestament right up to modern Blesseds. Thank you for your Prayers and Support in 2008!

Chistmas Carols @ Matinée de Noël God has pooled a HUGE heap of musical talent here at St. Therese again this year. We were invited set the tone at a Christmas party in St. Denis, SK, Mathieu’s hometown) by leading Christmas carols. Top Left: Melanie, Naomi, Danielle, Lisa Anderson, Jim and Veronique provide a taste of the coming joy of Christmas with their beatiful harmonies and music. Bottom Left: A quilt, sewen by Lucille Leblanc, was auctioned off as a fundraiser for St. Therese. Pictured with the quilt are Jim Anderson, Lucille Leblanc (quilter), Lisa Anderson and Yvette Woodrow.

Fine Fellows Fetch Festive Flattery Right: George Bernard Shaw wrote, “What really ﬂ atters a man is that you think him worthy of ﬂ attering.” We all think pretty highly of director Jim Anderson and executive director Andras Tahn, admiring them for their servant’s hearts and the all-out effort that they put into their work for the glory of God. In fact, they mean sooooo much to us that we decided to errect statues in their honor on the front lawn of the school! THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission PAGE 15 Alumni Updates

Emily Arsenault (Class of 2008) Fred Bull (Class of 2008) Denise Becker (Class of 2008) Hello ‘Little Way’ readers! I am I am currently working for Catholic I am currently working as a nanny working as a missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) at the national for Denise and Garth Wruck in Vonda, Christian Outreach (CCO) at Ottawa Headquarters in Ottawa. It was on the SK. Hello to everyone from the first University. I am absolutely blown away trip last year to the Eucharistic Congress STS class last year! It was a very at the conversion I am seeing in the lives in June that God started tugging on fruitful and blessed year. My sister of students here. As they come to know my heart to move back to Ontario and told me that I am different - healed Christ, they are opening their hearts to consider working for CCO. I am enjoying and changed- from my year at St. His love and mercy. Young Catholics seeing real trees here (large oaks and Therese. I encourage everyone to let are seeking God and desire to begin a maple). God is showing me how He their light shine and just be yourself. personal relationship with Him. meets all of our needs. My email address God loves us and can’t leave us alone. I am blessed to be called to this work is [email protected]. Drop me a line. His mercy is extremely generous and of evangelization and I can clearly see God bless you all. I’m grateful for that. God Bless! the fruits of having been a part of the program at St. Therese. I am often moved with gratitude and thank God every day André Rivet (Class of 2008) Kathleen Wolfe (Class of 2008) for the time I spent there, learning about I am living in Bruno, SK, and am This year, I am pursuing an under- Christ and His church. Every day I am loving being here with my family. I am graduate degree in Christianity & able to put into practice what I have currently doing odd jobs in and around Culture and Communications at learned there, the most important being the local community. Hope everyone is Trinity Western University in Langley, how to love... St. Therese School is doing well. God Bless. BC, and I hope to someday work rooted in Christ and His love, the greatest in the media. Regardless of where gift. I praise God for this! Lorne Stang and God leads me, I can honestly, whole- Carolline Lajoie-Stang heartedly say that nothing could have Mandalyn LeGrange (Class of 2008) (Class of 2008) prepared me better for my university I am currently in St. Malo, Manitoba. Carolline and I are currently on staff studies than my year at STS. I began I am taking this year to serve God as with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) my year at TWU with confidence, and a member of the Catholic Outreach in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Actually I have seen the formation I received at team, which is based out of the Catholic Carolline and I met in Halifax on a CCO STS constantly reflected in my studies, School of Evangelization. There are 7 mission in the summer of 2004. Our relationships, and spiritual life. As a of us on team and we live in community time at St. Therese was an incredible result, I am having an incredible year at the CSE. We put on youth nights for blessing on our marriage. It was a very of study and fellowship. To all of the two parishes in Winnipeg St. Alphonsus precious year for us to grow together in people who made my year at STS the and Holy family. We also do all sorts of our faith. We miss Saskatchewan but we great blessing that it was -- hello and other youth retreats around Manitoba. I are confident in the plans God has for us God bless you in all you are doing on am loving my time here in Manitoba! I and we feel fully alive. your way to Him! am growing lots and learning more about the my faith and also about myself. Good luck to all the students at St. Therese this year! I hope you are all having an Calling all Alumni (and past Staff too): amazing year!!! What’s God doing in your life? Where has He taken you? Have you changed your email address or phone number? Let everyone know! Write a short Jean Amyotte (Class of 2008) “Alumni Update” blurb and send it with a photo to [email protected] God didn’t think that I learned enough so that we can let everyone else know what God and you are up to! last year so he saw to it that I stay another year. So here I am at St. Therese on staff and still learning and loving every “My mission–to make God loved–will begin minute of it. What a blessing this place is!!!! I really miss last year’s class, and I after my death. I will spend my heaven doing pray that one day we will all get together again good on earth. I will send a shower of roses.” St. Thésèse of Lisieux PAGE 16 THE LITTLE WAY - St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission

Healing and Growth 8-12th. We are pleased to announce major ones, but to everyone who has (continued from page 2) that Mother Nadine and her team from taken the time to support us in varied program, St. Therese will be reaching Intercessors of the Lamb from Omaha ways, financially, prayer wise and in out to assist the individual in fulfilling Nebraska will be giving a seminar at responding to our calls for support their spiritual and human potential by St. Therese February 27 to March 4, from all avenues across our province. bringing about true healing. They, in 2009 on intercessory prayer. Many of I wish to stress that without your turn, will be able to help their families you will be familiar with her from her support St. Therese could not operate; and share their experience with others website. We expect a high attendance we strongly encourage you to keep up to advance the kingdom of God. for this function. Rooms and meals are your support. I also want to stress that St. Therese is fast becoming a center available for attendees. Mother Nadine St. Therese is here to meet the needs for retreats and gatherings; in the 2008 will be personally addressing all of us of the church in all three dioceses of we hosted Face to Face, Catholic Friday evening February 27, 2009. Saskatchewan and even beyond. Christian Outreach, Rachel’s Vineyard We look forward to this seminar with We look forward with great antici- and NET Ministries retreats. Many great anticipation. Watch your church pation to the upcoming New Year others will come to St. Therese in the bulletin for more details. St. Therese and the continued expanding progress future as we become more known. will continue to bring to your doorstep here at St. Therese. May you and all Sr. Teresita Kambeitz recently gave renowned retreat and seminar facilita- your loved ones experience the joy a workshop on feelings and emotions. tors. We hope you will take the oppor- and healing that each new Christmas We held our first Advent Retreat with tunity to participate in these events brings to us through the child Jesus. keynote speaker and world renowned I want to express my personal thanks Jerry Kristian evangelist, Jim Murphy, December to all our benefactors, not only the Chairman, Board of Directors

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