This is the first of the new and improved, revised and updated Chaplains' Newsletter.  We are moving from a quarterly, hard copy to a bi-weekly electronically copy.  This will allow us to get more targeted materials to you, in a timely manner, saving countless trees in the process.  Every other week, we will provide you a newsletter in this format and with each week, we will also send two newsletters from primary school children, in the hopes of fostering their relationship with Christ and increasing their social literacy.  Both will provide snappy video clips, reflections, suggestion for programming and things to nurture your Spirit. Hopefully, they will also be dotted with a little humour and give you a sense of what is available for you and your students at King's.

The second change is the development of the Religious Life Lecture Series. In honour of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of King's University College, the Religious Life Lecture Series assumes the new name the Veritas Series for Faith and Culture. The word "veritas" comes from the Latin word meaning "truth."  It is taken directly from the College moto "Christus est Via, Veritas et Vita." (Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.)

In his Apostolic Constitution, Ex Corde Ecclesiae (1990), John Paul II, wrote "It is the honour and responsibility of a Catholic University to consecrate itself without reserve to the cause of truth. By means of a kind of universal humanism a Catholic University is completely dedicated to the research of all aspects of truth in their essential connection with the supreme Truth, who is God. It does this without fear but rather with enthusiasm, dedicating itself to every path of knowledge, aware of being preceded by him who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

In the same document he writes, "A Catholic University, as any University, is immersed in human society; as an extension of its service to the Church, and always within its proper competence, it is called on to become an ever more effective instrument of cultural progress for individuals as well as for society. Imbued among its research activities, therefore, will be a study of serious contemporary problems in areas such as the dignity of human life, the promotion of justice for all, the quality of personal and family life, the protection of nature, the search for peace and political stability, a more just sharing in the world's resources, and a new economic and political order that will better serve the human community at a national and international level. University research will seek to discover the roots and causes of the serious problems of our time, paying special attention to their ethical and religious dimensions. If need be, a Catholic University must have the courage to speak uncomfortable truths which do not please public opinion, but which are necessary to safeguard the authentic good of society."

I am confident that there will be a number of speakers that will challenge each us to embrace our call as educators and disciples.  

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the King's Student Life Centre, we will welcome our first speaker, Father Donald Cozzens, PhD. Cozzens is writer in Residence and Adjunct Professor of Theology at John Carroll University in Ohio. For more than a decade, he has been speaking about the crisis facing the church and the priesthood, and has published several award-winning books. A priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, he has served as spiritual director, counselor, and retreat master for monks, nuns, priests, and bishops. Cozzens is described as a "truth speaker," who has the great ability to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.  He will be speaking to the challenges and hopes that have been Pope Francis' ministry and how the Bishop of Rome is calling us to new ways of thinking and being for the Church and World.

Carpe Diem will also be undergoing some changes this year.  We will be focusing all of our energies and resources on making 29 May 2015 the best experience possible for as many as we can accommodate. Be sure to register early.  This year's theme will ask "Who is my neighbour?" All of our speakers and activities will challenge the students to answer this question posed to Jesus 2000 years ago.  More information will be provided in early October. 

Next year's theme will look at nurturing life from "womb to tomb" and looking after everyone in between.

Finally, in my capacity as Liturgy Director for the Diocese of London, I will be providing you information on the many activities that chaplains, teachers and faith animators may wish to engage.  Most of these are offered at no charge.  

Of course, this time of the year brings countless changes in our classrooms, with our young people, with changes in staffing and changes in administration.  In the midst of all of this moments, we bring our own lives - our dying and rising with Jesus - with us.  There are occasions where this may seem almost too much to bear.  When this happens, trust in the words of Jesus given to us in Matthew's gospel: "I am with you always."

When that does not work, watch this video.  The joy on the faces of these children remind me about the goodness of God.

Your feedback is not only welcome.  It is needed.  

Let us know how we can help you in your own personal formation and in your work forming your communities.

Until then, know that I remain,

Yours in His Service,

Father Michael Bechard

Director of Campus Ministry / King's University College 

Director of Liturgy / Diocese of London 

266 Epworth Avenue

London, Ontario

N6A 2M3

[email protected]