On October 5th, St. Jerome's will host its key fundraising event for student scholarships. As part of the ceremony, the University will honour several outstanding alumni and community leaders who exemplify the values and commitments central to Catholic post-secondary education. These individuals serve as exemplars of lives lived in the service of others and of the transformative St. Jerome's educational experience generations of students will benefit from with the support of generous donors.

Our keynote speaker and award recipient, Sister Marie Taylor, will share her profound message of hope, talk about what hope means to her, and inspire us all with her advice to future generations and the kind of person they should all aspire to be—people who love themselves, know themselves, and contribute to the betterment of the world.

Sister Marie Taylor will be awarded the Chancellor John R. and Kay Sweeney Award for Catholic Leadership. This award is presented annually to an exemplary leader who actively lives out the mission, vision, and values of St. Jerome's University and has dedicated their life to the service of others. Sister Marie, who started her career as a School Sister of Notre Dame (SSND) in 1943, has made significant contributions to various communities as a teacher, to the Divine Word Centre, as a former Chaplain of St. Jerome's College and to the Ontario Bishops Fully Alive Program to name some of her accomplishments.

"Well, at 101, I can say that I really don't have a 'job,' but I am proud of what I have done and continue to do. Every member of every team that I have worked with has taught me something. They have taught me to be a good listener, to be open to changing my mind, how to read the culture of the day, and the necessary gifts needed to work as a team," says Sister Marie Taylor. "As this year's keynote speaker, I am reminded of a quote from the Bible: the plan I have in mind for you, says the Lord, is a future full of hope - Jeremiah 29 10-13."

The second award presented at this year's Feast is the Fr. Norm Choate, C.R., Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. We are honoured to recognize Dr. Rosemarie Burton Spohn (BA' 90) as this year's recipient to acknowledge her work in Catholic education over the last three decades. Starting her career as a teacher and retiring as director of education for the Huron-Superior Catholic School Board, she continues to support Catholic education in retirement by volunteering her time and energy to the Canadian Catholic School Board Trustees' Association, the Catholic Virtual Ontario Organization and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association.

"When I attended St. Jerome's University, Fr. Norm Choate was President. I have fond and vivid memories of Fr. Norm, who was a well-known, respected, and revered figure, leading the university with distinction, integrity, grace, and dignity. Receiving this award, named after him, is an immense honour, and I am grateful and humbled to have been selected," says Dr. Rose Burton Spohn. "Catholic education is near and dear to my heart, and I know it is a passion Fr. Norm also shared, one which he contributed to significantly. If I am even half the leader Fr. Norm was, I will consider myself to have served Catholic education very well."

The final award presented at Feast is given to a recent alumnus who has impacted their community and lives out the values of St. Jerome's in their everyday life and work. This year, Rebecca Mancini (BA ’08) is the recipient of the Sr. Leon White, SSND, Early Alumni Excellence Award to recognize her work and contributions to The Working Centre.

"Awards like this recognize and highlight the work done by so many people to respond to the challenges of our times. By focusing on community leadership instead of business as usual, it helps to foster and encourage creative community action," says Rebecca Mancini. "I am honoured to accept the award on behalf of all the people who have committed their lives to building a more regenerative and just world."

“Sr. Marie Taylor’s exemplary service and leadership to the Diocese of Hamilton, including her ground-breaking role as our first female director of campus ministry (then identified as chaplain) has embodied the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and its message of engagement with the modern world,” says Peter Meehan, president and vice-chancellor. “St. Jerome’s University is proud to honour her with our highest award, the John R. and Kay Sweeney Award for Catholic Leadership, as well as the recipients of the Fr. Norm Choate, CR and Sister Leon White, SSND Awards for their fidelity to the highest values and mission of our university.”

The John R. and Kay Sweeney Award for Catholic Leadership has been previously awarded to notable individuals such as Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, and the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, former Speaker of the Senate.

We invite you to visit our website for more information about this event or to purchase tickets. Your support is crucial in making this event a success and in furthering our mission of supporting student scholarships.