St. Mark’s & Corpus Christi graduation ceremonies. From left: President Gerry Turcotte, Chancellor Emeritus Archbishop Michael Miller and Celso Boscariol, KC, Chair of the Board. Photo: Joseph Alonsabe
Saturday May 10 was the date of an historic Convocation at St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi Colleges.
Not only was this one of the largest graduating classes ever for both Catholic institutions at UBC, but it was also a milestone event on several other fronts – 2025 is a unique anniversary year marking 70 years for St. Mark’s and 25 years for Corpus Christi.
The 2025 Convocation celebrated the successful completion of almost 100 years of Catholic post-secondary education. Another remarkable, but bittersweet, aspect of the graduation event was farewelling the colleges’ long-time Chancellor, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB.
The event began with a powerful land acknowledgment from Musqueam artist Deborah Sparrow who spoke about the important role that faith and dialogue must play in moving successfully towards reconciliation.
Sparrow, who has a long engagement with the colleges, painted a beautiful, Musqueam-inspired version of the St. Mark’s Lion on a ceremonial drum that features in every convocation.
This was followed by a prayer and invocation by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ, pastor of St. Mark’s Parish where the Convocation is held.
It was a joyful day for members of the grad class. Photo: Joseph Alonsabe
In his opening address, Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President of the colleges, congratulated the graduates, but reminded them that their new degrees weren’t just about them.
If you have learned your lessons well at St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi, you know it’s also about a commitment that you must make to look beyond yourselves – to consider your fellow human beings, your community, your country and beyond.
He went on to say:
Our goal was to help you engage your faith life so that you can live honourably with confidence and goodness. And to walk the path set by Jesus to guide us towards our better selves.
I have always believed that our life’s journey is taken along the Road to Emmaus and that Jesus walks beside us at every step. We need to know that no blessing we have in this world is ours, except through His grace.
The ceremony itself saw the awarding of over 30 Corpus Christi College Associate of Arts degrees, as well as key awards and distinctions, including the Michael Audain Social Action Award, the Jim and Penny Rogers Bursary and the Blessed Marie Anne Blondin Award.
St. Mark’s College saw some 20 graduates awarded a range of degrees, from Masters in Arts in Theological Studies, Pastoral Studies, Religious Education and Catholic Educational Leadership. Graduate Diplomas and Certificates in Pastoral Ministry, Religious Education, Theological Studies and Pastoral Studies were also awarded, as well as the Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Culture.
The 2025 Convocation also awarded the institution’s highest honour, the degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters, honoris causa, to philanthropist and Vancouver business leader Peter Bull.
The award, conferred by Chancellor Archbishop Miller, recognized Dr. Bull’s remarkable dedication to his community, including his support for Catholic education and Catholic health care through his roles on the boards of Vancouver College, Providence Health Care and St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi. He was also one of the co-founders of St. Mark’s Centre for Christian Engagement.
The student address, always a highlight of the ceremony, was delivered by Rev. Deacon Zak Santiago, who himself received the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. In a passionate address, filled with humour and insight, Deacon Zak reminded his fellow graduates that:
Catholic education isn’t about credential-amassing for career opportunities, it’s about equipping yourself for professional ministry. Whatever career we may find ourselves in, the colleges have gracefully given us the capacity to be truly meaningful in our professional lives; to approach any vocation through a ‘life-lens’ of service, grounded in the Gospel.
We inherit from the colleges the sharp tools to pursue a profession – but (not only Catholics, all of us) every aspect of our lives must be underscored by mission.
While the ceremony always closes with remarks and a blessing from the Chancellor, this year’s event featured a surprise announcement, the awarding of the colleges’ first ever Chancellor Emeritus citation. The award recognized Archbishop Miller’s dedicated and inspiring role as chancellor of the colleges for over 15 years.
Celebrating bright futures at Convocation 2025 – Corpus Christi-St. Marks College at UBC. Photo: Joseph Alonsabe
In the citation announcement Dr. Turcotte noted:
Today we want to say, thank you, your grace – because grace is the word that we will always associate with you. Grace towards others; grace for your flock; grace as you championed interfaith dialogue and reconciliation; and grace in your support of our colleges.
In his closing remarks Archbishop Miller told the graduates:
You have been blessed to share in this community of learning, worship and dialogue that makes the Catholic colleges such a unique place on the UBC campus.
You are receiving diplomas at the beginning of a Pope’s term, who has taken the name of the symbol of St. Mark’s College – the lion, which in Latin is ‘Leo.’
I want to suggest that this might have particular significance for you, graduating at this historic moment in the church’s life. . . . As you leave the colleges and step into the next chapter of your life, remember that the education you’ve received here entails more than a diploma. It is a calling to lead with the integrity of truth, to serve with compassion, armed with the church’s social doctrine and to walk humbly with the Lord.
This article is part of a series – The Bell: Diverse Christian Voices in Vancouver. Go here to see earlier comments in the series.