Speaker Spotlight: Fr. Stephen Wojcichowsky

Another day, another SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT! Today? Our fearless Keynote Speaker, Fr. Stephen Wojcichowsky (I’m still having trouble spelling his last name).

 

When asked to give us a brief bio, Fr. Stephen sent us the following:

Father Stephen was born and raised in Montreal.

He was educated at the following post-secondary institutions: 

• Loyola of Montreal (B.A. in Political Science; post-B.A. diploma in Theology),
• University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto (M.A. in Theology),
• University of Toronto Faculty of Education (Bachelor of Education), 
• John XXIII Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, Maryknoll Seminary, Fordham, N.Y. (M.A. in Eastern Christian Theology)
• Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario (Certificate in Teacher Librarianship), and
• Saint Paul University, Ottawa (Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Eastern Christian Studies)  

Since 1975, Father Stephen has been a teacher, principal and consultant in the Catholic school systems of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.  He was the Director of Religious Education Services for the Edmonton Catholic School District from 1999 to 2007. Most recently he completed two three-year terms as the Director of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. 

Over this same period, he has been active in parish ministry as a Ukrainian Catholic deacon, assistant priest and pastor in the eparchies of Toronto, New Westminster and Edmonton. Since September 2013, he has been serving the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton as Chancellor and Vicar General.  

 Father Stephen has led retreats, given talks and served on local and national committees in the areas of Catholic Education, Eastern Christian spirituality, ecumenism, the role of the laity, and youth ministry. He has been a lecturer at Concordia College, Edmonton, in the field of Religious Education. He has also lectured at Newman Theological College, Edmonton, in the areas of Religious Education and Eastern Christianity. Most recently he taught several courses at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute

Father Stephen is married to Maria (née Jakimowicz). Together they have three children and six grandchildren.

Some other fun facts about Fr. Stephen:

He enjoys reading classic mysteries and thrillers, completing cryptic crosswords (his words) and Sudoku, playing folksy 60s/70s music on guitar, wine making (as a disciple of Christ should), and watching movies! He is also an avid fan of the Edmonton Eskimos (boo ya!).

I personally have heard Fr. Stephen speak and I have no doubt his keynote will intrigue, challenge, and inspire. Another great reason to register for Unity today! And while you’re at it, check out the updated Sessions page to educate yourselves on which session you’d like to attend when you’re at Unity.

God bless and tune in next time for another Spotlight!

Joyanne