We invite you to meet some of our students by reading their profiles below.
Bob Albert
Bob was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada in 2022. His background is in the Roman Catholic tradition, and his career was in business and technology.
“The greatest moments of my studies were when I deepened my knowledge of my inner self. These moments resulted in my deepening of my relationship with God and my ability to talk about God with others in a safe and inviting way. My studies have helped me build the foundation of my new vocation as an Anglican priest. I am better equipped to help people develop their own self-awareness and describe their spiritual journeys. My studies will also help me be a more sensitive and empathetic pastor when approaching difficult questions about God.”
Tracy Charles
Tracy is a member of the pastoral team at the Ottawa Pentecostal Church of God. She is also a social worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association where she has worked for over sixteen years.
“One of the many highlights of my studies at Saint Paul was doing my practicum at St Helen’s Anglican Church. Coming from a Pentecostal denomination and serving at an Anglican church was a leap of faith for me. It seems like we spoke different languages at first. However, I quickly found out that we shared more in common than I thought. As a part of my pastoral placement, I had to preach on two occasions at St Helen’s. It was interested trying to meld together my own Pentecostal preaching traditions with those of the Anglican Church. Although St Helen’s was a different context from my church, the learning was rich and thoughtful and has deepened my vocational discernment. Not only did I engage in practicum, but I also left with mentors, friends, and an extended church family.”
Paul Ghafari
Paul is enrolled in the priestly formation program for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles in the Maronite Catholic Church. He is a first-generation Canadian of Lebanese descent.
“One of my favorite highlights in the Master of Divinity program has been the relatively small class sizes. Being in a smaller class size has allowed me to have a healthy academic relationship with each of my professors and classmates. I feel that I am alongside many discerning a life of ministry, and that knowing the names of most of my classmates and participating with them in group exercises, discussions, projects and more has been a blessing.”
Ruth Speer
Ruth began her studies as a member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Her primary work experience is in accounting, and she is the only member of her immediate family to attend university.
“I am not sure where my studies will lead me. There are still questions around whether ordination is in my future. This is being asked by those around me, and if I am honest, I am asking it of myself as well. However, the position I accepted in late February, to become the bookkeeper for the House of Lazarus, is allowing me to combine all the things I am passionate about. This includes working within the disciplines and boundaries that are required in the accounting world of which I have thirty-five years of experience. But in this role, I am doing it for an organization that has mission and ministry as its purpose as they serve and work with and for the most vulnerable people in our society. In this role I feel free to express myself, to share my thoughts and ideas, and to be a strong contributing member of this team that is working together to live out the message of the gospel. For now, I believe I am exactly where God wants me to be!”
Wei Dong Sun
Wei immigrated to Canada from China in 1989. He works as electronics engineer with the Royal Canadian Air Force and serves as a deacon at Emmanuel Alliance Church, a multicultural and intergenerational church that has four congregations based on language (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Arabic).
“I really enjoy studying at Saint Paul University. All the courses that I have taken so far have brought me up to a much higher level of theological understanding and personal spirituality. During the course Johannine Literature, I received a calling from the Holy Spirit that I will serve for the rest of my life—that is, to bring hope to the dead, and to those who do not believe. It was this moment that I understood why God brought me to Saint Paul University.”