The StFX Catholic Studies program is pleased to announce the names of the recipients of the Rev. Bernard A. MacDonald Memorial Bursary and the Catherine and Archie MacPhee Award. This year, 16 awards were given, the most in any year to date.
Students received awards ranging from $500 to $1,000.
The purpose of the awards is to recognize and assist students who have an active interest in Catholic studies, philosophy, or moral theology, particularly as these subjects reflect the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The awards commemorate Archie and Catherine MacPhee, the parents of Fr. Norman MacPhee, and Fr. Bernard A. MacDonald, who was a professor of moral theology at StFX until his death in February 1998.
Professor Joseph Khoury, coordinator of the Catholic Studies program, said that “although Catholic Studies is a small program at StFX, in the past couple of years there has been an increased interest in its courses, with enrollment in some courses almost doubling. A good number of Catholic and non-Catholic students alike have taken the introductory courses in Catholic Studies, and several have taken such courses as ‘Christianity and Science,’ ‘The End of the World in the Catholic Tradition,’ ‘Catholic Social Thought,’ and ‘Catholicism and the Arts.’
Dr. William Sweet, a member and former coordinator of Catholic Studies, added that “offering these bursaries and awards allows the university to recognize and to offer some financial support to students in good academic standing who, in their studies and related activities, are interested in the principles of the Catholic faith.”
Catholic Studies committee members all expressed gratitude for the generosity of the donors and the legacy of those in whose names the awards and bursaries are offered. Professor Khoury added, “these awards and bursaries serve to help students in their intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth.”
The StFX Catholic Studies program also administers an award that is given to an outstanding student at spring convocation.
The following students received awards this year:
* Émilie Risdon, Bathurst, New Brunswick
* Grace Lazzuri, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
* Justin Bird, Amherst, Nova Scotia
* Luke MacDonald, Pictou, Nova Scotia
* Travis Maloney, Amherst, Nova Scotia
* Vitoria Wortman, Upper Coverdale, New Brunswick
* Brianna Armsworthy, North Grant, Nova Scotia
* Maggie Wallace, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
* Ana Bejarano Martinez, Ecuador
* Ethan Crossman, Sackville, New Brunswick
* Mia Landi, Canmore, Alberta
* Samuel McBain, Cornwall, Ontario
* Kevin Estibeiro, Hyderabad, India
* Jacob Beaton, Halifax, Nova Scotia
* Demarquis Moss, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
* Elisabeth Blair, Westport, Ontario
