About us
Rooted in love and founded in faith
Our Mission
Our Approach
Belong to a community. We’re on a wonderful journey together and you’re included. You belong, accepted by God unconditionally, just as you are, we welcome you. Believe this glorious truth, and as you do you will experience that you truly do belong. We believe in Jesus who is true. It’s not just a leap of faith, but rather growing in trust and grounded in historical truths. Become the best version of yourself as you live in the plan God had in mind when he created. “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” – Jeremiah 29:11
A few words about
OUR TEAM
We are a dedicated and passionate staff, here to serve you! We desire to have a deep and lasting impact on your Toronto Metropolitan University experience. Our message and mission is to help people know Jesus, answer some curious questions about the faith and to live out our Catholic identity together.
Erica Figueiredo
DIRECTOR
Erica Figueiredo
DIRECTOR
Hi everyone! My name is Erica and I grew up in Scarborough. During my university years at U of T Scarborough, I came to a powerful realization of the love Christ was calling me into. Shortly after this experience, in the process of starting a Catholic club on campus, I realized I was doing campus ministry even before I knew what it was.
After obtaining my Masters of Divinity at Regis College I felt called to serve the Lord in the life-giving field that is campus ministry. I served as the Director of Chaplaincy for UTSC and Centennial College for over seven years and in summer 2025 I started at Toronto Met Catholics. I experience joy in my life through encountering Christ in the sacraments, dark chocolate, sparkling water and my husband.
Andrea Nicole Carandang
CAMPUS MINISTER
Andrea Nicole Carandang
CAMPUS MINISTER
Hi everyone! My name is Andrea Nicole Carandang and I am so excited to serve as your campus minister. It was during my Master of Divinity at Regis College that I fell in love with campus ministry and accompanying university students to encounter and deepen their relationship with Jesus. My hope is that everyone encounters that Jesus desires deep intimacy with them, and I am so excited to walk with you to get there. In my (very little) spare time, I like to read novels, procrasti-bake, drinks copious amounts of matcha and any type of tea. If you have questions about prayer or want to chat about novels, tea and matcha, or anything at all, I’m all ears!
Valeria Jenne
CCO TEAM LEAD
Valeria Jenne
CCO TEAM LEAD
Hi there, my name is Valeria Jenne. I grew up in Honduras (not in Texas, as some might think), and now I’m living in the middle of Toronto with my husband Nick. I have been a missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach for 4 years now, ever since I graduated from Carleton University with an Economics degree, but don’t ask me to help you with your homework (it’s not you, it’s me). Being at TMC has been such a fun gift already, and I’m excited to see how we all lead each other to Jesus this coming year. Looking forward to grabbing coffee, Krispy Kreme, or going on any side quests you’ve got in mind!
Nicole De Souza
CCO MISSIONARY
Nicole De Souza
CCO MISSIONARY
Hi, my name is Nicole De Souza and I’m excited to serve as one of your CCO missionaries this year! I grew up in the GTA, and have been a missionary in Calgary, Saskatoon, and now here. Jesus has always been part of my life growing up, but it wasn’t until university where I encountered Him personally and chose to live for Him. I love campus ministry and love accompanying students as they discover who Jesus is and how He fits in their life. Outside of ministry, I enjoy baking, going for walks, and dancing! I’m excited to journey with you and learn more about the city with you all!
Antonio Pittet
CCO MISSIONARY
Antonio Pittet
CCO MISSIONARY
Hi everyone, my name is Antonio Pittet, I am ready and able to serve you as your campus missionary. I am originally from small town Holland, Manitoba (it’s a real place you can look it up) but I studied at the University of Saskatchewan where I first got involved with CCO. I joined CCO to make friends, but I quickly fell in love with the mission of evangelization. I don’t think there is anything more important than bringing souls to Jesus. God is the answer to all of our problems (and you probably have a few). I am so excited to see problems solved and lives changed on this campus by bringing them to Jesus. My saint line up is San Antonio, Saint Jude, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Padre Pio, St. Michael, St. Faustina, and Saint Carlo Acutis. My hobbies include walking long distances, doing crosswords, board games, dancing etc. I also love Mexican food and music.
OUR HISTORY
In November 1998, after talks with the Archdiocese and Ryerson Polytechnic Institute, the first Catholic Chaplaincy to Ryerson was created. Fr. Jonathan Robinson, of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri (Oratorians), was asked to help guide this first Ryerson Catholic community as he had prior experience working with university students. With Claudia Brown as Executive Directory of the Catholic Chaplaincy, Ryerson Catholics formed a student club, the Catholic Student League, and by January 1999 had their own House on 64 McGill St. to call their own.
The House was called the St. Philip Neri House, for its association with the Oratorians, and served the Ryerson Catholic community for the next 10 years. The goal of the House was to provide a place whereby students could receive the Sacraments close to Ryerson within a student community.
In 2005, the running of the Catholic Chaplaincy was turned over to Fr. Jim Roth of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, with Kim Gottfried serving as Director. During this time of transition, from 2004 to 2007, there was no Catholic student club operating on campus. In 2007, however, that changed, when the Catholic Students Association was accepted for membership with the Ryerson Student Union. From 2007 to 2010 the St. Philip Neri House continued to serve to the Ryerson Catholic community, but it was quickly coming to the end of its use.
In 2008, leadership of the Ryerson Catholic community was assigned to the Archdiocese of Toronto, under Fr. Michael Busch and Fr. Chris Cauchi. Oriana Bertucci was also assigned at Director, and Ryerson Catholic Chaplaincy saw a period of growth and development. This growth was increased with the arrival of three CCO missionaries (Catholic Christian Outreach) in 2013. CCO in Toronto and Ryerson Catholic Chaplaincy combined together to form Ryerson Catholic Campus Ministry.
In February 2015, after several years, Ryerson Catholics finally had their own place to call home again when the former Sacristan’s Residence for St. Michael’s Cathedral was renovated to serve as the Ryerson Catholic Student Centre at 200 Church Street.
The last few years have seen a bountiful harvest for Ryerson Catholics, with its ministry growing to more than 200 students actively involved in the life of the Centre, including 39 small group faith studies. We continue to look for ways to increase our impact on Ryerson campus, as well as support and serve the Toronto Catholic community. With God’s help, there is no telling what the next 10 years will bring.
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