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.
Nathan Gibbard
DIRECTOR
Nathan Gibbard
DIRECTOR
I’m Nathan, and I’ve been the Director
of Toronto Met Catholics since 2016. Before Toronto Met Catholics I was the Director of the Newman Centre of McGill University for 6 years. I was originally at McGill for my Ph.D., which I finished in 2015, where I studied Superheroes and Religion. Yes, that’s right – Superheroes and Religion, where I looked at how religion and religious themes are portrayed in superhero comics, and what that might tell us about our culture. Truth be told, I’m an all-purpose geek, and am also thrilled to talk about sci-fi, fantasy, video games, right alongside deep theological questions. I love questions! There was something else I did at McGill, too, I became Catholic! Fifteen years on, and can still say it was the best decision of
my life! I would love to hear about your journey too! Looking forward to
meeting you!
Amanda Ho
CCO Team Lead
Amanda Ho
CCO Team Lead
Hi friends! I’m Amanda, the CCO Team Leader. I love being a part of Toronto Met Catholics for many reasons. Firstly, I love Toronto. You may hear me enthusiastically share my conviction that Toronto is the centre of the universe to my small-town friends. I grew up in Kingston, but Toronto and Toronto Met Catholics are home. I did my degree in Fashion Communication through the Toronto Metropolitan School of Fashion and would definitely say the best memories of my four years in school were made at the Catholic Student Centre. Through Toronto Met Catholics I first truly understood my call to discipleship and mission; and after graduating in 2018 I moved to Montreal to start my career as a CCO campus missionary. After two years in Montreal I moved back and have been at TMC since 2020. I’ve gotten really into running lately, so if you’re looking to sign up for a race – let’s do one together!
Andrea Carandang
CAMPUS MINISTER
Andrea Carandang
CAMPUS MINISTER
Hello hello! My name is Andrea and I am your campus minister. During a campus ministry placement for my Master’s, I noticed that I experienced a lot of joy as I journeyed and accompanied students and led small groups and faith studies. I am so grateful that God has called me to serve at Toronto Met Catholics and work with the coolest people. Ignatian spirituality was a game changer for me, and continues to help me fall more deeply in love with Jesus, to follow Him wholeheartedly and to be radically available for Him. In my spare time, I read a lot of fiction, procrasti-bake, and drink copious amounts of tea. If you have questions about Ignatian spirituality, want to have some tea, talk about theology or baking, or just want to have a chat, I am here for you. Come say hi! I am so excited to meet you and to walk with you to see the love that Jesus has for you.
Michael Sloan
CCO MISSIONARY
Michael Sloan
CCO MISSIONARY
What’s up everyone? My name is Michael Sloan. I am in my sixth year working as a campus missionary with CCO and it has been an absolute pleasure to spend the last two of those years here at TMU. I met CCO in my second year of university at Queen’s. It was through them that I encountered Jesus in a way that I never had before and it completely changed my life. That is why I do the work that I do, to help university students encounter the same Jesus I did so many years ago, the one I keep encountering in new ways every single day. When I am not on campus, you can probably find me in the gym or running (a new passion of mine), around the greatest city in the world, Toronto! If you want to hear more or watch my life unfold online, you can follow me @sloan_speaks.
Claudine Calderon
CCO MISSIONARY
Claudine Calderon
CCO MISSIONARY
Coming soon 🙂
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 2000 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 2004, 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 2010, 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 January 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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