A Word of Welcome from the College Principal

Dear Students and Friends,

Greetings and welcome to St. Mark’s College, the Catholic Theological College at the University of British Columbia. As the eleventh Principal of St. Mark’s College, I invite you to consider the programs and support of St. Mark’s College as you consider either degree programs or ongoing education in theology and pastoral studies, and religious education. 

St. Mark’s was founded in 1956 as a joint effort of both the Congregation of St. Basil and the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Throughout its history it has been the site of the Catholic campus ministry outreach to the large student body of the University of British Columbia. Our campus ministry continues to be a major feature of the College as it addresses the spiritual and community needs of the students at Corpus Christi College, St. Mark’s Theological College, and the broader UBC community.

St. Mark’s College was recently raised to ‘associate status’: the first major step to being accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Over the next 5 years, the College will develop its programs in order to fulfill the requirements to achieve full ATS status.

St. Mark’s College offers both graduate degrees and continuing education programs that are grounded in the Catholic intellectual and moral tradition. The recent announcement by Archbishop J. Michael Miller to implement a Permanent Diaconate program provides further momentum for St. Mark’s as it assists the Archdiocese of Vancouver in providing the academic side of the overall diaconate formation program.

The College continues to develop its course and program offerings by integrating education with professional and spiritual development. This is reflected in the following priorities: i) responding to the ongoing educational needs of Catholic teachers; ii) responding to the academic and formational needs of church and diocesan lay employees and volunteers; iii) building and diversifying diploma and graduate degree programs (Master of Arts in Theology Studies, Pastoral Studies, Religious Education) to better meet student learning and access; iv) providing ongoing academic support to clergy; v) providing ongoing academic support to Catholic lay professionals.

While this is an ambitious agenda, it is all-the-more necessary as St. Mark’s College assists the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the other dioceses that make up the Province of British Columbia in providing needed and vital ongoing Catholic academic formation. If you are a student or ongoing learner seeking theological and/or religious education, I invite you to seriously consider the programs of St. Mark’s College. If you are a member of the community who shares in the vision and case-of-need for higher Catholic theological education, I invite your prayers and ongoing support for the development of St. Mark’s College.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Mark A Hagemoen, PH, DMin

Principal