Honorary Doctorate Speech by Tom Cooper

St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia was pleased to award Dr. Thomas “Tom” Jay Cooper — a distinguished community builder who has been a champion of interfaith and innumerable charitable organizations — with the institution’s highest honour, the degree Doctor of Sacred Letters, honoris causa. About Tom Cooper

It is a great honor to receive this Doctorate of Sacred Letters from St. Mark’s College. I am very grateful. I mentioned to Archbishop Smith before the ceremony, I am mindful, with all this focus on degrees, by the German Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was killed by Hitler for his anti-Nazis actions.  He said, “When we get to Heaven, God is not going to ask for us to show Him our degrees. He is going to ask to see our scars.” Have we battled with and for our faith by word and deed by engaging in a lost and needy world? 

This whole process has been very affirming with one exception, and it’s the discussion with Gerry on how long I should speak. He said, “You have 15 minutes.” I said, “Great! I want to tell everyone my life story.” He said, “You have 9 minutes.” I said, “Well, okay. I’ll just focus on my grandchildren.” He said, “You have 3 minutes.” And then I said, “Actually, I want to tell everybody how phenomenal Gerry Turcotte is.” He said, “Take as long as you like!”  Seriously, we are very fortunate to have Dr. Turcotte as our President. 

If there is one Scripture that summarizes the purpose of City in Focus, it comes from the gospel of John. Jesus never calls us to come out of the world. He says,

 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil ones.”  17:15

What protects us from evil?

First, the Trinity, (Father , Son and Holy Spirit). We find nourishment and strength from the Mass with the Eucharist and liturgy.  In the Lord’s prayer we pray regularly, which includes the words “deliver us from evil”. Also, a community of fellow believers and our local church. A community of those with a faith. Colleges like St. Marks and Corpus Christi are resources to help you learn how to engage the world and be protected. 

What does the phrase City in Focus mean?

People keep asking, “What do the words City in Focus mean?” The name means this: If we look at life without our faith, without Christ, our life, our health, our career, our decisions, our relationships, the world is blurry. But, if Jesus is with us and we look at the world through His eyes, it suddenly becomes clear. Who we are, who He is, and what we need to do for the world. City in Focus is helping people get one’s life and world in focus. 

Yesterday at the BC Leadership Prayer Breakfast, there were eleven hundred people from every conceivable denomination, and mixture of faith, secularism and what not, coming together on the issue of mental health. 

 Three brief stories from my experiences in the city

Four years ago at the Provincial Prayer Breakfast, someone walked up to me and said, “That speaker talked about Jesus far too long.” I went, “I’m sorry” and then kept going. And the next person 10 minutes later goes, “By the way: the speaker, he didn’t talk about Jesus enough.” And I said, “Thank you for letting me know. I am sorry.” 

 Years ago, I was visiting one of City in Focus’s annual donors.  I talked to him every year, and he gave me a cheque when we had lunch. He says, “I can’t support you this year, because I understand you run with a fairly wild crowd. My response was “Yes, I do! And Our Lord hung with tax collectors, gluttons and sinners.” And surprisingly his partner in the office, whom I did not know, turned around and said, “I think what you are doing is great!” He cut me a cheque and handed it to me. That’s called vicarious fundraising. 

I was at a dinner years ago, and someone walked up to me and said, “Tom. You are going to have to leave,” and I asked, “Why?” “Well, everybody is starting to do cocaine.” I didn’t see it. I wouldn’t see it if it socked me over the face, but I said, “Yes” and I left. I cannot tell you the number of people that saved me from myself over these many years!

One of the top highlights in my life, and in my ministry is this: I am in a tux at VGH. They had built the building that now they are raising the money for all infrastructure to build the rooms, and I am there and a waiter walks up and says, “Excuse me. Someone needs to talk to you.” I walk over and this person says, “Reverend Cooper?” I say, “Yep.” He says, “There is a young man facing death in Pattison Pavilion. Will you go?” I said, “Of course.” And I went and spent the evening with them. It’s indicative of my world there. 

Some people to thank

What I want to do for a couple minutes is just to say thank you to some of the people that have sustained my life, faith and the work of City in Focus the past 35 years. 

First, the gift of St. Mark’s Parish. Fr. Rob, I came here more than 20 years ago, when Fr. Brian Burns was here, a Franciscan (who was the first priest I ever had a scotch with).  At the time I had no idea the difference between Franciscans and Jesuits.  All I know is, I came. I sat here and I never left.  

And a few years ago, I became a Catholic. One of the reasons I stayed is I got together with the Jesuit priest, Fr. Jim Sheppard. I said, “Father Jim. I like St. Mark’s Parish and I like the Catholic Church. But my rolodex and my portfolio are all Protestants and a lot of secular people. I cannot at this time become a Catholic.” Now remember these words Father Jim said to me. “Tom. Quit trying to hold on to the Church. Let the Church hold on to you.”  

It changed my life. It revolutionized my life. It allowed me to go to church here for 20 years, not being a Catholic. I kept volunteering for Catholic causes when I thought they were good at helping others. So, St. Mark’s has been a pivotal part of my life. 

Second, is the Catholic Church. I did not see this one coming. Starting decades before I became a Catholic, I had met Archbishop Raymond Roussin and then continued with Archbishop Michael Miller and they both recognized my gifts and the work of City in Focus and partnered quietly with what we did. I am grateful that Archbishop Smith continues this tradition. 

What I did not know about the Church, but grew to learn, is that I have found that the spiritual oxygen and the resources of the Catholic Church are endless and without equal. In addition, the Catholic Church is the world’s largest charity. This connection transformed City in Focus’s ability to impact the lives of people.

Third, I want to say there are good friends who had my back and supported me amid my mistakes and my successes. Dr. Felix Durity was one of the first people I met. And, Mary Sweeney, who I have sat with, off and on for more than a decade. Fr. Rob and Fr. Bill have been amazing. 

A wider group outside of the parish: Jimmy Crescenzo, Matthew Johnson, Jody Marchfelder, Lisa Struthers, Peter Bull, Frank Giustra, Andy Szocs, John McKay, Sister Rosari, who I lived with when I was in college, with two other nuns and a priest. That’s another story. And also, Sister Sue Mosteller, who’s a well-known nun in her 80s, who I corresponded with for three years, as I was thinking through becoming a Catholic. 

And most recently, the Madonna House community, Lisa is here today.  And lastly, I have all three of my kids here, Jonathan, Matthew, and Anna and they have had my back, though they didn’t understand what I was doing, and they have still loved me. That means the world. And my daughter-in-law Dawn’s parents, Neminio and Teresa are here today.

A word to the college students:

When I was a new grad, I was not sure what my faith was. I was not sure actually what the Church was. I was unsure where my life was headed. It’s certainly harder now, and the world is scarier, and the speed of change is unnerving. 

What I want to say to you is what I have experienced and learned myself. No matter how far you have strayed from the faith of the Church, or you will stray from faith in God’s love and hope and grace, I want you to remember Jim’s words to me. His Church will always hold on to you. 

Like the waiting father in the Prodigal Son. The one who had disappointed him in every conceivable way. When he hears he’s coming back over all the years and has spent half of the estate, he is running toward his son. Not judging, running. That is what an Archbishop does or Catholic friend or family member does. 

They run, and they put their arms around you, whether you’re a saint, or you’re a prodigal son, or a prodigal daughter. 

So, deepen your faith, I would say, and engage the world with your faith. 

Conclusion

Pope Francis described the Church, not as a citadel, a moral profession, but as a hospital after battle. A place for people who are wounded by life where people come to be healed and not judged. Please remember, all of us, at one time or another, are wounded, whether we go to church or not.  

There was a quote I read 40 years ago that epitomized what I lived. It’s written by a marvelous philosopher, theologian. Frederick Buechner said, “Where the world has a great need, and you find a great joy, meeting that need, then you know the hand of God is upon you.” May all you graduates someday experience that joy in your life. By God’s grace, I’ve experienced it the last 35 years. 

Over 20 years ago, I walked through those doors in the back of this church at St. Mark’s Parish as a visitor for the 1st time. And now, more than 20 years later, I stand in front of this church and receive a wonderful honor. 

I want to thank God for all of you, your prayers, friendship and guidance as together we lean on and learn from the mercy and love of God. And I’ll leave the words of Jesus when thanking his followers.

May we all strive toward and hope someday to hear from our Lord 

‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matt 25:23

Amen

Dr. Thomas Jay Cooper

Honorary Doctorate Recipient Address

St Mark’s College and Corpus Christi College Convocation 2026

May 9, 2026