For many, the Christmas season marks a time of increased chaos as hectic scheduling and overwhelming agendas combine to make for one of the busiest times of the year. Yet for staff and students at Toronto's Newman Centre, the Christmas season is one of relative calm.

“It’s interesting because things really do slow down here from our regular schedule which is very busy throughout the entire year. The Advent season is a time for us to take a step back and as students enter their exam period, you notice the quietness within the chaplaincy,” said Fr. Mark Kolosowski, pastor and executive director of the Catholic chaplaincy at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. 

Although exam stresses can still be felt, Kolosowski highlights the beautiful comparison between students sternly preparing for their finals and how the season calls us to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. 

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“It’s a good thing to focus, to pay more attention to our own relationship with the Lord. This is a beautiful lesson that the students can learn in the season of preparation in both their preparation for their exams and for our Saviour to return into the world,” he said. 

As the ever-important season of preparation continues, the Newman Centre has been providing students with a multitude of ways to celebrate over the course of Advent — many of which emphasize the mission’s devotion to unity and fellowship. 

At the end of November, students and staff came together to begin decorating the centre for Christmas. It was an all-day affair, with many students participating before and after their scheduled classes to assist the physical beauty of the chaplaincy space. 

Throughout December, the centre sported all the bells and whistles of the holiday, including multiple Christmas trees, a large Nativity scene, lights, garland and tinsel. Complete with Christmas music, hot chocolate, snacks and treats for volunteers, Kolosowksi praised the Nov. 25 event as beneficial both physically and spiritually for all those involved. 

“More than anything else, it’s the coming of the students together to build up the community. They feel that this is their home, and together they made it more beautiful. We had one girl come running to the centre first thing in the morning who was so excited to get started and so to see that excitement from our family is always something inspiring,” he said. 

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On Dec. 5, the centre celebrated its annual Advent Dinner, a yearly staple that brings the community together to celebrate the season. It once again cemented the chance for everyone from students, parishioners, RCIA candidates, faculty, alumni and supporters to come together under one roof and partake in a free meal put on by the chaplaincy. 

Two days later, students were treated to a Parish Advent Retreat under this year’s theme of "Pilgrimage of Hope." Salesian Sister Hae-Jin Lim spoke to those in attendance about the meaning and importance of hope throughout Advent, pulling from the similar theme of the upcoming Jubilee year.  

“There was a lack of hope beginning to surface, be it little fears of entering into the exam season or even students reflecting upon their relationship with God, but that theme of hope was something that was able to help them recognize how great the Lord is,” Kolosowski said. “Pope Francis calls it a journey of hope and that is exactly how it was treated, as something that we need to learn to reach for in our everyday lives.” 

Even with students' final projects and exams easing operations in late December, the Newman Centre will again offer its Christmas Student Luncheon. For students unable to return home for Christmas, be it for distance or personal reasons, Kolowski and a group of volunteers will be preparing and providing a traditional Christmas meal as part of a communal lunch, ensuring no student will have to spend Christmas alone.

The luncheon is something that is enjoyed by more people than he had originally thought when he introduced the concept to the centre three years ago.  

“I was ordained through my time at a seminary in Poland, and so I knew how it felt to be away from home during the Christmas season and how difficult it was being away from the table with your loved ones,” he said. “Taking that experience into consideration I thought this would be good to offer our students here in Toronto.” 

Kolosowski had initially planned for five or so students during the luncheon's first year before being met with close to 15, and over 20 last year.  

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With so many different activities already having been celebrated with more soon to come, the Newman Centre remains thankful above all else for its community and the people who support its mission during the Christmas season and beyond. 

“We are very grateful for the vibrant community that we share here and we know that it is because of all of our donors and the people who help fuel this important ministry that serves the students at the University of Toronto and invests in their faith journey,” he said.