Notice of Change in Management of Sheptytsky Institute

May 26, 2010 -- Sheptytsky Institute is a Ukrainian Catholic student residence located near the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The original residence, established in 1935 by the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, provided a culturally and spiritually affirming atmosphere for young men pursuing post-secondary education. In 1953, funds raised by Ukrainian Catholics across Saskatchewan allowed for a new residence to be constructed on the corner of College and Wiggins. In 1979, Sheptytsky Institute became co-educational, allowing both female and male residents to experience the benefits of this ‘home away from home’ while attending university.

In 1975, at the request of Bishop Andrew Roborecki, The Metropolitan Sheptytsky Society of Saskatchewan (the “Society”) was asked to expand its mandate and to assume responsibility for management of Sheptytsky Institute. The Society is a registered, non-profit Corporation which represents the interests of all Ukrainian Catholics in the province through an elected volunteer Board of regional representatives. Until the present day, the Society has prudently and diligently fulfilled this requested mandate in managing Sheptytsky Institute.

In June of 2009, the Society was informed of new initiatives to involve the use of the Sheptytsky building, as communicated by the Bishop and Eparchial Consultors. After a series of discussions, it became clear that any ongoing relationship was going to be of a short-term nature only and that the Bishop and Eparchial Consultors’ long-term objectives were not consistent with the Society’s view of the role of the Sheptytsky Institute or the Society’s approach to management. The Society concluded that without an arrangement which would see the Sheptytsky Institute operate for a commitment of more than a year at a time and a minimal degree of management autonomy, the Society could not provide prudent and effective management in accordance with the purposes for which the Institute was formed. The Society therefore determined that there was no acceptable alternative to rejecting the terms the Bishop wished for the future operation of the Sheptytsky Institute.

Accordingly, the Metropolitan Sheptytsky Society of Saskatchewan regretfully must announce that after a 35-year role in managing Sheptytsky Institute for the Eparchy of Saskatoon, management of the Ukrainian Catholic student residence will be assumed by the Episcopal Corporation of Saskatchewan or its designated successor, beginning May 16, 2010. The Society will continue to work on behalf of Ukrainian Catholics in the province to meet educational, cultural, and spiritual goals, as outlined in its mission statement.

For more information, please consult the Sheptytsky Institute website at: http://www.sheps.ca.

Metropolitan Sheptytsky Society of Saskatchewan (MSSS) board of directors