David Shulist

About

“The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends,” she wrote, “but let us not despair…. The more we are united to [God] by love the nearer we are to those who belong to him.” (Elizabeth Seton)

Hello.

I am grateful to be here at UVic, being a part of wider university community and formally through the Multi-Faith Centre and Wellness Centre as one of the spiritual care providers. As a Catholic priest, I come from the Christian tradition, which is rooted in the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Universal love is the primary teaching of Christ. Regarding this love and precisely as a universal power from which all can embrace and uphold as the binding force to build a common union or community, I believe that people can find unity within our diversity. I am committed to this undertaking. It is not easy, but it is meaningful.

Within and through the Catholic tradition and specifically the Catholic community, I am committed to serve not only those who are Catholic, but also, anyone who is in need. As a priest, I am also a Jesuit. I belong to a religious order of priests and brothers within the Catholic church. As Jesuits, we are called to find God in all things; the sacred is in all persons and situations. Spirituality has always been important dimension to my life. I first studied in the sciences and then in the humanities and throughout many years have learned in several universities. I have also lived and worked in other cultures and countries. The richness of knowledge received, and the diversity of experiences gained over these years, have led me back to work on different campuses, hoping that others too will be blessed through their learning and in their developmental years to become persons for others. I have come to value this formative time of life and the good presence and the meaningful influence that a university can offer to anyone of us in our development. For me it was and is about upholding the care of people, the care of the earth--our common home, and the care of life.

I appreciate learning from others and the new questions that often emerge in such settings. I am available to all those on the campus seeking spiritual guidance; accompaniment; and support; for conversation; for Catholics, the sacraments; for learning experiences in community; for participating in social justice events, for growing in one’s faith and spirituality, and whatever else the Good Spirit is wanting you and me or us to be and do.

I can be reached at dshulist@uvic.ca, or campuschaplain@rdcvictoria.org at 778-350-1002 or at the Multi-Faith Centre 250-721-8338.