Gregory the Great Institute's September 3rd Birthday Party
Dear friends,
One year ago, on September 3, 2025, the Gregory the Great Institute providentially gained legal status as a non-profit society on the same date as the feast day of our patron, St. Gregory the Great!
Last week, to commemorate our 1st anniversary as a non-profit, the Institute hosted a Birthday Party to celebrate as a community of culture builders. Over 250 people joined us for our birthday party for soccer, frisbee, lawn games, and visiting, while our Board Members grilled burgers and served food!
During the short program, Dr. Topping spoke about how the familiar experience of “metaphysical homelessness” can only be overcome by rooting our lives in authentic Catholic traditions. He also reflected on our Institute’s gratitude to the many supporters and culture builders who made our first year possible…and have built momentum for future growth.
Mr. Brian Holdsworth, vice-chair of the Institute’s board, and Mrs. Beth Kaup, the summer’s internship director, each shared insights, highlighting the positive impact the Institute has made thus far and the hope for what’s to come in the year ahead.
Based upon her last several months leading a team of young interns, Beth Kaup reflected on three reasons why she supports the Institute: it calls people to excellence; it calls people to be lovers of our home - and to see how God has been working in Canada; and it promotes gifts that the Church wants for everyone.
Mr. Victor Carpay, the lead on Development and Communications, reminded the happy throng that our work of gathering culture builders aims at renewing our culture for the long term. Victor invited everyone to serve as an ambassador for this mission.
Lastly, best of all, we gave prizes to participants who volunteered to join an impromptu culture-building talent competition featuring unicycle riders, a juggling act, a poetry recitation, and singers!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our birthday party. We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming Conference, and we are so excited for the upcoming year.
St. Gregory the Great. Pray for us!
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