Our History

The Irene and Doug Schmeiser Centre for Faith, Reason, Peace, and Justice launched in 2021 after more than a decade of dreaming and planning, gaining significant momentum thanks to Irene Ositis-Schmeiser’s transformative gift.

Our Vision

The centre is dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation in teaching, research, and community outreach in three of STM’s interdisciplinary and distinctive program areas:

  • Catholic Studies, engaging the intersections of faith, reason, and culture in Catholic traditions

  • Critical Perspectives on Social Justice and the Common Good, exploring expressions of justice and solidarity across diverse cultures and contexts

  • Peace Studies, concerned with the analysis and creative transformation of conflict

Our three primary areas of activity are:

  1. Offering undergraduate courses, minors, and certificate programs

  2. Partnering with local organizations to connect students, scholars, and community practitioners, as well as collaborating to host lectures and other events for the broader public

  3. Cultivating a network of centre affiliates and associates to encourage new and deepening research and community-service collaborations within the centre’s distinctive areas of focus