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 Fr. David Shulist.  S.J.

     Fr. David Shulist, S.J., B.Sc (Hon), B.A., M.A., M.Div. is a religious priest of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits.  Fr. Shulist comes to Memorial University after having worked for five years as Vocation director for all of Canada for the Jesuits.  The 219 English-speaking Jesuits in Canada are a part of an international order which was founded in 1540 and which has a long tradition of ministries in education, spirituality, and academic research around the world.  During the same time he was also Director of Jesuit Volunteers - Canada, a Christian formation lay service program for young adults.  He has worked overseas in the West Indies, East Africa doing rural development work on various projects.  This is the second year he has been with MUNCC as chaplain.  along with the executive and other key members of MUNCC, such as liturgy coordinators and music ministers, MUNCC maintains an active Catholic presence on on the campus.

     As chaplain he is also available to the wider University campus in pastoral care, counseling, spiritual direction, visiting the sick, sacramental ministry - reconciliation, marriage preparations and marriage, baptismal preparations and baptism.  Through his full time presence on campus, he is:  able to provide weekday masses in St. John's Chapel, on Wednesdays, along with regular Sunday mass throughout the semester;  available to meet with persons on a one-to-one basis for either ongoing spiritual direction, sacrament of reconciliation, and other pastoral counseling needs; and support other student organizations that work to make the campus a more just, informed, and outreaching institution.

     Working with people to discern directions in their lives from a faith perspective is a very rewarding experience and a significant one in a time when options seemingly are so many.  Furthermore, are the goals that people put before themselves always healthy ones and take into consideration their whole being.  This requires an integrative approach to living, which includes the spiritual dimension of our being.  As chaplain Fr. Shulist seeks to be of assistance to other in finding their personal approach that is respectful of their whole self and God. 

     Some students go to him for spiritual conversation and direction, some for a letter of reference and for others, advice on employment and volunteer opportunities within the church or overseas.  He coordinates two retreats a year for MUNCC, a community building retreat in the fall and a winter prayer retreat.

     Fr. Shulist also works to send a contingent of students to Cuernavaca, Mexico for an intercultural experience, which exposes the students to issues of development and how that relates to the wider vision of the Christian Gospel.

     Fr. Shulist represents MUNCC at the annual Canadian Catholic Chaplaincy Conference, where he meets with other Catholic Chaplains from other Canadian university campuses.  he also represents the interests of Memorial, along with the other Christian chaplains of MUN at the bi-annual Ecumenical Chaplains Conference.

     Fr. Shulist is an avid hiker and outdoors person, so without a doubt MUNCC manages to do a few hikes in a year.  He is also an avid gardener, down hill skier, cross-country skier, and cyclist.  He maintains contact with colleagues who work in the international field of rural development as an ongoing interest.