Dear NTC Community,

As I announced recently, the College will be launching its new Pathways in Ministry project through the Benedict XVI Institute, thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. This is an important initiative and will demand significant attention to ensure its implementation is a success.

Accordingly, I have asked Dr. Ryan Topping to transition from his role as Academic Dean in order to take on an expanded role as Director of the College’s Benedict XVI Institute. Dr. Topping has made key contributions to the work to date and is the ideal candidate to lead the implementation of this grant project. I am pleased that he has very graciously agreed to take on this new challenge.

Effective 1 January 2022, Dr. Topping will commence work as Director of the Benedict XVI Institute. He will continue in his role as Vice-President of the College until a new Vice-President and Academic Dean are appointed. I will assume the responsibilities of Academic Dean while the College works to initiate a recruitment process for a new Dean.

This 3 year Pathways in Ministry project involves several related initiatives including: academic research on the state of vocations in Canada, developing a network of Catholic agencies and school districts to identify and develop relations with young people that may have vocations to the priesthood, religious life or lay ecclesial ministry, and the development of formational opportunities and transformational spiritual events for youth.

I am excited to continue working with Dr. Topping in this new role. His prolific scholarship, organizational skills and passion for the evangelic mission of the Church make him well suited to implementing this ambitious project.

In Christ,

Jason West, Ph.D. President & Vice-Chancellor