Donors pleased, even though seminary will be demolished

Family that gave $3M does not see its money going to waste

- WCR photo by Glen Argan Geneva, Helen and Clinton Sopchyshyn stand outside the library their $3-million donation built nine years ago.

By LASHA MORNINGSTAR
WCR News Editor
Edmonton

Newman Theological College and St. Joseph Seminary have been blessed with a multitude of donations by open-hearted benefactors over the years.

Much of what has been given - such as endowments and books - can easily move to the proposed new site when the college and seminary move to Edmonton's east side in 2009.

But what of the "gifts" that cannot be moved and may ultimately be demolished - like the $3 million given for the library and seminary?

Ask Clinton Sopchyshyn - he, his wife Geneva and parents Wilfred and Helen were the benefactors of that bounteous donation - and his first response to the move is an outpouring of positives.

Ideal location

The new site at the Catholic Pastoral Centre is "an ideal location," says Clinton. He enthuses about all the pluses from its being more central, accessible through public transportation, and its being in a more pastoral setting.

"Moving into the area they have chosen is a good replacement and will end up being a showcase for the Catholic community.

"I understand that everything is going to be replicated," says Clinton, "but I know that atmosphere cannot be totally replaced."

The Edmonton Archdiocese sold the property currently holding the seminary and college to the province for $42.4 million to allow for the extension of Anthony Henday Drive.

$3M donation

Clinton said the idea that his family's $3-million donation in 1998 is going to waste does not cause a whisper of concern from this donor.

"They definitely needed a library at that time," says Clinton, as well as the expansion to the seminary.

As well, he casts a pragmatic financial eye at the situation saying that he's "pretty sure" the archdiocese got more money from its sale of the Newman property because of the presence of new buildings.

When commended for the family's generosity, Clinton's reply is instantaneous and straightforward. "The faith community needs as much help as they can get."

Another donor, E. (Ben) Hochhausen said of the move, "It had to be done, simple as that. It seems a shame when we had a state of the art library and the seminary, but at the time they built it, there was sufficient space between the ring road."

Bountiful endowments

Hochhausen who has been involved with Newman for "25 to 30 years" and his wife Mary donated bountiful endowments and 60,000 to 65,000 books to the library.

"My only hope is that the new buildings and everything about it is well under $42 million (the amount the archdiocese received from the government).

Ask Connie McBride about the move, and she says, "I don't feel badly about it at all."

As someone who has held numerous executive positions in the Catholic Women's League including provincial president, McBride has been involved in many fundraising ventures for the college and seminary from raising $85,000 for computers to $25,000 to upgrade the kitchen with new ovens, pans - "the nitty gritty things."

When the CWL women were told the seminary needed linens, they raised the money not only for the bedding, but for towels, shower curtains, lamps and crucifixes.

Needed at the time

Some of what they gave can make the move. Some - such as the ovens - cannot.

"But we gave what was needed at the time," says McBride. "Who knew they would move in a few years?"

While sad to see the buildings go - "I took classes there and it has a great atmosphere" - she hopes the new college will "expand and make it even more a part of the community."

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