Our Team
John McCarthy
John McCarthy was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland on January 28, 1958. A graduate of Brother Rice High School, he completed the Pre-Forestry Program at Memorial University in 1977 and transferred to the University of New Brunswick from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree in 1980. A Masters degree in soil science was completed at the University of Florida in 1983.
John entered the Society of Jesus in 1983 and, after a lengthy period of philosophical and theological training, was ordained in 1994. He completed doctoral studies in boreal forest ecology at the University of British Columbia in 2004. His doctoral research focused on the structure and disturbance dynamics of old-growth forests in Newfoundland.
He was the recipient of the 2002 Canadian Environment Awards Gold Medal (Lands and Forests category) for his work in boreal forest conservation in Newfoundland.
John is deeply interested in the historic and contemporary relationships between human culture and the natural environment. Congruent with this long-term interest is his attempt to understand the sustainability of both human and biophysical community in different forms of natural resource development and use. Furthermore, John is particularly interested in the contribution that religious traditions, particularly Catholicism, can make to the development of environmental theology and ethics.
John chairs the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council, a cabinet appointed body that advises the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the establishment and management of wilderness and ecological reserves. He is currently actively involved in lichen biodiversity research in Newfoundland and Labrador in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Maureen Wicken, Coordinator
stmarks.campusministry@gmail.com
Maureen was born in Prince George, BC and has lived in Vancouver for most of her life. Educated in public schools, Maureen was a music student at UBC before transferring to the English program where she achieved a Bachelor of Arts While an undergraduate student she was very involved in the Newman Club and other exciting activities at St. Mark’s College. After completing her B. Ed., Maureen taught English and Religion at Little Flower Academy. While raising her children together with her husband, Maureen volunteered at her parish, coordinating the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for four years and then coordinating Liturgy of the Word with Children for nine years. During this time, she worked for the Office of Religious Education on contract overseeing the Archdiocesan Rite of Election and Mass for New Catholics before taking on the role of RCIA Consultant for a few years. This incredible opportunity helped to connect Maureen to the Canadian Catholic Church and prepared her to work in the challenging area of Campus Ministry.
Maureen coordinates the UBC Catholic Campus Ministry Team, connects regularly with the UBC Chaplaincy Association and Chaplains-in-Rez, and assumes liturgical coordination responsibilities for the Sunday College Masses.
Greg Kennedy
Greg Kennedy was born in Hamilton, Ontario on March 7, 1975. Ever since that day, he has tried doggedly to understand the significance of that event. This has led him barking up philosophical trees at the Universities of Toronto, Alberta and Ottawa, before finally coming clear of the forest into the happy camp of the Society of Jesus. A Jesuit now for three years, he continues to wonder as he wanders along the path to priesthood, some years away off in the horizon, God willing.
Kevin Eng, Coordinator of Music Ministry
Kevin is an extremely talented musician who shares his gift of music generously with our Wednesday and Sunday assemblies. Born and raised in Calgary, Kevin came to ministry from a background in engineering and teaches piano and music at another institution. Kevin oversees music ministry at the Sunday and Wednesday liturgies, at retreats and taizé prayer evenings, and can be found every week at Chaplains in Rez!
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