Brock University’s Chaplains are here for you. They provide personal and spiritual guidance and counselling, and lead various religious groups on campus to empower students and staff as they embark on their own personal journey of life. Each Chaplain is sponsored by their respective faith traditions to provide religious resources, learning, and leadership among student groups, faculty and staff.
Chaplain: Rev. Zack DeBruyne
Christian Reformed Campus Pastor
zdebruyne@brocku.ca
905-321-8296
Faith and Life Centre – Alphie’s Trough
Regular Office hours:
8:00AM – 4:00PM
Zack is the newly appointed Christian Reformed Chaplain. Born and raised in St. Catharines, and a proud Badger. He graduated with his Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary, and is an ordained Pastor in the Christian Reformed Church
I am passionate about walking alongside students as they ask questions about faith, and seek to better understand their place in this world. Being born and raised in St. Catharines, attending Brock, and now working here as a Chaplain has been an incredible experience — but I wouldn’t want you to think I’ve never been anywhere outside of Southern Ontario. I have spent time doing ministry in the Outback of Australia among the aboriginal peoples, in remote Fijian islands leading a prayer ministry, leading and speaking for a Christian group in Ensenada, Mexico, to working in a church plant in downtown Ottawa. I have a passion for this big, beautiful globe that God has given us – and all of the people that live in it. Each person is a unique part of God’s image in this world.
I love a good pour-over, craft beer, Manchester United, anything involving the outdoors or athletics (I played varsity Soccer. I’d like to say that I still got it, but I’m not so sure), and Philosophy. He is the Chaplain of the Faith and Life Centre, and the Pastor of the student-led group on Campus – The Ministry
For Information of the Christian Reformed Chaplaincy and events, check out The Ministry and come join us in Alphie’s Trough this year!
- Facebook: @brockministry
- Instagram: @brockministry
- Website: www.brockministry.com
Bret and Lynne Maukonen
Bret Maukonen
nb_bmaukonen@brocku.ca
226.931.4739
Lynne Maukonen
nb_lmaukonen@brocku.ca
226.931.4738
Regular Office hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (Eastern; UTC-4)
“Team Maui” (Trust us, it will be easier for you to call us that than to say “Maukonen.” We actually spent a week on that lovely island of Maui enroute to Canada from Japan). Our preferred identity is as “followers of Jesus” but, for the sake of labels, we are in the “lane” of Baptists, Pentecostals, Mennonite Brethren, and other independent Congregationalists.
Bret and Lynne first met as teens at a church in Toronto, led divergent and different lifestyles and then reunited about a dozen years later. Since then, our lives have been devoted to serving God and serving others. We have had the privilege of working together in many settings including two-and-a-half years outside of Canada (England and Japan), being ordained (recognized by a denomination as a licensed minister) on the same day in 2010 and now, serving the Brock community together as Adjunct Chaplains.
Lynne Maukonen (nee Kennedy)
At Brock, I see the potential to support people who are preparing themselves for life in a challenging world and, at the same time, trying to figure out how faith fits into the equation. I’m a lifelong learner, starting with a BA (Queen’s; Psychology and Sociology) then a Master of Theological Studies (OTS/Tyndale), and a Master of Arts in Counselling (Providence Seminary, Manitoba). I have been certified as a life coach/trainer and as a pastoral counsellor.
While I have spent much of my working life has been as a counsellor in private practice, I have also enjoyed my engagement in educational settings (as a career counsellor and instructor) and for non-profits. From my youth, I have had ongoing volunteer involvement in churches and, in recent years, I co-pastored a congregation with Bret. Looking at my life, I think people would say that it has been devoted to helping others.
I love reading (mostly fiction), Bible journaling, leading Bible studies and, occasionally, riding a tandem bicycle with Bret. Together, we enjoy watching human interest stories and playing Scrabble on our smartphones.
My life’s purpose is to incarnate Christian values in this world by intentionally living with love and integrity.
Bret Maukonen
I have a wide range of educational and life experience: 3-year college co-op diploma (George Brown; Marine Navigation), BA (York; Human Geography and Sociology), Master of Divinity (OTS/Tyndale; Pastoral), Master of Education (Brock; thesis “Worldview Awareness and Adult Education), certified life coach/trainer, and I’m still a student working on my PhD dissertation (the topic is “Contentment”).
My life experience includes work in the marine industry, education, business and community non-profits. But there is more to life than work!
Among the things I love are dogs (especially our “Gracie”), baseball, old movies (1930s and 40s), legal dramas, music (eclectic tastes), problem solving, a sea horizon and the Christmas season (“Joy to the World!”).
According to Myers-Briggs, I am an INTP and, by another assessment, I am a Task-Free Spirit type. But being at Brock is not about me; it’s about you. I’m interested in your story and where you would like to be exploring.
Part of my morning prayer is this: “Help me to love You [O LORD] with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me to love others as You love them.”
Our commitment is to be available to all members of the Brock community for conversations and presentations that will enhance life, especially its spiritual aspect.
CHAPLAIN: REV. KRISTA HILTON
Ecumenical University Chaplain
nb_khilton@brocku.ca
Faith and Life Centre – Alphie’s Trough
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9:30AM – 3:30PM
Krista was born and raised in Quebec, then attended the University of Guelph for her Bachelor of Applied Science degree, with a major in Family and Social Relations. On completion of her Master of Divinity degree at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Krista was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. She served in parish ministry in Nova Scotia for ten years, after which she and her husband moved to Guelph and started their family.
In 2016, Krista and her family moved to St. Catharines, where she continued to work as a stay-at-home mother for her two daughters and in private practice as a lactation consultant. In 2021, Krista joined the chaplaincy team in the half time position of ecumenical chaplain.
Krista says, “I’m thrilled to be part of the team that provides spiritual and pastoral care to students and staff of Brock University. I enjoy meeting with students of all denominations and any or no religious affiliation. Our world is wide but God’s reach is wider, thereby encompassing all of us on our own unique paths. I honour and welcome diversity as we all strive to connect with the Divine spark in our world and within ourselves.”
For further information on the Jewish community in St. Catharines and at Brock, please visit the links below:
The Rev. Kurt Lantz
Associate Chaplain of Brock Campus Ministries
Lutheran Church Canada
Office: 400 Glenridge Ave.
pastorlantz@cogeco.ca
Chapel services Monday to Friday 10 a.m. in Martin Luther Chapel
The Chapel is located in the Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary on the southwest corner of the campus.
For more information about Concordia Seminary, please visit the website.
Chaplain: Dr. Hosam Helal
Email hosam.helal@gmail.com
Chaplain: Father David Graham Scott
905 935 6252(local call)
theology99@hotmail.com (Please mark Subject OrthoChap)
Father David Graham Scott is the Orthodox Christian Associate Chaplain on campus. Fr. Scott has degrees from the University of Toronto (B.A.), Emmanuel College, Toronto (B.D.), and Strasbourg (3rd cycle Doctorate in religious sciences). He has taught Religious Studies at Laurentian University and Brock University.
Father David Scott is available for any student by appointment.
Fr David is pastor of St Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Mission, 332 Carlton St at Rolls Ave near Vine, St Catharines. Orthros at 9:45 and Divine Liturgy at10:30 AM on Sundays. Pick up available on request.
Find out more information at our website: www.orthodoxniagara.ca
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Chaplaincy Team
Kailey Meehan
Catholic Chaplain
nb_kmeehan@brocku.ca
Fr. Gregory Schmidt
Chaplain of Sacramental Life
Chaplain: Kailey Meehan
Roman Catholic Campus Minister
nb_kmeehan@brocku.ca
Faith and Life Centre – Alphie’s Trough
Welcome to Kailey, the new Catholic Chaplain!
Most recently, Kailey was a professional student, studying for a total of 7 years as a Badger. She graduated in 2017 with her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and loved it so much she came back for more, graduating two years later with her Masters of Science in Biotechnology. She is pursuing a Masters in Theology at Augustine Institute part time (see professional student) and currently serves as the Chaplain of the Brock Roman Catholic Chaplaincy full time.
“When I began first year, I wanted to go to Mass regularly but joining the Catholic club was ‘too Catholic’ for me. However, at the encouragement of my friend, I went to my first faith study. It was my first experience of a community of faith and young people talking about their relationship with God. It was a little weird for me, but I liked it, and I went back every week. At the end of the school year, I chose to put Jesus at the centre of my life and I have since embraced countless opportunities to grow and learn about my faith, including attending World Youth Day in Rio, participating in and teaching faith formation programs, working as a Totus Tuus missionary, and working closely with Catholic Christian Outreach and the Diocese of St. Catharines.”
You will often find her either solving Rubik’s Cubes, having life chats with students, or on the dance floor kickin’ her up her boots at a line dancing class with her thesis in hand (No joke, she did this, there is a video). Bridging her love of science and faith with tons of laughter and many hugs, she is the leader of the Brock University Roman Catholic Chaplaincy, and aspires to be the future patron saint of hugs.