The Vancouver School of Theology is delighted to confirm that an international campaign to permanently endow a major new initiative in theological education has been gathering momentum behind the scenes, and is about to go public. The O’Driscoll Forum is billed as “A Celebration of Preaching, Teaching and the Liturgical Arts.” Beginning next year, the multi-day program will be an annual highlight of the summer curriculum at Vancouver School of Theology. The Forum is named in honour of Herbert and Paula O’Driscoll.
“Herb” O’Driscoll is a former parish priest and cathedral dean, internationally renowned conference and pilgrimage leader, hymnodist and storyteller, and author of over fifty books, who continues to write and speak prolifically and eloquently at age 93. Perhaps above all, he is a great preacher and teacher of preaching, who has spent a lifetime showing how the stories and traditions of our faith speak eloquently to contemporary concerns, and mentoring others to do the same.
“There’s never been a more important moment than right now to form and nurture the gifts of a new generation to articulate Christian faith, not only in the life of the church but beyond it in society,” says Herb. “Paula and I can’t think of a project we’d rather have our names associated with, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who is contributing to make it possible.”
At the heart of each summer’s O’Driscoll Forum will be visits by globally distinguished teachers and practitioners of preaching, teaching and the liturgical arts. They will be invited to give public lectures, and to spend a few days on the VST campus sharing their experience with a group of aspiring young practitioners of these skills, in a collegial “master class” format, much like the one Herb pioneered and practiced over many years at the College of Preachers in Washington, DC. Many Forum offerings will also be available online.
The Rev. Dr. Richard Topping, President of Vancouver School of Theology, says:
“I’m thrilled that the O’Driscoll Forum will become a centrepiece of the VST Summer School. Herb was one of the first two recipients of honorary degrees from our school, and has been an inspiration and role model for many of us. We are honoured to be able to celebrate and continue his legacy in this way.”
A group of friends, colleagues and admirers of Herb and Paula have come together to raise funds for the O’Driscoll Forum. To date, they have collected over two hundred thousand dollars: about two-thirds of the minimum amount required to underwrite the program in perpetuity. Now, they are reaching out to the many others who have been touched by Herb and Paula over the years, and who would wish to add their support to assist in making the Forum a reality.
A live, public, online launch event will be broadcast at 7pm Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday, May 31, 4pm Pacific and 5pm Mountain Time. Herb will speak and read from his recent book of memoirs. There will be greetings and tributes from distinguished past and present colleagues, and reminiscences from folk who have gone on pilgrimage with Herb and Paula, or crossed paths with them in other ways. Richard Topping will speak about plans for the O’Driscoll Forum. The program will also be recorded and available for later viewing.
For more details about the Forum, to make a tax-deductible donation, and to watch the launch event live on May 31 (or recorded thereafter), please visit: https://vst.edu/odriscollforum/
Here is a link to the full information brochure. It is also available for downloading below.
PHOTOS
- Herb and Paula
- Herb on Neddy early 1930s
- Confirmation Day early 1940s
- Ordination 1952
- Emigrating to Canada
- With the Dalia Lama at Christ Church Cathedral
- Herb in Calgary 1980s