Meet the Interns

By the grace of God and with the help of the Canada Summer Jobs grant and our many generous donors, the Gregory the Great Institute is delighted to welcome a cohort of dedicated interns to our summer operations. They are brimming with talent and passion, and over the course of twelve weeks, they will receive leadership training and assist the Institute in running its summer events. Come meet the spirited young workers who will be serving you in the coming months!

Beth Kaup

Director of Internship

Age: 25

Hometown: Edmonton, AB

What inspired you to intern at the Gregory the Great Institute?

The reason I decided to intern at the Gregory the Great Institute is that I want to live in a country with a strong identity. For many years, Canada has been slipping into a country with no idea who we are, and I believe that the Gregory the Great Institute is a stepping stone on the journey to rediscovering that identity.

What is one book, saint, or thinker that has influenced you? Why?

About six years ago, I wrote an essay on C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, and ever since reading that book, I have found myself slowly falling in love with this lovely old man from England. Each time I sit down to read something he has written, it feels like a conversation with an old and dear friend who, with every encounter, gently leads me back to Christ.

What are you most looking forward to during this internship?

I am most looking forward to the Faith and Reason Seminar in June. I cannot wait to be with so many other intellectuals whom I can learn from and debate with. Through this retreat, I hope to become a more well-read, thoughtful, and educated person.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

I absolutely love reading and writing. Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved the adventure of sitting down to write a short story or opening a book and fully entering into its world. I also have a passion for helping women place their identity in Christ and see themselves as He sees them.

Ben Connolly

Co-director of Internship

Age: 25

Hometown: St. Albert, AB

What inspired you to intern at the Gregory the Great Institute?

A desire to see the institute flourish in its early days. The opportunities for formation will be a terrific benefit to me as well.

What is one book, saint, or thinker that has influenced you? Why?

St. Teresa of Avila– reading The Interior Castle, I discovered, through her eyes, what it feels like to truly love God so much as to desire death. She has helped me battle worldly attachments and to earnestly desire a consuming love for God.

What are you most looking forward to during this internship?

Participating in the Faith and Reason seminar, working at the kids’ Music Camp, and having many opportunities to think and talk with people about important, stimulating topics surrounding the renewal of culture.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

Singing in choirs, writing (fiction, poetry, essay, and prayer/reflection), reading (mostly classics, fantasy and speculative sci-fi), and video games (whether competitive and challenging, or contemplative and literary).

Ianua Robertson

Intern

Age: 21

Hometown: Saskatoon / St. Denis, SK

What inspired you to intern at the Gregory the Great Institute?

My love for the integrated life is what really inspired me to intern at the Institute. I have experienced firsthand what a joy it is to live a life that is filled with the goods of culture brought to us by the great Western Tradition, and I want to share those goods and that joy with others and help them to not only experience but also be able to live it out in their own day-to-day lives.

What is one book, saint, or thinker that has influenced you? Why?

Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy has strongly influenced my perspective on life, particularly with the idea that, whether one's future is good or bad, God uses everything for good and makes everything good, which just means that life is always good.

What are you most looking forward to during this internship?

I am most looking forward to the friendships and connections I will make over the summer, both within the internship and in the broader Edmonton community. I’m also excited to further my reading and writing skills through our summer events, such as the Faith and Reason seminar.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy searching for medieval and ancient music sources, learning how to sing them, and then rallying my siblings and friends to harmonize. I also enjoy writing poetry and reading aloud. Another of my favourite pastimes, especially recently, has been exploring and learning about the tourism industry and opportunities in both Saskatoon and Edmonton.

Joseph Topping

Intern

Age: 18

Hometown: Sherwood Park, AB

What inspired you to intern at the Gregory the Great Institute?

The mission of Gregory the Great’s is what draws me to work for it as an intern. Also, I love participating in all the cultural activities the institute offers, which makes working for it so much fun.

What is one book, saint, or thinker that has influenced you? Why?

Saint John Henry Newman’s notion of the university and the well-rounded man inspires me in the pursuit of virtue by offering a model of virtue both in his work and in himself, while providing the means to obtain it.

What are you most looking forward to during this internship?

I am very much looking forward to the GGI music camp.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

I love hiking, playing sports, and generally spending time with friends.

Christopher Connelly

Intern

Age: 17

Hometown: St. Paul, AB

What inspired you to intern at the Gregory the Great Institute?

The hope of renewing our culture with ideas and practices that sacramentally reflect God and his plan for humanity. Additionally, I love communication and community, heightened by Christ-centredness.

What is one book, saint, or thinker that has influenced you? Why?

Saint Ignatius’ 14 rules for the discernment of spirits (illuminated to me by Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Dan Burke’s work) have transformed my day-to-day life. Ignatius offers the disciple tools to recognize both God’s voice and the evil one’s attacks, and how to respond wisely to each.

What are you most looking forward to during this internship?

Telling people about the institute at various events and developing a faith-based community with my fellow interns.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

Steeping in Scripture, a good book (or movie!), conversing with friends and acquaintances, and dreaming up creative ideas for stories and films.