Interfaith centre chaplains and faith representatives
Our chaplains and faith representatives serve on a volunteer, part-time basis and represent various faith communities.
As a SAIT alumnus, Art enjoyed a life of adventure in the air ambulance industry — bringing help and hope to some critical scenarios over the years.
His intense career experiences stirred in him difficult questions of life and death, meaning and purpose. Art says his journey has led him through a "theology of grace" into deeper spirituality, community and conviction.
What's a chaplain?
Oooo, great question. I feel it means different things to people. Some would look to us as pastors or priests with whom they can find like-minded community and spiritual guidance. Others are looking for a safe place to ask questions and gain perspective. Essentially, I guess we’re sounding boards — people who can speak encouragement and offer perspective.
Ask me about...
Anything! I absolutely love: hockey (sports in general, but come on, I'm Canadian), coffee (fresh, hand-ground in my office or in my "second office", The Odyssey), technology (ask me about my watch), family (I'm blessed with the best wife and son in the history of the world), spirituality (meaning and purpose — for me, the answers are nestled deep in my own faith journey), food and culture, the list goes on.
What does interfaith mean to me?
To me, interfaith is about not merely tolerating different faiths or non-faith but finding ways to celebrate each other while recognizing the differences.
Contact
art.kung@sait.ca
403.542.0414
Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
What's a chaplain?
A chaplain is someone who takes care of their related faith community. As the Catholic Chaplain I would provide pastoral care through spiritual direction, confession, growing in better relationship with God and connecting you with Catholic young adult events throughout the city. I am also a resource for those who are not Catholic as well and would be interested in comparing and contrasting faiths or learning more about Catholicism.
Ask me about...
Ask me about the St Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) which is a hub for all young adult Catholics (university, young professionals, young couples) to gather in worship and fellowship and formation at St. Mary's Cathedral.
Ask me about how to connect with God. The Christian God is one who is waiting to reach out to you, in fact He is already seeking you out. The Christian life is not just about us seeking God, but God seeking us first and allowing him to find us. We are the ones running away from God.
What does interfaith mean to me?
Interfaith means sharing in the perspective of other religions and finding unity where we can but at the same time have honest dialogue about what makes us unique in our perspectives while at the same time engaging in a loving, respectful way.
Contact
Troy.Nguyen@sait.ca
587.288.6150 (text only)
Fridays, 10 am – 2 pm
Born and raised in Calgary, Margaret completed her post-secondary at U of A and Augustana University and her MDiv. In Saskatoon. Ordained into the Lutheran church, she serves not only as chaplain, but also a pastor of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church downtown. Although she’s not an athlete herself, she loves watching her children play sports and seeing them excel with gifts so differently from her own. Margaret loves the arts, especially painting, ceramics, stained glass, jewelry, sculpture, and architecture.
What is a Chaplain?
Depends on who you talk to... For me, it’s a person trained to provide Spiritual Care for people in the institution you work for. At SAIT, this would include students, staff, faculty, and alumni of SAIT. But the truth of the matter is that my position is funded by my faith community, and my faith community would expand the demographic to include the wider community and beyond. So, the question might be, what is Spiritual Care? For me, spiritual care is providing care and support for an individual’s sense of meaning, and purpose through either their relationship to the divine (God) and the World. This includes others through community, with ourselves, and with creation (nature). Sometimes we do this through rituals, being in community with others, introspection, and experiencing beauty and joy. I can’t say I have any answers, but certainly can provide a listening ear and resources to support others who are wanting to explore, or continue in their spiritual life.
Ask me about...
Anything… But I probably won’t have much to tell you because I prefer to listen. I love listening to the story of others and hearing what God is up to in the lives of others. But I can probably talk your ear off about my beloved pet Sam, a bearded dragon who went missing for 3 weeks this summer and survived our suburban neighborhood filled with magpies, cats, and hawks!
What does interfaith mean to me?
It’s the intentional conversation, understanding and work different faith groups do to manifest the goodness of one another and the world. This goes beyond just tolerating one another, but acknowledging the need and value of the different traditions, understandings and faiths that divide us so we no longer ‘other’ one another. In seeing and valuing the beauty of another, we can also see and value the beauty of our own traditions more fully.
Contact
Margaret.Koizumi@sait.ca
403.471.9895
Fridays, 11 am - 4 pm
I came from Hong Kong and received my high school, university and Seminary education in Saskatchewan. Later, I also completed my graduate studies at the University of Alberta. I was ordained by the Rhenish Church (Lutheran Denomination) Hong Kong Synod and served as parish pastor and the school principal in Hong Kong.
In 1990, I was accepted into the Clergy Roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and served as the parish pastor with the New Life Lutheran Church in Edmonton. In 2007, I was appointed by the Bishop of Alberta Synod, ELCIC, as the Mission Developer in the Northwest area of Calgary and later served as the parish pastor of the Mission Church — Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Calgary. In August 2022, the Lutheran Care Ministry was set up under the auspices of the Alberta Synod ELCIC to assist international students and their families from Hong Kong.
My wife Amy is a schoolteacher, and my daughter Debbie works with an accounting firm.
Contact
peter.chau@sait.ca
403.389.8145
Monday and Wednesday, 9 am - 4 pm
Sheikh Iqbal Gora, Islam (Sunni)
Iqbal is a proudly born-and-raised Calgarian Muslim. His spiritual and religious journey began with the memorization of the Qur'ān which then followed with completing a six-year intensive, graduating with 'Alimiyyah in Islamic Studies from Dār al-Ulūm al-‘Arabiyyah al-Islāmiyyah in Cape Town, South Africa. Iqbal served as Imam of Calgary's oldest masjid - Calgary Islamic Centre - SW Masjid for two years. Additionally, he led tour groups to the Islamic sacred sites of Makkah and Madinah, and served as principal of the Islamic Centre of South Calgary's Weekend Qur'ān School. Presently, Iqbal is serving as the resident Imam of NW Islamic Centre/Ranchlands Musallah with the Islamic Association of Northwest Calgary. He has been active in delivering Friday (Jumu’ah) sermons in the city for six years, and currently alternates between the NW Islamic Centre (Ranchlands) and Maryam Masjid (Beddington). Sheikh Iqbal is also a proud member of the SAIT alumni and graduated with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology!
What is a Chaplain?
A chaplain supports the spiritual and emotional needs of students and staff. Chaplains organize religious activities, provide counselling, and foster a sense of community and inclusion. From an Islamic paradigm, being a chaplain follows the Prophetic teachings of offering good will and sincere advice.
Ask me about...
Theology, public speaking, and... engineering! As a graduate of SAIT's MET program, I am always keen to discuss and learn more about the latest trends and developments in engineering (or help you on your homework!). I have a special interest in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and in aviation (I used to de-ice planes at the Calgary International Airport). Additionally, I enjoy the process of researching a topic and presenting it to large groups of people and teaching others the art of effective communication - a critical skill for any professional! Lastly, do you want to have a detailed dialogue on theology, the meaning of life and death, or ethics and morality? Let's talk!
What does interfaith mean to me?
As a Muslim, interfaith means adhering to three beautiful Qur'ānic principles:
- We were created into nations and tribes so that we may get to know one another.
- Finding common ground with one another.
- Establishing conversations - and even debates, with exemplary character.
Contact
iqbal.gora@sait.ca
403.437.2325
Available by appointment
Born and raised in Calgary, Daniel is excited about encountering God and others on campus. After graduating from the University of Calgary with a BA in Linguistics and Language, he taught English abroad in Asia for 3 years before returning to Calgary as an intern and now chaplain at SAIT where he gets to serve and care for some incredible students, staff, and faculty. In addition to his chaplaincy work, Daniel is currently enrolled in a Master of Theological Studies at Tyndale Seminary.
What is a Chaplain?
I would say a chaplain seeks to pray for the peace and prosperity of the city and in this case, it's SAIT! We chaplains seek to support and serve students, staff, and faculty by journeying with them on their faith and spiritual walks, which means we'll buy you coffee or tea if you take us up on it.
As chaplains, we’re here for spiritual and emotional growth, but growth isn’t always linear. Growth can be messy, and it can look more circuitous, even regressive at times, but we are honoured to hear people’s stories wherever they find themselves.
Ask me about...
Pokémon, philosophy, religion, theology, spirituality, faith, culture, language, food, Asian excellence and more!
What does interfaith mean to me?
Interfaith does not mean we all think, feel, act, or talk about life in the same way, shape, or form. Instead, we live in harmony with each other by holding space for one another, exercising intellectual humility and curiosity, and learning how other perspectives can help inform our various faith and spiritual perspectives.
I have learnt many profound things from conversations with Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs that have made me a better Christian and I hope to do the same as well.
Contact
daniel.mok@sait.ca
587.703.9229
Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 am – 4 pm
Born and raised in Venezuela, I moved to Calgary when I was 10 years old. Since then, I have completed my Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Law and Society, at the University of Calgary. After completing my degree, I began serving as a Ministry Associate with University Campus Ministries (UCM), serving students across our city.
I am passionate about many things: reading, music, trying to keep up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and learning to play chess. But mostly, my time consists of leading worship and creating spaces where people can encounter God through music. I also love the creativity and community that comes with working alongside post-secondary students.
One of my favourite parts of my work is getting to know students, hearing their stories, and having conversations that start with the most inconsequential of things and, at some point, turn into deep theological or philosophical discussions. I love asking questions, learning from the experiences and perspectives of others, and exploring the ways our beliefs shape how we understand ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.
My hope is to help create spaces where students feel welcomed, heard, and free to be curious. Whether they are deeply rooted in their faith, exploring what they believe, or simply interested in having a meaningful conversation. I am grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside students during such a formative season of their lives and to be part of the diverse community that makes post-secondary life so meaningful.
Interfaith outreach wellness leaders (OWLs)
Our Interfaith OWLs assist with developing and delivering Interfaith Centre programming and events.
Hi, my name is Angelo Valim. I’m a SAIT student in Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Supply Chain, now in my second season. Before studying here, I worked for over 30 years in the oil & gas industry in Brazil and later dedicated myself to volunteer social projects.
I joined the Interfaith OWLs team because it feels more like a big family than just a group, and I see it as a place where I can learn from different perspectives while also helping build an inclusive and supportive campus community.
Hello! My name is Jason Nojadera. Currently, I am a second year Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting major student at SAIT. I love music as I am a musician myself, mainly piano and guitar. I love chatting and you'd normally just find me in Interfaith Centre playing chess with fellow SAIT students. I also love networking so if you love to talk about business and investments, you found the right guy!
The reason I joined OWLs is because I love connecting with people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. As I believe it helps me grow as a virtuous individual. I also love helping and welcoming people any way I can.
Hello everyone!
My name is Shefa, and I'm a fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration - Management major here at SAIT. I started my journey at SAIT as an Automotive Management diploma student and chose to continue my education to further my self-development and give myself more opportunities to be an active member of the SAIT community. My main interests are cars, fitness, cinema, and comedy.
I'm incredibly grateful for my experience as a SAIT student and the opportunities it has given me to grow both personally and professionally, meet amazing people, and develop meaningful relationships. One of those relationships led to a great friend introducing me to the Interfaith Centre last school year. I kept coming back because of how positive, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive the environment was. I especially appreciated having a space where people from different backgrounds could openly share their ideas and perspectives while feeling welcomed and supported.
After experiencing those benefits myself, I decided to become an Interfaith OWL so I could give back and help contribute to what makes the Interfaith Centre so special. I'm really looking forward to developing my leadership skills, planning Interfaith events, and helping foster a positive campus culture. Most importantly, I hope I can help other students find the same sense of community, connection, and personal growth that I've been fortunate enough to experience during my time at SAIT.
Hello!
My name is William Laser and I am currently in my fourth semester here at SAIT! I am enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program majoring in Supply Chain Management. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends and playing sports like football, volleyball and tennis.
In my first year at SAIT I found out about the Interfaith Centre and I began to love to spend time at the centre and it was a highlight of my first year. It is a great place where you can have good conversations with a lot of people, relax and attend events that are going on.
This year I am hoping to help others have the same positive experience that I had. I believe that the Interfaith Centre is a special place where everyone is welcome to come and relax and have good conversations with other people who likely may become new friends.
Student food pantry
When: Weekdays | 10 am - 3 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Centre (room MB305)
🥗 Get the fuel you need at the free food fridge
A new and exciting resource is now on campus — the free food fridge.
As a SAIT student, you can access a fridge in the Interfaith Centre (MB305), stocked with food you can take at no cost, no questions asked. Drop by on weekdays to see the day’s stock.
Food is donated by partners on campus, including Tim Hortons, Starbucks, the Begin Tower dining centre, our food halls and H&T.
Because the program is donation driven, dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated, and stock is not guaranteed.
You can share your feedback on this initiative and your experience. The survey is strictly confidential, and results will be reported in aggregate.
Complete the food pantry survey
Schedule of services
Interfaith interface
When: Fridays | 11 am - 1 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Centre (room MB305)
Interfaith interface is a safe, inclusive and inspiring activity where students from different spiritual backgrounds and perse cultures come together to engage in thought-provoking dialogue where weekly topics reflect perse religious calendar events and current global and local issues.
Speed faithing
Kick-start a classroom conversation about ethics, religion, persity, cross-cultural communication and more with help from one or all of our chaplains.
Book a session for your class through interfaith@sait.ca.
Christian prayer and praise
When: Tuesdays | noon - 1 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
All are welcome to join our Christian community in weekly prayers for our campus, city, nation and world.
Muslim Jummah Prayers
When: Fridays | 12:30 and 1:30 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Confluence (room MB315)
Prayer times vary; please check the current local calendar.
NCA Campus Fellowship
When: Thursdays | 4:30 - 6 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
This weekly Christian gathering is run by students who are members of the New Covenant Assembly Church, with a Nigerian focus, but all are welcome to join.
Jesus is Lord Church - SCOM Bible Study
When: Fridays | 4 - 5:30 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
This weekly Christian Bible Study is run by students who are members of the Jesus is Lord Church, with a Filipino focus, but all are welcome to join.
SAIT UBF Christian Club
When: Sundays | 11 am - noon and Tuesdays | 5 - 6:30 pm
Where:
- Sundays | Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Confluence (room MB315)
- Tuesdays | Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (MC311)
UBF Christian Club is a Saitsa Club offering a weekly Christian Sunday Service for students desiring a place to find Christian fellowship and worship God together. All are welcome.
Women’s Circle
When: Fridays (biweekly) | 12:30 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Zen Den (room MB228)
Give yourself the gift of one hour to slow down, be nurtured, and share your story in a warm, non-judgmental space. Rev. Margaret Koizumi invites you into a circle of sharing, care, and intentional listening.
Catholic Connect
When: Fridays (biweekly) | 12 - 2 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
Come join our Catholic Connect where you get to meet up with other catholics on SAIT campus. It will happen every two weeks—one week we have mass and fellowship, and the other week we will have prayer and discussion.
Additional resources
Memorial and grief support
Our interfaith chaplains work collaboratively within SAIT to support staff and students dealing with the loss of a colleague or classmate.
Religious accommodation
If you need accommodation for religious observance, complete the online request form a minimum of 10 business days before the observance.
Requests will be accommodated if they qualify.
Please note, this is not considered time off, but rather time in lieu. Students are still responsible for catching up on missed classes, lab work, exams, or other assignments.
If an accommodation is granted, students will work with their instructor(s) to ensure they still meet all course requirements.
Request religious accommodation
Community spaces
The Interfaith Centre, MB305, is open Monday - Friday from 9 am - 4 pm for drop-in visits. This space acts as our community hub where anyone can visit with a chaplain, meet fellow students and new people, play board games, engage in thoughtful dialogue or just simply find a place to rest and belong.
The Interfaith Meditation Room, MB314, is open Monday - Friday from 7 am - 7 pm for personal, private meditation practice and is equipped with Ablution stations. All are welcome to use this as a quiet place to reflect, centre oneself, or just to get away from noise and activity.
The Interfaith Meeting Room, MC311, and the Interfaith Confluence, MB315 are reserved for community group gatherings. MC311 holds up to 30 people while MB315 can hold up to 60 people and is also equipped with Ablution stations. Both spaces may be booked for group religious or spiritual meetings from 7 am - 7 pm. These two spaces are the only rooms available for booking and is managed by the Interfaith Centre Liaison.
Reserve a space by emailing interfaith@sait.ca.
Interfaith Insider newsletter
Sign up for the Interfaith mailing list so you don't miss out on our monthly newsletter, news about events and support for SAIT's interfaith community!
Sign up for the Interfaith Insider by emailing interfaith@sait.ca.
Contact us
Student Development and Counselling
Interfaith Centre (room MB305), Stan Grad Centre, SAIT Main Campus
Monday – Friday | 9 am – 4 pm
The Interfaith Centre is part of Student Development and Counselling. Urgent inquiries can be made by calling during business hours.
- Phone
- 403.284.7023
- interfaith@sait.ca
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.