Cooperator & Friends Workshop

The Age of AI: Forging a Human Path Through Promise and Peril

Sat, Jul 4, 2026 | 10:00am to 2:00pm
Presenter: Scott Heathe

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, it raises important questions about human expertise, creativity, work and responsibility.

Drawing on recent developments in AI, practical examples, and Catholic teaching on human dignity, this workshop will explore both the opportunities and concerns associated with these technologies.

The discussion will consider how everyone can engage with AI thoughtfully and responsibly, avoiding both undue optimism and undue fear.

Scott Heathe is a digital consultant and business owner with a background in both technology and the humanities. He holds a diploma in Robotics and Automation Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and has spent nearly three decades working with technology in professional settings.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

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11^th Annual Guy’s Pub Night Fundraiser
Westbrook Education Fund

Date: Sunday, May 3^rd, 2026
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Tickets: $100* (Tax receipt for $50)
* Dinner and three drinks are included in the price
Location: Dublin Crossing Irish Pub
466 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Underground parking is available

Thank you for your support!

Monogenism and Polygenism: The Origin of Man and Original Sin

Join us on Saturday, January 31 for our next Cooperator & Friends Workshop, featuring a thought-provoking presentation by Leslie Tomory. This workshop will explore one of the most challenging questions at the intersection of faith and science: whether humanity descended from a single couple (monogenism) or multiple first parents (polygenism). Drawing on recent discoveries in paleo-archaeology and genetics, as well as Church teaching from Humani generis to the present, we will examine how scientific evidence relates to the doctrine of original sin and what it means for our understanding of human origins. This session offers a scholarly yet accessible examination of a topic that continues to engage theologians and scientists alike, providing intellectual tools to navigate this complex terrain with both faith and reason.

Leslie Tomory studied aerospace engineering before completing a PhD in the history of technology. He has written two books on the subject, and is now a consultant in the nonprofit sector.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

Science and the Supernatural: Neuroscience, Near-Death Experiences, and Eucharistic Miracles

Join us on Saturday, October 4 for our next Cooperator & Friends Workshop, featuring a fascinating three-part talk by Dr. David Neima, with intervening opportunities for group discussion. This event will explore the remarkable intersections between faith and science, highlighting recent discoveries and emerging evidence that resonate with core theological teachings, offering thought-provoking insights into the nature of the soul, near-death experiences, and medical investigations into Eucharistic miracles.

Dr. David Neima is a medical ophthalmologist who began his career in 1972. His background includes research in neurophysiology and several years as a general practitioner before specializing in ophthalmology. He continues to practice part-time and has participated in numerous medical mission trips. Married for 51 years, he and his wife have four children and four grandchildren. Raised in an atheist household, Dr. Neima became an evangelical Christian at university and entered the Catholic Church and the Work 32 years ago.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

Registration now closed…

10^th Annual Fundraising Dinner
Westbrook Education Fund

Date: Sunday, September 14^th, 2025
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Tickets: $100* (Tax receipt for $50)
* Dinner and three drinks are included in the price
Location: Dublin Crossing Irish Pub
466 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Underground parking is available

Thank you for your support!

Introduction to Eschatology – Understanding the Last Things

What happens when we die? What is heaven really like? Will we be judged? And what does the Church really teach about purgatory, hell, and the resurrection of the body?

Join us for an accessible introduction to Catholic eschatology—the Church’s teaching on the “last things”: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. In this workshop, Fr. Paul Cormier will guide us through the personal and universal dimensions of the end of life and the end of time, drawing on Scripture, Tradition, and the hope that animates Christian life.

This session will explore common questions and misconceptions—like whether purgatory is a second chance, what the Second Coming means, and how belief in eternal life shapes the way we live today. It’s a perfect event to learn, reflect, and invite a friend.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

RSVP Today for “Introduction to Eschatology”

Tips to Be a Better Father

Join us on Saturday, April 26 for our next Cooperator Workshop, featuring a special talk by Steve Rebello, who will be speaking remotely from Toronto. Steve is a husband, father of 13, and a professional in the manufacturing and metals distribution industry. He currently serves as General Manager at Rolark Stainless Steel and sits on the board of a few private schools in the Toronto area.

The presentation, “Tips to Become a Better Father”, will begin promptly at 11:30am. To allow enough time for setup and organization beforehand, we’ve adjusted the schedule to start fifteen minutes earlier. Our aim is also to leave more room for questions and discussion before lunch.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

RSVP Today for “Tips to Be a Better Father”

The Common Good: A Catholic Perspective
Understanding Our Role in Building a Just Society

Join us for an engaging presentation on how individuals can foster meaningful change in their communities and society at large. Grounded in Catholic social teachings such as Gaudium et Spes and Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, this talk will explore the moral responsibility to participate in public life and work for the common good. John will share practical examples of how local initiatives and public involvement can lead to transformative societal change. Attendees will leave inspired with ideas for small but impactful actions to promote justice and solidarity in their own communities..

After the talk, enjoy a pizza lunch and the opportunity to connect with other cooperators and friends. A $10 contribution is requested to cover expenses, with an optional donation to support the apostolates of Westbrook Education Fund.

Born in Ireland, John Higgins graduated as an architect in Dublin and later earned a Master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, in 1979. He moved to Edmonton, where he met and married Kathleen in 1981. Now living in Delta, BC, they raised four daughters and three sons and are proud grandparents to ten grandchildren. John will speak about the adventure of making change happen at the personal and societal level, through local initiatives and public involvement. The workshop will invite discussion about what each person could do in a small way as a “start-up” for change.

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John and Kathleen Higgins’ innovative housing project in Delta, BC, exemplifies the principles John will discuss in his presentation. By constructing four homes on a single lot, they addressed housing affordability and fostered intergenerational living. This initiative has garnered international attention, highlighting its potential as a sustainable solution to housing challenges.

Some of the coverage: Vancouver Sun | Daily Hive | CTV

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

RSVP Today

Dying in Canada
A Workshop for Cooperators and Friends

Join us for an important workshop hosted by the Westbrook Education Fund, featuring a talk on “Dying in Canada” by Brent Boyd.

This presentation offers valuable insights into population trends, life expectancy, causes of death in Canada, and the importance of planning for the end of life. It covers illness trajectories, goals of care, treatment options, and key considerations for end-of-life planning.

The session also introduces resources for further exploration, including the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Horizons of Hope toolkit on palliative care. Additionally, it addresses the growing role of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada, distinguishing between euthanasia and assisted suicide, and clarifies the Catholic Church’s stance as outlined in the Vatican Letter Samaritanus Bonus.

After the talk, enjoy a pizza lunch and the opportunity to connect with other cooperators and friends. A $10 contribution is requested to cover expenses, with an optional donation to support the apostolates of Westbrook Education Fund.

Brent is a retired business consultant living in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island with his wife, Elizabeth. A father of five and grandfather of eight, he first encountered the realities of palliative care over twenty years ago when his first wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Later, he cared for his mother and stepfather in their final years. These deeply personal experiences have driven Brent to raise awareness and help others prepare for this challenging stage of life.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

Please Register Below

On Saturday, August 3rd, sixteen attendees gathered at Glenwood for an insightful workshop hosted by Westbrook Education Fund. The organizers were very pleased with the attendance, especially considering it was a hot summer day on a long weekend. The event began with confessions at 10:15 am and Mass at 10:45 am, with several participants arriving early to benefit from these sacraments. The highlight of the event was a remote presentation by Leslie Tomory on the Development of Doctrine at 11:30 am.

Leslie’s talk was not only informative but also deeply reassuring. Attendees agreed that understanding how our grasp of revelation deepens over time helped them appreciate why we should maintain peace and trust even during uncertain times. This perspective provided a sense of intellectual confidence and spiritual calm, reinforcing the compatibility between faith and human knowledge.

Following the presentation, participants enjoyed a lively discussion over a pizza lunch, creating an opportunity to connect with other cooperators and friends. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with one attendee suggesting the inclusion of a standup break during future intensive presentations. There was a strong desire for more events like this, and plans are underway to hold similar workshops every two months, with the next one slated for October.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped organize and promote the event, as well as to the generous donors who provided financial contributions to Westbrook Education Fund. A photo montage of the event appears as the banner image to this newsletter.

Understanding Development of Doctrine
A Workshop for Cooperators and Friends

Join us for an enlightening workshop hosted by the Westbrook Education Fund, featuring a talk on the Development of Doctrine by Leslie Tomory. This event will be held at Glenwood on Saturday, August 3rd. The talk, presented by Leslie remotely, will begin promptly at 11:30 am in the classroom downstairs. For those who would like to join us, Mass will be celebrated in Glenwood’s oratory at 10:45 am. The priest will be available for confessions starting at 10:15 am.

After the talk, enjoy a pizza lunch and the opportunity to connect with other cooperators and friends. A $10 contribution is requested to cover expenses, with an optional donation to support the apostolates of Westbrook Education Fund.

Leslie Tomory studied aerospace engineering before completing a PhD in the history of technology. He has written two books on the subject, and is now a consultant in the nonprofit sector.

Location
Glenwood, 4050 Osler Street, Vancouver (Google Map)

Please Register Below

9^th Annual Fundraising Dinner
Westbrook Education Fund

Date: Sunday, April 7^th, 2024
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Tickets: $110* (Tax receipt for $50)
* Dinner and three drinks are included in the price
Location: Dublin Crossing Irish Pub
466 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Underground parking is available

Thank you for your support!