THE CONGREGATION OF
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

Members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers ("Irish Christian Brothers") are those spiritual sons of Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice who are devoted members of the Congregation founded by him for the Christian education of youth. The word Christian implies that they are doing the work of Jesus Christ who began "to do and to teach." As Brothers they are spiritually united, working as a team, praying and living together.

The Congregation of Christian Brothers were founded in Ireland by Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice for the Christian education of youth in Ireland. The Congregation, however, soon spread to other countries.

A Christian Brother does not become a priest. He witnesses to Christ and manifests his dedication by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience by living in community and by the observance of the Brothers' rule. Christian Brothers come from all walks of life, all nationalities and widely different backgrounds. As participants in educational ministry of the Church, the Brothers conduct schools such as St. Thomas More Collegiate where they endeavor to proclaim the Gospel to their students and share in the saving mission of Christ for their own benefit and that of their pupils.

SCHOOL HISTORY

In 1957 negotiations began between the Most Rev. Martin M. Johnston, D.D., Coadjutor Archbishop of Vancouver and Rev. Brother A.A. Loftus, Provincial Superior of the Christian Brothers in North America, to secure the Brothers for a new school in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. By 1960 an agreement had been reached between the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Christian Brothers, a site had been chosen and construction of a 10 room school had been completed. The future of St. Thomas More Collegiate was to be built in Burnaby, a short distance from St. Louis College, a school in New Westminster which the Brothers had operated for a short time some thirty years earlier.

St. Thomas More Collegiate welcomed its first student Knights in September 1960. Opening day brought together three Christian Brothers and 110 Knights enrolled in grades 7, 8 and 9. Over the years enrollment and staff grew as did the facilities. Major construction was carried out in 1966, 1978, 1981, 1984, and with the introduction of coeducation in 1998. Today's enrollment stands at about 650 students - both girls and boys - and the school now houses a gymnasium with changing rooms and weight room, a cafeteria, a large library, art, drama, and music rooms, a science wing, a computer lab, woodwork shop, and technical education room, as well as improved washrooms, offices and counselling center.

Today St. Thomas More Collegiate is a prominent member of the Catholic and civic educational communities in the Lower Mainland. This is due not only to S.T.M.C.'s development of facilities and growth in students and staff, but more so because there has also been a corresponding growth in appreciation of the Catholic educational philosophy which enlightens and sustains the spiritual, intellectual, social and athletic facets of a Knight's education. The pioneers indeed built well, and all who have experienced the spirit of personalism and the challenge of excellence, hallmarks of a More education, are indebted to the many people who supported STMC throughout the years.