Leadership, Collaboration and Team-work.

The clergy, staff and volunteers of The Gilbertine Academy are faithful Catholics, most are active members of St. John the Evangelist, and all are deeply committed to parent-lead education. They have a variety of educational and academic backgrounds ranging from liberal arts to the sciences. They are committed to supporting parents and educating children in the Catholic classical tradition and, most importantly, in virtue.
All clergy, staff and volunteers at The Gilbertine Academy are required to undergo a criminal background check (including a vulnerable sector search) and a child welfare check, and to complete the Safe Environment training programme required by the Ordinariate, Safe Haven — It’s Up to You. The safety and well-being of our students is paramount.
The first point of contact at the Academy will probably be our Associate Principal Mr. Yvan Beaudoin. You’ll find that he is approachable and a clear and dynamic communicator. Your first points of contact at St. John’s will be either Fr. Bengry, our Pastor, or Fr. Beahen, our Parochial Vicar. Our Parish Secretary is Ms. Kristen Morris and Parish Business Manager is Mr. Bob Harrod. You will likely run into them as well!

Read more about our team below.

Fr. Robert-Charles Bengry EV, GSmp, Dip.C, B.Des, M.Div | Magister, Dean, Pastor & Chair

The Very Rev’d Robert-Charles Bengry is the Magister of the Companions of St. Gilbert of Sempringham, the Ordinariate Dean of All Canada, the Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and the Chair of the Gilbertine Institute. Father Bengry was born and raised on the Canadian prairie but has lived and served in British Columbia and Manitoba as well. He earned a Bachelor of Design, Diploma of Christian Studies and Master of Divinity in Vancouver and served a three-point rural parish in the Anglican Diocese of Brandon for seven years. He completed a course of study and formation through the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in 2018. Since beginning ministry at St. John the Evangelist, he has been untiring in his active and prayerful support for homeschoolers and in the formation of both the full time High School and the Shared Responsibility Programme. His love for the Catholic Church and her young people is evident in his ministry, whether teaching, preaching, saying Mass, or spending time with families. Besides his priestly and parish duties, Fr. Bengry teaches Art at The Gilbertine Academy.

Deacon Kenneth Noster | Head of Schools

The Rev’d Kenneth Noster serves as the Head of Schools of the Gilbertine Institute. Convinced that parents are able to have the greatest of formative effects upon their children and, recognizing the many forces at work against family life, Dcn Kenneth Noster has spent three decades supporting home educating parents. He has advocated for parent rights, negotiated home education regulations, and provided direct help to parents through mentorship, articles, presentations, and workshops. He and his wife, Marlane, taught their very diverse six children at home through grade twelve. Deacon Noster was ordained a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Edmonton in 2008 and remains active in ministry in spite of a full schedule with our school. Having worked from 1975 to 1988 as professional actors, Deacon and Marlane provide Drama coaching to the students of The Gilbertine Academy.

Mr. Yvan Beaudoin, B.Ed | Headmaster

Mr. Yvan Beaudoin recently celebrated 40 years of marriage with his wife, Aline. They have been blessed with 7 children and 27 grandchildren. Mr. Beaudoin has always had a passion for Catholic education and for the past 33 years has served as a teacher, a religious coordinator, and a principal in a number of Catholic schools in the province of Alberta. He also served as Catechetical Director for the Diocese of St. Paul. He taught a number of subjects, mostly French and social studies, but his favourite class to teach was religion class. His unwavering love and devotion for his Catholic faith inspired him to want to share the Good News and to enrich the faith of those he served. He spearheaded numerous retreats, workshops, prayer services, and trips for both young and old, including memorable trips such as World Youth Day with a group of 40 young adults, and a total of seven mission trips to third world countries with groups of high school students. The profound influence of Saint Mother Teresa and Saint John Paul II helped to shape his outlook on life and inspired him to lead others to encounter Christ through transformative faith-filled experiences. Embracing Mother Teresa’s motto of “doing small things with great love” he is grateful and humbled to have been given the opportunity to serve as a Catholic educator. Mr. Beaudoin is very happy to devote his experience and dedication to The Gilbertine Academy and Holy House where he works with parents, students, and staff in order to build a vibrant faith community rooted in faith, hope and joy!

Fr. Sean-Patrick Beahen GSmp, B.FA | Chaplain of the Gilbertine Academy

The Rev’d Sean-Patrick Beahen is the Parochial Vicar at St. John’s and chaplain to our school. Father hails from the nation’s capital via Vancouver and more recently via Brandon, Manitoba. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vancouver and was educated in theology through The School of Theology, Sewanee: The University of the South, supplemented with courses in homiletics, Greek, ethics, Anglican Ethos, and History at the Vancouver School of Theology; he also completed a course of study and formation to become a Roman Catholic Priest. Father Beahen was ordained to the transitional diaconate at our Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, Houston TX on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica, 2017 and ordained to the Priesthood on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul, 2018. Fr. Beahen is a Companion of St. Gilbert.

Shane Lambert B.Ed, M.Div | Lead Teacher

Mr. Shane Lambert is a multi-faceted professional and family man, who brings a rich formation and varied life experiences to the Gilbertine Academy. He has a background in Theology, Pure Mathematics, General Sciences, and teaching. He received a Bachelor of Secondary Education at University of Alberta in Pure Mathematics and General Sciences and a Masters of Divinity (with distinction) from St. Joseph’s Seminary and Newman Theological College in Edmonton, AB. Mr. Lambert has taught Mathematics in Karlstad, Sweden, served as a district teacher chaplain at Medicine Hat Catholic Schools and taught Catechesis and Physical Education at Holy Cross School in Penticton, BC. Mr. Lambert is married to his wife Ellen and they have two young children. When he is not spending time with his family, he enjoys intellectual study and outdoor pursuits such as swimming, hiking and biking. At the Gilbertine Academy, Mr. Lambert teaches Mathematics, Science, Catholic Culture, Catechism and Church History as well Physical Education. He also tutors home education students in Mathematics and Science.

Leslie Gray B.Ed | History and Catechism Instructor

Mrs. Leslie Gray joins us in 2024 to teach both History and Catechesis for Beginners, Juniors and Intermediate’s. She has over 30 years of teaching and community building experience. This includes a B.A. in Education with both a specialization in Language Arts and Remedial Reading, as well as an Alberta Professional Certification from K-12. She is a T.E.A.M (Together Enabling Adults in Ministry) graduate, which laid a strong foundation for a variety of ministry work in parish life. She is passionate about integrating learning & spiritual experiences and relationships with children and families particularly in areas where families can grow in their sanctity for themselves and their children. Her greatest personal accomplishment has been being a wife and mother while homeschooling her three children, who are now adults.

Sasha Holmes | Music Instructor

Mr. George Alexander (Sasha) Holmes is the Director of Music at Holy House of Our Lady and St. John and The Gilbertine Institute, as well as the Director of Music at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Calgary.  In addition to this, he serves as the Choirmaster at St. Benedict’s Mission Community in Edmonton, and also as a music advisor to Holy House of our Lady and St. Benedict, also in Edmonton.  He is very excited to be working with such a wonderful group of students this year, and to be included amongst such a dedicated team of colleagues at both campuses! 

Kelsey Elizabeth Harbord | Art Instructor

Miss Kelsey Elizabeth Harbord is a classically trained artist, teaching traditional art techniques and methods that have been handed down by the Old Masters for centuries, developing in students visual literacy and an appreciation for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Miss Harbord formally studied Visual Communication and Commercial Illustration, and has since dedicated her studio practice to learning and mastering classical art. It is with great joy that she shares these skill based principles of classical art and design with students at Holy House of Our Lady & St. John and the Gilbertine Academy!  

[Other staff photographs and biographies are coming soon.]