Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

12 hours ago

Today was an absolutely beautiful, very full, and very meaningful day with our young adults who are taking part in a Summer Service Project which includes service with us at, St. Mary’s Mission & Outreach.

We spent the day visiting three incredible community partners who are serving many of the same brothers and sisters we serve through our outreach ministry. These are not just organizations doing good work. They are true partners, rooted in compassion, dignity, practical care, and love for those who are often forgotten.

Our first stop was the Saskatoon Friendship Inn, where we were so blessed to receive a tour from Sandra Kary, Executive Director of the Friendship Inn herself.

The Friendship Inn has such a beautiful history in our city. It began on March 4, 1969, when six hungry men were served bowls of soup. Its early work with the Saskatoon Catholic Diocese grew into partnerships with many others across the community, and today the Friendship Inn has become the largest free meal service in Saskatoon

They serve hot, nutritious meals 365 days a year and anticipate serving more than 500,000 meals this year to people in need. Their Free Meal Program is 95% dependent on fundraising, which means that every donation, every volunteer, and every act of generosity truly matters.

The Friendship Inn offers breakfast and lunch every day, and now also offers supper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. What a gift they are to our city.

We are also especially grateful that during the winter season, when our parish hall was used as a warm-up location for men seeking shelter, the Friendship Inn provided supper and breakfast for the men who came through our doors. Their support helped offer not just warmth, but dignity, nourishment, and care.

Saskatoon Friendship Inn thank you!!!

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon
Verbum Dei Missionaries, SK ... See MoreSee Less

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

12 hours ago

For the second stop of the day we had the blessing of visiting The Bridge on 20th Street.

The Bridge is a beautiful Christian ministry in the heart of Saskatoon that serves so many of the same brothers and sisters we serve through St. Mary’s Mission & Outreach. They welcome people with food, friendship, practical support, prayer, and a real sense of belonging.

During our visit, Carla gave us a very generous and extensive tour of their facility and shared about the many ways The Bridge serves our community. They offer breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday, along with other supports such as a free store, showers, coffee, snacks, and a welcoming place where people can come in, be known, and be treated with dignity.

One thing that has always stood out to me about The Bridge is that food is not only about meeting a physical need. It is also about relationship. Around the table, people are welcomed, friendships are built, struggles are shared, milestones are celebrated, and prayer becomes part of daily life.

This visit was also very personal for me.

About one year ago, when my position as Mission & Outreach Coordinator became official and I was just beginning to step into this new role, one of my very first stops was to visit Linda, the founder of The Bridge.

From that first meeting, there was an instant mutual respect. I will never forget the way she welcomed me, encouraged me, and shared so openly about the work they were doing. At the end of that tour, Linda took the time to pray over me and to pray for me, for this new ministry, and for the new role I was stepping into.
It was a very powerful moment, and it has stayed with me ever since.

Today, during our tour, I had the joy of seeing Linda again. It was beautiful to see her and to be reminded of that first visit. She is someone who truly inspires me — not only because of what she has accomplished, but because of the heart, faith, and love behind it.

Thank you to The Bridge on 20th, to Carla for the beautiful tour, and to Linda for the witness of faith, courage, and love that continues to inspire so many and serving many of the same people we care for.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon
Verbum Dei Missionaries, SK ... See MoreSee Less

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

12 hours ago

Our third stop today was The Salvation Army in Saskatoon Crossroads.

This visit was especially meaningful because The Salvation Army has been one of St. Mary’s Mission & Outreach’s major partners, especially through the winter warm-up location that operated in our parish hall, tge last 3 winters. Their staffing, leadership and experience helped make it possible for men to come in from the cold, rest safely, and be treated with dignity.

Today, Roger gave us a tour of Crossroads and shared more about the incredible work happening there every day. Crossroads is more than a shelter. It is a place of refuge and practical support for men experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Saskatoon, with 90 beds and services that include emergency shelter, meals, after-hours support, housing-related services, case management, and other programs that help people move toward greater stability.

We also had the opportunity to speak with Major Gordon Taylor, Executive Director of Crossroads Residential Services, who has been a great friend to St. Mary’s and to our outreach ministry. We are so grateful for his leadership and for the partnership we have shared with The Salvation Army.

What touched me deeply today was seeing people at Crossroads whom we also serve at St. Mary’s. These are no longer strangers. They are people we know by name, people we care about, and people whose dignity and stories matter.

Thank you to Roger, Major Gordon Taylor, and all the staff at The Salvation Army Crossroads Residential Services for welcoming us today and for the incredible work you do every day in our community.

St. Mary’s Mission & Outreach is deeply grateful to walk alongside you. :::

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon
Verbum Dei Missionaries, SK ... See MoreSee Less