February 2024

Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert and Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon are sharing reflections as part ofa Lenten video series from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops(CCCB).

Bishop Hagemoen’s reflections for the Third Sunday of Lent:

Geared to individuals, families, and communities, this series is meant to offer spiritual inspiration and guidance on how to prepare well for the Easter season.

For the English series, Bishop Stephen Hero of the Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert presents reflections for Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18 and Feb. 25, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon presents for March 3, March 10, March 17, and Palm/Passion Sunday on March 24.

Bishop Martin Laliberté, PMÉ, of Trois-Rivières will present the reflections in French throughout the Lenten season.

Visit the CCCB website page at: www.cccb.ca every Monday to access videos for the upcoming Sunday Eucharistic Celebration.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen visits the Queenship of Mary Motherhouse project during a recent trip to Ontario. (Screen capture image from Queenship of Mary video)

During a trip to Ottawa for meetings with Catholic Christian Outreach leaders, Bishop Mark Hagemoen was also able to make a short stop Feb. 1 to visit the Queenship of Mary congregation of consecrated women, which includes sisters and novices from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

He was interviewed as part of this “Sister Build – Island Adventure” video update on the congregation’s Motherhouse building project in at Plantagenet, ON: “The witness I have seen is one of great faith and great joy,” says the bishop, reflecting on the impact of the project and the witness of the sisters.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the second annual diocesan Way of the Cross and Candlelight Prayer Service for all victims and survivors of abuse, held Feb. 16 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

The prayer service on the first Friday in Lent again included the Stations of the Cross, with reflections from the perspective of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with prayers for healing, justice, conversion, and outreach as part of the traditional Lenten prayer.

A time of Eucharistic adoration followed the Stations of the Cross, with those in attendance invited to bring up candles and offer prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. As well, the bishop was available to pray with anyone who came forward.

Establishing the annual diocesan day of prayer for all victims and survivors of abuse was a recommendation of the diocesan safeguarding committee and the College of Consultors.

An annual prayer service for victims and survivors of abuse was held on the first Friday in Lent, Feb. 16, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, beginning with the Way of the Cross, followed by a time of Eucharistic adoration, candle-lighting and individual prayer with Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Anne Williams read reflections for each station, reflecting on the Passion and Death of Jesus from the perspective of his mother Mary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Prayers were led by Julie LeBlanc for each Station of the Cross. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

“Praise to you Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, source of all consolation and hope. By Your Son’s dying and rising, He remains our light in every darkness, our strength in every weakness. Be the refuge and guardian of all who suffer from abuse and violence. Comfort them and send healing for their wounds of body, soul and spirit. Rescue them from bitterness and shame and refresh them with Your love. Heal the brokenness in all victims of abuse and revive the spirits of all who lament this sin. Help us to follow Jesus in drawing good from evil, life from death. Make us one with you in your love for justice as we deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life. Giver of Peace, make us one in celebrating Your praise both now and forever, Amen.” – Prayer by Bishop John F. Kinney, Bishop of Saint Cloud, MN ©2002, Diocese of St. Cloud, which was offered at the start of the Stations of the Cross Feb. 24 in Saskatoon.

“We are reminded of the Lenten journey into the wilderness,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen, after a reading from the Gospel of St. Mark, “not only the wilderness of the Israelites, but all of our ‘wildernesses’ that prevent us from receiving the Light of Christ.”

“In a very special way, we hold up in prayer victims and survivors of abuse in our world,” prayed the bishop. “We pray for healing, including in our Church, for any history or situations of abuse, that God’s healing – His mercy and His strength – will bring justice and healing. And we pray that this Lenten time will be a time of reconciliation and healing, that the impossible will be possible, because of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your healing and your new life which raises up all in darkness to light.”

Those in attendance brought forward candles, praying before the Blessed Sacrament. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen led the prayer service for victims and survivors of abuse. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Find the diocese’s safeguarding commitments and policies online at: Safer Church, Stronger Communities

Prayer for Healing for Victims / Survivors of Abuse concluding the prayer service:

“God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just:  You gave Your only Son to save us by the blood of His cross. Gentle Jesus, Shepherd of Peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with ope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cuase, enlightened by your truth. Holy Spirit, Comforter of hearts, heal Your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labours. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” – www.USCCB.org

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Recently-arrived priests were welcomed at a Culture Night dinner presented Feb.  7, with food and entertainment provided by members of the Saskatoon Catholic Filipino community at the Cathedral of the Holy Family as part of a week of orientation, training, and sharing of information with five recently-arrived priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Recently-arrived priests were welcomed at a Culture Night dinner presented by members of the Catholic Filipino community in the middle of a week of orientation and enculturation (l-r) Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC; Fr. Benedict Arakkal; Msgr. Don Vito Pavilando; Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen; Fr. Arnold Bolima; Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino; and Fr. Peter Ebidero, the Bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum (International) Priests. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The priests honoured and welcomed at the dinner were:

• Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC, who arrived in July 2023, serving as pastor of parishes at Wilkie, Handel, and Leipzig, SK;
• Fr. Benedict Arakkal who arrived in October 2022, serving as hospital chaplain in Saskatoon;
• Msgr. Don Vito Pavilando, who arrived in September 2022, serving as associate pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Saskatoon and as pastor at St. Theresa Parish, Asquith;
• Fr. Arnold Bolima, who arrived Feb. 1, 2024, serving as associate pastor at Saint Anne Parihs, Saskatoon;
• Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino who arrived Feb. 1, 2024, serving as associate pastor at Holy Spirit Parish and the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

MC for the evening was Raissa Bugyi, and members of the Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus were also among those assisting with the evening.

Entertainment was provided by the award-winning St. Cecilia Choir.

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Peter Ebidero – the Bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum (International) Priests – said grace. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Cahtolic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC Raissa Bugyi of the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino expressed appreciation and reflected on some of the challenges of answering the missionary call to come to a new land, far from home and all that is familiar. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The Culture Night included traditional Filipino cuisine and a program of entertainment. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

St. Cecilia Choir (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photos by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The committee organizing the week of orientation and enculturation for new clergy included Fr. Peter Ebidero, the Bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum (International) Priests and pastor of parishes at Martensville and Langham; Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, pastor of parishes at Wynyard, Wishart, Foam Lake and Lanigan; Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo, pastor of parishes at Cudworth, St. Benedict and Middle Lake; community members Obiora Agu, Anthony Olusola, and Keith Schwark, along with Catholic Pastoral Centre administration team members Catherine Couture and Rita Flaman Jarrett.

In addition to the Culture Night dinner, the week included full days of presentations and information, beginning with a welcome from Bishop Mark Hagemoen Feb. 5, and continuing with sessions on everything from winter driving to liturgies and sacramental preparation, from the diocesan pastoral plan’s focus on evangelization to email and internet security, from administration and finance to truth and reconciliation.

Sessions on self care, heath and wellness, and ethical issues, including the diocesan Covenant of Care, were also on the agenda. Tours of a Catholic high school, Wanuskewin and the Western Development museum, and meals with local families were other highlights of the week-long orientation to the diocese, to Saskatoon, and to Canada.

The week concluded with celebration of Mass Feb. 9 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, with Bishop Mark Hagemoen presiding, livestreamed at: Diocesan YouTube Channel – Livestream

Hearing about Saskatchewan history during a tour of the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The group of newcomers and mentors poses before some vintage vehicles at the Western Development Museum Feb. 8. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

Preparing to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Family Feb. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A closing Mass wound up the week Feb. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen has invited the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon to pray for God’s blessings upon Brother Raphael of Our Lady of Sorrows (Gregory Parsons of St. Mary Parish, Wadena, SK), who will make his Perpetual Vows with the cloistered Carmelite Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in Wyoming, USA, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunday, Feb. 11.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen says: “Since my arrival in the diocese six years ago, I have seen God work in Brother Raphael as he discerned earnestly God’s call to him to the religious contemplative life. I join with all of our diocese, and in particular the Wadena Deanery, as we give praise and thanks to God for Brother Raphael’s religious vocation. We are all blessed by his life and ‘yes’ to God.”

Brother Raphael of Our Lady of Sorrows (Gregory Parsons of St. Mary Parish, Wadena, SK) will make his Perpetual Vows as a Carmelite Monk on Feb. 11, 2024

Two priests from the Archdiocese of Caceres in the Philippines — Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino and Fr. Arnold Bolima — were recently welcomed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the start of a week-long welcome, orientation and enculturation event in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

The first day of an orientation and enculturation week for new priests was held Feb. 5 at the Catholic Pastoral Centre (l-r): Catherine Couture of the Bishop’s Office, mentoring priest Fr. Habila Musa of Rosetown, recently-arrived priest Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, recently-arrived priest Fr. Arnold Bolima, Delegate for Fidei Donum (International) Priests Fr. Peter Ebidero of Martensville, mentoring priest Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo of Cudworth, and Rita Flaman Jarrett of the Catholic Pastoral Centre’s administration team. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Joe-Nelo will serve as Associate Pastor at both Holy Spirit Parish and the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. Fr. Arnold Bolima will serve as Associate Pastor at Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon.

Fr. Peter Ebidero, the bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum (International) Priests, oversees the orientation week, working with a team of presenters, clergy, diocesan staff, local experts, parishioners and volunteers to provide needed information for newly-arrived priests — including three others who arrived in the diocese of Saskatoon within the past year.

RELATED: Clergy assignment and pastoral appointments update – Bishop’s letter

Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and Fr. Arnold Bolima (l-r). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Arrival Feb. 1, 2024:

(Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett)

Representatives of the Clergy and the diocesan Catholic Pastoral Centre were on hand in the wee hours of Feb. 1, 2024, to welcome Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino and Fr. Arnold Bolima to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Fr. Peter Ebidero).

Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino, Fr. Arnold Bolima, Fr. Peter Ebidero (l-r). (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett)

(Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett)