August 2024

Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, of St. Peter’s Benedictine Abbey, Muenster, SK, died Aug. 14, 2024 on the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the age of 79 years. He died in Humboldt Hospital after a battle with cancer.

A prayer vigil was held Aug. 19 at St. Peter Cathedral, Muenster, and the Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug. 20 at St. Augustine Parish, 809 – 10th Street, Humboldt. Interment followed Aug. 20 at St. Peter’s Abbey Cemetery.

St. Peter’s Abbey – Remembering Abbot Peter Novecosky (LINK)

Abbot Peter Novecosky’s faith and witness recalled at Aug. 20 funeral at St. Augustine Parish, Humboldt

“Be faithful.”

That was the simple response of Abbot Peter Novecosky on the day before he died, when Archbishop Donald Bolen asked him if he had a final word to leave his brother monks at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster.

Presiding at the late Abbot’s funeral, Bolen said that at this point it was not easy for Novecosky to respond –“speaking was hard” – therefore, the words that were spoken were both intentional and reflective.

“The word he spoke to us – ‘be faithful’ – is a word for us to hold. For the Lord has been very faithful to our brother, has been faithful to the Abbey, has been faithful to our communities, has been faithful to each of us.”

Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, died on the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 14, 2024 at the age of 79 years.

At the funeral Mass Aug.  20 at St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt, SK, Bolen welcomed Novecosky’s sisters and family members, monks and other religious, priests and bishops, friends and parishioners, and invited them to a prayerful reflection about God’s action in the life of Abbot Peter Novecosky and in the lives of those around him.

“Abbot Peter is so woven into the life of this community of Humboldt, this region: especially the Catholic community of this region,” noted Bolen.

The youngest of eight children of Martin and Elizabeth Novecosky, Abbot Peter was given the name Wilfred when he was born April 27, 1945 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Humboldt. Growing up in a farming family, he attended Willow Ridge School and St. Scholastica Catholic Church in the Burr district south of Humboldt. He attended high school and first year university at nearby St. Peter’s College in Muenster, which was operated by the Benedictine monastery.

At the age of 18, Novecosky asked to join the monastery, making his vows as a monk in 1964. “Like the apostle Peter, our Peter too had a change of name,” said Bolen. “He was given the name Peter. And like the apostle, he heard himself being called: he followed.”

Bolen noted that joining the Benedictines in the 1960s meant that Novecosky studied and entered monastic life at a turbulent time. “We see something of that sustaining and stabilizing faith from his monastic life, in the midst of many transitions.”

Twenty-two of Novecosky’s classmates at St. John’s Abbey in the United States eventually left monastic life  – but the three from St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster all persevered, which was a point of some pride, said Bolen.

After his ordination in 1970, Novecosky’s first assignment was as a teacher and prefect at St. Peter’s College. When the boarding school closed in 1972 he was “off to the printing press, to formation work, to hospitality work, to the work of serving as prior, “ listed Bolen.

Then in 1990, following the resignation of Abbot Jerome Weber, OSB, Novecosky was elected Abbot of the monastery and Abbot-Ordinary of St. Peter’s Abbacy (Nullius), which looked after parishes throughout the region.

“As Abbot, his life expanded – expanded beyond the local community, beyond the Abbey. As Ordinary of the Abbacy, we see something of the way in which sometimes in the life of discipleship the Lord leads us into an expansive place, and then sometimes leads us into places of diminishment. Abbot Peter experienced both,” said Bolen.

“He became a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; he was asked to serve on national committees. He became the national spiritual director for the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, who by coincidence gathered in Saskatoon just a week ago, and prayed for him,” said Bolen. “He took part in abbots’ meetings in the United States and in Rome, visited Brazil when the mission was taking place there. He took part in the Ad Limina visits to Rome with the western Bishops.”

“Starting in 1992 he took on the job which he carried until the end,” as secretary for the Association of Western Canadian bishops. “Whenever we met, he met with us. He took copious notes. He provided all kinds of administrative responsibilities,” Bolen described.  “He was enormously appreciated by brother bishops in the West and the North. It is not surprising that we have many bishops here today, including bishops who have travelled a very long way to be here.”

Novecosky’s responsibilities and involvements at a wider level were also reflected in his work at the Prairie Messenger, the weekly Catholic newspaper published by the Abbey, “which helped to shape the horizons of our faith in this province at this time of transition,” said Bolen. He was the last editor of the Catholic newspaper, which closed down in April 2018.

“Abbot Peter was above all a monk. He was deeply committed to the monastic life, its rhythm of work and prayer – ora et labora – its striving for God in all things,” said Bolen. As a leader, Novecosky “let the rhythms of monastic life mould him, and bring stability, even in the midst of great change or tension.”

In 1998 another challenge came for the Abbey when it ceased to be a territorial Abbacy. “Parishes in the region, including this one, which had been served by monks were now incorporated into the diocese of Saskatoon,” said Bolen.

St. Peter’s Abbey remains “written into the life of faith for the people of this region,” the archbishop said. “Your relationship with the Abbey is part of your parishes, part of what it is to be Catholic…. The monastery has shaped so many of us and has had such a foundational and good influence. Abbot Peter was very much a part of that.”

Bolen continued: “He chose as his personal motto as Abbot ‘My heart is ready, O God.’ It is another version of Mary’s Fiat – ‘let it be done unto me according to your will’ –  ‘My heart is ready, O God’ — ready for whatever life brings, ready to serve.”

“Abbot Peter’s death is a cause for grief, it is a loss for the monastery, it is a loss for the family, and it also signals a change which has been happening in our communities. It symbolically speaks of changing foundations of the Church here on the Prairies,” Bolen said.  However, in the context of the Paschal Mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, “the Lord calls us not to despair – God is up to something bigger. There are times of growth, there are times of letting go… Now let us hear the Lord say to Abbot Peter: ‘Peter Wilfred, come, follow me.’”

Before leading the final prayer of commendation at the conclusion of the funeral Mass, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen described being “the last bishop of Saskatoon to experience Abbot Peter’s tremendous pastoral help and wisdom.” He added: “We benefited greatly from his wisdom, his pastoral insight, he was on our diocesan College of Consultors, he served on the Council of Priests, and in many other ways he made a considerable impact” in the province, throughout Western Canada and beyond.

Related: Obituary – Abbot Peter Novecosky LINK

Related: Live-stream from Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel LINK

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined former parishioners, families and visitors Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, for celebration of Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, located 12 kilometres east of Smuts, SK.

Now closed, the church building was constructed more than a century ago, in 1919. The annual summer Mass at the rural church is a homecoming for many, and includes the blessing of graves in the cemetery.

RELATED: 100th anniversary of parish church in 2019 – LINK

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National CWL President Shari Guinta, CWL member Magdelina Bernier, and Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen (l-r) at the closing banquet of the National Convention of the CWL in Saskatoon: The national president presented a 70-year membership pin to Magdelina, who joined the Catholic Women’s League in 1955, as a member of the St. Louis, SK, council, and later was a member of Sacred Heart Parish CWL council in Prince Albert. Now living in Saskatoon, she attended the banquet with her daughter Janice Bernier, who joined the CWL 50 years ago, and also received a membership pin from Guinta. Magdelina’s mother Caroline Yungwirth, and her grandmother Katherine Reding were also CWL members. The banquet included a reunion with Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, whose late mother, Almyra (nee Longworth) Hagemoen of Crystal Springs, SK, attended school with Magdelina and was the maid of honour at her wedding. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The opening celebration for the 104th annual National Convention of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was held Aug. 11 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, ahead of celebration of Sunday evening Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

The official opening ceremony for the 104th National Convention Aug. 11, 2024, began with a flag processional featuring members of the national executive bringing up the Canadian, provincial, and CWL flags to place behind the altar at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

Delegates were welcomed by Saskatchewan Provincial CWL President Helen Kayfish on behalf of the 98 CWL councils across the province.

Saskatchewan Provincial CWL Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Francis Hengen and National Spiritual Advisor Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, also brought greetings at the opening celebration.

Describing himself as “blessed among women,” Lobsinger said that serving as a bridge between the League and the bishops of Canada is an honoured role.

“Today more than ever, we as Catholics need to be on the same page; we need to be working together,” Lobsinger said. “Part of my role is to bring together the women of the League and the bishops of Canada in this amazing task of proclaiming this wonderful gift we have of our Catholic faith.”

MLA Lisa Lambert, Saskatoon City Councillor Bev Dubois, Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus State Deputy Marte Nogot, and National CWL President Shari Guinta also spoke, welcoming delegates and affirming the work of the League.

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the opening Mass, celebrating with several other bishops, including Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert, Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina, Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal, as well as Spiritual Advisors Lobsinger (Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton) and Hengen, and a number of other priests and spiritual advisors, including cathedral Rector Fr. Gerard Cooper and Associate Pastor Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino.

In his homily, Hagemoen pointed to scriptural and personal journeys — including his own recent participation in the gruelling Canadian Death Race — that serve as a metaphor of Christian life, with mountain-top experiences as well as an a relentless up and down grind, when at times there seems to be no energy left to go on.

“But God is with us,” Hagemoen said, pointing to the exhausted prophet Elijah’s meal in the desert in the reading from 1 Kings as a foreshadowing of how we are fed in the celebration of the Eucharist, where “we come to hear the Word of God and feed on the Bread of Life, so that we meet the Lord and, furthermore, that we can be imitators of God.”

He noted that the CWL, with all the Church, is “called to serve the reality of unity and human fraternity,” starting with the basics of kindness and tenderheartedness, and of caring for others.

“Catholic Women’s League — thank you, thank you, thank you for the mission and the apostolate that you fulfill. You are imitators of God. Your faithful and tremendous support of the Holy Father and the Church nationally and locally is greatly needed and appreciated,” Hagemoen said.

“Thank you for the way you relate faith to service in so many ways, bringing your voice to bear on difficult issues for our culture and country: caring for our common home, speaking our faith to family values and priorities, bringing awareness regarding issues of the day that are a struggle for people — such as mental illness or human trafficking… and other key issues that impact health, economics and social issues.”

He concluded: “Thank you for being women who call us to right relationship. I and my brother bishops rely and depend on you , as do our clergy and frankly all our Church.”

 

 

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada representatives with several bishops after the opening Mass for the CWL national convention (l-r): Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Brenda Arakaza, Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen, Hamilton Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Lobsinger (National CWL Spiritual Advisor), Taisha Toupin, Prince Albert Bishop Stephen Hero, Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine, and Joan Gauthier. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Hagemoen also con-celebrated the closing Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Saskatoon, with presider Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, as well as Archbishop Albert LeGatt, Fr. Frances Hengen, and Holy Spirit pastor Fr. Joseph Salihu on the final day of the convention Aug. 14.

Fr. Joseph Salihu, Bishop Mark Hagmeon, and Archbishop Albert leGatt at the CWL national convention closing Mass Aug. 14 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

News article about CWL convention:

CWL 2024 – Catholic Women’s League of Canada 104th National Convention held in Saskatoon

Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon and Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert Aug. 9 welcomed leaders of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, who have arrived in Saskatoon for meetings ahead of a three-day national convention that will bring hundreds of League members from across the nation to the prairie city on the South Saskatchewan River.

Catholic Women’s League president Shari Guinta and her national executive – which includes provincial representatives (and a Military Ordinariate) – are working with local organizers to prepare for the Aug. 11-14 annual meeting of the Catholic women’s organization, founded in 1920. Today the League has nearly 60,000 members across Canada.

A bishops’ Mass and dinner Aug. 9 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon was one of the events organized before the convention, featuring welcoming words from Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and Bishop Stephen Hero of the Diocese of Prince Albert. CWL councils from their two dioceses are hosting the national convention, coinciding this year with the 100th anniversary of the League’s establishment in the Diocese of Prince Albert in 1924.

Bishops Hagemoen and Hero were joined by CWL National Spiritual Advisor Bishop Wayne Lobsinger (Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton), Saskatchewan CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen, and Holy Family Associate Pastor Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino for the celebration of Mass in the cathedral’s Queen of Peace Chapel.

“The Church in Canada has always needed the Catholic Women’s League — and needs it now perhaps more than ever,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

In the homily, Bishop Stephen Hero thanked organizers on behalf of the bishops of Saskatchewan and also expressed his admiration for the Catholic Women’s League of Canada who for more than a century has “been forming disciples of Jesus and working precisely and concretely on many of the burdens and evils” facing today’s world.

“You have been working on issues with faith, hope and love, with courage and in practical ways in our communities, keeping them in the minds and hearts of politicians and other groups, and supporting projects that work for a more Christ-like world,” said Hero.

The convention proper gets underway after an opening Mass Aug. 11, with keynote speakers and breakout presentations – including sessions related to the three pillars of the CWL — faith, service and social justice. The annual League gathering will also include reports, updates, resolutions and other business, as well as meetings of various national and provincial groups, evening banquets and other social events and tours, exploring what Saskatoon has to offer.

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca. The Communications Office is supported by donations to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf,ca/baa

 

 

 

 

During celebration of Mass on the Feast of St. Dominic Aug. 8, 2024, Bishop Mark Hagemoen accepted diocesan seminarian Huy Le as a candidate for Holy Orders for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

The celebration marked the formal acceptance by the bishop and the Catholic community of Le’s commitment to pursue ordination, continuing his path of formation, study and discernment as he prepares to enter his third year of Theology at Christ the King Seminary in Mission, B.C. this fall.

Diocesan Co-Director of Vocations Fr. Colin Roy called Le forward to declare his resolve before the bishop to complete the preparation needed to undertake ministry of Holy Orders in the Church, promising to “form mind and heart” in a way that will enable him “to faithfully serve Christ the Lord and His Body the Church.”

Homily:

This is a significant moment on the journey of vocational discernment, said Hagemoen, addressing Le during the homily.

“God has bestowed you with many gifts that would seem very well suited to the priesthood,” said the bishop. “But ultimately your whole journey to the priesthood, as you know, is not about you, it is about God, and it is about what God wants to do in your life. And, of course, your happiness, your fulfillment in life – as for all of us – comes from fulfilling God’s plan and doing God’s will. That is still unfolding.”

The bishop noted that Le is “putting his hand to the plough,” echoing the proclamation of the Gospel from Luke 9. “That doesn’t mean that discernment is not still an issue, however, we rely now less on our own inspiration and ability, we rely on God’s grace,” Hagemoen said urging Le to “rely on the call before you, to be God’s priest… rely on the call to preach, by word and life, his way and kingdom..  rely on Him to be your model of what it really means to care for God’s devoted people.”

The bishop concluded with words of encouragement: “May this day mark an important day on a very significant journey. Please rely on our prayers and our support, and on the ongoing formation that comes to you through our diocese and of course through the seminary. Please know that the People of God are also your formators – and they continue to show through their faith, their love and their service to the Church in living of their vocation, how you are called to do the same in your God-given vocation.”

About the candidate:

Born in Vietnam in 1999, Le moved to Canada in 2011 with his family – his father (who died in 2019), his mother and younger sister. His paternal grandmother, uncles, cousins and other relatives are also living in Saskatoon.

Le has been actively involved in the Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Catholic Community, as an altar server and youth leader. He studied at the University of Saskatchewan and St Thomas More College in Saskatoon from 2017 to 2022, finishing undergraduate and philosophy pre-requisites. In 2021-2022, Le was part of the Sts. Benedict and Scholastica diocesan spiritual and human formation program in Saskatoon.

From May to August, Le has been serving at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, preparing to continue his studies in September at the seminary in Mission, B.C.

Asked about his vocation, Huy Le cited the Prayer of the Chalice: “Father, to You I raise my whole being, a vessel emptied of self.”

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Vocations, Education of Future Priests, and Communications are among the ministries supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Find out more or donate online: BAA website

 

The 2024 Great Canadian Death Race held Aug. 4-5, marks the fourth run that the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon have promoted in support of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, beginning with the “Beaver Flat 50” in 2021 and continuing with the Death Race in 2022 and  again in 2023.

Support Bishop Hagemoen’s fund-raising efforts for the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund by going to the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation website:  dscf.ca/annual-bishops-race.

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Grande Cache, AB – This year’s race Aug. 4-5 was an experience of adventure, challenge, and fraternity. The two teams – Memento Mori and Bros & Bishops – finished their respective leg segments with respectable times.

 

Momento Mori finished 45 minutes earlier than Bros & Bishops, with the final time of completion at 1:12 a.m.  The Racers faced different circumstances and challenges on the 118-km course.

On leg 1, Ryan Mallet encountered a debilitating knee injury. However, he worked through it to the end of his portion of the run – faithfully accompanied and supported by Luc Montpetit.

Leg 2 (Kieran Gillespie and Bishop Hagemoen) turned out to be very difficult. It was almost 30 kilometres, and climbed both Mt. Grande and Mt. Flood. The climbing and descending was relentless and steep, and as the day went on, the heat became a factor. Nonetheless, Kieran Gillespie had one of the leading times in the race for the leg. I struggled –especially with the heat – but completed the leg.

Leg 3 featured the combined efforts of Bishop Gary Franken and Ronan Gillespie. Bishop Gary started his leg mid-afternoon, and carried out a steady and respectable pace. Ronan Gillespie gained 40 minutes on the pace, and was in the top three fastest for Leg 3.

Leg 4 featured the climb up Mt. Hamel, and the long steady run-out from that summit. Jerome Montpetit accomplished this leg with a very respectable time, and was hardly winded at the finish. He even found time to send inspiring vista scenes via text on route.

Raphael Pelletier also accomplished a very good time on Leg 4, and indicated that the experience of the Mt. Hamel challenge was “incredibly crazy.”

The final leg was completed by Alex Pulvermacher and Max Connelly. The early experience of the initial climbs seemed ominous to both – especially when viewed at the end of the day in the dark. However, both described the journey – a long climb through the wilderness at night back into Grande Cache – was surprisingly peaceful and an experience of austerity and detachment.

Alex Pulvermacher arrived into Grande Cache with a strong and steady pace at about 12:45 a.m.

After completing his leg, Max Connelly stated, “the run was one of the most enriching experiences I have had, especially running in the dark and trusting in God’s care and providence.”

Upon receiving our team medals at 1:15 a.m., and coming back together for badly needed late-night nourishment – the teams awoke the next day and celebrated Sunday Mass with the Holy Cross Parish community in Grande Cache.

The community was very hospitable, and the pastor, Rev. Antony Narisetty, SAC, very welcoming and affirming of his experience of the team of bishops and young men during their stay at the church. However, we felt so blessed by the experience of being able to stay in a Catholic parish setting, with regular access to the church, and the ability to use the kitchen and other hall facilities for preparing and sharing meals, and for rest. And boy, did these young men eat!!!

 

One fact that was discovered later was that, for a portion of Bishop Gary’s leg (which he did with Ronan Gillespie) he was actually in his home diocese of St. Paul, Alberta! This diocese has a boundary that extends west to the Alberta – BC border. Bishop Gary’s leg went to the northern-most section of the race course, and he later checked the boundaries and discovered he had for a time been in his own diocese!

Gee, the extent a bishop goes to be present to the remotest areas of his diocese!

Meeting with President of  Aseniwuche Winewak

Another feature of the trip was meeting David MacPhee, President of Aseniwuche Winewak First Nation at Suza Creek. Bishop Gary and I enjoyed a good sharing with Chief David, followed by lunch.

One of the significant observations by Aseniwuche President MacPhee was about support by the Church for Indigenous communities. He stated that the efforts should continue to focus on the “head” AND the “heart.”

He indicated that communities appreciate and need the support of clergy and lay missionaries with both good teaching about the bible and faith, but this also needs to be coupled with programs that help people deal with their personal struggles, and support healing and personal growth.

Presient MacPhee stated that focusing only on ‘teaching’ can leave people wanting to achieve the goals of our faith, but this is unattainable without attending to necessary personal pain and hurt from challenging life experiences and circumstances. However, prioritizing only personal growth and healing can leave people in the difficulty of move beyond one’s self-focus to the greater calls to truth and meaning found together in community and illuminated by Christ’s life and teaching.

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Efforts for Indigenous Reconciliation Fund

This year’s race was a challenging and rich experience, that will continue to motivate and challenge for the next stage of all our journeys.

I also pray that the dedication of my efforts for the race for our diocese’s Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) will continue to support our common awareness and efforts at healing and reconciliation – which is greatly needed in our dioceses, our country and our world today.

RELATED: Reflection by Bishop Hagemoen before the Race and Profiles of Runners – Article

CONTRIBUTE to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund – LINK

Photo Gallery:  LINK

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