Joyful songs rang out Aug. 30 as Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) teachers, staff members, administrators, and trustees gathered for celebration of the Eucharist and a program of reflection and inspiration to launch another academic year.
With 50 schools and over 22,000 students, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) is Saskatchewan’s largest Catholic school division, providing Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in Saskatoon and area, as well as in Biggar, Humboldt, Martensville and Warman, SK.
Some 2,000 participants filled the worship space and the overflow area at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon for Mass, a program, and a keynote address by singer, composer, storyteller, and psalmist ValLimar Jansen, who had the whole assembly on their feet, singing along during her presentation.
Keynote speaker ValLimar Jansen also participated in music ministry during the Mass, cantoring the Psalm, and joining a choir of staff from across the GSCS division. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A tipi was once again set up on the cathedral grounds for an early-morning pipe ceremony before the start of the day. Learning & Student Services Coordinators Cari Anning and Rosalie Roesch were MCs for the Opening Celebration, using some of their classroom techniques to engage the crowd. T.J. Warren of the GSCS Treaty, First Nations and Métis Education team also came forward to offer a drum song.
Celebration of the Eucharist
The Opening Celebration included celebration of the Eucharist with priests from the eparchy and the diocese. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News0
“Salt of the Earth, Light of the World,” taken from Matthew 5:13-16 was the theme for the opening of the 2024-25 school year. It was also the Gospel proclaimed at Mass by Deacon Paul Labelle of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and Vicar-General Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon (representing eparchial Bishop Michael Smolinski, who was unable to attend) presided at the celebration of the Eucharist, and led a “renewal of commitment” by members of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools family. They were joined for the celebration of Mass by other priests from across the diocese and eparchy of Saskatoon.
In his homily, the bishop noted that the 2024-25 school year will include the start of a Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis for 2025, marking the 60th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II, the fruits of which are still unfolding in the Church.
Hagemoen referenced the theme of “Salt of the Earth, Light of the World,” and reflected on the ongoing challenge of continuing the two imperatives of the Second Vatican Council: “Ressourcement” (going back to the sources — including sacred scripture and the foundational teachings of the Church) and “Aggiornamento” (finding new ways to proclaim the Gospel in today’s world), which he summarized as “looking back for the sake of moving forward.”
The bishop also pointed to the discernment process of fifth-century theologian St. Vincent Leriens regarding the authentic advance of doctrine, versus a reversal or change of the teachings of Christ and the Church. It is an ongoing challenge for everyone in the Church, including teachers who must grapple with a range of issues, he said.
Hagemoen noted that the theme of Jubilee 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope. “You mediate meaning and hope in a very powerful way for young people,” he told the assembly. “Let us look for that hope and be that hope in the world.”
Readings during Mass were proclaimed in Ukrainian, French, and English, with Prayers of the Faithful also presented by representatives of a number of schools in a range of languages: English, Chaldean, Ukrainian, Nẽyihaw, American Sign Language, French, and Michif.
Photos from Mass:
The GSCS Opening Celebration brought together colleagues from across the school division to launch the 2024-25 school year. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Read more on Catholic Saskatoon News:
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools launches new school year with Mass and program at cathedral
