“Jesus calls each of us to be a beacon of light for the world, urging us not to turn away from others in an attitude of indifference, and allow our light to illumine and support others.” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen
The 2024 Bishop’s Annual Appeal is underway across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, with Bishop Mark Hagemoen recently announcing the 2024 theme: “On the Pilgrimage of Hope.”
Find more information and online giving on the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation website: dscf.ca/baa/
BAA Video:
Message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen
Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2024 – LETTER (in English) / (in French)
“This year’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal theme draws inspiration from the parables used by Jesus to illustrate the Kingdom of God through everyday examples. The message is clear: ‘We are to be the Light for one another.’
“Jesus calls each of us to be a beacon of light for the world, urging us not to turn away from others in an attitude of indifference, and allow our light to illumine and support others.
“I am pleased to reveal that this year’s theme for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is ‘On the Pilgrimage of Hope.’ As Psalm 65 states: ‘O God of our salvation; You are the hope of all the ends of the earth.’
“Recently, Pope Francis declared the 2025 Jubilee Year with the message, ‘Pilgrims of Hope: Hope does not disappoint.’
“The Pope is relentless – some might say even ‘stubborn’ – with insisting on the priority of Hope. As he states: ‘Everyone knows what it is to hope… in the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt.’
“Pope Francis goes on to state that when we encounter discouragement, pessimism and cynicism, God continues to offer us as vision of a new future, that builds on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ahead of this Jubilee Year we embark on a ‘Year of Prayer,’ where we are encouraged to celebrate and deepen our faith in God and apply the virtue of hope to the ways in which we view and respond to the circumstances of our lives.
“Through the various ministries supported by the Bishops Annual Appeal, the faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon bring hope to others. We visit the sick in hospitals, teach catechism to our children and young people, and provide pastoral care to the hospitalized and sick. We also provide reconciliation and healing to those in prison. We are supporting and training new priests and deacons to lead us, fostering faith growth through youth and adult ministries. We continue to invite lay adults into the Catholic faith, as well as support and train adult leaders for ministry and service.
“The success of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal relies on each of us recognizing the abundance we have received, and sharing generously. I encourage you to contemplate the significance of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and to consider contributing, according to your means.
“For those who are new to supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, please consider supporting. The key to our success is less about people giving more. It is really about more people giving.
“Thank you for your consideration of this year’s appeal as we embark on this Pilgrimage Year of HOPE!”
Sincerely in our One God,
Most Reverend Bishop Mark A. Hagemoen
Diocese of Saskatoon
