July 2025

Bishop Mark Hagemoen and a team of five young men will tackle this year’s “Canadian Death Race” at Grand Cache, AB, which features a 118-km course beginning and ending on a 4,200-foot plateau, passing over three mountain summits, with over 17,000 feet of elevation.

The 2025 Canadian Death Race Aug. 2-3, marks the fifth fund-raising 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 at Grande Cache, AB,  again in 2023 and last year with two bishops participating in 2024.

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.

Leg 1 – Bishop Mark Hagemoen

Greetings to you all, from Bishop Mark. I serve as the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, and this will be my seventh Death (…to Life…) Race. This is also the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Death Race in Grande Cache, AB, and the 10th anniversary of the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in Canada. Of course, it is also the Great Jubilee Year 2025 of HOPE and MERCY!

It’s an honour to run on behalf of our diocese, along with the other young men on our team as we join together in this “race-pilgrimage.”

This run also represents the long, adventurous, arduous journey of reconciliation and healing, which features much-needed mercy, perseverance, and patience. It is the little things that matter in the long journey of relationship-building.

Participating in this run is perhaps a symbol of the many steps forward on a long journey to what I hope and pray is God’s plan for us all.

Leg 2 – Ronan Gillespie

I am Ronan Gilliespie. I am 21 years old and I currently living with my family in Crescent Beach B.C. I attended Saint Therese Institute in Bruno, SK, this past year.

This will be my second Canadian Death Race. Unfortunately, my training has not worked out as planned – and I am doing one of the most challenging legs. However, my heart and will are strong, and things are picking up recently.

The race will be a great challenge, but united by faith with these brothers – I am certain that our team will accomplish this great race and pilgrimage.

 

Leg 3 – Maximillian Connolly

My name is Maximilian Connelly. I’m a 23-year-old aspiring Catholic speaker living in Lloydminster, AB.

Over the past three years, I’ve had the blessing of attending a Catholic school where my faith was challenged, deepened, and ultimately strengthened. While I’m still very much a newcomer to my Catholicity, I have a deep desire to grow by living it out—through active mission abroad one day, but also through the daily mission I’m called to right now: to work, love, and serve those around me.

I’ve loved sports my whole life, but about three years ago, I discovered running—and it quickly became more than just a way to stay in shape. It’s now both a mental and spiritual tool that helps me find peace, clarity, and connection with God.

I’m especially excited for my second Death Race with Bishop Mark and the team. The first time, I prayed the entire time out of fear—this time, I hope to do the same, but out of joy.

I’m passionate about helping others encounter Christ in everyday life, whether through a talk, a conversation, or even a run. I may just be starting out, but my heart is all in.

Leg 4 – Kieran Gillespie

Hello, my name is Kieran Gillespie! I’m 24 years old and this will be my second Death Race, running once again alongside my brother Ronan.

It’s a race of epic proportions, and the challenge entices me. Pushing my body to its limits, pushing through pain with mental toughness to conquer the wilderness: epic. Here we go for race number two… but I have a different focus this time.

God is writing a story with each of our lives, and I pray that we will be attentive to him in the midst of this journey. It is one of the greatest joys in life to do God’s will alongside my brothers, and as we travel, converse, and pray together. I know God will speak in our hearts. The interior life is the place of the struggle and joy, and thought this race will be physically challenging, the bigger journey will take place within.

Oh man, I wish that I could express in this little bio all that I wish to say. I believe that a RENEWAL of the world will take place through contemplative living. The greatest thing I can do is be faithful and attentive to God in all I do, and He will transform the world. I am excited to discover the ways in which I am called to serve God and His church.

For now, it is the Death Race with my brothers, and the following two-week mission trip to the Northwest Territories.

Please pray for us.

In Christ, Kieran.

Leg 5 – Joseph Cote

Hello! I am Joseph Cote, I am 19 years old, and I live in Terrace BC. I have been a student at St Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, SK, for the past two years and am going to be an ‘Apostolic Intern’ there this upcoming year.

I wanted to do this race as I see it as a pilgrimage. God loves to use pilgrimages to challenge me and bring me deeper in my faith and in relationship with Him, so I am using this not only as a way to grow closer to God but grow in a deeper relationship with my brothers in Christ.

“Back Up” – Ryan Mallett

My name is Ryan Mallett. After completing two years of formation at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno SK, I took several months’ time for “pilgrimage” in Europe – featuring the Camino de Santiago.

I am now living and working in Lloydminster AB and am preparing for marriage. I am passionate about all thing’s fitness and all things faith. I am very excited for the chance to again participate in this pilgrimage-trek with an amazing group of Catholic men. As with last year, it’s good to have a Bishop along – in case there’s a need to administer the last rites!

-30-

Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.

 

(Excerpts from an article by Jon Perez, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 20, 2025, to celebrate the annual pilgrimage to the sacred site west of Humboldt.

Braving rainy weather, parishioners from throughout the area attended the Sunday morning Mass on the hill, celebrated by Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, along with diocesan pastors serving in the area, and a number of Benedictine monks from St. Peter’s Abbey, which first established the pilgrimage more than a century ago.

Music ministry was again provided by the Mount Carmel choir, which includes past and present parishioners of St. Scholastica Parish in Burr and St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Humboldt.

The annual pilgrimage included opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer devotions before and after Sunday morning Eucharist, and the traditional blessing of the fields with the Blessed Sacrament from the top of Mount Carmel hill, beneath the statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus.

Martha and Mary: Service and Contemplation

In his homily, Bishop Mark Hagemoen reflected on the Gospel from Luke 10:38-42, and Christ’s words to his beloved friends Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus.

The gospel describes how Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, relating how Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened,” while Martha is busy serving.

Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help with the work, but he answers: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her.”

Noting that there are many reflections and commentaries about this gospel passage, Hagemoen said some maintain that Martha represents the active ministry in the world by those proclaiming Christ and God’s Kingdom to others, while Mary represents the contemplative aspect of prayer and faithfulness to our Lord in the world. However, the bishop stressed that in all vocations and walks in life, we are called to both the contemplative and the active in embracing and living the mission of Christ.

The bishop pointed to the Benedictine spirituality of the monks of St. Peter’s Abbey at Muenster, which combines both action and contemplation, work and prayer.

“It’s interesting: the Benedictines, they do all things. They have prayer, they have work, and of course, all of this is rooted in a rule which immerses itself in prayer and the Word of God,” said Hagemoen.

“They have an active ministry. Many of their priests built up this region at a time when it wasn’t the diocese of Saskatoon, but rather the Abbacy of Muenster,” said the bishop. “Now, we benefit from that faith and work of the Benedictine community to establish the faith that brings us to this day.”

Bishop installs seminarian as Lector during annual pilgrimage

Diocesan seminarian Huy Le, who is serving at St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt this summer, was instituted to the Order of Lector by Bishop Mark Hagemoen during the Eucharistic celebration at Mount Carmel.

Being instituted as a lector gives Le the ability to now officially read the Word of God and instruct people through catechism at the parish level. After his summer of serving at St. Augustine Parish, Le will return to Christ the King Seminary in Mission, B.C., for his fourth year of theological studies, as he continues to study and discern his call to priesthood. The next step would be ordination to the transitional diaconate.

 

RELATED:  Read the full article about the Mount Carmel Pilgrimage – LINK

Photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-30-

“Pilgrims of Hope” is the theme of the Jubilee 2025 year – and hope was the message that Bishop Mark Hagemoen brought to pilgrims who gathered July 13 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Shrine at Reward, SK.

“We need hope more than ever,” said Hagemoen in his homily during the outdoor pilgrimage Mass, noting the challenging times and situations of conflict, war, and division plaguing our world.

The hope of Christians — like the faith and hope of those who established the pilgrimage to the Holy Rosary Shrine 93 years ago — is grounded in the hope of Christ’s death and resurrection, stressed the bishop. “There is only hope because of the Lord’s Passion, the Way of the Cross, and the rising of Christ.”

The annual Reward Pilgrimage again included a procession of banners from parishes across the historic St. Joseph Colony in the western part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon (including those now closed). In addition to participants from throughout the district, in this Jubilee 2025 year, a bus was also organized to bring pilgrims from Saskatoon.

Pilgrimage events began with children’s activities in the afternoon, followed by confessions and praying of the Rosary.

Once again the bells peeled from the steeple of the historic Holy Rosary Church, to mark the start of the pilgrimage Mass at 4 p.m.  Children led the opening procession from the historic church building to the outdoor altar, scattering flowers along the way, with prayer stops at a statue of Our Lady and at the cemetery.

 

 

Celebration of Mass

Mass was celebrated by Bishop Hagemoen and pastors of parishes throughout the area: Fr. Matthew Ramsay (Unity, Tramping Lake); Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC  (Wilkie, Handel, Leipzig), Fr. Edward Gibney (Biggar, Landis), and Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC (Macklin, Denzil, St. Dontus).

Hagemoen also introduced two diocesan seminarians who were serving at the altar during the Mass — Matthew Witzaney and John Paul Wasan.

A Jubilee Year is a renewal of our baptism, the bishop noted in his homily. “We are called to put on Christ in a renewed way. We are called to ask ourselves: ‘Lord, how am I doing in my relationship with you? Do I know you? Do I know your heart? Do I spend time with you in relationship, so that when I am called to act – let alone when I am called to face the world of difficulty and even crisis – I have your hope and I know your hope?’”

Hagemoen reflected on three areas of challenge, where followers of Christ are invited to “a deepening of mind and heart.”

The first example he cited is when changing demographics and population lead to the closure of a parish, and people must wrestle with what that means for their faith. “In those circumstances, how are we called to not just continue to live our faith, but to live it even better?”

Secondly, he reflected on the 10th anniversary this month of the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the beginning of the Calls to Action.

The TRC is “a profound commitment — not just of our country but of our Church — to the journey of truth and reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” he said. He described a recent gathering in Saskatoon of the national Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle of Catholic Indigenous and religious leaders, that coincided with the 10th anniversary. The list of tasks in the Calls to Action are “only the beginning of building right relationship with our brothers and sisters,” said the bishop.

Finally, Hagemoen noted the message from Pope Leo XIV about the fifth annual celebration of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly to be held on July 27.

“I say to the elders here… can you look forward to your future, let alone your present, with great hope and great thanks for the life that God has given you? Though you don’t have the capacity you used to, you have a new capacity – and that’s the capacity to be an elder and to be able to hold, as we approach the sunset of life, a view and an attitude and a thankfulness that young people need to see.”

The bishop also called on those who are younger to value and honour the elderly. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the faith of those who have gone before us,” he noted. “They have paved a pathway of faith and life. For that they need to be honoured and continue to be sought out and also comforted, especially if they move through times when they are not feeling good about themselves because they don’t have the mobility or ability they once did.”

Noting that we are only at the halfway point of the Jubilee Year, the bishop concluded by saying there are many opportunities to continue to deepen “the eyes and ears of hope.”

“May God bless you in this year of hope, and may we continue to walk this journey of hope and of deepening faith together.”

History of the Reward Pilgrimage

The Roman Catholic parish at Reward has its beginnings in the heart of Saint Joseph Colony, which was established by German-Russian settlers in 1905.

The Holy Rosary Church building was constructed on ten acres of donated land in 1918 for $12,000, replacing a smaller structure. The “church on the hill” is a designated historic site, and features 15 large paintings completed in 1928 by Count Berthold Von Imhoff, depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary.

In 1932 the annual pilgrimage in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary was initiated for St. Joseph’s Colony, with the Holy Rosary Church at Reward chosen as the colony’s pilgrimage site because of its central location. A wooden outdoor grotto was built as the shrine in 1936, with the present shrine altar built in 1966.

Although the parish is now closed, volunteers continue to care for the building and pilgrimage site with the help of  donations, and parishes throughout the colony continue to assist in holding the annual pilgrimage.

During the summer, weekend Mass will also be celebrated on every second Saturday, with upcoming celebrations on July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Aug. 30, and Sept. 13.

Parishes and missions of St. Joseph Colony (many of which are now closed) and the dates they were established include:  St. Pascal, Leipzig (1905); St. Charles, Revenue (1905); Our Lady of Assumption, Kerrobert (1906); St. Henry, Salvador (1906); Assumption of the Blessed Virgin St. Mary, Handel (1906); St. Michael, Tramping Lake (1906); St. Anthony, Grosswerder (1907); St. James, Wilkie (1909); Sacred Heart, Denzil (1909); St. Joseph, Scott (1909); Our Lady of Holy Rosary, Reward (1910); St. Francis/Sacred Heart, Broadacres (1910); St. John Nepomecene, Salt Lake (1910); St. Mary, Macklin (1910); Holy Family, Ermine (1910); Our Lady of Fatima, Landis (1910); St. Peter, Cosine (1914); St. Donatus, Cactus Lake (1914); St. Peter, Unity (1914); Immaculate Conception, Major (1914); St. Eugene de Mazenod, Luseland (1915) and St. Elizabeth, Primate (1916).

Volunteers and donations 

Before Mass, pilgrimage committee member Leanne Clarke described how fund-raising and ongoing volunteer efforts help to maintain the church building and shrine site.

“Thanks to everyone who helps to keep this place functioning in many different ways, because it takes many hearts and many hands,” she said.

Acknowledging the contributions of volunteers and shrine committee members, Clarke also thanked all those in attendance for journeying as “pilgrims of hope” and deepening their relationship with God and with others.

Donations to assist with the maintenance of the historic church and shrine site can be sent to: Holy Rosary Shrine, Box 1536, Unity, SK, SOK 4L0.

Mass was followed by a barbecue supper, fellowship, and a soccer game.

Reward Pilgrimage – Photo Gallery – LINK

-30-

An annual barbecue for clergy in the Roman Catholic diocese of Saskatoon was held July 8, once again hosted, organized and presented by parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Martensville, with support from the Knights of Columbus.

Priests from across the diocese gathered at a local acreage north of Saskatoon for games, refreshments, and a barbecue supper with all the fixings.

“This day means a lot to our priests, as a real celebration marking the beginning of summer,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

Praying grace before the meal, the bishop gave thanks for the “wonderful fellowship” and “for the acknowledgement of our priesthood” as well as for the food and all those who prepared it.”

 

Clergy milestones

During the meal, MC Kevin Higgins reflected on the impact of priests on the lives of countless people over many decades as he announced those celebrating milestone anniversaries of priestly ordination – beginning by acknowledging the priest who was most recently ordained in October 2024, Fr Luke Van Tam Tran,  and concluding with the 60th anniversary of Fr. Denis Phaneuf and Msgr. Raymond Senger, celebrated on June 5.

Other milestone ordination anniversaries this year for priests in the diocese (many of whom were also present at the barbecue) acknowledged by Higgins were:

• 60 years – Fr. Paul Fachet, OMI (Dec. 12 , 1965)
• 50 years – Fr. Ken Beck (April 26, 1975) and Msgr. Don Vito Pavilando (June 29, 1975)
• 35 years – Bishop Mark Hagemoen (May 12, 1990)
• 30 years – Fr. David Tumback and Fr. Rheal Bussiere (both ordained on June 23, 1995)
• 25 years – Fr. Jerome Ogunleye (Aug. 3, 2000)
• 20 years – Fr. Bassim Shoni (May 27, 2005) and Fr. Paul Oshin (Aug. 5, 2005)
• 15 years – Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo (July 10, 2010) and Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu (Aug, 21, 2010)
• 10 years – Fr. Prince Sarpong (July 18, 2015) and Fr. Greg Smith-Windsor (June 19, 2015)

Thanks to organizers:

On behalf of the clergy, Fr. Kevin McGee, pastor of St. Mary, Saskatoon and diocesan Vicar General, thanked the hosts, volunteers, and supporters who made the event possible.

“What we give time for and what we celebrate shows what we consider important,” said McGee “What this is saying is that priesthood and leadership in the Church is important – but it is not about us… it is about the priesthood that serves the community,” he said. “Thank you for recognizing that… we are very happy, delighted, and honoured to be here.”

Photo gallery:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-30-