Parish representatives, pastors, and ministry leaders from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon gathered Sept. 18 for an annual Administration Day featuring updates, themes, and needed information for the year ahead.
At Administration Day 2025, Bishop Mark Hagemoen provided an overview of the diocesan mission and vision for this year, which continues to reflect that of the diocesan Pastoral Plan: “To Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom Today” and “To have the same mind and heart as Christ Jesus” (Phil.2:5).
Bishop Mark Hagemoen reflected on the year ahead at the diocesan Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The bishop reflected on the past year in the universal Catholic Church — in particular the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday and the election of Pope Leo XIV. In a time of terrible war in many parts of the world, Pope Leo’s opening words: “peace be with all of you” resonate in a particular powerful way, Hagemoen said.
Further to this year’s Jubilee 2025 theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” he noted the diocesan young adult Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome in May, and the local response to summer pilgrimages in our own diocese this year.
As for the year ahead, Bishop Hagemoen stressed that beginning with the first priority of the diocesan plan “to draw people into deeper intimacy with the Lord,” the ministries and programs undertaken by the diocese in 2025-26 will also continue to focus on making every Sunday matter, building and supporting family and community, encouraging all the baptized to embrace their priestly mission, promoting ongoing healing and conversion, and moving from maintenance to mission in everything, including administration.
Other themes this year will include synodality, with the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality underway around the world, including in our diocese, he said, with a local committee chaired by Fr. Joseph Salihu, and plans for further discussion by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and at Clergy Study Days later this fall. Synodality — with its focus on being led by the Holy Spirit on a path of unity, listening, communion, and co-responsibility — has the potential to be an antidote to the terrible divisions, polarization and conflicts in our world, said Hagemoen, noting that many in our world and in our communities are struggling in today’s tough times.
“The Jubilee Year and the Synod inspire and urge us to move beyond slogans and assumptions, to really being present and in-relationship with one another,” the bishop said, adding that this also continues to resonate with the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation in the diocese and across the country.
READ MORE about MINISTRIES and UPDATES at Administration Day: LINK
Photos:
The 2025 Bishop’s Annual Appeal was discussed at a breakfast meeting before the start of Administration Day Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation Executive Director Raissa Bugyi and Development Manager Andrea Alas (standing, l-r) introduce the 2025 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Fr. Benedict Arakkal is welcomed at the registration desk by Catholic Pastoral Centre staff Jenny Ashok and Riah De Mesa. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Pastors, parish staff and parish leaders were in attendance for the annual Administration Day in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Pastors, parish staff and parish leaders were in attendance for the annual Administration Day in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas stands next to the long table full of materials and resources for parishes across the diocese, which were distributed at Administration Day Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Marilyn Jackson, Director of Ministry Services, spoke about the upcoming ministry year during her presentation at the diocesan Administration Day Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Parish leaders check out the 2025-2026 resource guide about upcoming diocesan events and programs. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Sasktoon News)
Development and Peace-Caritas Canada representatives Bernice Daratha, Norman Lipinski, and Michelle Dinter-Lipinski (l-r) provided information about the fall awareness campaign “Turn Debt into Hope.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas and Prison Ministry Coordinator Dianne Anderson (l-r) were among members of the diocesan ministry team to provide updates at the 2025 Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Pastors, parish staff and leaders, and diocesan ministry staff gathered with Bishop Hagemoen for the annual Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Pastors, parish staff and parish leaders were in attendance for the annual Administration Day in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Pastors, parish staff and parish leaders were in attendance for the annual Administration Day in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Sept. 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Administration Day included celebration of Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen presiding. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic, Saskatoon News)
Hospital Chaplain Fr. Benefit Arakkal proclaimed the Gospel during Mass on Administration Day in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic, Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at celebration of the Eucharist on Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic, Saskatoon News)
Administration Day is an opportunity to share updates and initiatives, and a chance to reconnect with others from across the diocese working to “Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom Today.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic, Saskatoon News)
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