First of three Spring Congress days held in Saskatoon: Bishop reflects on synodality

BIshop Mark Hagemoen gave an overview of synodality to open Spring Congress March 11 in Saskatoon. The Congress Day will be repeated April 18 in Watson, and April 25 in Kindersley. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Spring Congress 2026 focuses on listening to God and to others

“Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening” – Congress Day theme resonates with implementation of synodality in the diocese

Bishop Mark Hagemoen and ministry leaders from the Catholic Pastoral Centre gathered with parish representatives at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon March 11 for Spring Congress, reflecting on the call to synodality and exploring how listening and walking together is lived out in prayer, evangelization, ministry, and outreach.

The Spring Congress day will be repeated at two other locations in the diocese of Saskatoon — Saturday, April 18 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Watson, SK, and April 25 at St. Joseph Parish in Kindersley, SK (find registration at: rcdos.ca/spring-congress-2026).

Congress presenters from the Catholic Pastoral Centre (l-r): Marilyn Jackson, Sr. Malou Tibayan, Sr. Marta Piano, Jacqueline Saretsky, Myron Rogal, John Hickey, Quin Kleiboer, and Astrid Alas. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Holy Spirit pastor and chair of the Diocesan Synod Committee Fr. Joseph Salihu welcomed some 85 participants — including laity, religious and clergy — to the Congress Day.

Diocesan Synod Committee Chair Fr. Joseph Salihu, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish welcomed participants. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Elder Diane Anderson, who coordinates Restorative Ministry in the diocese, led the opening prayer in the six directions.

Diocesan Director of Ministry Services Marilyn Jackson led an introduction to the day, inviting those present to engage in a listening exercise.

The Saskatoon Spring Congress Day was held March 11 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen offered a reflection on the importance of synodality in the life of the Church, pointing to the need for collaboration among ordained and non-ordained, with all the baptized having a role in the gospel mission to proclaim Jesus Christ and God’s Kingdom.

Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity and a member of the Diocesan Synod Committee, gave an overview of the Synod on Synodality, introduced by Pope Francis in 2021 and now continuing under Pope Leo. She introduced a number of significant themes in the Synod of Bishops’ Final Document, which dioceses around the world have been asked by the pope to implement.

In a presentation entitled “Synodality: What is it? Why does it matter?” Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity highlighted information from the Synod on Synodality Final Document. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski,Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity introduced the Synod’s “Spiritual Conversation Model” as a method for Spirit-led conversations grounded in prayer and active listening – a process which has been used throughout the Synod.

The Synod’s “Spiritual Conversation Model” was introduced by Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski,Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

In his presentation, Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey emphasized the importance of listening and building relationships as the foundation of sharing faith with others.

John Hickey, diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis Leader, presented a talk entitled “See and Seize.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Listening to God and to others was emphasized by Quin Kleiboer, diocesan coordinator of Rural Catechesis, in a presentation on discernment and mission in parish catechesis: “Listening to Heaven, Listening to the Room.”

Coordinator of Rural Catechesis Quin Kleiboer reflected on the importance of listening to God as well as to those one is ministering to. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

As part of Congress Day, Fr. Darryl Millette summarized the work he does as diocesan Chancellor. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Diocesan Coordinator of Adult Faith, Astrid Alas, reflected on art and beauty as a bridge to encountering Christ.

Astrid Alas is an artist and designer as well as coordinator of the diocesan Adult Faith Office. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Myron Rogal of the diocesan Justice and Peace Office reflected on encountering God amongst the poor, drawing from teachings of the gospel, writings of the saints, and Delexi Te, the recent papal exhortation from Pope Leo on love for the poor.

Justice and Peace Coordinator Myron Rogal spoke about encountering God in the poor. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Jackie Saretsky, coordinator of Hospital Chaplaincy, spoke about the crucial role of listening in accompanying those who are sick or dying. She also introduced practical resources — a pamphlet from the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) on Accompaniment Through Illness: A guide to conversations about death and dying (LINK) and a brochure that has been developed to explain the Sacrament of the Sick (LINK).

Hospital Chaplaincy Coordinator Jackie Saretsky’s talk was entitled “From Accompaniment to Reconciliation.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Time for discussion as well as a question-and-answer session were also part of the Congress Day, with a closing prayer by Bishop Mark Hagemoen.