The bright and busy new entrance of St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon was the site for a blessing liturgy on a recent Friday afternoon.
During the March 20 gathering in the entrance lobby near the patient registration desk, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen led the liturgy, joined by Deacon Harry Lafond of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation; Hospital Chaplain Fr. Benedict Arakkal; and diocesan Vicar General Fr. Kevin McGee, pastor of nearby St. Mary Parish.
A number of Catholic health leaders and members of hospital administration and staff gathered for the liturgy near the patient registration desk in the entrance lobby. The short service included scripture, reflections, and prayers for all those who walk through the doors, both patients and staff, including a prayer of praise to God in the six directions led by Lafond.
Reflections by Hagemoen and Lafond acknowledged the vital and ongoing importance of the hospital — which was founded by the Grey Nuns more than a century ago — to the surrounding neighbourhood and to the wider community. An entrance is significant in offering welcome and belonging, noted Hagemoen, stressing that the work undertaken by hospital staff is not simply medical and technical, but sacred.
Official opening Jan. 28
A message from the diocesan bishop was part of an official ribbon-cutting opening celebration Jan. 28, however Hagemoen was unable to attend that earlier event in person.
The Catholic hospital’s main entrance renovation includes a new accessible main entrance with a covered drive and drop-off area for patients, a bright and welcoming foyer, and a new Kikâwînaw wîki Healing Centre – Cree for “Our Mother’s Home,” the new healing centre adjacent to the main entrance provides space for reflection and Indigenous cultural ceremonies.
The expanded entrance area also includes additional washrooms, a spacious gift shop, and relocated patient registration, visitor information and protective services areas.
Photos from March 20 blessing
Before the liturgy to bless the new hospital entrance, Bishop Mark Hagemoen greets St. Paul’s Hospital Executive Director Carrie Dornstauder as Deacon Harry Lafond and his wife Germaine (seated at left) look on. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Fr. Kevin McGee, Deacon Harry Lafond, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen (l-r) prepare for the blessing liturgy March 20 at the entrance of St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Scripture, hymns, prayer and reflection were part of the brief blessing liturgy for the newly-renovated hospital entrance. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Left to right: Hospital Chaplain Fr. Benedict Arakkal, St. Mary Parish Pastor Fr. Kevin McGee, Deacon Harry Lafond, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Deacon Harry Lafond of the Diocese of Prince Albert, who serves as Indigenous Scholar at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon, proclaimed the Gospel. provided a reflection, and led prayer in the six directions during the March 20 liturgy at St. Paul’s Hospital. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen reflected on the sacredness of the care, compassion and outreach offered at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the holy water before blessing the new entrance at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the hospital entrance. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Blessing the newly-renovated hospital entrance. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the new entrance. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Fr. Kevin McGee leads a closing hymn. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.
Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.
