July 2026

An annual Clergy Sports Day event organized and hosted by Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus was held this year at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, the location of a former Ursuline convent and boarding school at Bruno, SK. Bishop Mark Hagemoen and priests from across the province participated in the annual event.

The summer event featured indoor and outdoor games and sports, as well as time for prayer, fraternity, and rest.

“More than just a sporting event, Clergy Sports Day is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among those who faithfully serve the Church. Away from their daily pastoral responsibilities, our clergy enjoyed a day of friendly competition, laughter, and meaningful conversations while renewing friendships that continue to strengthen their ministry,” said Jonathan Rosas on the Knights of Columbus Saskatchewan State Council website.

“Whether on the playing field or cheering from the sidelines, everyone shared in the spirit of unity, encouragement, and Christian fellowship. The smiles, teamwork, and joyful moments captured throughout the day remind us that caring for the spiritual well-being of our clergy also includes opportunities for rest, recreation, and community,” he said.

Noting that sports can be a powerful way to “foster camaraderie, promote healthy living, and deepen relationships among those called to serve God’s people,” Rosas expressed appreciation to organizers, volunteers, participants, and supporters who make the event possible.

Report and photos on the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus website:  LINK

Photos courtesy of Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Under sunny skies and cooled by a breeze that kept mosquitoes at bay, hundreds of pilgrims filled the hill for the 104th annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 19 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.  Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass, joined by priests from the area, including Benedictines from St. Peter’s Abbey, which established the sacred site north of Carmel, SK, in 1922.

Abbey Prior Br. Basil Schaan, OSB, welcomed people from throughout the area and beyond to the 2026 pilgrimage, inviting them to “remember God and Our Lady of Mount Carmel and their love… they call you to reach out and to ring out your joy.”

 

The 2026 pilgrimage July 19 started with hymns, the Rosary, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, followed by celebration of Sunday Eucharist.

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.

 

In his homily, Bishop Hagemoen reflected on the scriptural account of Elijah’s demonstration of the power of the true God over false gods, which took place on the original Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. Idols and addictions continue to deliver false promises, the bishop observed.

“As with the false gods in the scripture account of Elijah in the Book of Kings, an addiction seem to point to something that is life-giving, but it takes away our life,” he said.

Hagemoen noted that in addition to obvious addictions such as drugs or alcohol, there are many other more subtle addictions, such as power or technology, that can become idols. “It is anything that is inordinate that takes us away from God and God’s call to us to be fully human and fully alive.”

Reflecting on the Gospel parable from Matthew 13 about letting the wheat and the weeds grow together until the harvest, the bishop said we rely on the power and the mercy of God in our own lives. “It is because God is the God of forgiveness that we are able to heal and to respond to the call to be ‘wheat with the weeds’ in our life,” he said.

He concluded by praying: “Thank you God of mercy for bringing us here this day. And may the pilgrimage day here on Mount Carmel be a continued journey in our lives of reconciliation, new life, confronting the obstacles with God’s help and the help of one another, and moving forward with God’s grace and strength – that is true power.”

After communion, the bishop carried the Blessed Sacrament to the top of the hill for the traditional blessing of the fields beneath the statue of Mary and the child Jesus.

After Mass, many also came forward for a blessing, with events continuing after lunch with pilgrims walking and praying the Stations of the Cross that are embedded in the hillside.

The pilgrimage continued with Eucharistic adoration at the outdoor chapel, and enrolment in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular, a Carmelite devotion which involves wearing a small scapular, living chastitity according to one’s state in life (married/single) and promising various observances of faith.

Pilgrimage history

Mount Carmel, SK, named after the famous Mount Carmel in Israel, is the highest spot in the district (1,987ft above sea level).

In 1902 Fr. Bruno Doerfler, OSB, and his exploration team, working at the establishment of a Benedictine abbey in Saskatchewan, stopped at the hill and replaced a cross that had been on the top of the hill.

Doerfler conceived the idea of dedicating the mount to Mary, however, it was Abbot Michael Ott, OSB, who solemnly blessed the mount 20 years later, on Sept. 10, 1922 with 3,500 people in attendance.

Ott announced that an annual pilgrimage would be held the following July 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He also dedicated the entire abbacy to the Blessed Virgin.

The site was donated by area farmer John Bunko in 1921 and 15 acres of land was obtained for parking.

In 1928 an Italian-made white carrara marble statue of Mary was placed on top of the hill.

The Stations of the Cross were erected July 16,1936.

In 1938, stone mason Antonio Molaro constructed the outdoor chapel and altar from local stone.

Fr. Patrick Peyton launched his family rosary crusade at Mount Carmel on Sept. 26,1948,with a crowd of 12,000 present.

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Slide show with short video clips / photos:

Representatives from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon — including Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen — recently embarked on a journey to northern Saskatchewan for an annual pilgrimage to Pine Channel.

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen

Pine Channel is located on an island on Lake Athabasca between Fond du Lac and Stony Rapids in the far north of Saskatchewan near the Northwest Territories border.

Pilgrimage participants come from the Athabasca Dene communities throughout the region.  The Pine Channel Pilgrimage was the inspiration of the Bishop Denis Croteau, OMI and the northern Athabasca peoples beginning in 1990. This year marked the 35th milestone year of the gathering.

This was also the first year attended by the new Archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas,  Archbishop Susai Jesu, OMI, who invited me up with a small team to join the pilgrimage.

It was great to attend again, and catch up with peoples from my former Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. (The Athabasca region was transferred to the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas in 2017).

The boat ride from Fond du Lac was spectacular. As the Athabasca Lake is very large and often features high winds, we needed to follow the coast to avoid the large lake waves. The wild lake was navigated by the skill of Willie John Mercredi.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a warm welcome from Archbishop Susai and members of the community.

Accompanying me to the Pine Channel Pilgrimage were Verbum Dei Missionaries Sr. Marta Piano, and Sr. Mirasol Abala, and seminarian Huy Le. During our stay, the sisters and Huy prepared some prayer and recreational activities for the young people at the gathering.

Activities during the annual event include Holy Eucharist each day, opportunities for confession; rosary walks, camping, fishing, and other traditional gathering activities

Thursday of the pilgrimage featured the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Over 100 candidates between the ages of 12 and 16 years were confirmed. The candidates were dressed in their finest clothes – despite the fact that we were in a wilderness site.

The celebration featured a spirited homily by the new Archbishop. I had the privilege to con-celebrate and join in conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 

Each day of the pilgrimage had a special theme. During the time we attended and following the confirmations, one theme day was to support all struggling with any kind of addiction – whether personally or in support of a family member or friend.

Another day was devoted to marriages, and featured a blessing on all the husbands and wives in attendance.

On the last evening of the pilgrimage, participants gather for a ‘walk-through’ of the site, praying for all families and community members, and for a safe trip home the next day.

I was again deeply moved by the faith and community of the Athabasca people, and it was such a blessing to be present and to establish friendships. It was also a great experience of Dene culture, featuring hospitality, prayer, the wide-spread use of the Dene language by young people as well as elders, and of course – the beautiful and majestic land of the far north of Saskatchewan.

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Sports, games, visiting, and a barbecue feast were again part of an annual summer barbecue for clergy July 7 in the Roman Catholic diocese of Saskatoon.

A game of soccer among priests, youth and volunteers is another regular highlight at the annual event.

 

 

Organized and presented by parishioners from Martensville and Langham, with support from the Knights of Columbus, the day included words of thanks to clergy by MC Kevin Higgins.

Birthdays and anniversaries were also acknowledged during the program – all those being celebrated in the month of July as well as the significant milestones that will be marked throughout 2026.

Priests celebrating milestone anniversaries this year include:

• 15 years – Fr. Geoffrey Young and Fr. Matthew Ramsay (June 10, 2011)
• 20 years – Fr. Peter Olisa (July 15, 2006)
• 25 years – Fr. Michael Magaji (Oct. 20, 2001)
• 25 years –  Fr. Bruce McAllister (Oct. 20, 2001)
• 30 years – Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB (June 29, 1996)
• 40 years – Fr. Les Paquin and Fr. Stefano Penna (May 9, 1986)
• 55 years – Fr. Ron Griffin, CSB (May 9, 1971)
• 60 years – Fr. Bill Stang, OMI (Oct. 20, 1966)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen expressed his appreciation to the clergy for their dedication and service, and also thanked the volunteers, Catholic Pastoral Centre staff, and all those who organize and support the event to foster fraternity and fellowship.

 

 

 

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