Parish and ministry leaders gathered with Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the Cathedral of the Holy Family for an annual diocesan Administration Day Sept. 17, sharing information on stewardship, evangelization, faith formation, hospital chaplaincy, justice and peace, vocations, administration and finance.
A diocesan Synod Implementation Committee also highlighted next steps for synodality in the diocese, including the upcoming launch of an online Parish Reflection Tool focused on the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities (see related article about synod implementation LINK).
Objectives for the annual Administration Day include building connections and relationships across the diocese, welcoming and supporting new clergy and staff, and distributing materials and resources for various initiatives in the weeks and months ahead.
The day opened with a number of parish representatives, pastors and volunteers gathering for a breakfast meeting held to introduce the 2026 Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA), organized by the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation.
The theme for this year’s Appeal in support of a wide range of ministries, evangelization, and outreach is “Called to Respond: Living the Father’s Will” described Foundation Executive Director Raissa Bugyi and Development Manager Andrea Alas.
A Bishop’s Annual Appeal information session was held before the start of the Administration Day program. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
In addition to plans and logistics for the upcoming six-week Appeal held in parishes across the diocese starting Sept. 27, the BAA breakfast included viewing of this year’s BAA video, which was also shown later in the day to the entire Administration Day gathering.
Staff of the Catholic Pastoral Centre welcomed Administration Day participants Sept. 17 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family: (l-r) Andrea Alas, Riah De Mesa, Jenny Ashok, Rita Flaman Jarrett, and Marilyn Jackson. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Following the BAA breakfast, representatives from across the diocese gathered in Bishop LeGatt Hall at the cathedral, re-connecting and picking up resources for the weeks ahead.
In response to Pope Leo XIV’s call for all dioceses across the world to implement the Synod on Synodality’s Final Document “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission,” the diocesan Synod Implementation Committee established by Bishop Hagemoen presented information about a discernment tool for parishes to help move forward with synodality as it relates to priorities in the diocesan Pastoral Plan.
Welcome and introductions
During Administration Day, the bishop introduced special guest Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye of the Archdiocese of Kumasi, Ghana, who was on a pastoral visit to priests from his diocese who are serving here: Fr. Prince Osuwu Sarpong, pastor at Leader, Fox Valley, Leibenthal, and Richmound, and Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, pastor at Kindersley, Marengo, Eston, and Eatonia.
Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye of the Archdiocese of Kumasi, Ghana, gave the homily during Mass at Administration Day. Serving Mass were seminarians Matthew Witzaney and Huy Le. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Hagemoen also welcomed recently-arrived priest Fr. Jacques Kouadio Kouassi of the Diocese of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, who is serving as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at Saint Anne Parish and Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Francophone Catholic Parish in Saskatoon with pastor Fr. Gregory Roth.
The bishop introduced diocesan seminarians Matthew Witzaney, who is serving a pastoral year at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, and Huy Le, who is serving at Unity, Wilkie, and Tramping Lake, SK.
New staff members were also introduced at Administration Day, including Alexia George, coordinator of children’s ministry at Saint Anne, Saskatoon; Krista Banadyga, office manager at Holy Spirit Parish, Saskatoon; Patrick Emordi, facilities manager at Holy Spirit Parish, Saskatoon; Melissa Stockbrugger-Knaus, pastoral associate at St. Augustine Parish, Humboldt; Elana Hudec, pastoral administrative associate at St. Mary Parish, Fox Valley; Shaun Wonsiak, maintenance coordinator at St. Augustine, Saskatoon; Hannah Sevilla youth minister at St. Augustine, Saskatoon; and Nonye Emeana, executive assistant to the curia at the diocesan Catholic Pastoral Centre.
Bishop’s message
Bishop Mark Hagemoen speaks at Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
In his report, Hagemoen began by noting his upcoming attendance at the national Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in Montreal Sept. 21 to 25, and some of the topics that will be up for discussion – including synodality at the national level.
The bishop also summarized events in the wider Church, such as the Year of St. Francis of Assisi marking the 800th anniversary of the beloved saint’s death, and the recent encyclical from Pope Leo XIV Maginfica Humanitas, which deals with the challenges the world faces with technology and artificial intelligence.
Parish representatives from across the diocese gathered for the annual Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Hagemoen reviewed highlights of the diocesan ministry year calendar, which starts with Administration Day and continues with the Fall Congress Oct. 14, and later, the Spring Congress – which last year was repeated in three locations to enable more rural participation. He also noted that there are regular renewal and formation events for clergy, as well as large diocesan events, such as the annual Rite of Election and Chrism Mass, and a diocesan Volunteer Appreciation Event now held in June. And he acknowledged the contributions of partners in Catholic education and Catholic health.
The launch of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is an important element of Administration Day, he said, pointing to the role of the annual appeal in providing ongoing support to parishes, and to a range of vital ministries, outreach and formation across the diocese and beyond. “It is not my appeal, it is our appeal,” said Hagemoen. “It is how the diocese supports our mission.”
“And our identity and mission, as summed up in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, is to proclaim Christ and God’s kingdom, and having the same mind and heart as Christ Jesus,” the bishop stressed.
Participants engage in some after lunch activity during the Administration Day program at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Read more about Administration Day ministry year updates: LINK to Catholic Saskatoon News item
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