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Kiply Lukan Yaworski

Volunteer appreciation dinner held in diocese of Saskatoon

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog
A wide range of volunteers who serve in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon — serving in ministry and outreach, on committees and commissions, in hospitals and in the prison, with youth and with families, in administration, finance, evangelization, and more — were honoured and recognized this evening at a volunteer appreciation event held June 7, 2023 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.
“On behalf of the diocese, I say thank you, thank you, thank you, so much,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen.
Concluding the evening, the bishop cited 1Corinthians 12:4-7: “There are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit, a variety of services but the same Lord, varieties of activities but the same God who activates all of them and everyone…to each is given the Spirit for the common good and the blessing of God’s people.”

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Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish holds third annual memorial wake for those lost at residential schools

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

An opening Mass was held June 1 next to the tipi set up on St. Mary Parish grounds, as Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous Parish again held a four-day memorial wake to pray for children who died at residential schools, for their families and communities. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

For the third year, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish — the Indigenous-Métis Catholic parish in Saskatoon — organized a four-day event at the beginning of June to pray for all the children who died at residential schools, for their families and communities.

Once again a tipi was set up on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, where Our Lady of Guadalupe worships each Sunday afternoon, and once again prayers, hymns, and ceremonies were offered throughout the four days — along with a welcome and a listening presence for any who passed by or stopped in.

This is the third year of a four-year commitment by the Indigenous parish to hold a four-day memorial wake to pray for those lost at residential schools in Canada.

Parish Elders, parishioners, neighbours and friends gathered at the tipi on the church grounds from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 1, Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, before concluding the event on Trinity Sunday, June 4, 2023, with celebration of afternoon Mass at St. Mary Church.

The four-day memorial opened June 1 with a pipe ceremony, as well as singing and drumming by the Fiddler family (the Cree Canaries) along with an opening Mass celebrated on the parish grounds by Bishop Mark Hagemoen, joined by Our Lady of Guadalupe pastor Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR, St. Mary pastor Fr. Kevin McGee, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Deacon Paul Labelle.

The event started in June 2021 in the wake of news reports about the unmarked graves found at the former site of a residential school in B.C., and will conclude next year, in June 2024.

The parish made a commitment to hold a four-day memorial event each year for four years to pray and to honour all those children who were lost or hurt at residential schools. “We committed – our community of Our Lady of Guadalupe has committed – to four years, to be out here together on that sacred ground, to pray together; to pray, pray, pray,” said Debbie Ledoux, parishioner and recently-retired Parish Life Director.

At the second annual event in 2022, Our Lady of Guadalupe pastor Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR, described his answer to a friend about why four days of prayer were being held again. “I explained to him the traditional way of doing things in cycles of four,” Hill said of the plan to hold the event over four days for four years. “But we also do it again because we don’t want to rush. We don’t want to rush this. We sit in the pain. We want to listen to people’s stories, we want to journey with them. That is important work.”

Related: Memorial Wake first held in 2021 -LINK

Related: Second year of Memorial Wake – LINK

Related: July 2022 Walking Together event held in Saskatoon to hear papal apology via video

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Holy Trinity Parish at Pilger, SK celebrates 75th anniversary

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined pastor Fr. Colin Roy, associate pastor Fr. John Ezeoruonye and Abbot Peter Novecosky of St. Peter’s Abbey at a 75th anniversary celebration June 4, 2023 for Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pilger, SK.

Beginning with Mass and the blessing of graves in the parish cemetery, the anniversary celebration also included a potluck lunch.

History of Holy Trinity Parish, Pilger from “Building the Church, Living the Gospel” by Margaret Sanche and Daniel J. Classen:

“In the early years, the Catholics living in Pilger traveled to various rural churches for Mass, but in the late 1940s, the community decided to build its own church in the town. In 1948, a basement worship space, Holy Trinity Chapel, was built, and then 15 years later, in 1963, a full church was built on the basement foundation.

“Fr. John Hable, OSB, who served as long-time pastor, beginning in 1931, oversaw both stages of the construction in 1948 an d in 1963. He was assisted by architect Ted B. Arling in planning for the project, which was carried out by the volunteer labour of parishioners and Benedictines (from St. Peter’s Abbey at Muenster). Many of the materials used in building the church had been recovered from a schoolhouse which the Pilger building committee purchased and carefully disassembled for that purpose.

“The first Mass was celebrated in the new chuch on Dec. 8, 1963; it was blessed by Abbot Jerome Weber, OSB, on May 24, 1964…. Pilger was a parish of St. Peter’s Abbacy prior to its incorporation into the Diocese of Saskatoon in 1998.”

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Bishop announces pastoral appointments

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog, News

Bishop Mark Hagemoen has announced a first round of pastoral appointments and changes in assignments for parishes across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon for the upcoming ministry year. Most changes take effect July 30, 2023.

LINK to Announcement Letter – PDF

“We continue to wait and pray for the international clergy who have been invited to serve with the diocese of Saskatoon. We will announce further appointments and arrival details in due course,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a letter sent to parishes and diocesan leaders June 2, 2023.

“Please join in gratitude and prayer for all of these individuals and their ministry in our diocese. We ask for God’s blessings on them as they move forward to new assignments and endeavours,” he said.

Clergy updates:

Fr. Geoffrey Young will begin a three-year appointment as formator at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton.

Fr. Geoffrey Young, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Saskatoon will be taking a new assignment as a formator at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton for a three-year-term.

Fr. Daniel Yasinski is appointed pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Saskatoon.

Fr. Daniel Yasinski, who is presently serving parishes at Kerrobert, Dodsland, Luseland and Major, is now appointed the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Saskatoon. He will continue his role as Vocation Director, along with Fr. Colin Roy.

Fr. Charles Nweze is appointed pastor at Kerrobert, Major, Dodsland and Luseland.

Fr. Charles Nweze, who is presently serving parishes at St. Front, Rose Valley, Archerwill, Nobleville, and Naicam, is now appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Kerrobert; St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish, Luseland; Our Lady of Grace Parish, Dodsland; and Immaculate Conception Parish, Major. The pastoral coverage for the St. Front region will be announced shortly, said Bishop Hagemoen.

Fr. Jean Baptiste Murhumwa is leaving the diocese after several years of service.

Fr. Binu Rathappillil, VC, is leaving the diocese to pursue studies in the U.S.

In his update, the bishop thanked two priests who are leaving the diocese of Saskatoon, expressing gratitude for their years of service here: Fr. Jean Baptiste Murhumwa (presently pastor of parishes at Vonda, St. Denis, and Prud’homme) and Fr. Binu Rathappillil, VC, (presently pastor of parishes at Macklin, Denzil, and St. Donatus).

Fr. Daniel Louh will serve as pastor of parishes at Vonda, St. Denis and Prud’homme.

While continuing as pastor of Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens French Catholic Parish in Saskatoon, Fr. Daniel Louh, will now also serve as pastor of the Trinité pastoral region parishes of Sts. Donatien and Rogatien Parish, Prud’homme; St. Denis Parish, St. Denis; and St. Philippe Neri Parish, Vonda.

 

Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC, is appointed pastor at Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus.

Presently serving parishes at Wilkie, Handel and Leipzig, Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC, is now appointed as pastor at St. Mary Parish, Macklin; Sacred Heart Parish, Denzil; and St. Donatus Parish, Cactus Lake.

Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC, will arrive soon and will minister at parishes in Wilkie, Handel, and Leipzig.

“Our diocese looks forward to welcoming Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC. Upon arrival, Fr. Rinesh will minister to the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Handel; St. James Parish, Wilkie; St. Paschal Parish, Leipzig,” added the bishop.

 

Seminarian internship:

Diocesan seminarian Luke Van Tam Tran starts an internship at St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon.

Having concluded his studies at Christ the King Seminary in Mission, B.C., diocesan seminarian Luke Van Tam Tran has started his internship year at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon, in preparation for ordination to the transitional diaconate and then to the priesthood.

Retirement:

Debbie Ledoux has retired as Parish Life Director of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon.

Debbie Ledoux has recently announced retirement and concluded as Parish Life Director at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon.

In an earlier message about Debbie Ledoux’s retirement, Bishop Mark Hagemoen noted the impact of her nine years of service as Parish Life Director of the diocese’s Indigenous parish. “I am particularly struck by her care and compassion in accompanying parishioners on a path of healing and reconciliation over many years and seasons,” said Hagemoen. “She has also led and accompanied us as a diocese as well in our walking together the path of reconciliation – particularly through her input on the Diocesan Council for Truth and Reconciliation and at many diocesan encounters and events.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish honoured Debbie Ledoux during a celebration April 23, 2023. (Photo by Fr. Kevin McGee).

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Eight priests in our diocese are each celebrating more than 55 years of priestly service this month

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

June is a big month for ordination anniversaries in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. Among those celebrating anniversaries this month are eight men marking 55-plus years of priestly service, namely:

 

  • June 1, 1958 – Fr. Bernard de Margerie – 65 years (long-time pastor known for his work on ecumenism and Christian unity, founding director of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, author/editor of a book of prayers for unity)
  • June 1, 1963 – Fr.  Lawrence DeMong, OSB  – 60 years (Benedictine Monk of St. Peter’s Abbey who has served in many ways, as pastor, missionary, chaplain and teacher: most recently serves as administrator for parishes in Holdfast area)
  • June 1, 1963 – Fr. Ralph Kleiter – 60 years (served in parishes, started the diocesan communications office, and continues his work with pilgrim travellers in his Ministry to Tourism)

  • June 3, 1967 – Fr. Emile April – 56 years (served as pastor for a number of parishes in the diocese, as well as serving as a missionary for 26 years in the diocese’s Brazil Mission)

    Fr. Emile April was ordained June 3, 1967.

 

  • June 5, 1965 – Fr. Denis Phaneuf – 58 years (served as pastor for many parishes across the diocese of Saskatoon, as well as being a chaplain and mentor to various movements and groups)
  • June 5, 1965 – Fr. Raymond Senger – 58 years (served as pastor for many parishes, as well as a teacher, and received the title of Monsignor in 2012 when he was recognized by Pope Benedict XVI as “Chaplain of His Holiness.”)

Fr. Denis Phaneuf (left) and Monsignor Raymond Senger were both ordained June 5, 1965.

 

  • June 10, 1961 – Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB – 62 years (Benedictine monk of St. Peter’s Abbey, who has served at the monastery in many ways, as well as being a parish priest in a number of locations, hospital chaplain, etc.)

 

Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB, was ordained June 10, 1961.

  • June 21, 1962 – Fr. André Poilievre – 61 years (served in many parishes, as director of the diocesan Catholic Centre, and in prison chaplaincy, and was a co-founder of STR8UP 10,000 Steps to Healing, which helps young people leave the gang lifestyle and find health and healing)

Fr. André Poilievre was ordained June 21, 1962.

We thank God for their vocation, witness and service, and ask God to bless each one. Congratulations!

 

Bishop celebrates confirmation at Rosetown, SK

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown on the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, Sunday, May 21, 2023

Pastor Habila Musa, the Confirmands, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen on Ascension Sunday, May 21, 2023, St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown. (Submitted photo)

 

Confirmation celebrations in the diocese with Bishop Hagemoen in 2023:

  • 5 p.m. Saturday, April 15 – St Peter the Apostle, Saskatoon
  • 10 a.m. Sunday, April 16 – St Philip Neri, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 – Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 – St. Patrick, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Sunday, April 30 – Holy Spirit, Saskatoon
  • 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7 – Cathedral of the Holy Family, Saskatoon
  • 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13 – St. Mary, Fox Valley
  • 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14 – Little Flower, Leader
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 – Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20 – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Outlook
  • 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 21 – St. Theresa, Rosetown
  • 5 p.m. Saturday, May 27 – Our Lady of Lourdes, Saskatoon

The diocese of Saskatoon is in the process of transitioning to an older age for the Sacrament of Confirmation, with Bishop Hagemoen moving the normative age from Grade 2 to Grade 6.

“The hope is that the decision to change the Confirmation age will encourage more young people to receive the sacrament at a time in their ongoing faith formation to better strengthen them spiritually and enrich the entire Body of Christ,” says the bishop.

Catholic Education Week

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Read a message from the Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan for Catholic Education Week: PDF

Marked from May, 14 to May 20, this year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One”, which is taken from St. Paul: “We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually weare members, one of another.” (Rom 12:5)

 Catholic Education Week Prayer

We are many, we are one; we all form one body in Christ.
Lord, when we see the one before us, let us reverence your presence within;
when we listen to one another, let us hear with our hearts;
when we reflect on each encounter, may we discern to understand;
when we learn from those around us, let us respect our differences with joy;
and when we act, may we be kind and generous to all,
for each person is a member of your body, with all that they are.
We are many, we are one.
Amen.

Find more information at Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools: website

Bishop celebrates confirmation at Leader, SK

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at Little Flower Parish, Leader, SK on Sunday, May 14, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Little Flower Parish.

Confirmands and altar servers with Fr. Prince Sarpong and Bishop Mark Hagemoen at a celebration May 14 at Little Flower Parish, Leader, SK. (Submitted photo)

 

Confirmation celebrations in the diocese with Bishop Hagemoen in 2023:

  • 5 p.m. Saturday, April 15 – St Peter the Apostle, Saskatoon
  • 10 a.m. Sunday, April 16 – St Philip Neri, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 – Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 – St. Patrick, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Sunday, April 30 – Holy Spirit, Saskatoon
  • 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7 – Cathedral of the Holy Family, Saskatoon
  • 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13 – St. Mary, Fox Valley
  • 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14 – Little Flower, Leader
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 – Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20 – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Outlook
  • 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 21 – St. Theresa, Rosetown
  • 5 p.m. Saturday, May 27 – Our Lady of Lourdes, Saskatoon

The diocese of Saskatoon is in the process of transitioning to an older age for the Sacrament of Confirmation, with Bishop Hagemoen moving the normative age from Grade 2 to Grade 6.

“The hope is that the decision to change the Confirmation age will encourage more young people to receive the sacrament at a time in their ongoing faith formation to better strengthen them spiritually and enrich the entire Body of Christ,” says the bishop.

Bishop celebrates confirmation at Fox Valley, SK

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at St. Mary Parish, Fox Valley on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima / Sixth Sunday of Easter on May 13, 2022.

Photos courtesy of Robyn Eresman.

Confirmation celebrations in the diocese with Bishop Hagemoen in 2023:

  • 5 p.m. Saturday, April 15 – St Peter the Apostle, Saskatoon
  • 10 a.m. Sunday, April 16 – St Philip Neri, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 – Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 – St. Patrick, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Sunday, April 30 – Holy Spirit, Saskatoon
  • 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7 – Cathedral of the Holy Family, Saskatoon
  • 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13 – St. Mary, Fox Valley
  • 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14 – Little Flower, Leader
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 – Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens, Saskatoon
  • 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20 – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Outlook
  • 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 21 – St. Theresa, Rosetown
  • 5 p.m. Saturday, May 27 – Our Lady of Lourdes, Saskatoon

The diocese of Saskatoon is in the process of transitioning to an older age for the Sacrament of Confirmation, with Bishop Hagemoen moving the normative age from Grade 2 to Grade 6.

“The hope is that the decision to change the Confirmation age will encourage more young people to receive the sacrament at a time in their ongoing faith formation to better strengthen them spiritually and enrich the entire Body of Christ,” says the bishop.

National Week of Life and Family

By Uncategorised

 

The Office of Family and Life of the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops (CCCB) has prepared a range of resources for the National Week of Life and Family, May 7-14.

The theme is Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). This week emphasizes the joy and beauty of family and life by highlighting various lived experiences of those in our local communities.

“Let us spend NFLW 2023 (7-14 May 2023) united in prayer, reflection, and action, demonstrating our active support for family and life. Indeed, families are ‘guardians of life’ when we love one another within our families and in wider society when we show kindness toward and care for the vulnerable and marginalized.” – CCCB news release

Find information and resources on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops website: LINK  – including a message from CCCB president Bishop Raymond Poisson: English / French

Prayers and activities for families and parishes:

Pro-life events in Saskatchewan:

  • Saskatchewan March for Life 2023 will be held Thursday, May 11 in Regina. March for Life schedule: Rosary and Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 3125-13th  Avenue, Regina at 12:30 p.m. May 11; March for Life starting 2:00 p.m. May 11 at Holy Rosary Cathedral with a short program at the Legislature followed by silent witness along Albert Street. See: www.saskprolife.com/
  • The annual Mother’s Day Walk for Life will be held in Saskatoon from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14 in Saskatoon. along College Drive, between Hospital Drive and Wiggins Avenue. Life-affirming signs are provided and it is a family friendly event. Show your support for life and plan to attend.

National Family and Life Week Prayers of the Faithful:

  • For those preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage, that the tenderness and guiding light of Christ may bring an abundance of grace and peace in this meaningful life decision and commitment, we pray to the Lord.
  • For those living out their marriage covenant, that the Holy Spirit will enflame joy and perseverance in their hearts as a reminder of Christ’s living presence dwelling among them, we pray to the Lord.
  • For families caring for loved ones through illness, loneliness, and old age, that the gift of life be cherished and that the endless care and compassion of Christ be embraced, we pray to the Lord.
  • For mothers and families who mourn the loss of little ones, that as they journey through immense grief, the consoling arms of Christ will embrace them with support, healing, and kindness, we pray to the Lord.
  • For persons with disabilities, that the goodness and grace of Jesus bring renewed ways of belonging to a loving community and flourishing of each person’s unique gifts and talents, we pray to the Lord.
  • For those living with mental health challenges, including mental illnesses, that the Spirit of the loving Jesus accompany them through the valleys and peaks of life and may His still small voice of calm continually resound in their hearts so they know that they are loved and never alone, we pray to the Lord.
Rooted in Christ