By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Sharing memories and words of farewell, parishioners past and present marked the closing of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Lancer, SK, on Nov. 17, 2024.

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass for the decommissioning of the Sacred Heart parish, along with pastor Fr. Prince Sarpong, who also serves at Leader, Fox Valley, Liebenthal, and Richmound parishes.

As with the closing of another parish in the area two years ago – St. Michael Parish in Burstall, SK – the closing of the Lancer church comes after a long period of careful, prayerful discernment by parishioners, said Bishop Hagemoen.

He delivered a message of gratitude for the history and faith nurtured at Sacred Heart parish over the years, and reflected on the ongoing call to live and worship as the People of God – God’s ultimate temple.

Hagemoen acknowledged the sadness of bidding farewell to a beloved building and the challenges of living through a time of transition for the faith community, which will now involve celebrating and building deeper connections with surrounding parishes in the region.

Generations of parishioners have celebrated countless baptisms, marriages, funerals and the sacraments of the church in the parish, which began as an Oblate parish mission in 1913, before the first church was built in 1918, with the present building constructed in 1963.

The Lancer parish was served by the Oblates of St. Mary’s Province for many years, and was part of the former Gravelbourg diocese until 1998, when it was incorporated into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Parish history

Following Mass, Sacred Heart parishioner Paulette Andreas presented a brief history of the parish beginning with its earliest days as part of a new settlement.

“From time-to-time, a travelling missionary from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation would celebrate Mass in different homes in the area, and eventually the Abbey Hotel became available for Sunday Mass. All the while, Lancer was being established as a mission church,” she described.

“In 1918, a few Catholic settlers decided it was time to build a church. It was a 26-foot by 44-foot, simply-made and modest building of worship, ready to serve the people of the Lancer area,” she said, relating some of the changes and transitions experienced over the generations of parish life.

“It wasn’t until 1930 that Lancer had a resident priest often staying in private homes. Eventually a private house was purchased and used as a rectory until 1950, at which time a modest, full-basement rectory was built at the total cost of $4,000. Today it serves as a family home.”

As the population grew and finances improved, the basement to the church built in 1918 was excavated and an extension was added. “Improvements continued as the congregation grew.”

In 1963, that original 1918 structure was moved to Cabri, SK, where it still serves as the church building for St. Joseph Parish in the Archdiocese of Regina.

Construction of the present Sacred Heart church building was overseen by Fr. Alexander Shahun, OMI, with the new church building blessed on Sept. 29, 1963.

Acknowledging the many priests that served at Sacred Heart Parish over the years, she reflected on the many celebrations, sacraments, and events that have been held there – “too many to count.”

She made note of the work of organizations that have also been a big part of parish life over the years, including the Knights of Columbus, which was introduced to Lancer in 1947, when it became a sub-council first of Swift Current and then of the Prelate council. John Andreas was the first Grand Knight at Lancer. “Then in October 1972, Lancer Council #6330 was formed. Jack Tuchsherer became the first Grand Knight of the newly-formed council.”

The local Knights of Columbus council organized many events to raise funds for causes they supported locally, nationally and internationally. Their service over the years included helping at the Lancer rodeo, hosting ball tournaments, golf tournaments, crib tournaments, skidoo rallies, weekly bingos and an annual turkey bingo.

“Some of their most recent annual events were Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast and spearheading and working at the Chokecherry Festival pancake breakfast, at which some of these men still serve today.”

The Catholic Women’s League was established in Lancer in 1954. “Before that, the women’s organization of the church were called the ‘Catholic Ladies’ Aide.’ Those pioneer women were not only homemakers in their own homes, they took on the duty of being homemakers of the Church,” Andreas described. Their service included cleaning, decorating, laundry, and providing vestments and altar serving gowns. Rosella Hubert was the first president of the local CWL once they joined the national organization.

Over the years, the women went on to serve other local and national organizations and causes, she added. “They were often out canvassing or fundraising to supply the necessities of others. For example, back in the day, 20 pounds of white cloth was purchased and sent to Tanzania for bandages in a leper colony. They supported the education of priests and sent Catholic reading material to India,” Andreas listed.

CWL members would canvas for organizations such as the CNIB or the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, and would respond to other requests for help.

With the local United Church women’s group also canvassing for some of the same causes, the Lancer CWL council joined with them to form the “Combined Appeal Donor’s Choice,” which has since become a successful community endeavour, Andreas said.

Over the years the two women’s organizations also worked jointly on many local events including the World Day of Prayer, Solidarity Sunday, a graduation service for Grade 12 students, and an interfaith service at the Lancer Chokecherry Festival.

Other efforts of the CWL have included an annual Spring Ham and Perogy Supper, a bake sale complimenting the Knights of Columbus turkey bingo, and the publication of three cookbooks of collected recipes from the community.

“So many faithful  parishioners contributed and shared their talents for the betterment of our parish,” added Andreas, pointing in particular to music ministry in the parish. “We had the best music anywhere — that we witnessed today,” she said.

Parish vocations

Paulette Andreas concluded by recalling proud moments for the parish, when former members answered the call to serve God and God’s people in the wider Church.

On Feb. 17, 1977, Lancer parishioner Louis Andreas made his sacred vows to join the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a consecrated religious brother. “He was lovingly known to everyone as Brother Louis.”  He died in 2018 at the age of 70 years.

“Another member of our Sacred Heart family is Deacon David Hagel,” she added. He currently serves in Cabri, Gull Lake and Swift Current in the Archdiocese of Regina

In closing, Andreas thanked all those who joined the community for the closing Mass. “Although our hearts are heavy, we appreciate you coming out to join us today and to share with us memories of our beloved Church and its history in the Lancer area.”

A lunch followed the closing Mass.

Gallery of photos: LINK

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined in the annual United Conference presented Oct. 26-27, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

READ MORE – ARTICLE

An evening of reflection on the life and holiness of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was held Oct. 25 in the Queen of Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. “To the Heights” focused on the life and example of the young 20th-century lay Dominican who died nearly 100 years ago at the age of 24.

Young adult and vocation ministry leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon organized the event in collaboration with the cathedral, hosting guest speaker Fr. David Bellusci, OP, of Vancouver, who has written a book about the young Italian Catholic who is on the road to being proclaimed a saint of the church.

“It was a life-giving experience to be part of this event,” said Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity.

“Fr. David Bellusci brought us ‘To the Heights!’ Through the virtuous life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati we were drawn to awe of the extraordinary in the ordinary, to the sense of beauty and righteousness, and to be inspired to engage generously. As Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati would say: ‘so that the radiant dawn may break in which all nations recognize that Jesus Christ as King.'”

Blessed Frassati, one of the patrons of the 2023 World Youth Day held in Portugal, was concerned about helping the poor in the slums of Turin, the needy students in Berlin, but especially in contributing to world peace. His spiritual maturity was expressed by making sacrifices.

Blessed Frassati’s phrase, Verso l’Alto, “To the Summit,” expresses his journey ascending towards God. His life of virtue, love and sacrifice prompted St. John Paul II to refer to him as a “man of the eight beatitudes.”

The biography written by Bellusci, entitled Pier Giorgio Frassati: Truth, Love, and Sacrifice draws from letters and witness accounts, showing the young man’s increasing engagement with the world around him, shaped by his spiritual life.

Bellusci brought a second-class relic of Blessed Frassati to the Saskatoon event, which included prayer, a talk, and a time for questions.

 

RELATED:

Upcoming vocation event: a “Come and See” morning for young women 18-28 years of age, about the Sts. Benedict and Scholastica formation program in the diocese of Saskatoon will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; register before Nov. 28 by calling Sr. Sol Abala at (639) 470-8333.

Diocesan World Youth Day will be marked on the Solemnity of Christ the King, Sunday, Nov. 24, with 6:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, followed by testimony from young adults. All are welcome.

Photos:

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Vocations, Communications, and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.

The 2024 CHAS convention “Awaking Dignity: Relationship at the Heart of Care” was held Oct. 22 and 23 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, including an evening of reflection and prayer open to the public.

Panelists Amanda Achtman, Dr. Leonie Herx, MD, PhD, FCPC (PC), and Dr. Mary Heilman, PhD, spoke during the evening event, entitled
“From Death into Life: Finding Reasons for Our Hope.”

Convention keynote speakers included palliative care physician Herx who presented “You Matter – Enhancing Dignity & Human Flourishing through Palliative Care“, theologian and author Dr. Josephine Lombardi, PhD, who spoke on “Redemptive Suffering,” as well as on “Spiritual First Aid” and Sr. Cindy Lewans of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, MTS, MRE, BEd., who presented “Our True Identity and Dementia.”

Breakout sessions during the convention included: “It Starts with Me: Grassroots Participation in Palliative Care” with C. Philomena Ojukwu, Anna Maria Buhr, Jacqueline Saretsky, and Dr. Mary Heilman and Mental Health Ministry: Fostering Communities of Hope with Myron Rogal, Dr. Christine Taylor, Deacon Eric Gurash, and Fr. Andre Lalach.

Saskatchewan Bishops attending various sessions throughout the convention included Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Prince Albert Bishop Stephen Hero, Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen, and Bishop Michael Smolenski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.

The convention also included prayer, AGM, a blessing of the board of directors, and the presentation of awards to Dr. Bruce Berscheid who was recognized with the CHAS Mission Award for outstanding service and his decades of commitment to Catholic health care, and to Barb Berscheid who received the Moola-Freer Award which honours those who serve with compassion in palliative care, for her many years supporting and volunteering at the St. Paul’s Hospital palliative care unit.

CHAS Award Recipients 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Gallery – LINK

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Fr. Matthew Ramsay was appointed pastor of St. Michael Parish, Tramping Lake, SK, and St. Peter Parish, Unity, SK, earlier this summer, with the appointment marked by special prayers of installation led by Bishop Mark Hagemoen on World Mission Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

The bishop endeavours to celebrate the optional liturgy during Sunday Mass at parishes across the diocese who have recently welcomed a new pastor.

The installation prayers led by the bishop reflect prayerfully on the role of the pastor, highlighting the priest’s sacramental ministry through a series of prayers at different spots throughout the church building: the altar, the ambo, the tabernacle, the baptismal font, the entrance of the church, the confessional, and so on.

Installation prayers at Tramping Lake:

(Photos at St. Michael Parish, Tramping Lake, SK by Rose Simon)

 

 

 

 

 

Installation prayers at Unity:

(Photos at St. Peter Parish, Unity, SK, by Karen McCubbing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

With great joy and thanksgiving, hundreds gathered from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Western Canada, and beyond, for the priestly ordination of Fr. Luke Tran Van Tam on Oct. 18, the Feast of his patron saint, Saint Luke the Evangelist.

Before the Ordination Mass began at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, children and youth from Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Catholic Community of Saskatoon brought forward an offering of flowers as a Marian devotion.

The Diocesan Choir – directed by Shaun Bzdel, with Wendy Dale on piano and Ken Neitz on organ – was joined in music ministry by the Vietnamese Catholic Choir of Surrey, B.C., where Fr. Luke would often visit while studying at the nearby Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, B.C.

Special guests at the ordination Mass included Fr. Luke Tran Van Tam’s parents, who travelled from Việt Nam for the celebration, along with other family members.

Seminarians, deacons, and priests from a number of dioceses across Western Canada also attended the ordination Mass, including priests from the dioceses of Vancouver; Edmonton; Calgary; St. Paul, AB; St. Boniface, MB; Mackenzie-Fort Smith, NT; Prince Albert, SK; and Regina.

Fr. Anthony Tien Tran, Pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Surrey, B.C. in the Archdiocese of Vancouver assisted the newly-ordained priest during the Investiture with the Stole and Chausible.

Fr. Luke then knelt before the bishop, who anointed his hands with sacred chrism.

The offertory gifts were brought up by members of Fr. Luke’s family. Presenting the newly-ordained priest with a chalice and paten, the bishop said: “Understand what you will do, imitate what you will hold, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.”

The bishop and all the priests then embraced the newly-ordained priest during the “Kiss of Peace.”

The celebration continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and communion. It concluded with words of thanks from Fr. Luke, and a message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen to the parents of the newly-ordained priest, which was translated into Vietnamese by Fr. Anthony Tien Tran of Surrey, B.C.

“My dear brothers and sisters, God’s mercy to me is great, and this ordination is a manifestation of his grace,” said Fr. Luke, expressing his gratitude to the crowd that filled the cathedral worship space, and to those viewing the live-stream video online, both in English and in Vietnamese.

“Special thanks to Bishop Mark for ordaining me, and for your constant support throughout my journey,” he said, before noting the support of those at Christ the King Seminary and in the diocese and beyond, and all those who have accompanied him on his faith journey. “Your prayers and support have been a source of strength for me…. Words will never be able to express how deeply your kindness has touched my heart.”

“Finally, and most importantly, I would like to offer my deepest gratitude to God for calling and anointing me to be His priest:  Thank you Lord, for your constant presence in my life, for patiently leading me along this path, even when I didn’t fully understand it,” said Fr. Luke.  “You, in Your wisdom, took me far from my home, into a new country, a new culture, and among new people. Through it all You showed me that I was never alone, and that your grace and mercy have always been with me.”

Addressing Fr. Luke’s parents, the bishop said: “I want to thank you both very much for the generous gift of your son to the priesthood. It must be difficult to see a son leave your country, probably mixed blessings but also challenges, and I know you miss him very much.”

The bishop continued: “He is a very faithful man, he is very hard working and he is very determined…. very grateful for the gift of your son; he learned his faith from you, foremost… thank you, thank you, thank you. Your gift is great and we will always remember you in our prayers.”

During the recessional hymn, the bishop knelt to receive a blessing from the newly-ordained priest. Blessings continued at the reception that followed the Mass, as those in attendance also lined up to receive a blessing.

[Fr. Luke Tran Van Tam was born April 30, 1987 in Việt Nam and came to Canada on July 19, 2017 in order to discern the vocation of priesthood for the diocese of Saskatoon. He was accepted as a diocesan seminarian of Saskatoon in July 2018, and studied at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, B.C. until his pastoral year at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon, which began in the summer of 2023.]

Gallery of photos:  LINK

 

Live-stream video of Ordination Mass:

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Vocations, and the education of future priests are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.

Provincial and Municipal Elections – LETTER from Bishop Mark Hagemoen (PDF)

Catholic Conscience provincial election platform comparision – LINK

“Voting Like a Catholic” PDF (EN)   /   <<Voter comme un catholique>> PDF (FR)

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

As we approach the upcoming provincial and civic elections, and as all citizens are called to fulfill their responsibilities to inform themselves of the various issues, I am taking this opportunity to support members of our Catholic communities in their engagement with the electoral process, and encourage all to be informed regarding the major moral and social issues important to Catholics.

While no one political party can be promoted at any Catholic Church, it is certainly appropriate to make available the positions of all political parties to moral and social issues.

To this end, I would strongly promote making available the attached “Voting Like A Catholic” resource from the non-profit and non-partisan organization Catholic Conscience, which reflects on key issues not only for Catholics but for all citizens. It also includes a link to a resource comparing the various political parties’ published platforms with Catholic Social Teaching: https://CatholicConscience.org/Canada/Saskatchewan/2024-provincial-election.

For Catholics, voting is not only a duty but involves ongoing education and formation. A key feature of carrying out one’s duty and responsibility to vote is to exercise and inform one’s conscience. This is particularly important because we are called to be voices that speak to virtue, healing and decency in politics and social engagement. We are also called to be mindful of both personal and community issues and goals – especially in terms of those who are unable to speak for themselves.

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On route to attend meetings in Alberta, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon stopped in at the Calgary Life Chain to stand in solidarity and prayer with those witnessing for the sacredness of life from conception until natural death, calling for an end to abortion.

In the diocese of Saskatoon Life Chain were held in Saskatoon, Humboldt, and Unity, SK.

Submitted photos:

 

Read more about the Called and Gifted workshop in Saskatoon at Catholic Saskatoon News – LINK

The Called and Gifted™ Discernment Process from the Catherine of Siena Institute is designed to help Christians discern the presence of charisms (God’s gifts) in their lives. For more information about the Called and Gifted program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, contact Sr. Malou Tibayan at mtibayan@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5843 or see the pamphlet (PDF).

In the first of three diocesan workshops this fall, 16 participants gathered at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Saskatoon Oct. 4 and 5 for an introduction to the Called and Gifted™ discernment process.

The process as explained by the Catherine of Siena Institute website is “designed to help Christians discern the presence of charisms in their lives. Charisms, or spiritual gifts, are special abilities given to all Christians by the Holy Spirit to give them power both to represent Christ and to be a channel of God’s goodness for people. Whether extraordinary or ordinary, all charisms ought to be exercised in the service of God.”

The Called and Gifted introductory workshop will also be held this fall in two other locations to provide greater opportunity across the diocese to participate in this life-changing process:

• Oct. 19: St. Theresa Parish, 208 Little Flower Avenue, Rosetown, SK (One day only: 9 a.m. – 5: 30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
• Nov. 8-9: St Augustine Parish, 809 – 10th Street, Humboldt, SK (Two days: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 and 9-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9

For more information about the Called and Gifted program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, contact Sr. Malou Tibayan at mtibayan@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5843 or see the pamphlet (PDF).