Kiply Lukan Yaworski

Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined parishioners of St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish at Fosston, SK, in the Wadena Deanery on Nov. 14, 2025 for an evening celebration of 90 years of parish life, witness, and community.

The 90th anniversary celebration included a retrospective look back at the history of the parish, its leaders and ministries.

Parish history

The parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland was established in 1934, serving Catholics in the community, many of whom were of Polish descent, reports the diocesan history book “Building the Church, Living the Gospel” by diocesan Archvisit Margaret Sanche.

The Polish community hall was purchased by the Catholic parish and was expanded and converted for use as the Catholic church. Pastor at the time of the 1934 construction was Fr. John Bednarz, OMI.

A church bell was purchased and installed in 1938. Additional renovations to the building and the worship space were carried out from 1968 to 1973.

The parish at Fosston was part of the Archdiocese of Regina until 1998, when it became part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Oblates of Mary Immaculate (St. Mary and Assumption provinces) served as pastors of St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish from 1934 to 1998, and since then, the parish has been served by diocesan priests.

90th anniversary celebration

The present pastor of St. Mary, Fosston, is Fr. Jerome Ogunleye, dean of the Wadnea Deanery, who also serves as pastor of parishes at Archerwill, Kelvington Lintlaw, Nobleville, Perigord, Rose Valley, and Wadena.

The anniversary celebration included celebration of Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen and pastor Fr. Jerome Ogunleye, and Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, the pastor of Wynyard-area parishes in the Wadena deanery. Mass was followed by a program in the hall, and a dinner.

Photos by Frank Lipinski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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By Communications Office, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

On the World Day of the Poor Nov. 16, 2025, the Catholic Conference of Canadian Bishops (CCCB) released a pastoral letter by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace titled Our Daily Bread: Food Security and the Call to Solidarity.

Centred on the themes of solidarity, harmony, and harvest, the pastoral letter highlights the current challenges to food security, both globally and in Canada. The new document urges Canadian Catholics to consider practical ways they can live in solidarity with those who lack food as well as to ensure that God’s abundant gifts reach all those in need.

“I invite you to reflect on the contents of this letter and to renew our shared commitment to fostering a culture of justice and peace, so that all may have their daily bread,” said Bishop Christian Lépine, Chair of the CCCB Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace.

Our Daily Bread is available on the CCCB website:

In English: www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Our-Daily-Bread_EN.pdf

In French: www.cecc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Our-Daily-Bread_FR.pdf

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined the Syro-Malabar Catholic community as they gathered for a cultural evening Nov. 16 at the community Centre in Warman, SK, north of Saskatoon.

Fr. John Paleethottathil-Kurian serves the Christ the King Syro-Malabar community, which gathers to celebrate Sunday Eucharist each week at St. Michael Parish in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen spoke at the “Agape 2026” cultural celebration that included music, dance, dramatic presentations, speakers, and food.

Welcomed with flowers, the bishop reflected on the meaning of the Kingdom of God and the end of the Church year which concludes with the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe, for whom the community is named.

Hagemoen said that it is a blessing how the Syro-Malabar faith community in the diocese of Saskatoon “illustrates how we proclaim Jesus Christ – Christ the King – and the Kingdom of God to the world, through our culture and our identity.”

The bishop thanked the community for how they receive the grace of God and give witness to their faith in the world.

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At a closing Mass for the Search youth retreat Nov. 9, Bishop Mark Hagemoen affirmed participants in their baptismal call to be missionary disciples.

“I hope this weekend has been a journey to allow God to dwell in you in a bigger and broader way,” Hagemoen said, reflecting on scriptures for the Feast of the Lateran Basilica.

“As wonderful and beautiful and massive as this great basilica in Rome is, what we hear from the Word of God, is that in all its splendour and wonder, it is nothing compared to the temple that God sees in each of you,” he said

“You are young yet, but you are growing … it is exciting to have new young men and women who are called by God to make a meaningful difference with their lives in the world.”

Fr. Gregory Hrynkiw of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon — who spent time at the Search retreat Nov. 9-11 along with Fr. Gregory Roth of Saint Anne Catholic Parish — also spoke at the closing Mass, echoing St. John Paul II’s words from his 1984 visit to Winnipeg: “Resist the wind — but do not resist the Spirit!”

“We are immersed in the Trinity, in that water that flows from the temple …  the living water flowing from the temple, the throne of the Lamb… it becomes fruitful, but it also becomes the healing of all nations. That’s your goal just to be a receptacle of that Living Water, to let it flow through you,” Hrynkiw said.

Youth in grades 10-12 who participated in the weekend retreat were sent forth in a ceremony in which they received a lit candle as a symbol of the Light of Christ, and were presented with a cross by a representative of all those who prayed, mentored, and served them through the many hours of the weekend retreat.

The Search retreat weekend for Grades 10-12 is offered twice a year in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, supported by a large team of volunteers and former “Searchers”– as well as by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

The retreat is described as a “Search for Christian maturity” focused on the saving love of God, deepening a relationship with Jesus Christ, and offering inspiration and challenge for continuing the journey once the retreat itself is over. The Search weekend is highlighted by peer-based ministry, with  “talks given by young adults for young adults.”

The next Search retreat for Grades 10-12 youth will be held in February. Find more information at: saskatoonsearch.ca

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

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

 

Priests from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon attended an annual Clergy Study Days Nov. 3-Nov. 6, 2025 at Elk Ridge, SK, near Prince Albert National Park.

“At Clergy Study Days we cover a range of important themes related to the life and ministry of the diocese,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen, reporting that 45 priests attended this year’s gathering.

Clergy Study Days 2025 coordinator was Fr. Daniel Yasinski, with Fr. Gregory Roth providing technical assistance throughout the four days, which included a number of guest speakers and presenters, both in-person and online, as well as time for celebration of the Eucharist, prayer and fraternity.

A key theme this year was preparing for the Synod on Synodality implementation phase in the diocese, which will be launched by the bishop on Nov. 9, the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of John Lateran.

“We began Monday evening with a keynote presentation on pastors as synodal leaders by Fr. Nathaniel Haslam, LC, chaplain for the Lumen Institute for Christian Business and Cultural Leaders, who spoke on the theme, Shepherds with Vision: Leadership, Vision, and Synodality: Shepherding with Joy and Foresight,” said Hagemoen.

On Nov. 4, two key sessions on the implementation of the Synod on Synodalty were led by Fr. Joseph Salihu, chair of the Diocesan Synod Committee, co-presenting with the bishop. A group process for discussion and discernment was then led by Greg Chatlain, diocesan Director of Administration and Finance.

“Later in the day Greg Chatlain also gave an update addressing several features of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan – particularly the practical features of the goal ‘Moving from Maintenance to Mission,’ in terms of administrative and organizational supports for the work of the diocese.”

Presentations continued Nov. 5 with Director of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Francois Rivard, and Assistant SuperIntendent Thomas Hickey, providing updates regarding Catholic schools.

Later that day, Jonathan Courchene of Face-to-Face Ministries, and Benjamin Turland of Catholic Christian Outreach gave a presentation about youth and young adults, and the importance of pastoring and accompaniment by priests.

Nov. 5 included an update from Fr. Geoffrey Young, the chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission about celebrating the Church’s liturgy and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). Fr. Colin Roy and Fr. Daniel Yasinski provided a report about vocations support and development, and Fr. Joseph Salihu addressed the upcoming Diocesan Mission Works appeal to be held in parishes Nov. 8-9.

Clergy Study Days concluded with a “Bishop’s Forum” which covered recent statements by the Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan on Indigenous liturgy rubrics and Catholic institutes of higher education; the Church’s approach to artificial intelligence as recently addressed by Pope Leo IV and by Fr. Philip Larrey, PhD, at the 2025 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) this year; as well as an overview of Pope Leo’s first apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te.” The new papal document offers “validation, encouragement, and support for outreach and apostolates to the poor,” said Hagemoen.

The bishop also encouraged clergy to look ahead to the Extraordinary Jubilee in 2033 which will celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of the Resurrection and the Great Commission. Hagemoen noted that a report about preparing for Jubilee 2033 was part of an October 2025 forum of the CCCB’s Standing Committee for Relations with Catholic Movements and Associations.

“Jubilee 2033 will be a remarkable and unprecedented opportunity for the celebration of the very reason for our hope, and the basis for mission,” Hagemoen said.

Celebration of the Eucharist concluded the gathering Nov. 6.

 

Parish hall is open daily again this winter for men without shelter

 

With prayer, song, and reflections, an overnight warm-up location at St. Mary Catholic Church in Saskatoon was blessed Nov. 1 in preparation for a third year providing warmth, safety, and dignity to men experiencing homelessness.

During the opening, Elder Irene Sharp of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish smudged the space that will welcome hundreds in from the cold as of Nov. 3, 2025. Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen blessed the hall and led prayers for all those who will be sheltered, and for all those providing outreach. 

The overnight warm-up location is operated through a partnership between St. Mary Catholic Parish and The Salvation Army, with meals provided by The Friendship Inn. The location operates in collaboration with all levels of government, city emergency services, community agencies, and security partners, with support from the wider community, donors and volunteers.

This year the warm-up location will open in the church hall at 6:00 p.m. each night —  earlier than in past years — with Friendship Inn providing both supper and breakfast to those seeking shelter.

This season also marks the first winter operating under the newly-established Mission & Outreach Office at St. Mary Parish, created to strengthen outreach and expand capacity to serve vulnerable neighbours with increased coordination, collaboration, and compassion.

Community support has already been incredible, says Mission and Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Nunes, with residents, churches, and schools donating winter essentials, hygiene items, and funds to sustain the program.

“This warm-up location stands as a sign of compassion and community partnership,” says Nunes. “We are committed to ensuring that those who have nowhere to go on cold nights find warmth, dignity, and care. With the support of our partners, volunteers, parishes, schools, and donors, we are honoured to welcome and serve our brothers once again this winter.”

Blessing held ahead of site opening

Myron Rogal, coordinator of Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon began by introducing Elder Irene Sharp who offered a smudge “to begin in a good way to bless this space,” he said. A brief liturgy was then held, which included scripture reading from Matthew 25, prayers, and hymns led by a choir of parishioners from St. Mary Parish and beyond.

After the opening hymn “The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor,” St. Mary pastor Fr. Kevin McGee welcomed all those assembled for the blessing ceremony, including dignitaries, partners, and elected officials. Also present for the opening were parishioners from around the city and representatives of many other groups and organizations, including the Catholic school division, St. Paul’s Hospital, St. Thomas More College, Development and Peace, the Knights of Columbus, and Catholic Women’s League.

“Thank you for being here, in whatever capacity, whatever group or organization or partner that you represent: it is a blessing that you are here,” McGee said.

“This is our third year at St. Mary’s that we are opening our hall as a warm-up location for our brothers and sisters who have found a place of refuge and safety here,” he said, expressing appreciation for the partnerships that have permitted the hours to be extended this year, noting in particular the Salvation Army who partners with the parish in operating the location, and Friendship Inn which will provide meals.

McGee recalled the words of Pope Francis in the 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium that “even in a stable, Mary was able to provide a home for her child Jesus.”

“We too can provide a sense of security — perhaps, in a sense, a home — a place of welcome. And what is our motivation? It is love; to once again be that presence of Christ in the world and to welcome the most vulnerable in our society,” said McGee. “We begin in prayer, hearing from our partners, and we do it together.”

The new St, Mary Coordinator of Mission and Outreach, Jennifer Nunes, shared her testimony about walking with her life-long parish through the at-times difficult discernment about whether to open the church hall as a winter warm-up location, the emotional conversations with parishioners, and then the talks with her own children — who inspired her to embrace the call to help their neighbours in need.

“We are meant to be the face of Christ to others, and to see the face of Christ in others,” she said, relating how her family reached out to help and then to encounter those taking shelter in the hall, and stressing the importance of building relationships grounded in humble listening, and in dignity, compassion, and hope.

 

 

“Together in this mission we are partners, giving voice to those who feel voiceless,” she said to those gathered for the hall blessing. “We are building partnerships and bridges with other amazing agencies that are already working the front lines and together we are the body of Christ. Change begins when we stop asking what will it cost us, and start asking: what will it cost if we do nothing?”

Bishop Mark Hagemoen offered prayers, saying: “we come together to bless this place; it is already a blessed and holy place, but in a very special way we dedicate and ask God’s blessing as it continues to receive the people who are in need of care and shelter and protection.”

In his reflection, the bishop expressed thanks to civic leaders and levels of government that are making the overnight location possible, and in particular he thanked the Salvation Army for their leadership and partnership in the project. “We could not do this without you,” he said.

He also acknowledged the support of Friendship Inn, nearby St. Paul’s Hospital, and emergency services, in particular the Saskatoon Fire Department. “I thank them all for their partnership, their service and their expertise,” he said.

The bishop cited Pope Leo’s first apostolic exhortation  Dilexi te, which focuses on care of the poor, and which echoes a statement by St. John Chrysostom that “if the faithful do not encounter Christ in the poor who stand at the door, they will not be able to worship him even at the altar.”

Hagemoen noted: “In the spirit of this message, ignorance of the poor is ignorance of Christ.” adding that we must “name and claim that we are all poor before the Lord… walking in the way of service to others is the way in which we acknowledge and help our own poverty… we see the need and we are called to respond.”

The bishop then blessed the hall with holy water and incense, and all those assembled took part in a candle-lighting ceremony with the flame of a central “candle of hope” passed from person-to-person to light up the dark hall.

 

After the prayer service a number of other leaders also offered brief reflections, expressing appreciation for the community partnerships that support the overnight location, as well as hope for finding more ways to assist those in the community experiencing homelessness and poverty.

“I just want to say how grateful we are to St. Mary’s for the partnership that allows us to operate the warming centre in this room. Sadly, it is incredibly needed,” said Gordon Taylor of the Salvation Army.

“We need to do better as a city at having longer-term plans to help people who are without proper housing,” he said. “But we are thankful that for this winter, for the third year in a row we have the opportunity to serve the men who are in need of a place for the night in the cold weather.”

“We are thankful for all our partnerships,” Taylor stressed, noting a new partnership this year with Saskatchewan Trades and Skills, which has “done an incredible job of recruiting and training a lot of the staff that will work here. That is a new thing, and we are really, really grateful for that.”

There are a lot of challenges in the world, he noted, with many suffering in our own community every day. “When we think of all the issues that relate to poverty and homelessness it can be overwhelming when we try to win that battle. The focus should be on each little piece that we can do, that we can achieve along the way. And one victory that we can achieve this winter is that no one would freeze on the streets overnight because they have nowhere to go.”

Work is underway to open a location for women as well, he said. The St. Mary Parish Hall location will be for men only for the second year.

Sandra Kary, CEO of Saskatoon Friendship Inn, noted that when the overnight shelter opened in the church hall three years ago, those staying overnight would leave the warm-up location in the morning and go over to the Friendship Inn for breakfast, which would open early to accommodate them. The following year, breakfast was delivered to the men at the hall — and this year, the delivery will include supper each evening, and breakfast in the morning.

“We all know that food is more than nourishment, and (bringing the food to the hall) actually provided a calmness and a stability, and you know that food makes you feel like you are at home, and you belong and there is friendship,” she noted.  “We are just honoured to be a part of this work.”

Kary noted that outreach to those at the overnight warm-up location is an extension of the Friendship Inn mission “to be a community without hunger, a people with hope.”

“So as we join with you and our community to serve our neighbours in need, this is a way that we get to extend our mission as well,” she said. “You have to know that our head chef says that when she cooks, she is cooking for kings and queens. So there is love in our food and we bring it to those who are in need and we extend love along with it.”

MLA Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Advanced Education brought greetings from the provincial government, acknowledging other elected officials also present, including April ChiefCalf, MLA for Saskatoon-Westview, and Saskatoon City Councillor for Ward 2 Senos Timon.

“This centre continues to serve as a warm, welcoming space for those in need in our community,” Cheveldayoff noted, thanking all those involved in making this possible. “You are providing dignity, hope and connection,” he said. “You are creating a place where people can find support, compassion and opportunity to take steps toward a better future.”

“Our government recognizes that homelessness is a complex issue and we are committed to working closely with community organizations, Indigenous partners and municipalities to respond to local needs,” he said, citing initiatives related to increasing supported housing, emergency shelter spaces, and services that improve coordination and safety, including funding to support drop-in spaces.

 

 

Jennifer Nunes concluded the program with final words of thanks. “To all who have linked arms in compassion: thank you. We are not competitors — we are collaborators in mercy and we are stronger together. We may not change the system overnight, but we can light a fire of hope that sets change in motion.”

 

Nunes noted that donations are being accepted by St. Mary Mission and Outreach Ministry to help meet needs of those served at the overnight location, and she expressed her thanks to the local Catholic schools that recently delivered “literally truck loads” of items to the Mission and Outreach ministry office ( Read more – LINK).

“I truly believe that by making our children aware and moved by compassion today, then the future generations will do better than we did,” she said.

“Don’t be people of words, be people of action. Don’t wait for someone else, be the someone… don’t speak it: do it. Christ never said ‘watch and wait,’ he said ‘go!'”

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the coordinator of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa

 

 

 

Healing power of a listening presence

 

Belonging, inclusion, and community health

Awards presented

 

 

 

 

An Enculturation Week for international “Fidei Donum” clergy who have recently arrived to serve in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was held Oct. 6 to 10, providing orientation and welcome, including information about life in Canada, and an overview of diocesan structures, ministry, safeguarding, truth and reconciliation, as well as community services and supports.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomed the priests and their mentors on Day 1, expressing his thanks for responding to the call to serve the People of God in the diocese, and offering an overview of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and its goal to “Proclaim Christ and the Kingdom of God Today” through several key priorities.

In addition to presentations by a range of guest speakers, the week also included tours, social gatherings, prayer, and participation in a diocesan Fall Congress Oct. 9 focused on accompaniment and mission.

Newly-arrived priests also spent time with host families, sharing meals and building connections.

The title “Fidei Donum” or “the Gift of Faith” hearkens back to a 1957 encyclical of Pope Pius XII seeking the cooperation of diocesan bishops to send priests to mission lands. The most-recent arrivals of missionary priests to the diocese of Saskatoon include priests from Nigeria, Ghana, and Eritrea.

Recently-arrived priests participating in the 2025 Enculturation Week are:

• Michael Magaji, who is serving as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon;
• Isaac Atta Mensah, who is serving as pastor at St. John Bosco Parish in Saskatoon and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vanscoy, as well as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon;
• Frank Offin-Sekyere, who is serving as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt; St. Peter Parish in Muenster, Holy Trinity Parish in Pilger; and St. Scholastica in Burr;
• Tekie Kidane Michael, who is serving the Saskatoon Eritrean Catholic community from St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon.

Culture Night

A “Culture Night” Oct. 8 was hosted by the Eritrean Catholic community, with traditional food and demonstrations of prayer in song, dance, and drumming.

Master of Ceremonies Kevin Higgins introduced the four new priests, Bishop Mark Hagemoen brought words of appreciation on behalf of the diocese, and members of the Eritrean community also brought messages of gratitude and joy.

Community member Tsega Kibreab introduced the coffee ceremony that was part of the evening, explaining that it is “a sign of love, peace, and togetherness” in Eritrean culture.

“We prepare and offer coffee at every important moment – during marriages, feasts, and family gatherings, and even in times of sorrow — to comfort one another, to celebrate blessings, and to strengthen our unity,” she said. “It brings us joy after a long day of hard work in the fields or daily life, and reminds us that we are one family. Today, as we celebrate our Cultural Day, we offer this traditional coffee ceremony as a symbol of our gratitude and unity. It expresses our joy of being part of the Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, where our culture, faith, and traditions are respected and welcomed.”

The ceremony also expresses the joy of welcoming the four recently-arrived priests to the community, she added. “Thank you for saying “yes” to serve our community with love and faith.”

In response, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah spoke on behalf of the priests, saying “we have found more than a diocese to work with, we have found a home.”

 

 

Members of this year’s Enculturation Week committee included Fr. Peter Ebidero, the Bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum priests and pastor of parishes at Martensville and Langham; Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, pastor at Wynyard, Wishart, Foam Lake, and Lanigan; Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo, pastor at Cudworth, Middle Lake, and St. Benedict; Keith Schwark, Obiora Agu, Michelle Calanday, Vanessa Nyssen, Tirhas Gibremariam, Mark Kornder, and Matthew Courchene, Parish Life Director at St. John Bosco, Saskatoon, as well Rita Flamen Jarett and Riah de Mesa of the Catholic Pastoral Centre administration team.

Photo gallery – Enculturation Week 2025

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presentation:

Wanuskewin tour:

Culture Night hosted by the Eritrean Catholic community:

Fall Congress Day:

Mass with Bishop:

Live-stream video of Oct. 10 Mass

Visit to Western Development Museum:

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