Kiply Lukan Yaworski

The annual Bishop’s Dinner held April 30 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family was again a time of connection and celebration in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

An after-dinner program highlighted themes of mercy, compassion and service, and celebrated the stewardship that supports the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ and God’s Kingdom in our community — including three examples highlighted during the evening: CWL member Mary Kehrig, local philanthropists Brian and Rosemary Colquohoun, and the late Lee Hergott.

A concert presented in conjunction with the dinner by Catholic singer-songwriter Sarah Kroger resonated with songs of praise and hope.

“It was a performance, but it was also a gift of prayer,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the concert. “It was powerful gift of song and talent that had an inspiring and prophetic message.”

Bishop’s reflection

In remarks during the program, Bishop Hagemoen reflected on the shepherding call that all the baptized are called to share in – a call that goes beyond the bishop.

Asking newly-elected Catholic school trustee Giovani Yousif to hold his crozier, Hagemoen described how he also asks young confirmands to hold the “shepherd’s staff” as he anoints them in the sacrament of confirmation. It is a way to acknowledge “all the ways that God gifts people to carry out the life, work, and mission of Jesus in a world that greatly needs his hope, his love, his healing, his life,” the bishop said, adding: “I can’t carry that on my own.”

Reflecting on the parable of the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost, the bishop affirmed that the mission of Jesus Christ that we share is grounded in love. “It is not a numbers game … it is about a relationship, a deep relationship.”

“As the bishop of this diocese I am held up by the many, many giants before me, bishops, clergy and laity,” Hagemoen said. “When people ask me how do you like this diocese, my common answer these days is this: ‘the diocese of Saskatoon does way more for me than I do for it,’ he described.

“The ways in which the people of God share in the shepherdship of Christ in so many ways, really helps me to carry this.”

Expressing his gratitude, Hagemoen continued: ‘The Bishop’s Dinner is a call to come together to celebrate the life and the work of the whole diocese, a celebration of the People of God, but most of all of what God is doing in our lives together.”

Dinner’s theme

MC Steve Chisholm welcomed those assembled and introduced speakers during the after-dinner program featuring three stories of service and stewardship in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

“The theme tonight is ‘Songs of Mercy, Hearts of Compassion,’ and that is more than a theme, it is a calling,” Chisholm said. “We are deeply honoured tonight to hear from some individuals and some families who reflect that calling in a deep and powerful way.”

Mary Kehrig – A lifetime of service

The faith, service and contributions by Mary Kehrig were described in a presentation by Catholic Women’s League representative Donna Aldous.

Born into the Kaminski family in the small farming community of Archerwill, Saskatchewan, Mary was the eldest of five children. “Leadership came naturally to her. From an early age, she understood the importance of working together and ensuring that what needed to be done got done,” said Aldous.

After teaching one year, she married Francis Kehrig and together they built a life grounded in love, partnership, and shared purpose. “Married for 42 years, they raised seven children in a home filled with faith, hard work, and care for one another,” said Aldous.

After her husband’s death in 2006, Mary continued to serve in her parish and community.

For 18 years, she has been an active member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada; for 10 years, she has been part of Eagle’s Wings, teaching Gospel stories to children in northern communities. She has been a Lay Franciscan for 30 years, volunteers regularly at Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, and gives her time at St. Volodymyr School on Thursdays.

“She is a faithful member of her Cenacle prayer group, volunteers with Time-Out for Moms, serves on the Teen-Aid board, and attends daily noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, a place she feels privileged to live near, describing it as living ‘in the shadow of the Cathedral,’” described Aldous

A life-long learner, Mary has embraced travel, seeking knowledge “with curiosity and openness.” In addition, she has crafted and donated numerous bags and blankets to St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry, Pregnancy Options Centre, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and Grow Hope Saskatchewan.

“Mary’s life offers a simple but powerful message: stewardship is not about doing everything — it is about giving yourself fully to what you are called to do. It is about presence, generosity, and faithfulness every day,” said Aldous. “Mary reflects on her journey with these words: ‘Walk with people, because the presence of God is within all of us.’”

Brian and Rosemary Colquhoun – Hospitality and welcome

Introduced by their daughter Anne-Marie Hughes, Brian and Rosemary Colquhoun of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Saskatoon were recognized during the 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for their years of outreach — in particular for the connection and support provided to newcomers to Canada fleeing persecution and violence in Myanmar (Burma).

Dr. Brian Colquhoun described the history of Burma, now known as Myanmar, and the refugees fleeing dictatorship and violence, particularly since the 1980s. One of those forced to flee was Lu Kyaw, a student at Rangoon University, who lived in refugee camps until he was sponsored to come to Canada.

First arriving in Winnipeg, MB, with a group of other students, Lu Kyaw gained a reputation for his culinary skills, “cooking up a storm of beautiful Burmese dishes” at special cultural events in Winnipeg, where the Colquhouns first met him.

On visits to Saskatoon Lu Kyaw would share details with the Colquhoun family about the recipes he prepared, along with prospective costs, expressing interest in running a restaurant — also a long-time dream of Dr. Brian Colquhoun, who was born in Burma.

In the fall of 2004, Lu Kyaw moved to Saskatoon and with the support and encouragement of the Colquhouns opened a Burmese restaurant – the Golden Pagoda – on 2nd Avenue in Saskatoon in February 2005.

Since then, Lu Kyaw has become the sole owner, and has married Khin Lin Su, also from Burma, who is now a Canadian citizen helping to run the family business. The couple’s two children are students at Holy Cross High School.

As an added connection, the Golden Pagoda catered the 2026 Bishop’s Dinner, with dessert and meal service provided by Sami’s Sunrise Grill and Lounge.

Lee Hergott – A legacy of faith

Fr. David Tumback, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon, introduced the life and legacy of the late Lee Hergott (Nov. 26, 1941-July 12, 2025), whose faith, service, and contributions continue to make a difference in the community.

“Lee Hergott was a man of faith and Lee believed that such faith was never meant to be something that was passive,” said Tumback. “Faith was meant to be lived, shared and handed on.”

He led not only with words, but with deeds, Tumback added. “Many of us are blessed with faith foundations, but what made Lee different was how intentionally he acted upon them.”

 

Born in Humboldt, Lee attended St. Peter’s College and the University of Saskatchewan, and eventually earned his Chartered Accountant designation. He married Margaret (Peggy) Hamilton in 1962, raising three children and welcoming five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He served for many years at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon and loved music, singing with the “Young at Heart” group.

Lee’s professional life as an accountant helped to shape his understanding of legacy, said Tumback. “Selected alongside another accountant and a lawyer to help establish the McNeil Foundation, Lee witnessed firsthand the profound impact that foundations can have.”

That knowledge led him to create his own family foundation—”an intentional act” showing the enduring importance of generosity. “Giving, for Lee, was not an obligation. It was a value – a value to be lived and passed on.” Tumback noted that Lee Hergott’s vision and spiritual presence continues through the bequest left to the Catholic Foundation.

“In his honour, two spend-down endowments are being established, planting new seeds of faith that will soon bear fruit. Beginning this fall, we will welcome grant applications to support parishes, ministry initiatives, youth programming, faith formation, adult faith, service programs, and outreach efforts throughout our diocese. These grants will carry Lee’s faith-filled legacy forward.”

Thanking Peggy and the Hergott family for helping to bring the story of Lee together, Tumback then led a toast: “To Lee Hergott: may your vision, mission, and values live on through our diocese and throughout our greater community.”

Greetings from the Catholic Foundation

Ray Kolla, chair of the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation, which presents the Bishop’s Dinner each year, also spoke during the dinner program.

“Tonight we have heard stories that are in their own say sacred songs — stories of mercy lived out in action; songs of compassion that have touched lives in ways that we may never see. Each story reminds us of something equally true: that God is always at work through people, through generosity and through l0ve made visible,” he said.

“The invitation is for each of us to become part of that song, to offer what we have…. and to trust that in God’s hand, even the smallest offering is something beautiful, something that brings hope, something that brings healing, and something that brings love into the world,” Kolla said.

Kolla thanked all those in attendance, as well as the volunteer Catholic Foundation board and staff members Executive Director Raissa Bugyi and Development Manager Andrea Alas.

Kolla concluded by thanking the bishop for his prayerful guidance of the diocese. “Not only is he our shepherd, leading his flock, but he helps us understand the importance of offering what we have, our time, our talents, and our treasures.”

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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/baa.

 

 

Bishop Mark Hagemoen continues the Easter season visiting parishes across the diocese to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with youth, including on May 3, 2026 at St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown, SK

The schedule has also recently included:

• Sunday, May 17 – St. Benedict Parish in St. Benedict, SK
• Sunday, May 17 – St. Ann Parish in Watrous, SK
• Saturday, May 16 – St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Humboldt, SK
• Saturday, May 16 – St. Peter Cathedral Parish in Muenster, SK
• Friday, May 15 – St. Mary Parish in Wynyard, SK
• Sunday, May 10 – St. Bruno Parish in Bruno, SK
• Wednesday, May 6 – Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens in Saskatoon, SK
• Thursday, May 7 – St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon, SK
• Sunday, May 3 – Trinité Pastoral Region of Vonda, Prudhomme, St. Denis in Vonda, SK
• Friday, May 1 – Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon, SK
• Wednesday, April 29 – St. Augustine Parish in Saskatoon, SK
• Sunday, April 19 – Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Watson, SK
• Saturday, April 18 – Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon, SK
• Friday, April 17 – Our Lady of Lourdes in Saskatoon, SK

UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS include:

• May 7 – St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon, SK
• May 6 – Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens in Saskatoon, SK
• May 10 – St. Bruno Parish in Bruno, SK
• May 15 – St. Mary Parish in Wynyard, SK
• May 16 – St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Humboldt, SK
• May 16 – St. Peter Cathedral Parish in Muenster, SK
• May 17 – St. Benedict Parish in St. Benedict, SK
• May 17 – St. Ann Parish in Watrous, SK
• May 20 – Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Martensville
• May 21 – St. Paul Co-Cathedral Parish, Saskatoon
• May 22 – St. Peter the Apostle Parish and St. John Bosco Parish held at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Saskatoon
• May 23 – Eritrean Catholic Community held at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, Saskatoon
• May 31 – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, held at St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon
• June 4 – Sacred Heart Parish, Davidson
• June 5 – St. Theresa Parish, Beechy
• June 21 – Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Catholic Community held at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Saskatoon
• June 25 – Sacred Heart of Jesus Latin Mass Community held at St. Joseph Parish, Saskatoon
• June 26 – Little Flower Parish, Leader
• June 27 – Sacred Heart Parish, Eston
• June 27 – St. Joseph’s Parish – Kindersley
• June 28 – Dodsland and Kerrobert Pastoral Region held in Kerrobert, SK

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Discussion, listening, networking, and prayer were again part of a 2026 diocesan Spring Congress when it was presented April 18 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Watson, SK.

A team of ministry leaders from the diocesan Catholic Pastoral Centre in Saskatoon explored the theme “Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening” during the series, with presentations focusing on listening to the Lord and listening to each other in a synodal spirit — all presented earlier in Saskatoon, and scheduled for later in the spring at Kindersley.

Beginning with presentations on the Synod on Synodality and its implementation, each Congress day continued with speakers reflecting on the impact and the role of listening in evangelization, prayer, ministries, outreach – and even art.

 

At each Congress day, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Elder Diane Anderson, who coordinates Restorative Ministry in the diocese, led the opening prayer in the six directions, introduced by Director of Ministry Services Marilyn Jackson after a Treaty land acknowledgement.

The prayer from World Youth Day in Toronto with St. John Paul II was offered “in the spirit of reconciliation, healing and connection with Indigenous Peoples and in the spirit of the Land Acknowledgement that we just heard,” Jackson said.

Following the prayer, Jackson invited all those present to engage in a listening exercise, in which participants took turns sharing on a range of topics, interests, and concerns.

Message from the bishop

In person at Watson, and on videotape for a later presentation in Kindersley, Bishop Mark Hagemoen offered a reflection on the importance of synodality in the life of the Church.

“Synodality is not new for the Church,” said Hagemoen. “Synodality is how the Church works together as the body of Christ.” It reflects the life and communion of the Trinity, he suggested, adding that it involves “things that we are not very good at as a culture,” including active and authentic listening.

“To be respectful and to listen to each other takes commitment and work,” he said. “It means putting aside our agenda and sometimes our impatience so that we can do a really good job on the listening piece.”

The bishop also stressed the call to “an ongoing conversion of life and heart” and the need for both the ordained and non-ordained to work together in the proclamation of the Gospel and the mission of the Church.

“We are on a boat together,” he said. He quoted a description shared by one of the bishops who participated in the Synod on Synodality sessions at the Vatican: “differentiated apostolic discipleship” summarizing how all are called to share in the life, work, and mission of the Church in various ways and in their own particular vocations.

Introduced by Pope Francis in 2021 and now continuing under Pope Leo, the Synod on Synodality has produced a Final Document after dialogue and input from around the world. Pope Leo has now asked for implementation of the Synod document, and the diocese of Saskatoon is actively working on that, Hagemoen said.

“We now have a small implementation committee … representing very large segments of our diocese, including health care, education, our rural context, (and) our city contexts,” the bishop said, reflecting on next steps. Led by Diocesan Synod Committee Chair Fr. Joseph Salihu, the implementation committee includes Carrie Dornstauder, Renee Cratty, Jacob Powell, and Cameron Choquette.

Hagemoen said that the synodal call to respectful, Spirit-led listening is an antidote to the polarization, division and vitriol of today’s world, so evident online, on social media, and the mainstream media, and experienced even in local contexts. “We live in a culture that tries to build on scandal,” the bishop said.

“Our faith is extremely articulate and very clear about the need for shalom and respect and what peacebuilding means in the world,” he said. “We pray that the call to holiness and righteousness which is given to every one of us continues to inspire us.”

Synodality and why it matters

Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, who has served on the Diocesan Synod Committee, provided an overview of the Synod on Synodality at Spring Congress sessions.

“Synodality is the walking together of Christians with Christ and towards God’s Kingdom, in union with all humanity. Orientated towards mission, synodality involves gathering at all levels of the Church for mutual listening, dialogue, and community discernment,” said Tibayan, quoting #28 of the Synod of Bishops’ Final Document.

“Synodality is primarily a spiritual disposition,” she continued, citing #43 of the Final Document. “It permeates the daily life of the baptized as well as every aspect of the Church’s mission. …it flows from the action of the Holy Spirit and requires listening to the Word of God, contemplation, silence and conversion of heart.”

Tibayan stressed that synodality “is not a method or a program, rather it is a way of being Church,” pointing to the Synod focus on communion, participation, and mission. “Synodality expresses the Church’s nature as people of God journeying together, gathered by the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel.”

“Synodality is already part of the experience of many of our communities, but at the same time (the document) affirms that we are still facing a lot of practical challenges,” she said. The Synod is a call to renewal of the Church, “based upon a shared baptismal identity of the People of God,” Tibayan stressed.

“The Synod Final Document provides guidelines, suggests pathways to follow, practices to implement and horizons to explore, to help us become a missionary synodal Church,” she said. “We are invited to search for concrete ways and opportunities to create spaces to practice mutual listening, dialogue and community discernment, within the context of spiritual conversations.

“As well, a synodal Church is the one that values, promotes and supports formation of all members,” Tibayan said, describing the document’s emphasis on forming people for missionary discipleship. “It requires continuous conversion, that leads the person towards full identification or conformation to Christ.”

Participation and co-responsibility are also highlighted as essential elements, she said, quoting the Final Document: “A wider distribution of tasks and responsibilities and a more courageous discernment of what properly belongs to the ordained ministry and what can and must be delegated to others will enable each ministry to be exercised in a more spiritually sound and pastorally dynamic manner.”

This will have an impact on decision-making processes, consultation, and leadership styles “enabling them to have a more clearly synodal character which will help overcome clericalism (#74),” Tibayan said.

“Other essential elements of a synodal Church highlighted in the synod Final Document are transparency, accountability and evaluation (#95),” she added.

“This does not refer to a series of administrative or procedural requirements rather a fundamental attitude grounded in the Sacred Scriptures,” she said, listing the need to embody qualities of truth, loyalty, clarity, honesty, integrity, and consistency, and reject obscurity, hypocrisy, ambiguity and ulterior motives.

Tibayan added: “Synodality, when lived and practised with humility, enables the Church to be a prophetic voice in today’s world and society marked by a dictatorial model of governance and growing culture of individualism. Synodality can offer a great contribution to the search for answers in building the common good when faced by temptation to resolve conflicts by force rather than dialogue.”

She also summarized “what is being asked of us,” by listing three priorities for the implementation phase in the diocese:

• Become familiar with the Synod Final Document;
• Seek creative ways to promote synodality in the diocese and local parishes;
• Promote a synodal way of decision making.

“You only learn synodality by doing it,” Tibayan urged, quoting Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. “So, the key word for us during this implementation phase is practice, practice, practice.”

Spiritual conversations

During Congress, Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, introduced the Synod’s “Spiritual Conversation Model” as a method for Spirit-led conversations grounded in prayer and active listening – a process which has been used throughout the Synod.

Listening attentively – and with attention to the Holy Spirit– is not easy or automatic, Piano said. “It entails our whole being,” she described, stressing the need to fully pay attention to many elements of what a person is saying: body language, words, meaning – all while suspending our own judgments or responses. “It is not about debating.”

“Sometimes we’re tempted, right? While the other person speaks, you’re already thinking what you’re going to say, how you’re going to say it,” she said. “Listening intentionally and then also speaking intentionally is needed. At the same time, those engaging in such spiritual conversations are also asked to discern personally, but also as a community, what the Holy Spirit is trying to say.”

In the synodal conversation model, the first round of a discussion is listening, without interrupting or commenting on what the others say. “Then we take a moment of silence,” said Piano. “And there you ponder in your heart, what you’ve been listening to, what are your observations, and what did you notice. What are the notable points of consolation and desolation?”

The second round of the conversation is reflective sharing about what was discerned in that moment of silence. “This is the moment to share, to put things in common,” she said. Questions that can help might include: “How was I affected by what I heard? Is there a common thread that I listened to? Is there something missing?”

After another time of silent reflection, there is a third round of speaking and listening, focused on discernment, and the action of the Holy Spirit in the group. “It involves trying to discern what are those common threads that emerge in the conversation? What divergences, what interior movements did we notice?” she said. “We pay attention to what is happening in the other person and in ourselves, and we pay attention to how the Lord is working there, through what we heard.”

Seizing opportunities for evangelization

In his Congress presentation “See and Seize,” diocesan Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey emphasized the importance of listening and building relationships as the foundation of sharing faith with others,

Observing that “the harvest is plentiful,” Hickey pointed to studies that showed most committed Catholic Christians do not actively initiate faith sharing, largely because of social considerations such as not wanting to act inappropriately or fear of making someone feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, studies also have shown that some two-thirds of those who say they have no faith, also said that they were open to having spiritual conversations and are spiritually curious.

“A large portion of our people desire to share faith, but don’t know how to start. And yet our audience is saying ‘Please talk about your faith more. We want to know more about it,’” said Hickey.

He provided an overview for spotting opportunities to share faith, and how to seize those opportunities – grounded in intentionality and prayer, and in a context of building trust, forming relationships, and active listening.

“The Holy Spirit is actually on the move right now, and there is  no greater time to get engaged in the mission,” he said, pointing to higher numbers of faith enquirers and adult baptisms in diocese around the world, and the spiritual impact of the upcoming Jubilee 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. “I think we’re experiencing a heightened grace of spiritual openness right now,” he said.

As a missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach, Hickey would pray that God would give one opportunity each day to share faith with someone. “After you pray that prayer, expect him to answer it… put on your evangelization glasses,” Hickey urged.

“I want you to know and feel encouraged that there are people in your life that the Holy Spirit is at work in right now, and that the Holy Spirit needs you to co-operate in order to bring the seed of God’s word to them,” he said, suggesting ways to both “see and seize” those opportunities.

Providing a range of examples, Hickey encouraged his listeners to engage in “an intentional way of living your life so that you can have those conversations” and described his own efforts to connect with those he encounters at the gym.

If trust and curiosity is taking root in a friendship, Hickey suggested possible conversation starters. “The first question I always ask is: ‘Did you grow up with any kind of faith? Did you have any kind of spiritual upbringing?’” he said. “They will indicate to you pretty quick whether or not they’re kind of open or closed to the subject. And the way I like to view it is, that’s my warning shot, and then I’m looking for a yellow, red, or green light.”

If interest is there, he said a follow-up question might be “Do you see faith in your future at all?”

From such small conversation starters, deeper sharing and listening can begin to happen, and the Holy Spirit can begin to work – in some cases, the fruits may take years, but to intentionally seek such conversations is key to being a missionary disciple, he said.

Hickey described how one friend felt called to deepen the spiritual conversations he was having with friends at work. A suggestion to invite them to their home for a Bible study brought great fruit: within a few years, members of the group returned to the faith or joined the church, children were baptized, and lives were changed.

Hickey challenged his listeners to take practical next steps as missionary disciples. “Is there someone that you have an established relationship of trust with, that maybe the Holy Spirit is drawing to your attention right now? What is something you can do to stir their curiosity?”

Discernment and mission in parish catechesis

Quin Kleiboer, diocesan coordinator of Rural Catechetics, provided a Congress presentation on discernment and mission in parish catechesis: “Listening to Heaven, Listening to the Room.”

He examined a number of common themes in the Synod Final Document  and the Vatican’s new Directory for Catechesis (2020).

“The first point is baptismal co-responsibility. Every baptized person is a missionary disciple and shares the responsibility for the church’s life and mission. The Vatican Synod report identifies each baptized person being the protagonist of mission,’ he said. For parents, this mission call includes being the primary catechist of their children, as called for in the Directory for Catechesis.

A second commonality is docility to the Holy Spirit, with the Synod emphasizing the importance of being a listening church attentive to the Holy Spirit, and the fact that listening to the Holy Spirit is also essential for effective catechesis, or teaching of the faith.

Lifelong formation is “everywhere” within the Final Document and within the Directory of Catechesis. “So, there is a strong call to move beyond sacrament-only, classroom-based programs, and towards ongoing whole-person formation for adults, family, children and youth.”

A final common theme is “catechesis is at the service of mission,” Kleiboer said. “All catechesis belongs to evangelization and should lead to concrete missionary discipleship, not just a giving of information. The Directory for Catechesis notes: there is no catechesis without evangelization and there is no evangelization without catechesis.”

Kleiboer concluded his presentation with a meditative prayer focused on evangelization and mission.

Other presentations

A short summary of the work of diocesan Chancellor Fr. Darryl Millette was also presented during Congress.

Diocesan Coordinator of Adult Faith, Astrid Alas, who is also an artist and designer, reflected on art and beauty as a bridge to encountering Christ.

She explored a “deeper listening” to the messages inherent in several works of art, stressing that God works through beauty and through the hands of an artist, even if he or she is not always aware of it.

Alas quoted Bishop Robert Baron, saying “Beauty is the arrowhead of evangelization … it pierces the mind, but also the heart.”

Encountering God among the poor

During Spring Congress, Myron Rogal of the diocesan Justice and Peace Office reflected on encountering God amongst the poor, drawing from teachings of the gospel, writings of the saints, and Dilexi Te, the recent papal exhortation from Pope Leo on love for the poor.

Rogal pointed to the scriptures which speak loud and clear about caring for the poor, stressing: “Jesus meant what he said.” In the recent Apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te, Pope Leo wrote that no Christian can regard the poor simply as a societal problem, noted Rogal. “They are part of our family. They are one with us.”

“In other words, responding to poverty as Catholics is not just a characteristic of who we are, but it is indeed a fact that’s baked into our baptismal reality and is a universal vocation,” Rogal said. “Our response does not come from a cold duty to care, but from a burning love, because we desire to love the people who Jesus loves.”

In his exhortation, Pope Leo quotes St. John Chrysostom, one of the Church Fathers, “Affirming with crystal clarity 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.”

Pope Leo has good questions to ponder when looking at challenges for those living on the margins, Rogal said, quoting Dilexi Te: “Does this mean that the less gifted are not human beings? Or that the weak do not have the same dignity as ourselves? Are those born with fewer opportunities of lesser value as human beings? Should they limit themselves merely to surviving? The worth of our societies, and our own future, depends on the answers we give to these questions.”

Rogal also provided an overview of statistics about poverty, and reasons for rising rates of houselessness in the province. He noted that the service most accessed by those experiencing houselessness is the public library, where people find resources, internet access, and a safe space; after that would be resources related to food security such as the Friendship Inn or Food Bank, with health care services as number three. “Shelters and warm-up shelters are crucial, but do not serve as large a population,” he noted.

“The good news is that the kingdom of God is amongst us,” Rogal continued, sharing stories of encounter and relationship, in which those in need seek ways to give back, of regaining a sense of the common good and the impact of relationship and care for each other.

He encouraged participants to think about their own parish community, to identify the needs, to pay attention to who is on the margins, and seek to respond in a way that recognizes we all belong to God and to each other.

Inviting parishes to take an inventory of what is needed and what could be done, Rogal added that his office is available to provide information and assistance. “But you also have many good examples amongst you, and in the last three to four years especially, it’s been delightful to see so many parishes across the diocese doing some very, very excellent outreach work and I know that’s the work of the Spirit.”

Connecting and volunteering with local agencies providing outreach and assistance is one response among many, he noted.

“Become an advocate,” Rogal said, urging participants to bring their faith into the public realm. “Listen first. Sometimes this might mean accompanying people or approaching representatives in government, having conversations. Sometimes it’s just a matter of dealing with our systems, helping to access resources that are very complicated, helping people move through those systems.”

“Justice is also a key piece here, and we can’t forget that,’ he added. “I was reminded of that recently watching the Paralympics, and the announcer said that for someone in a wheelchair, a positive attitude will go a long, long way, but if they’re at the bottom of a staircase, it won’t bring them up those stairs.”

“Finally, be humble,” he added, noting that with different circumstances in life, anyone of us could be the person in need. Rely on prayer, hope, and trust in God, and always extend mercy, he added. “All is a gift from God, and God uses what we have. A lot of this is discernment, but it’s not to say that we’re not called to this. Serving those who are on the margins, living in poverty, is not a specific charism, it’s really a vocation that belongs to all of us.”

Accompanying those who are suffering

Jackie Saretsky, diocesan coordinator of Hospital Chaplaincy, spoke about the crucial role of listening in accompanying those who are sick or dying. It is the kind of listening called for in the Synod on Synodality, with its focus on “communion, participation, mission.”

“When we enter into a conversation with another, we enter into communion with that person. And we participate in their life, in their journey, or whatever it is that they’re sharing with us. And through that, we learn our mission,” she said, emphasizing the need to hear the emotions and feelings behind the words, part of the art of synodal listening.

She presented various conversation scenarios of encountering someone who is suffering, and how to listen for the deeper meaning or unspoken fears behind a person’s words. “Each of these encounters invites us into a deep vulnerability, places where our presence, listening, and compassion matter more than any answers that we may offer.”

“Accompaniment can be a beautiful and grace-filled experience, one that blesses both the person seeking support and the one who prepares their heart to listen with compassion,” she said “It becomes a shared journey where two people are fully present to one another, discovering moments of connection and joy, even in the midst of struggle. Laughing together, sharing stories, and praying side by side create a sacred space in which trust, hope, and mutual presence can flourish.”

But challenges to accompaniment include the natural temptation to avoid difficult conversations, to run away from a tough situation, “Accompanying another person is not always easy, especially when they are facing a difficult situation,” she said.

“It can feel far simpler to offer a quick, cheerful response and steer the conversation towards something lighter… but genuine accompaniment begins with making space to truly listen, setting aside the urge to fix or reassure, and instead, allowing the other person to be heard in their vulnerability.

For those uncertain about how to respond in such moments, Saretsky pointed to a practical resource developed in collaboration with the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) — a pamphlet entitled Accompaniment Through Illness: A guide to conversations about death and dying (LINK).

“This document was created to teach how not to run away from those conversations. Don’t be afraid to enter into them,” she said. Each section of the resource is grounded in Jesus’ journey towards Calvary, she noted.

“When you think of people who are nearing end of life, they’re on a road to Calvary, right? And where do you see yourself in that helping? Are you Mary, are you Veronica, are you Simon? Or maybe you’re all three,” she said. A section of the resource also address medically-provided death, known as “MAiD.”

“Death and dying are difficult topics, which is why many people avoid speaking about them. Yet those nearing the end of life often want to talk about dying, and it is frequently the listener who hesitates, afraid of causing discomfort,” Saretsky said. “This lack of open conversation leaves many unprepared for what they may face, making them vulnerable, and at times, more inclined to consider options like MAiD.”

Open conversations about death and dying can bring great relief when people are suffering with the unknown, she said.

“God’s mercy and grace remain present for those who are dying, or living with a life-limiting illness,” she stressed. “The sacrament of the sick offers this needed grace, but unfortunately, due to limited catechesis, many Catholics request the sacrament only when death seems imminent, believing it is reserved solely for the final moments of life.”

As a teaching tool, another pamphlet has therefore also been developed to explain the Sacrament of the Sick (LINK), who can receive it, the graces it offers, and how it is celebrated.

Photos – Congress in Watson

 

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This year’s diocesan Divine Mercy celebration in Saskatoon included prayers for peace, offered in solidarity with Pope Leo XIV’s vigil of peace the evening before at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the annual Divine Mercy prayer service in Saskatoon, which began at 3 p.m., the “Hour of Mercy” on the second Sunday of Easter, April 12, at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.

“As we celebrate this special day, this year, also this weekend we respond to our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV’s call to spend a time in prayer for peace to the Divine Mercy,” said Hagemoen, welcoming hundreds of the faithful gathered for the 2026 event.

“We pray in a very special way in this extraordinary time of great conflict and potential for rising war, that God’s spirit of peace, reconciliation and new vision will come to the minds and hearts of all those who are responsible, and lead our nations on the important pathways to peace, good will, and right relationship,” said the bishop. “We pray O Divine Mercy whose heart and life saved the world, that you would grant this!”

After the proclamation of the Gospel of John for the Second Sunday of Easter by Fr. Joe-Nelo Panino, parochial vicar at Holy Family Cathedral, the bishop offered a reflection about Divine Mercy Sunday established by Saint John Paul II, and the prayers for peace led this year by Pope Leo.

“Inspired by the spiritual visons and mystical experiences of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Sr. Faustina Kowalska, John Paul II established this day highlighting the mercy of God, available to the whole world because of what we celebrate now — the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, following His ultimate act of mercy on the cross,” said Hagemoen.

Quoting St. John Paul II statements about Divine Mercy, the bishop observed: “Divine Mercy Sunday celebrates the love that gives everything: redemption, salvation, sanctification.”

Hagemoen then cited Pope Leo’s call to “implore the Divine Mercy to guide and lead the world in the pathway of peace.”

With difficult issues and mounting conflict and confrontations around the world, Pope Leo had strong words at the April 11 vigil “about the way of mercy and the illogic of conflict,” Hagemoen noted.

“As the Holy Father said: ‘War divides, hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others, love lifts up. Idolatry blinds, the living God enlightens.’”

The bishop continued quoting the Holy Father’s message at the vigil of peace in Rome: “‘All it takes is a little faith, a mere “crumb” of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity.’

“Pope Leo emphasized that ‘Prayer is not a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice.’ Rather, it is ‘the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death.’

“‘In prayer our limited human possibilities are joined with the infinite possibilities of God. Thoughts, words and deeds then break the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness.’”

The Divine Mercy Sunday afternoon service continued with prayers before the Blessed Sacrament on the altar, including the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Divine Mercy Litany, along with praying of the Divine Praises and benediction.

Photos

 

 

 

 

Pope Leo’s Prayer for Peace during Vigil April 11 in Rome:

Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!

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Four Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan and one Diocesan Administrator for the Diocese of Prince Albert met in Saskatoon April 8-9, 2026, to discuss a range of items.

Bishop Michael Smolinski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Diocesan Administrator Msgr. Maurice Fiolleau of the Diocese of Prince Albert, Archbishop Jesu Susai of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, and Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Archdiocese of Saskatoon (above, left to right) meet regularly as a provincial conference of bishops.

The bishops also had a meeting with the Anglican bishops of Saskatchewan: Bishop Helen Kennedy of the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle, Bishop Richard Reed of the Anglican Diocese of Saskatchewan in the north, and Bishop Chad Charles of the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon (below, left to right)

 

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Good Friday Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at the Cathedral of the Holy Family on April 3, 2026.

Find the entire celebration video at: LINK

Schedule for Easter celebrations at parishes across the diocese: rcdos.ca/lent-and-easter