Kiply Lukan Yaworski

Some 120 alumni and former facilitators and leaders of the diocesan Lay Formation program gathered Oct. 27-28 for one last annual Alumni Fall Gathering at Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal in Saskatoon — the facility that for so many years was the site of Lay Formation weekends of prayer, learning and community.

Find news article, photos and speaker reflections at: Catholic Saskatoon News

Indigenous Lay Formation Program alumni from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Lynne Gillies)

The final alumni gathering was a time for connection, grieving, and reflection, including perspectives by founders and former coordinators, volunteers and presenters about the history of the program, its vision and its impact.

Celebrants at Mass: Fr Ivan Nahachewsky, Chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, Archbishop Murray Chatlain of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-LePas, and Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. (Photo by Teresa Bodnar-Hiebert)

Guest speaker at the Fall Gathering (in person and on Zoom) was Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, who for many years was one of the celebrated presenters of sessions at the Lay Formation program. The weekend schedule also included a wine and cheese reception Oct. 28 and a closing Mass and banquet Oct. 29.

Lay Formation leaders through the years were honoured at the 2022 Alumni gathering (l-r) Gisele Bauche, Mona Goodman, Sister Bonnie Komarnicki, SSMI, Debbie Ledoux, Louise Gantefoer and Kathy Hitchings. (Photo by Blake Sittler)

St. Michael Church, Burstall, SK (Photo by Daniel J. Classen)

With prayers of thanksgiving and words of farewell, parishioners marked the closing of the Catholic church at Burstall Oct. 9, celebrating Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen and pastor Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi. 

St. Michael parishioners were joined by others from the area at the final Mass, including representatives from Fox Valley, Liebenthal, Leader and Richmound Catholic parishes, as well as representatives of local Lutheran and Evangelical churches.

The closure of the parish comes after a long period of discernment by the community, said Bishop Hagemoen. It is a time of sadness, but also a moment to embrace the challenge of the change and the need to connect with a new community, he noted.

In his homily during the final Mass held on the Thanksgiving weekend, Bishop Hagemoen focussed on the fact that the people of God are the ultimate temple and that they would persist in the visible expression of Catholic life faith and mission in the region.

The bishop also shared expressions of prayers and blessings from the Ursuline sisters of Prelate, from the diocesan Council of Priests , and from neighbouring parish communities who had let him know that they were holding the Catholic community of St. Michael, Burstall in prayer.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Fr. Francis Appia-Kubi celebrate Mass Oct. 9 to mark the closing of St. Michael Church at Burstall.  (Submitted photo)

After Mass, the congregation went to the cemetery shared between the Lutheran and Catholic community, where Bishop Hagemoen blessed the graves. A reception in the church basement followed.

St Michael was officially established as a mission parish of Liebenthal on May 17, 1970, in response to the request of the Catholic community, which had purchased a former Baptist church and adapted it for use in Catholic worship. In the early years, Burstall was served by Oblate priests coming from Liebenthal and Richmound.

In 1977-78, to accommodate the increased numbers of Catholics, the present St. Michael church was developed, under the direction of Fr. Joseph Blatz, OMI, with a basement built first, and then a former Lutheran church at Leader, SK, was moved to Burstall and placed over the waiting basement.

The newly refurbished St. Michael Church was blessed on June 26, 1979 by Bishop Noël Delaquis of Gravelbourg. (St. Michael, Burstall was one of the parishes added to the diocese of Saskatoon in 1998.)

– Information from “Building the Church, Living the Gospel” by Margaret Sanche and Daniel J. Classen, 2013

Prayers of blessing at the parish cemetery. (Submitted photo)

Prayers in the cemetery. (Submitted photo)

Gathering after Mass. (Submitted photo)

Participants in the 2022 Life Chain in Saskatoon Oct. 2. (Submitted photo)

An hour of public witness calling for an end to abortion, Life Chain was again held on the first Sunday of October in communities across Saskatchewan, including in Humboldt, Unity and Saskatoon.

The Saskatoon event was held at the corner of Idylwyld Drie and 22nd Street on the afternoon of Oct. 2, with participants holding sign up as traffic passed by. Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined some 135 participants in peaceful witness.

Life Chain has been organized by Campaign Life Coalition and held simultaneously in communities across the country since 1990.

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined participants in the hour of silent witness held Oct. 2 in Saskatoon. (Submitted photo)

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined participants in the hour of silent witness held Oct. 2 in Saskatoon. (Submitted photo)

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Our Lady of Guadalupe Elder Irene Sharp, Elder Dianne Anderson, pastor Fr. Graham Hill CSsR, Parish Life Director Debbie Ledoux, St. Mary pastor Fr. Kevin McGee and Deacon Paul Labelle on the steps of St. Mary Church after Mass on the morning of National Truth and Reconciliation Day (l-r) joined by Elder Dianne’s grand-daughter (front). The group joined the Reconciliation Saskatoon events after Mass. (Photo by Raissa Bugyi of the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation: find out more about diocesan fund-raising in support of Indigenous programs, reconciliation and healing at the Foundation website: dscf.ca.)

 

The second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30 featured events across the country to honour those who attended residential schools and experienced the loss of language, family connections and culture — as well as those who suffered abuse and those who died there — and to raise awareness about the ongoing inter-generational effects of residential schools, colonization, and racism.

The new federal holiday builds upon “Orange Shirt Day” marked on Sept. 30 in recent years. Wearing orange was prompted by the experience of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who as a six-year-old arriving at residential school in 1973 had her beloved orange shirt immediately taken away.

Parish hosts afternoon walk

In the diocese of Saskatoon, parishioners from Holy Spirit Catholic Church joined with leaders from Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous parish Sept. 30 for prayer, smudging and a late-afternoon walk through a neighbourhood park, accompanied by pastors Fr. Joseph Salihu and Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR, along with Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

Among events was a walk organized by Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Donna McKay)

Holy Spirit and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes organized a local walk on National Truth and Reconciliation Day Sept. 30. (Photo by Erin Gratton)

CCCB Statement for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – English / French

Reconciliation Saskatoon walk

Earlier in the day, a larger “Rock Your Roots” walk for reconciliation was held, starting after a pancake breakfast at CUMFI, with a sea of orange-clad participants walking together along 20th Street West to the “Where Our Paths Cross” art installation at Reconciliation Circle in Victoria Park. The walk was followed by a program in the park featuring First Nations and Métis cultural performers, musicians and guest speakers.

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, which has seen attendance in the thousands in past years, was first held in 2016. The intent of this event is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and continuing work towards an inclusive community.

A larger walk earlier in the day was organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon.. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”

“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour First Nation and Métis residential school survivors,” says Shirley Isbister, President of Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to come out and participate. We look forward to being together.”

“This walk is a symbol of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better so that all people can have a good quality of life,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand.

Participants form a circle at Victoria Park during the Reconciliation Saskatoon event. (Photo by Bernice Daratha)

Other events

Special programs were also offered at Wanuskewin Heritage Site that day, and an evening pow-wow was organized by the Saskatoon Tribal Council at SaskTel Centre.

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined residents and Knights of Columbus members for celebration of Mass Sept. 24 to mark the 10th anniversary of Columbian Place in Saskatoon.

Located across the street from St. Mary Parish on 20th Street West, Columbian Place is a project of KC Charities, opening in 2012 with support from all levels of government.

The project was a follow-up to the earlier Columbian Manor project that KC Charities built and operates on Louise Street on the east side of the city.

The two locations together provide more than 260 seniors a place to call home, with a range of support, amenities and features.

As well, a new Columbian Village building currently under construction on Louise Street will be part of the same faith-based 55-plus community as the neighbouring Columbian Manor. The new building will feature additions including a fitness centre, beauty salon and a large common area for entertainment and other activities. Columbian Village will also include a new 100-seat chapel.

As a non-profit charitable organization, K.C. Charities Inc. strives to provide “active and healthy aging free from loneliness and boredom, and offer the most affordable supportive living seniors rentals in Saskatchewan. The communities we’ve built are vibrant, welcoming, and safe,” states the KC Charities Housing website. “Although K.C. Charities housing has faith-based Catholic roots, people of many faiths, denominations and backgrounds live in our communities.”

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Priests and deacons from across our diocese gathered Sept. 15 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon for a Clergy Day of Recollection, with guest speaker Archbishop Gérard Pettipas, CSsR of the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, AB. The day included opportunities for prayer, sacrament and reflection.

Priests from across the diocese gathered in the Queen of Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Family for a Clergy Day of Recollection Sept. 15. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Diocesan Clergy Day of Recollection organizer Fr. Binu Rathappillil, VC, (pastor of the Wadena, St. Donatus and Denzil parishes) speaks to those assembled for the event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Guest speaker Archbishop Gérard Pettipas, CSsR of the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, AB (left) with Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Hagemoen)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen gathered with pastors, parish leaders, and ministry staff Sept. 14, 2022, for an annual Administration Day, held at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, as well as on Zoom.

New staff were introduced, reflections on the recent visit to Canada by Pope Francis and his apology to Canada’s Indigenous peoples for the church’s involvement in Residential Schools, updates related to human resources, safeguarding and the Covenant of Care, administration and ministry were among the topics covered at the day-long meeting. The 2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal was also launched, with the distribution of materials to parishes for the weeks ahead.

Read a full article about Administration Day at Catholic Saskatoon News – LINK

Representatives of Development and Peace Caritas Canada set up at display at the diocesan Administration Day Sept. 15 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Rita Taylor of the Catholic Pastoral Centre admin team consults with MC Daniel Pettipas of Saint Anne Parish before the start of the 2022 diocesan Administration Day in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Connecting with colleagues is an important part of Administration Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Parish representatives share a moment during the annual Admin Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

During the 2022 Admin Day, Debbie Ledoux, Parish Life Director of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon reflected on the parish’s bus trip to participate in papal visit events at Maskwacis and Lac Ste Anne, AB. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Human Resources consultant Vicki Towriss spoke about creating and nurturing engaged and cohesive teams. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Development and Peace Provincial Animator Michael Leblanc provided an overview of the organization and its work. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Raissa Bugyi, Executive Director of the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation, provided updates and launched the 2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Interim Director of Administration Brenda FitzGerald provided an update about safeguarding priorities and goals, as well as an overview of operations and finance. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey led a session on “Every Catholic a Disciple Maker.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey interviews a guest on Zoom. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Parish Life Director Matthew Courchene of St. John Bosco shared how that Saskatoon parish has focused on evangelization over the past eight years — and some of the results. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

At the annual Admin Day Sept. 15, a “Wednesday Afternoon Live” panel shared information about upcoming adult faith programs in the diocese. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners Jim and Brenda Tryhuba shared the impact of the diocesan adult faith programs they have participated in — including Proclaim-Awaken-Encounter events last year. This year’s Adult Faith schedule was also announced at Admin Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Prince Sarpong, pastor at Leader, Lancer and Liebenthal parishes, won a jelly bean guessing contest at Admin Day! (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined with brother bishops Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina; Archbishop Murray Chatlain of Keewatin Le Pas; Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert and Archbishop Lawrence Huculak, apostolic administrator of the Eparchy of Saskatoon to send a message of condolences, prayer and support to all those affected by the recent tragic events at James Smith First Nation and Weldon, SK.

Saskatchewan Catholic Bishops – “Joining in Prayer in this Time of Grief” (Click here for PDF) –