Announcements – August 2026 summer edition

* Diocesan Prayer intention:

We pray as a diocesan family for all those enjoying days of leisure and renewal during this summer season. May all enjoy the blessings of God’s creation with thanksgiving and joy.

EARTHCARE Connections (Prayer intentions from Farmland Legacies)

August 9: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

• God speaks to us through nature. May we attend to God’s voice in all aspects of nature. We pray to the Lord.
• For all who suffer from polluted air and water. We pray to the Lord.

August 16: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

• May we share our bread with the poor to nourish and sustain them. We pray to the Lord.
• May the produce of our fields and gardens be sufficient for our needs. We pray to the Lord.

August 23: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

• Help us be aware of our impact upon God’s creation. We pray to the Lord.
• May we support those organizations that produce food for Saskatchewan food banks and relief shelters. We pray to the Lord.

August 30: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

• May we embrace our God-given responsibility to tend and care for the Earth. We pray to the Lord.
• In the effort for positive environmental and societal transformation, may we remember that Jesus is always among us. We pray to the Lord.

* Pro-Life Apologetics – Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform (CCBR) presents Pro-Life Apologetics 101 in Saskatoon on Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For information about the location of the Aug. 11 event (or other events during the CCBR visit Aug. 10-15) contact Jeff Owen at jowen@endthekilling.ca or (403) 774-7467.

* Help for Venezuela – Development and Peace-Caritas Canada partner Caritas Venezuela is already providing emergency aid to earthquake survivors, but because of the scale of the disaster, urgent help is needed. Through its vast network, the Catholic organization Caritas Venezuela is working round-the-clock to provide food, water, medicine, hygiene kits, clothing, essential supplies, psychosocial support and pastoral care, prioritizing the elderly, children, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. To facilitate this work, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada has made an initial allocation of $50,000. Canadians are also being asked to step up to help. Please give generously to assist the Venezuelan people: https://devp.org/en/make-a-donation/ .

* Pursue the Power of Persistent Prayer with St. Monica – An evening for men and women will be held Thursday, Aug. 27, at Saint Anne Catholic Church, 217 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon, with dessert, speakers, conversation and prayer. Every family is affected by loved ones who have fallen away, walked away, or run away from the Church. Gather on the Feast of St. Monica for fellowship and prayer, holding each other up in hope. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dessert; speaker at 6:30 p.m. followed by discussion; Eucharistic adoration at 7:45 p.m. RSVP to rekindlecatholic ministries@gmail.com (free will donation).

* Feast of the Assumption  – Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at St. Laurent, SK, east of Duck Lake (or turn at the small statue on Highway 11, north of Saskatoon) will host a celebration Saturday, Aug. 15 to mark the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Schedule:

• 3:00 pm information session about the future of the shrine (Log Church)
• 4:00 pm – Seniors’ Celebration of the Eucharist (Grotto)
• 6:30 pm – Examination of Conscience and Sacrament of Reconciliation (Grotto)
• 7:00 pm – Eucharistic Adoration / Chaplet of Divine Mercy (Grotto)
• 7:30 pm – Marian Devotions (Grotto)
• 8:00 pm – Celebration of the Eucharist
• 9:15 pm – Torchlit procession from the Grotto to the Arch for blessing, followed by Eucharistic Adoration in the Log Church until 11:00 p.m.

* St. Philomena Walking Pilgrimage: Registration is now open for the 8th annual Saint Philomena Walking Pilgrimage Aug. 11 to 14, a physical and spiritual journey with daily Mass or Divine Liturgy and prayer. Pilgrims are free to join for a few hours, a day or two, or for all four days. Support vehicles are available to give you a ride back to your car or to the next rest stop. Or do the entire walk – approximately 100 kms, with overnight stops arranged, and your sleeping gear transported for you. Breakfast and supper are provided, and there are rest stops during the day where you will find water, snacks and toilets. This pilgrimage is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Regina, starting Aug. 11 at Saint Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton and ending at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at Rama, SK. in time for the annual Assumption of Mary pilgrimage.  For more information go to www.stphilomena.ca

* The 81st Rama Pilgrimage will be held Aug. 14-15 at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at St. Anthony Church, Rama, SK. Schedule: Vigil of Mary’s Assumption Friday, Aug. 14 begins 3 p.m. with Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 6 p.m. Marian hymns and confessions, 8 p.m. Mass, living rosary, candlelight procession, exposition and adoration; the Feast of Mary’s Assumption Saturday, Aug. 15 includes 8:30 a.m. morning prayers in Polish; 9 a.m. Mass in Polish; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite; 11:30 a.m. Mass (English), anointing of the sick, blessing for plenary indulgence, blessing of religious articles. For more information, see: https://www.ramashrine.ca/.

*  Summer Learning Tour – Join St. Mary Parish Truth and Reconciliation Committee Friday, Aug. 21 on a trip to Fort Carlton, SK, to attend the 150^th Commemoration of the signing of Treaty 6 in 1876.  This will be an opportunity to participate in the opening ceremonies, view the Treaty 6 parchment, tour scenic Fort Carlton, and listen to Elders speak about the spirit, intent and responsibilities of the Treaty. Find more information at https://treaty6150.ca,  and/or to car pool, call Bonnie Roberts at (306) 374-9183. Four days of Ceremony, Dialogue, Culture and Gathering, Aug. 20-23, mark the signing at Fort Carlton of Treaty 6 which covers most of the central area of the current provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Treaties in Canada are legally binding agreements between the Crown (government) and Indigenous nations that define ongoing rights, obligations, and relationships. Treaties are fundamental to the Canadian constitution, acting as a foundation for co-existence, land sharing, and reconciliation.

*  “Acts Alive” is a one-day Jesus Youth Saskatchewan conference Aug. 29 that brings together young people and families for a powerful experience of faith, fellowship, and mission. Through inspiring talks, vibrant worship, meaningful community, and joyful celebration, you are invited to deepen your relationship with Christ. Rooted in the lifestyle of Jesus Youth, the event seeks to rekindle faith, strengthen friendships, and empower believers to live as witnesses of God’s love. Come and be renewed, inspired, and sent forth to be Christ’s light in the world. There are streams for families, for young adults, for youth and for children during the Acts Alive program to be held 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 29 held at Heritage Common, Hepburn, SK. Speakers include Archbishop Murray Chatlain of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg and Dr.Edward Edezhath, a teacher, writer, and retired professor and a pioneer of the Jesus Youth movement. For more information about the Saskatchewan Acts Alive event contact 1-306-715-559 or e-mail: contact.sk@jesusyouth.ca.

Register online at:  https://jycanada.breezechms.com/form/skconference

Cost (includes lunch and dinner):

• $50/Adult 18+
• $90/ Couple
• Free/ Clergy & Religious

Family rates:

• $110 /Couple and one child (5-17 years)
• $125 / Couple and two children (5-17 years)
• $140 / Couple and three or more children (5-17 years)
• $70 / Adult and one child (5-17 years)
• $85 / Adult and two children (5-17 years)
• $100 / Adult and three or more children (5-17 years)

(Note: No fee for children under 5 years of age.)

* Millennium Cross Pilgrimage: The annual pilgrimage to the 100-foot cross 10 km northeast of Aberdeen, SK. on Highway 41 will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, with guest speaker Fr. Bassim Shoni of Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Parish in Saskatoon, rosary, prayers, reflections, and displays. Bring lawn chairs, umbrellas, insect repellent. Find out more about the Millennium Cross and the annual pilgrimage at: https://millenniumcross.ca/

* An Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education Program (IPL) online course from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon presents the next session “Introduction to Reconciliation” beginning Sept. 15 for all those interested in deepening their understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples and the Catholic Church as a response to the TRC Calls to Action. Presenters will include Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Indigenous leaders. The course will be held online Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekly until Nov. 10; cost is $200 (bursaries may be available). No prerequisite is required. Find registration, as well as a video overview and participant reflections at rcdos.ca/indigenous-ministry-education

* Retreat Sept. 25 to 27 presented by the Verbum Dei Missionaries – “Put out into deep water” (Luke 5:4): Join Verbum Dei Missionaries Sr. Marta Piano and Sr. Sol Abala for a weekend retreat 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 to the 11:00 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, held at Living Waters Camp on Adamson Lake, north of Saskatoon. Cost is $285 includes accommodations and meals (please bring your own bedsheets/linens, towels, pillows, and toiletries). Register online at: https://forms.gle/PnA1z8erqjrHU3LJ7  Registration fee can be e-transferred to:  verbumdeisk.ca@gmail.com. For more information, call Sr. Marta or Sr. Sol at (306) 659-5843.

* The Year of St. Francis of Assisi marks “the eighth centenary of the happy passing of Saint Francis of Assisi from earthly life to his heavenly homeland (3 October 1226).” Find the decree about the Year of St. Francis posted on the Vatican website: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/01/16/260116c.html

* The diocesan Sts. Benedict and Scholastica Formation Program is now accepting applications for both men and women candidates for the year 2026-2027. This program aims to form young adult Catholics in pursuing holiness while living in the world. The Sts. Benedict and Scholastica program is open to young adults – both women and men, students or working – either for a residential or non-residential program beginning in the fall. The program includes human formation, intellectual formation, and pastoral formation, focused on personal holiness and community life, which includes daily prayer, Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, apostolic work, faith-sharing, faith formation, spiritual direction, silent retreats, and missionary discipleship. For more information contact Sr. Marta Piano at mpiano@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5843, or visit the diocesan website: https://rcdos.ca/sts-benedict-and-scholastica. (Sts. Benedict and Scholastica is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal).

Encyclical released: Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” explores the relationship between technology, power, and the human person. Find the encyclical at: https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/magnifica-humanitas/l-enciclica.html.

The CWL Clothing Depot in Saskatoon is requesting donations of much-needed items in order to provide affordable good quality household items and clothing to community members with limited funds. Items needed include summer clothing (any age), jeans, kitchenware, cutlery, working toasters, working kettles, working coffee makers, pots and pans, Rubbermaid containers, clocks, sheets, comforters, and towels. Drop off donations at the CWL Clothing Depot, 619 20th Street West, Saskatoon (located on lower level of Friendship Inn) — please ring the bell at the back door in the alley of the depot; drop off times are 10:30 a.m. to 3: p.m. Monday-Friday. Thank you for your kindness in making a difference for someone in need. For donation inquiries contact Bea at (306) 242-5042.

Faith-Based Advance Care Directive available – One of the most effective ways to counter the narrative of those who encourage medically-provided death — euthanasia / assisted suicide, often euphemistically referred to as “MAiD” — is by completing a Faith-Based Advance Care Directive. Directives are available as a free download from the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) website at https://chassk.ca/faithbasedcare/ , or you may purchase a physical booklet at Universal Church Supplies in Saskatoon. Additionally, there is a video guide to help in completing the directive, posted at: https://youtu.be/BNGgc9ogZ30?si=8T2J7raScCIgaGRR For further information, please contact CHAS Executive Director Peter Oliver at peter@chassk.ca or ethicist, Mary Heilman, at mary@chassk.ca.

New Resource from CHAS – A Guide to Compassionate Conversation:  When members of our faith community face life-threatening illness, knowing how to respond can be difficult. To help you offer meaningful support, the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) has released a new brochure: “Accompaniment Through Serious Illness: A Guide to Conversations on Death and Dying.” This guide provides practical tools for navigating these sacred conversations with grace.

Download the guide https://chassk.ca/conversation-guide-death-and-dying/.

Donations needed: The emergency food pantry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous Catholic Parish in Saskatoon is appealing for donations to assist some of the most vulnerable in our community. Donations of food staples are greatly needed, including powdered milk, peanut butter (small sizes preferred), coffee, tea, canned beans, meat and fish, canned soups and vegetables, pasta sauce, pasta, rice, and ramen noodles. Monetary donations permit the parish to purchase exactly what is needed. Contact Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at (306) 653-4945; the parish office is located at 426 Avenue J South, Saskatoon.

Grow Hope Saskatchewan: Generous Saskatchewan farmers donate land and labour to grow crops, with input costs covered by donors from all walks of life – crops are then sold to raise funds to feed the hungry and build food security around the globe through Canadian Foodgrains Bank, with funds matched by the federal government. Learn more at: https://www.growhopesk.ca.

Bibles, holy cards, rosaries, crosses – The diocesan Hospital Chaplaincy Office is seeking donations of materials to assist with spiritual care outreach to patients at hospitals in Saskatoon. If you have Bibles, holy cards, rosaries, crosses or other small sacred items that would be appropriate to share with those facing illness, please consider donating them “Attention to Jackie Saretsky, Hospital Chaplaincy” at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 2^nd floor of the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, or call (306) 659-5839 for information.

Help Not Harm: No Euthanasia for Mental Illness – Visit the website www.helpnotharmcanada.ca to e-mail your Member of Parliament (MP), asking for their support of Bill C-218 (The Right to Recover Act), which would amend the Criminal Code to prevent assisted suicide/ euthanasia – known as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) — from being provided when mental illness is the sole underlying condition. Without this change, medically-provided euthanasia will be available for those suffering from mental illness alone beginning in March 2027. We are called to offer care, hope, and protection — not death — to those who are suffering and those who are most vulnerable.

Hospital Volunteer Opportunity: St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon relies on volunteers to help nurture a welcoming experience by assisting patients, families, and visitors in navigating the hospital and understanding parking procedures. Responsibilities include initiating contact with members of the public, including at-risk individuals, helping to navigate the building and pointing out resources.  In-depth orientation and on-going support is provided. Those interested can contact volunteers@saskhealthauthority.ca for information.

Scam Alert – Fraudulent messages continue to circulate via e-mail, as well as via text and message apps, allegedly coming from our priests, bishop, or others in the Catholic community, asking for money, gift cards, or other gifts. DISREGARD all such messages! Do NOT reply or engage with the individuals sending these messages. Do NOT send gift cards, money, or cash transfers if requested to do so over e-mail or via text message.

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