Bishop Mark Hagemoen led an installation of pastor ceremony March 9, for Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, who has served as pastor at Kindersley, Marengo, Eston and Eatonia since the summer. (Submitted photo)

On the First Sunday of Lent, Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated Mass with the parish community of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kindersley, including special prayers for the installation of Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi as pastor of the parishes at Kindersley, Marengo, Eston, and Eatonia.

The bishop has explained that the installation prayers for pastors is a way “to celebrate the liturgical and sacramental priesthood that the pastor gives and presents to a parish community as an ordained ministerial priest, to the baptized who also share in the priesthood of Christ – called the common priesthood – and there is an intimate, vital relationship there.”

The installation ceremony highlight the priest’s sacramental ministry through a series of prayers at different spots throughout the church building: the altar, the ambo, the tabernacle, the baptismal font, the entrance of the church, the confessional, and so on.

Prayers at the ambo at St. Joseph Parish in Kindersley for the installation of Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi as pastor. (Submitted photo)

Prayers at the altar at St. Joseph Parish in Kindersley for the installation of Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi as pastor. (Submitted photo)

Prayers at the tabernacle at St. Joseph Parish in Kindersley for the installation of Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi as pastor. (Submitted photo)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the annual diocesan Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

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Bishop Hagemoen first blessed the already-baptized candidates who are journeying to join the Church in the Easter season. Then the Rite of Election was celebrated with catechumens from across the diocese who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil, before receiving Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Candidates from across the diocese — who are already baptized, and who are now preparing to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Season — were called forth and blessed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC Quinton Kleiboer of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis  called forth the catechumens from across the diocese — those who are preparing to receive the Catholic Church’s initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist at this year’s Easter Vigil.

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Along with their sponsors, the catechumens from across the diocese were blessed by the bishop and along with their sponsors, signed their names into the diocesan Book of the Elect. Now known as “the Elect,” they enter a season of preparation, scrutiny, and prayer before receiving the Easter sacraments and becoming full-initiated members of the Catholic Church.

Catechumens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist in the Catholic Church were called forth and blessed by the bishop at the Rite of Election. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC Quin Kleiboer of the diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis Office (left) called forth the catechumens during the Rite of Election March 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Catechumens and their sponsors signed their names in the Book of the Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News.)

Catechumens and their sponsors signed their names in the Book of the Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News.)

Catechumens and their sponsors signed their names in the Book of the Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News.)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the Book of Elect brought forward by Marilyn Jackson, diocesan Director of Ministry Services, after the Elect from across the diocese signed their names in the book during the Rite of Election. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Priests attending the Rite of Election joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a blessing for the newly-Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Edward Gibney of St. Gabriel Parish in Biggar (right) was among the priests in attendance who joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a blessing for the newly-Elect. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The Rite of Election was celebrated March 9 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, including celebration of Mass and followed by a reception. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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Photos by Sandy Klassen

Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined the Catholic parish community of St. Michael Catholic Church on Sunday, March 2 for a joyful 70th anniversary celebration for the Saskatoon Church located on 33 Street West.

Following 9 am Sunday Mass with Bishop Hagemoen and pastor Fr. Clement Arthur, the community gathered for a breakfast.

Established as a parish in 1953, with Sunday Mass first celebrated at the nearby St. Michael School, St. Michael’s Catholic Church was built in 1954, and was officially blessed and dedicated by Bishop Francis Klein on Feb. 21, 1955.

Photos:

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All are welcome to join Bishop Mark Hagemoen at this diocesan prayer service at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, to pray together for healing, strength and compassion for all victims and survivors of abuse, and for greater awareness, understanding, and protection in our communities.

The diocesan Way of the Cross and Candle-lighting Prayer Service for Victims / Survivors of Abuse will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road (corner of Attridge Drive and Forestry Farm Park Drive), Saskatoon.

RESOURCES

Bishop’s Memo about the Vigil on Mar 14 – PDF

Vigil Event guide for Parishes – PDF

Vigil Prayer Booklet – PDF

Way of the Cross – Vigil for Victims and Survivors of Abuse – PDF

Bishop Mark Hagemoen sent a message Feb. 20, 2025, calling for prayers for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who has been in hospital in Rome since Feb. 14.

 To the Clergy, Religious, & Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Saskatoon:

At this time let us join together in prayer for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he faces challenges with his health. May the Lord grant him strength, healing, and the comfort of our prayers.

I invite our parishes, religious communities, and families to offer special prayers for the Holy Father. Let us remember him in the Holy Eucharist, in our Rosaries and prayers, and in personal and communal devotion.

We make our prayers with Mary our Mother and Hope for the Sick, as we pray that God restores Pope Francis to full health so that he may continue to shepherd the Church with wisdom and love.

Let us pray:

Almighty ever-living God, eternal health of believers,

Who willed that our infirmities

Be borne by your Only-Begotten Son for our salvation,

Listen in kindness to our prayers

For your servant Francis, our Pope and Shepherd:

Grant him, we implore you, your merciful help,

So that he may be restored to your Church in good health,

Ever ready to serve the flock you have entrusted to his care.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

Who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. AMEN

Sincerely in Christ,

Bishop Mark A. Hagemoen

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon Feb. 9, which was marked as the annual diocesan Compassionate Healers’ Mass.

Message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen about the Compassionate Healers’ Mass: PDF

Bishop’s Homily Feb. 9:

Compassionate Healers’ Mass – Background:

An initiative of the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan, the Compassionate Healers’ Mass is held in dioceses across the province to acknowledge and bless those who journey with the vulnerable, sick and dying, who are the hands and heart of Jesus offering hope in our common pilgrimage of healing and conversion. We pray for all who provide any care and/or support to health care in our communities, including those who:

• Support ailing loved ones in their own home,

• Volunteer in our care facilities,

• Serve as nurses, doctors and care aids,

• Offer spiritual care, and social support,

• Work as administrators or building managers,

• Provide technical support and food services,

• Respond to the needs of the poor,

• Visit the lonely,

• Extend support and counsel to the addicted,

• Attend to the wounds of victims of crime,

• And walk with Christ in the person of the prisoner.

DIOCESAN PRAYER:

Loving God, we pray for all who serve in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and ask Your blessing for the healers among us. May their strength and devotion be renewed for the unique work of compassion to which they are called. Renew in them wisdom and skill; sympathy and patience; strength and courage; and keep them strong in Your service. May Your light shine through all of our days and deeds, so that Your healing will may prevail, to the glory and praise of Your name.

(Prayer adapted from CHAS resources for National Catholic Health Care Week 2024)

Message from Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHASsk.ca):

NOTE: The World Day of the Sick is marked on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. Find the message from Pope Francis for the 33rd annual World Day of the Sick on the Vatican website: LINK.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated Mass at the St. Thomas More (STM) College Chapel on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 as part of celebrations for Catholic Students’ Week Feb. 3-9.

Other events at STM during Catholic Students’ Week included Eucharistic Adoration, a Newman Retreat Day, an Indigenous storytelling event, Rosary, and Pizza after 5 pm Sunday Mass. (Read more about events at STM during Catholic Students’ Week: LINK)

(Photos by Michael MacLean, STM Campus Ministry)