Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s blog

Hundreds travelled to the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon on a blustery Friday night Jan. 24 to venerate relics of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, and of Canadian Martyrs St. Jean de Brebeuf, St. Charles Garnier and St. Gabriel Lalemant.

The diocesan event with the sacred relics began with lines of the faithful journeying up the main aisle to venerate the relics, in front of the altar, with many touching holy cards, medals and rosaries to the glass reliquaries, or placing written prayers into the chest near the relic display in front of the altar.

The relics of the Canadian martyrs included the skull of St. Jean de Brebeuf and bones of St. Charles Garnier and St. Gabriel Lalemant. Also included in the tour visit was a first-class relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous North American saint and patron of First Nations peoples.

Pilgrims from across the diocese visited the Cathedral of the Holy Family Jan. 24 to pray with the sacred relics of the saints. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Music ministry for the Mass was provided by the choir from Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC John Hickey, Evangelization and Mission Leader for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon welcomed the visitors and pilgrims who filled the cathedral. The Rosary was then prayed in French by a representative of Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Parish in Saskatoon.

Sandra Harper of Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous Parish in Saskatoon spoke about the ministry of welcome and healing at the parish, which lives out the Catholic faith within the Indigenous culture. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Life Director Ferdinand Gemoh also spoke, noting the importance of respect and cultural diversity in celebration of faith — something that missionaries like St. Jean de Brebeuf demonstrated in their lives and ministry.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at celebration of the Eucharist during the visit of the sacred relics to Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Celebration of the Eucharist followed, with Bishop Mark Hagemoen presiding. Concelebrants included Jesuit Fr. John O’Brien, who is travelling with the relics across the country, diocesan Vicar-General Fr. Kevin McGee, Holy Family Cathedral rector Fr. Gerard Cooper, St. Paul Co-Cathedral rector Fr. Stafano Penna, and other priests from around the diocese. Music ministry was provided by the choir from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Victor Granger and Deacon Nick Blom proclaimed the readings, and Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity led the prayers of intercession.

Celebration of the Eucharist was part of the Saskatoon event welcoming the sacred relics. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

In his homily, Bishop Hagemoen reflected on the commitment and sacrifices of the missionaries, who lived and worked among the Indigenous peoples, and the response of Indigenous missionaries like Joseph Chiwatenhwa, a powerful preacher of the gospel to the Huron people. He also reflected on the hidden life of the “Lily of the Mohawks” St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who’s “little way” of love and trust in Jesus reflects the path of the “Little Flower” St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

The bishop noted that the visit of the sacred relics is timely, in the midst of many challenges and initiatives, coming as it does at the start of the Jubilee Year of Hope, and as dioceses around the world reflect on how to move forward in responding to the call of the Synod “bringing to bear the way and the method of Jesus and the Gospel in our parishes and in our world.”

“The life of St. Jean de Brebeuf and companions, and St. Kateri show us that light not only shines in the darkness, but it lifts up: darkness will not prevail,” Hagemoen said.

The reliquaries were placed in front of the altar at the Cathedral of the Holy Family Jan. 24. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

At the conclusion of Mass, Fr. John O’Brien of the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs in Midland, Ontario, spoke about the tour and the lives of the martyrs. He reflected on why the missionaries would leave their homes to cross the ocean and face harsh conditions, hardships, and eventually martyrdom in a new land. “The love of God is a motivating presence with them and in them,” he said.

“What is that love of God that is so powerful, and have we experienced that love of God in the same way?” he challenged, noting that the word “martyr” means “witness.” O’Brien said that in a sense we are all martyrs called to share in Christ’s Great Commission to go and make disciples and to be witnesses of God’s love in the world.

He also pointed to the reconciling prayer featured on prayer cards for the relic tour, praying that through the intercession of these saints “our hearts may be better disposed to seek reconciliation with God, with others, with ourselves, and with creation.”

Fr. John O’Brien, SJ, of the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs in Midland, Ontario, is accompanying the sacred relics on the national tour during the Jubilee Year. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen lifted the relics to bless the assembly at the conclusion of Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Following Mass, veneration of the relics continued, with members of the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission formation program serving as ushers, and a St. Therese choir singing a translation of the Huron Carol written by St. Jean de Brebeuf. Priests were also hearing confessions throughout the evening.

The national tour of the relics from the Canadian Martyrs Shrine in Midland, ON, got underway at the start of the Jubilee Year at a Catholic Christian Outreach Rise-Up Conference, with Janaury stops in British Columbia and Alberta, before arriving in Saskatoon for the evening event Jan. 24. The tour continues with a visit to Regina Jan. 26, before continuing east to Manitoba.

At the conclusion of Mass, priests venerated the sacred relics. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Related: Indigenous missionary’s legacy highlighted during relic visit – LINK

Related: Canadian Martyrs Shrine TOUR

Photo gallery – LINK

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Reverence for Life Sunday will be marked on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

 “Day of Prayer for Reverence for Life” Message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen – PDF

Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon each year declares the last Sunday of January as a day of prayer for Reverence for Life, coinciding with the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Morgentaler decision which removed all legal limits to abortion in Canada. Bishop Hagemoen will celebrate Mass on Reverence for Life Sunday, Jan. 26 at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon.

 The Day of Prayer for Reverence for Life will be celebrated in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon on Sunday, January 26, 2025, providing our faith communities with an opportunity for prayers, reflection and discussion about the value of the precious gift of human life. I send this message on the day when we celebrate Saint Hilary, Doctor of the Church, who supported Saint Athanasius regarding the divinity of Christ during the time of the Arian controversy.

Our current times continue to feature terrible conflicts in many parts of the world, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. I continue to hear from many that our current world affairs highlight both the fragility and strength of human life. In these times of reflecting on the prayer of St. Francis, “Lord, make me a channel of your peace,” we continue to hear this prayer in terms of the care of the vulnerable, and especially with regards to the protection and care for the unborn, our elders, and critically ill in our communities.

1) An Uncaring and Utilitarian Culture Contributes to Sins Against Human Life

Canada continues to deal with the tragic repercussions of the removal of abortion from the Criminal Code. We now mark the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Morgentaler case on January 28, 1988, which removed all remaining restrictions on abortion in Canada. Incredibly applauded by many in our society, this moment in our nation’s history holds within it the tragic reality of millions of lost lives.

Victims of abortion include the unborn children who are killed, but also the mothers, fathers and families left wounded after an abortion. The community is also weakened and damaged as the weakest and most vulnerable among us are not valued and protected.

Pope Francis ushered in this Jubilee New Year with a renewed appeal for all of God’s people to make a firm commitment to respect and protect human life, from conception to natural death. As he prayed in his January 1 homily:

“[May we learn to care for] every child born of a woman…[and to protect] the precious gift of life: life in the womb, the lives of children, the lives of the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely and the dying.”

He continued: “I ask for a firm commitment to respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, so that each person may cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to the future…”  Let us continue to remember the Holy Father’s words quoted ni my previous letters, as the Canadian government continues to seek to expand access to doctor- assisted suicide, also known as Medical Aid in Dying or “MAID”:

“The victims of this [throwaway] culture are precisely the weakest and most fragile human beings -the unborn, the poorest, the sick and elderly, the seriously handicapped, etc. – who are in danger of being ‘thrown away’, expelled from a system that must be efficient at all costs.” (See: +Francis’ Address to a Delegation from the Dignitatus Humanae Institute, Dec. 7, 2013)

Perhaps this upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope can inspire the world to not only beg forgiveness for grave sins against our brothers and sisters of the world, but can also be a time of new-found Hope as we make concrete steps to repair the great damage of our uncaring.

II) How Can We Care for Creation While Supporting Abortion and Euthanasia?

Pope Francis continually highlights that respect for creation and respect for human life and human dignity are issues that are only realized together. As he states in his 2023 Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum:

“Everything is connected …no one is saved alone” (#19)

“To recognize. that human life is incomprehensible and unsustainable without other creatures. As part of the universe … all of us are linked by unseen bonds and together form a kind of universal family, a sublime communion which fills us with a sacred, affectionate and humble respect.” (#67) [Se: LaudatoDuem, October 4, 2023

The Gospel’s moral and social teaching calls on all people of good will to bring to bear intellectual, social, and political consciousness on the blatant inconsistency that is affecting the well-being and flourishing of human cultures through our world. This effort is at the service of every person on the planet! If we do not engage in calling each other to a greater and fuller humanity, we should then not be surprised at the larger deterioration of a culture of human care and respect.

III) Where is our HEART?

We no longer hear about scientific evidence – including the supporting fields of genetics and embryology – clearly showing the distinct humanity of each unborn child. Each young human person shares the fundamental human right to life that we as Canadians celebrate and support on so many other fronts.

Failing to recognize that right has left our country damaged – not only in the missing and lost lives of millions of unborn children – but also in removing “the heart” from our society. Many people today experience the loss of heart when they lose the sense of their own humanity when they no longer feel “useful” because of ill-health or aging. Persons who are older or are dealing with disabilities increasingly feel that they are a “problem” to their families and those on whom we rely for care.

The “loss of heart” is also the root cause of so many other evils in our midst, including: discrimination, injustice and racism, violence, poverty and hunger, debilitating addiction. Sisters and brothers, let us respond to loss of heart by holding steady to the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: the Sacred Heart for our world. I bring you this message on the memorial of Saint Hilary, Doctor of the Church – biblical scholar and theologian – dedicated his life and work to upholding the divinity of Christ, who comes to the world to bring His mercy, forgiveness, and healing to every human person.

As Pope Francis concluded in his New Year’s Day homily:

“May we learn to care for every child born of a woman, above all by protecting, like Mary, the precious gift of life: life in the womb, the lives of children, the lives of the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely and the dying… All of us are invited to take up the summons that flows from the maternal heart of Mary: we are called to cherish life, to care for wounded lives — so many wounded lives, so many –  to restore dignity to the lives of everyone” because it is the basis for building a culture of peace, he said, highlighting that the Feast of Mary, Mother of God also marks the World Day of Peace.

     Sisters and Brothers, we pray that as a people and nation we may re- discover our heart!

Yours in Christ,

+ Most Reverend Mark A. Hagemoen

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Bishop Hagemoen’s homily:

Please join in praying that life will be respected at every age and stage, from conception to natural death.

“Nazareth” – painting by Michael O’Brien:  used with permission on the Reverence for Life prayer card, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Prayer:

Almighty God, giver of all that is good,
we thank you for the precious gift of human life:
For life in the womb, coming from your creative power,
For the life of children, making us glad with their freshness and promise,
For the life of young people, hoping for a better world,
For the life of people who are disabled, teaching us that every life has value,
For the life of the elderly, witnessing to the ageless values of patience and wisdom.

Like Blessed Mary, may we always say “yes” to Your gift.
Help us to realize the sacredness of human life and to respect and cherish it from conception to its natural end.

And bring us at last, O Father, to the fullness of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

Prière

Relics of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the “Lily of the Mohawks” and of three of the Canadian Martyrs will be in Saskatoon on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo by Bishop Mark Hagemoen)

The diocese of Saskatoon welcomes a national tour of saints’ relics to the Cathedral of the Holy Family on Friday, Jan. 24. The event will begin with an opening and the praying of the Rosary at 5:30 p.m.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen will preside at celebration of Mass at 6:00 p.m. Jan. 24 followed by time for prayer and veneration of the relics until 9:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon (corner of Attridge Drive and Forestry Farm Park Drive.

The Canadian Martyrs tour includes major relics of three Canadian Martyrs, including the skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf and bones of St. Charles Garnier and St. Gabriel Lalemant, which will be travelling across Canada for the first time in 2025.

The relics have resided principally at the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs in Midland, Ontario for the past hundred years. The three Jesuit saints are among the eight French missionaries who first brought the Gospel to Canada, and were martyred during the Huron-Iroquois Wars of the early 1600s.

Also part of the national tour will be the relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first indigenous North American saint, who was canonized in 2012 and is a beloved patron of the First Nations peoples.

The purpose of the devotional tour is to bring the relics to parts of Canada whose people cannot easily visit the Martyrs’ Shrine, giving more Canadians an opportunity for an encounter with the relics of these great saints, and to receive the graces of healing and reconciliation for themselves, their families, and our country.

The relics will first be taken to dioceses across western Canada, returning to Martyrs’ Shrine for the summer season and continuing with an eastern Canada tour in the fall of 2025.

READ MORE about the National Tour – LINK

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Max Connolly of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, Bruno, SK, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon were among those attending the Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) Rise Up conference Dec. 29-Jan. 1 in Calgary. (Submitted photo)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon joined Catholic Christian Outreach Dec. 29 for the annual Rise Up young adult conference, held this year in Calgary.

Rise Up guest speakers included Msgr. James Shea president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota; Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine director Fr John O’Brien, SJ, CCO co-founder Angele Regnier, and a group of active and former CCO missionaries. Each shared personal accounts and demonstrated a willingness “to really be vulnerable” in their talks, said event manager Joseph Murphy.

The conference also featured men’s and women’s sessions; holiness and mission workshops; celebration of the Eucharist, Eucharist adoration, and a New Year’s Eve banquet and dance.

Launch of Canadian Martyrs relic tour

A unique feature this year was the presence of major relics of the Canadian Martyrs. On Dec. 31, the skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf and the bones of St. Gabriel Lalemant and St. Charles Garnier — and a relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha — were venerated.

The relic tour will be passing through Vancouver, before continuing across Western Canada, including a stop from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. Read more about the relic tour here.

Read more about Rise Up – ARTICLE.

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Prayers for the launch of Jubilee 2025 were offered in dioceses across the world on the Feast of the Holy Family, including in Saskatoon, where Bishop Mark Hagemoen inaugurated the year-long spiritual pilgrimage during celebration of the Eucharist Dec. 28 at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the rite of opening of the Jubilee Year Dec. 28 at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon. The rite was also celebrated at both the Cathedral of the Holy Family and St. Paul Co-Cathedral Dec. 29, led by cathedral rectors, Fr. Gerard Cooper and Fr. Stefano Penna, respectively. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon, News)

In a gathering at the entrance of the church at the start of Mass, Bishop Hagemoen proclaimed: “In fellowship with the universal Church, as we celebrate the love of the Father that reveals itself in the flesh of the Word made man and in the sign of the cross, anchor of salvation, we solemnly open the Jubilee Year for the Church of the diocese of Saskatoon.”

The bishop continued: “This rite is for us the prelude to a rich experience of grace and mercy; we are ready always to respond to whoever asks the reason for the hope that is in us, especially in this time of war and disorder. May Christ, our peace and our hope, be our companion on the journey in this year of grace and consolation. May the Holy Spirit, who today begins this work both in us and with us, bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus.”

The proclamation was followed by scripture and prayers, reading of excerpts from the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year, veneration of the processional cross, the blessing of holy water at the baptismal font, and a procession into the sanctuary for the beginning of Mass, including the singing of the official Jubilee 2025 hymn.

The rite was also celebrated at both the Cathedral of the Holy Family and St. Paul Co-Cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 29, led respectively by the cathedral rectors, Fr. Gerard Cooper and Fr. Stefano Penna.

Homily

In his homily at Holy Spirit Church, Bishop Mark Hagemoen described how a Jubilee Year is traditionally celebrated every 25 years by the Church, and reflected on Pope Francis’ declaration of the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The Holy Father is extremely concerned about obstacles to hope in our time, Hagemoen noted. “Not just obstacles that are theoretical – real obstacles. There are too many wars in the world… the majority of people on the planet Earth are dealing with some sort of significant conflict, or major inadequacy to their thriving as human beings.”

The bishop quoted Pope Francis’ call to the faithful to be Pilgrims of Hope: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”

The Holy Father also said with the opening of one of the Holy Doors in Rome: “Each of us is called to enter into the mystery of God’s great grace. This is a time when the door of hope has opened wide on the world. This is a time when God says to each one: ‘There is hope – to you and for you.'”

Hagemoen continued, quoting Pope Francis: “The Jubilee Year should be a time of every individual, and all peoples and all nations to become together as Pilgrims of Hope, to silence the sounds of arms , and overcome divisions.”

This is a hope firmly grounded in our Saviour Jesus Christ and our faith, stressed Hagemeon, and is not a “pipe dream.”

“This is the One who gives His life absolutely, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, when He did not have to — because every human person is dearly loved and He goes all the way in dealing with any obstacle that comes between us and God. Indeed the genius of our Catholic Christian faith finds its source and summit in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

The Feast of the Holy Family is an “amazing time to celebrate the Jubilee Year,” the bishop added.  “Let us be thankful for our families, the first place where we learn about out humanity.”

Pilgrimage

In practical terms, the Jubilee Year goes for the whole year, and will include opportunities for spiritual growth and nourishment. “In the diocese of Saskatoon I am pleased to announce that we have a special time of pilgrimage, of opportunity to visit holy places, and to reflect on acting like the Lord, putting on Christ in our love and service to others, through the works of mercy and penance.”

Highlights include pilgrimages — “every one of us is on a pilgrimage journey,” noted Hagemoen, regardless of our ability to physically travel.

However, this will be a year with a particular focus on making pilgrimage visits to local sacred sites within the boundaries of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, which include the diocesan cathedrals and St. Peter’s Abbey at Muenster.

“We are also very blessed within the diocese of Saskatoon to actually have historical pilgrimage sites… the schedules will be known in the coming moths,” he said, listing the annual pilgrimages to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine west of Humboldt, to Holy Rosary Shrine at Reward, to Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine and Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Blumenfeld, to St. Anthony Church at Grosswerder, and to the eparchial shrines of Our Lady of Sorrows near Cudworth, and the Millennium Pro-Life Cross near Aberdeen. In addition, there are other annual pilgrimages to nearby sacred sites in the diocese of Prince Albert including the shrine at St. Laurent, and in the archdiocese of Regina, including the shrine at Rama.

Works of mercy and penance

“I conclude (by) reflecting on the works of mercy and penance,” Hagemoen said. “These are exercises and disciplines that come from the Church’s teaching, about how we are called to imitate the Lord in the little things: feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, burying the dead, giving counsel to those who are doubtful or anxious, comfort to the afflicted, visiting those who are dealing with incarceration, or who are very limited in their movement, clothing the naked, praying for th living and the dead, bearing patiently with those who do us ill. I am sure on that list there are some that jump to mind right away!”

He also noted the special teaching on the availability of the mercy of Indulgence, sharing the words of Pope Francis about this spiritual teaching from the Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.

“Pope Francis underlined how the Indulgence acquired ‘an even more important meaning’ in that context, since God’s mercy becomes the indulgence on the part of the Father who, through the Bride of Christ, his Church, reaches and blesses sinners and frees them from every residue left by sin. Similarly, Pope Francis now declares that the gift of indulgences as a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy,” said Hagemoen.

He continued, quoting Pope Francis: “Not by chance, for the ancients, the terms ‘mercy’ and ‘indulgence’
were interchangeable, as expressions of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows no bounds.” The Holy Father concludes:  “The Indulgence, therefore, is a Jubilee grace.”

“So our exercises of visiting holy sites, the works of mercy, and also taking advantage of opportunities for penance… is an opportunity to experience and receive the Jubilee grace of God’s mercy,” said Hagemoen, thanking the rectors of the cathedral and pastors at all parishes in the diocese for participating in the launch of the Jubilee Year.

Video of opening rite and bishop’s homily:

Photos:

Preparing for the celebration. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon, News)

The rite of opening of the Jubilee Year began at the entrance of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon, News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the rite of opening of the Jubilee Year Dec. 28 at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon, News)

Reading of the Papal Bull of Indiction for Jubilee 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Hagemoen leads the opening rite for the Jubilee Year during the Dec. 28 celebration of the Eucharist at Holy Spirit Church in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Hagemoen venerates the cross before leading the assembly into the sanctuary for celebration of Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Blessing the waters of the baptismal font before the penitential sprinkling rite. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Processing into the sanctuary as part of the opening rite for the Jubilee 2025 Year of Hope. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s Christmas Message – LINK to PDF 

VIDEO:

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Sharing memories and words of farewell, parishioners past and present marked the closing of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Lancer, SK, on Nov. 17, 2024.

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass for the decommissioning of the Sacred Heart parish, along with pastor Fr. Prince Sarpong, who also serves at Leader, Fox Valley, Liebenthal, and Richmound parishes.

(Photo by Crystal Bosch)

As with the closing of another parish in the area two years ago – St. Michael Parish in Burstall, SK – the closing of the Lancer church comes after a long period of careful, prayerful discernment by parishioners, said Bishop Hagemoen.

He delivered a message of gratitude for the history and faith nurtured at Sacred Heart parish over the years, and reflected on the ongoing call to live and worship as the People of God – God’s ultimate temple.

Hagemoen acknowledged the sadness of bidding farewell to a beloved building and the challenges of living through a time of transition for the faith community, which will now involve celebrating and building deeper connections with surrounding parishes in the region.

Generations of parishioners have celebrated countless baptisms, marriages, funerals and the sacraments of the church in the parish, which began as an Oblate parish mission in 1913, before the first church was built in 1918, with the present building constructed in 1963.

The Lancer parish was served by the Oblates of St. Mary’s Province for many years, and was part of the former Gravelbourg diocese until 1998, when it was incorporated into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

(Photo by Crystal Bosch)

Parish history

Following Mass, Sacred Heart parishioner Paulette Andreas presented a brief history of the parish beginning with its earliest days as part of a new settlement.

“From time-to-time, a travelling missionary from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation would celebrate Mass in different homes in the area, and eventually the Abbey Hotel became available for Sunday Mass. All the while, Lancer was being established as a mission church,” she described.

“In 1918, a few Catholic settlers decided it was time to build a church. It was a 26-foot by 44-foot, simply-made and modest building of worship, ready to serve the people of the Lancer area,” she said, relating some of the changes and transitions experienced over the generations of parish life.

“It wasn’t until 1930 that Lancer had a resident priest often staying in private homes. Eventually a private house was purchased and used as a rectory until 1950, at which time a modest, full-basement rectory was built at the total cost of $4,000. Today it serves as a family home.”

As the population grew and finances improved, the basement to the church built in 1918 was excavated and an extension was added. “Improvements continued as the congregation grew.”

In 1963, that original 1918 structure was moved to Cabri, SK, where it still serves as the church building for St. Joseph Parish in the Archdiocese of Regina.

Construction of the present Sacred Heart church building was overseen by Fr. Alexander Shahun, OMI, with the new church building blessed on Sept. 29, 1963.

Acknowledging the many priests that served at Sacred Heart Parish over the years, she reflected on the many celebrations, sacraments, and events that have been held there – “too many to count.”

She made note of the work of organizations that have also been a big part of parish life over the years, including the Knights of Columbus, which was introduced to Lancer in 1947, when it became a sub-council first of Swift Current and then of the Prelate council. John Andreas was the first Grand Knight at Lancer. “Then in October 1972, Lancer Council #6330 was formed. Jack Tuchsherer became the first Grand Knight of the newly-formed council.”

The local Knights of Columbus council organized many events to raise funds for causes they supported locally, nationally and internationally. Their service over the years included helping at the Lancer rodeo, hosting ball tournaments, golf tournaments, crib tournaments, skidoo rallies, weekly bingos and an annual turkey bingo.

“Some of their most recent annual events were Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast and spearheading and working at the Chokecherry Festival pancake breakfast, at which some of these men still serve today.”

The Catholic Women’s League was established in Lancer in 1954. “Before that, the women’s organization of the church were called the ‘Catholic Ladies’ Aide.’ Those pioneer women were not only homemakers in their own homes, they took on the duty of being homemakers of the Church,” Andreas described. Their service included cleaning, decorating, laundry, and providing vestments and altar serving gowns. Rosella Hubert was the first president of the local CWL once they joined the national organization.

Over the years, the women went on to serve other local and national organizations and causes, she added. “They were often out canvassing or fundraising to supply the necessities of others. For example, back in the day, 20 pounds of white cloth was purchased and sent to Tanzania for bandages in a leper colony. They supported the education of priests and sent Catholic reading material to India,” Andreas listed.

CWL members would canvas for organizations such as the CNIB or the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, and would respond to other requests for help.

With the local United Church women’s group also canvassing for some of the same causes, the Lancer CWL council joined with them to form the “Combined Appeal Donor’s Choice,” which has since become a successful community endeavour, Andreas said.

Over the years the two women’s organizations also worked jointly on many local events including the World Day of Prayer, Solidarity Sunday, a graduation service for Grade 12 students, and an interfaith service at the Lancer Chokecherry Festival.

Other efforts of the CWL have included an annual Spring Ham and Perogy Supper, a bake sale complimenting the Knights of Columbus turkey bingo, and the publication of three cookbooks of collected recipes from the community.

“So many faithful  parishioners contributed and shared their talents for the betterment of our parish,” added Andreas, pointing in particular to music ministry in the parish. “We had the best music anywhere — that we witnessed today,” she said.

(Photo by Crystal Bosch)

Parish vocations

Paulette Andreas concluded by recalling proud moments for the parish, when former members answered the call to serve God and God’s people in the wider Church.

On Feb. 17, 1977, Lancer parishioner Louis Andreas made his sacred vows to join the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a consecrated religious brother. “He was lovingly known to everyone as Brother Louis.”  He died in 2018 at the age of 70 years.

“Another member of our Sacred Heart family is Deacon David Hagel,” she added. He currently serves in Cabri, Gull Lake and Swift Current in the Archdiocese of Regina

In closing, Andreas thanked all those who joined the community for the closing Mass. “Although our hearts are heavy, we appreciate you coming out to join us today and to share with us memories of our beloved Church and its history in the Lancer area.”

A lunch followed the closing Mass.

Gallery of photos: LINK

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Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined in the annual United Conference presented Oct. 26-27, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

READ MORE – ARTICLE

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Eucharistic adoration, as well as joining the United Conference throughout the Oct. 26-27 weekend, including presiding at Sunday Mass. Theme of the 2024 United Conference was Faithful. Read more at Catholic Saskatoon News. (Photo by Hannah Berry, FacetoFace)