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Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s blog

Jun 22
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CCCB delegate Bishop Hagemoen attends International Safeguarding Conference in Rome

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Group photo of participants in the International Safeguarding Conference 2024 held at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from June 18-21. CCCB delegate Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon is in the back row, second from the left (wearing a hat). Theme of the conference was “Safeguarding and Disability.” (Photo courtesy of Pontifical Gregorian University)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen was one of the Canadian delegates to an annual International Safeguarding Conference held in Rome.

Hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care, the June 18-21, 2024 conference brought global experts to Rome to discuss the relationship between safeguarding and disability.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE: LINK

Dr. Father Stephpen Kappler, president and chief psychologist at Southdown (left) with Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the International Safeguarding Conference held June 18-21 in Rome. (Submitted photo)

 

Bishop Mark Hagemoen - a "selfie" photo at the Obelsk in St. Peter's Square at Vatican City. Bishop Hagemoen was once again attending an International Safeguarding Conference as a representative of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

Jun 11
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Bishop Hagemoen celebrates Mass to open four-day Memorial Wake for those lost at Residential Schools

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Our Lady of Guadalupe Deacon Paul Labelle, St. Mary Pastor and diocesan Vicar-General Fr. Kevin McGee, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Pastor Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR (left to right) at the memorial wake opening Mass June 6, 2024. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at an early-morning opening Mass Thursday, June 6, 2024 for the first day of a final four-day Memorial Wake for children who died or were lost in other ways at Residential Schools. The fourth and final annual event was organized by Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Once again a tipi was set up on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, where Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioners worship each Sunday afternoon, and once again prayers, hymns, and ceremonies were offered throughout the four days — along with a welcoming and listening presence for any who passed by or stopped in.

At the opening Mass, Bishop Hagemoen expressed his hope that the event would again be a lesson in how to walk together.  “In order to do that, we pray ‘teach me your ways, O God,’” the bishop said, citing the psalm response for the day.  “The best way we learn about God is to walk as God does… with no competition, and with compassion.”

“We remember and pray for the children who went to Residential School and never returned home to their communities and families, and those who did return home, but returned home lost – physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually,” said Our Lady of Guadalupe pastor Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR, during the closing Mass June 9.

The event first started in June 2021 in the wake of news reports about unmarked graves found at the former site of a residential school at Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation in Kamloops B.C.

Once again a tipi was set up on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, where Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioners worship each Sunday afternoon, and once again prayers, hymns, and ceremonies were offered throughout the four days — along with a welcoming and listening presence for any who passed by or stopped in.

READ MORE: LINK to article on Catholic Saskatoon News portal

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Knowledge Keeper Lyndon Linklater, and Vicar-Gneral Fr. Ivan Nahachewsky of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, wait with others for the early morning opening of the first day of the four-day Memorial Wake vigil June 6. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Traditional drumming and singing by Mario Fiddler and his children (the “Cree Canaries”) was again part of the four-day event to pray for all those lost at Residential Schools. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskaton News)

An early-morning outdoor Mass opened the 2024 four-day memorial wake, with Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen presiding. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Our Lady of Guadalupe parish Elders Irene Sharp, Dianne Anderson, and Sharon Genaille (left to right) at the opening Mass June 6. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the opening Mass June 6 for the 2024 four-day memorial wake by Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner Sandra Harper was reader at the opening Mass of the four-day memorial wake. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A pipe ceremony and an outdoor Mass June 6 again opened Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish’s four-day memorial wake. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Our Lady of Guadalupe Pastor Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR, was one of the leaders participating in the memorial wake held over four days in June for the past four years. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Our Lady of Guadalupe Deacon Paul Labelle (left) proclaims the Gospel at the opening Mass four the four-day event. St. Mary pastor and diocesan Vicar-General Fr. Kevin McGee (at right) also joined events during the four days. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A pipe ceremony and an early-morning outdoor Mass opened Our Lady of Guadalupe’s 2024 four-day memorial wake, held on the grounds of St. Mary Catholic Church in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Elders in prayer during the memorial wake opening Mass June 6. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Jun 10
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Bishop Hagemoen presides at Blumenfeld pilgrimage Mass

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Photos by Crystal Bosch, Sacred Heart Parish, Liebenthal, SK

An annual pilgrimage to the church and shrine at Blumenfeld, SK was held Sunday, June 9, marking the start of prairie pilgrimage season in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Pilgrimage highlights include the blessing of the graves in the church cemetery; praying of the Rosary outdoors; children scattering flower petals in procession before celebration of Mass; as well as opportunities for confession; and a supper to conclude the day.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass, with area pastors Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi (Fox Valley, Richmound), Fr. Prince Sarpong (Leader, Lancer, Liebenthal), Fr. John Abban-Bonsu (Kindersley, Eston, Marengo, Eatonia), and and Fr. Conrad of Maple Creek (Regina Archdiocese).

Photo gallery:  LINK

Pilgrimage site:

 

The church and pilgrimage site at Blumenfeld, SK overlooks serene countryside and fields. Located on the 10-acre site are the two-story, wood-framed church, Sts. Peter and Paul, built in 1915; a fieldstone grotto shrine, which features a replica “La Pieta” sculpture dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, built in 1936; a cemetery that remains in use; a memorial cairn constructed to commemorate the church’s 50th anniversary; outdoor Stations of the Cross; and hedgerows separating the site from adjoining farm fields

The history of the 109-year-old Sts. Peter and Paul Church building has featured contributions of parishioners through many decades, as well as the service and witness of Oblate priests and Ursuline sisters who served in the area.

Closed as an active parish in 1964, the Blumenfeld church has continued to serve as a gathering place for the region as the site of the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of the Sorrows that began during the Great Depression.

A volunteer committee (with membership from many surrounding communities) cares for the pilgrimage site, accepting donations for the upkeep of the church building and site. The historic church and pilgrimage site is open to touring visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.

(Fund-raising for the upkeep of the Blumenfeld church and pilgrimage site is ongoing. Donations can be sent to “Blumenfeld Heritage”, Box 104, Leader, SK S0N 1H0.)

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Jun 06
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Volunteer Appreciation event held in diocese

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog
Bishop Mark Hagemoen expressed his appreciation at a recent Volunteer Appreciation event in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, offering a glimpse into the impact of hundreds who assist in the mission of the diocese to “Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom Today.”
“There is a legacy in this diocese, not just of volunteering but imitating the mind and heart of Christ with the downtrodden, those on the margins, those that need ministry. Thank you for that,” said Saskatoon’s bishop at the June 5 event at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
Whether it is serving on commissions, committees, and boards that provide a healthy administrative back-bone for ministry to happen, or directly offering outreach in ministries of compassion, service and evangelization, volunteers are vital to the mission of the diocesan church, Hagemoen said.
“This diocese is held up by giants and heroes who are in this room – among others who couldn’t make it to this room tonight – thank you so much.”
“It is such a privilege as a bishop not only to serve but to be served and to be mentored by people such as you,” the bishop added.
With hospitality and help from volunteers from the Catholic Women’s League and the Knights of Columbus, the event for other volunteers from across the diocese included a reception, a dinner, and door prizes.

Photo gallery: LINK

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Jun 02
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle – annual meeting

By Bishop Mark Hagemoen's blog

Bishop Mark Hagemoen attended the annual meeting of the national Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle May 28-June 1 in Edmonton, AB.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, lay movements, clergy, and institutes of consecrated life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

CCCB representatives on the OLGC include Bishop Hagemoen and Bishop Daniel Jodoin of the Diocese of Nicolet, Quebec.

Members of the national Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle met recently in Edmonton.