Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s blog

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at St. Theresa Parish, Asquith, SK, on April 14, 2024

(Photos courtesy of Rose-Anne Kielo)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation and of First Holy Communion with young candidates from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Outlook, SK. on April 13, 2024.

(Photos courtesy of Clark family)

A few short days after celebration of Easter, Bishop Mark Hagemoen started confirmation season, celebrating the sacrament with youth in parishes across the diocese.

Starting at St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon April 2 during the Easter Octave, the confirmation schedule will continue until the end of June 2024.

During the celebration of confirmation on Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Augustine Parish in Saskatoon, the bishop stressed that the sacrament is “a big deal,” telling the young candidates “this is the beginning of a deepening intimacy with the Lord.”

In his homily, he affirmed “your confirmation isn’t just about what you will do for others — it is about the ongoing action of God in your own heart and soul, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Reflecting on the Exodus, when God brought the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he noted that the challenges of freedom encountered in the wilderness led some to long to return to slavery — “they weren’t just leaving oppression from the outside, they were leaving their slavery from within, the oppression inside.”

“It is not until Jesus suffers, dies, and rises, that what began with Moses is complete, and not it begins anew for the whole Church and the whole world,” he said. “All of this is because of the great love and mercy of God — and that love and mercy calls you and is with you, no matter what…. that is the source of our hope.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates from St. Peter the Apostle and St. Michael Parishes in Saskatoon on April 11, 2024.

(Photos courtesy of Monica Aspiazu)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at St. Augustine Parish in Saskatoon on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Martensville on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with young candidates at St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

(Photos courtesy of Grace Heilman)

Live-stream of Triduum celebrations with Bishop Mark Hagemoen from the Cathedral of the Holy Family included:

• 7 p.m. Holy Thursday, Mass of Our Lord’s Supper March 28 – LINK or view here:

• 3 p.m. Good Friday Solemn Liturgy, March 29 – LINK or view here:

• 7 p.m. Good Friday Stations of Cross on grounds of Holy Family Cathedral, March 29 – LINK or view here:

• 9 p.m. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil, March 30 – LINK or view here:

Find live-stream of Mass at a number of our parishes posted at: saskatoonmass.com

Easter schedule at a number of other parishes at: LINK

 

 

Hundreds of parish representatives joined the priests of the diocese for the annual Chrism Mass in Holy Week 2024, held March 26 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

During the Chrism Mass, the priests of the diocese renewed their commitment to priestly ministry.

The sacred oils that will be used in the celebration of sacraments throughout the year in parishes across the diocese were also blessed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen during the celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon – the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism (see description of oils, below).

At a supper before the Chrism Mass, the bishop welcomed clergy and many of the parishioners from across the diocese who will carry up the newly-blessed oils in their parish celebrations on Holy Thursday.

The bishop also recognized milestone anniversaries being celebrated by priests in the diocese, presenting papal blessings to Fr. Peter Ebidero and Fr. Joseph Salihu who will both celebrate their 30th anniversary of ordination on July 2, 1994, and to Fr. Michel Bedard, who will mark his 50th anniversary on June 28. Also acknowledged was Oblate priest Fr. Richard Doll, OMI, (not in attendance) who celebrates his 60th anniversary of ordination this year.

The Chrism Mass also included prayers for two recently-deceased diocesan priests — Fr. Bernard de Margerie, who died March 3, and Fr. Jean-Marc Mireau, who died March 24. (Mass of Christian Burial for Fr Mireau will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 25 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.)

Related: A Holy Week and Easter message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen: LINK

Banquet photos:

Chrism Mass photos:

Picking up the oils / reception:

Video of the Chrism Mass:

The Sacred Oils:

• Oil of Catechumens (OC): This oil, sometimes referred to as Oil of Salvation, is used to anoint the catechumens (those who are to be baptized) in preparation for their initiation into the Church. The prayer accompanying this anointing expresses the desire that Christ strengthen the person being anointed. This oil is also used in celebration of the baptism of children. It is a sign of belonging:  marking us as members of the Body of Christ.

• Oil of the Sick (OS): This oil is used in the Anointing of the Sick. The prayer accompanying this anointing is: “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” This oil is used to bring comfort and support to the sick in their infirmity and to pray for healing. The celebrating of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a ritual moment that makes visible and present to the sick and to the whole community who we are as Church: a community of healing and support.

• Sacred Chrism (SC): This oil includes a sweet-smelling perfume or balsam, added during the blessing prayers at the Chrism Mass. Sacred Chrism is used at the celebration of baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests and bishops, and for the dedication of churches and altars. Sacred Chrism is also used in the blessing of bells and sacred vessels. Anointing with this oil signifies abundance of grace and dedicated service to God. The word Christ means “anointed one,” so being anointed with oil is a sign of the special and strengthening presence of Christ, the Anointed One.

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the Communications Coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca