On Dec. 7, 2023, Bishop Mark Hagemoen and diocesan Chancellor Rev. Darryl Millette provided an update regarding the celebration of Mass and other liturgical updates:
[NOTE: This is the text of Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s address – delivered by diocesan Vicar General Kevin McGee – to members of the legal profession who gathered Dec. 7, 2023 at St. Thomas More Chapel for a “Red Mass and Dinner.” The Mass is held to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for all who administer justice in the community organized by the St. Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Saskatoon.]
RELATED: Lawyers Guild, STM College renew ties as Red Mass returns – STM News (LINK)
Greetings to Our Minister of Advanced Education, Chief Justices and Justices, Judges, Lawyers, STM Administration and Students, Clergy, Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Greetings all of you as we celebrate the “Red Mass” here at St. Thomas More College. So, ironically, the reason why we have not met together for this event for a few years (the COVID pandemic) is now why I am not with you this evening. However, I am actually doing fairly well. Perhaps testimony to the Gospel message of today – by our journey through our trials and wounds – we are more able to withstand adversity and cope with the challenges. In the language of the Gospel – the wounds of Christ are the way to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, who brings strength, forgiveness and healing to us.
I am struck by the choice of Biblical readings for this Mass. In the case of the First Reading, the Prophet Joel provides for us a rather spectacular and perhaps foreboding description of ‘the future days’ – seemingly apocalyptic, when, “… The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day … everyone [will call] on the name of the Lord [to] be saved…” This language of the Old Testament prophets – is a language emphasizing the change and healing that will come to the world. However, the greatest change and healing is not outside, but is to be within ourselves – our mind, heart and soul. This has always been the struggle for God’s people, and it still is today. I am hearing more voices in the public forum – religious and non-religious – who are speaking for the need of ongoing growth and personal healing as the basis for larger societal growth and healthy right-relationship. Of course, this is a key feature of Indigenous teaching regarding learning and healing together.
In the Second Reading we hear the acknowledgement of this interior journey and struggle in the words of St. Paul to the Romans that, indeed, we continue to groan inwardly as we await healing and redemption – not just personally but for our world.
It seems to me that the vocation of people who share in the work of understanding and applying the law of our country – lawyers, judges, and those who share in the work of policing and applying civil regulations for the right functioning of our civil affairs – are to help individuals and communities to wrestle with new challenges and sometimes, crises.
With the competence, skill, and wisdom given you by God – you generously share your personal ability and call to service of others. May I underscore that ‘wisdom’ in the Bible is equated with ‘righteousness’ – which has the meaning of having ‘the mind and heart of God’, or in the Gospels – the ‘mind and heart of Christ Jesus.’ Indeed, yours is a very important vocation of service to God’s people, and thank you so much for dedicating yourselves to this – in the good times and in the bad… or at least, more difficult! In today’s polarized and at times angry world, this is a difficult thing to do. But, of course, more essential than ever.
To inspire and illuminate this last theme, may I conclude with a few quotes that I shared a few years ago – given the experience of the last few years and our current context regarding our common call to be protagonists of hope as we carry out practical functions and oversight of legal and civic affairs:
These are the words of Cardinal John Henry Newman:
And, one quote from St. Thomas More:
Thank you, judges, lawyers, and government officials, officers …. for your bringing to bear not only your schooling and learning, but your commitment to and engagement in various and sometimes difficult civic and community affairs. Yours is an important vocation of God, in service of others. Thank you for this.
Blessings to you all as we prepare to celebrate another Christmas season. I will see you at the next Red Mass!
In Our One God,
+Mark Hagemoen
Bishop Mark Hagemoen visited St. Mary Parish in Lanigan, SK, on Sunday, Dec. 3, celebrating Sunday Eucharist with the community and pastor Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu.
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
(Photo by Justin Foley, St. Mary Parish, Lanigan)
A second group recently completed the first four sessions of a diocesan online Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education Program (IPL).
Their achievement was marked with an in-person celebration Dec. 2, 2023 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, which included the presentation of certificates by Bishop Mark Hagemoen to the 15 graduates who most recently completed the program.
The IPL “mini conference” held on the final day of the Church’s liturgical year, included a keynote address by Deacon Harry Lafond, celebration of Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and a time for the group to share reflections and feedback about the program.
Those achieving an IPL certificate in 2023 are: Elaine Callow, Diane Coté, Heidi Epp, Lynn Eremondi, Nicole Gursky, Margaret Hitchcock, Marilyn Kotylak, , Carmen Lopez Folan, Patricia Pasloski, Ivon Prefontaine, Fr. Matthew Ramsay, Patricia Schiller, Terry Mae Sinclair, Jane Waldock, and Marie-Jeanne Will.
Launched in September 2019, the online IPL course was developed after much consultation and reflection on how to respond as a diocese to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, particularly those addressed to churches, said Bishop Mark Hagemoen. The goals include building greater awareness about the history of the interaction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, including the impacts of colonization and the legacy of Residential Schools, while furthering understanding and respect for Indigenous culture and spirituality, all in a spirit of “right relationship.”
The program is in some ways unique, in that it has a particular focus on the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Catholic Church, and includes a focus on Catholic social and moral teachings and the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Catholics, noted Hagemoen.
The diocese of Saskatoon worked with partners — including Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and St. Thomas. More College – and with a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators and leaders to develop and present the program. Funding has included a Pastoral Study Grant from the Louisville Institute, and evaluation of the program and its content has been ongoing.
Although the sessions can be taken individually, and do not require pre-requisites, those who do complete all of the first four modules (18 hours each) are awarded a certificate. The first cohort graduated in November 2021, and the second in December 2023. IPL is now expanding to include four more new modules, starting Jan. 9, 2024. Those who eventually complete all eight modules will earn a diploma.
The next IPL courses include: Contemporary Effects of Colonization II: Social Justice – Jan. 9 to March 5, 2024; Introduction to Métis Studies – April 2 to May 28, 2024; and Introduction to Inuit Studies Sept. 24 to Nov. 29, 2024. There are also plans for a community placement experience to conclude the diploma program.
For more information and registration, please see: rcdos.ca/indigenous-ministry-education
In his address to the graduates, other program participants and leaders at the IPL event, Deacon Harry Lafond began with words in Cree, as a testament to the importance of language. “Language carries who we are as people, who we are as families, and who we are as community,” he said.
Deacon Harry Lafond presented a keynote address at the IPL event Dec. 2. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Lafond shared how his community has been living and moving forward for decades with the “word of the day” that is reconciliation, describing partnerships that have included establishment of an ongoing relationship with the city of Saskatoon, where many of the community’s members live. “It’s not the size of a community that makes the difference, it’s the attitude.”
“The same thing is true of my relationship with the Catholic Church,” said Lafond. “I and my family have worked at this understanding of Residential Schools.”
He also reflected on leadership as a call to service – which has been his goal in a range of roles, including serving as chief of his community, as well as serving in the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, at St. Thomas More College and the University of Saskatchewan, and as a permanent deacon ordained in the Catholic diocese of Prince Albert. Effective leadership “is not about telling people how to do things,” but rather about “opening doors for people to find their own answers.”
He also reflected on the messages of Pope Francis during his visit to Canada to apologize to Indigenous Peoples and described the work of a group of Indigenous Catholic leaders to find ways forward as a part of the Catholic Church. Most recently this has included praying the Rosary monthly online, with different Indigenous languages for each decade. The hope going forward is that there might someday be a formal structure in the Church that would provide a voice for Indigenous People, he said. “It is a big dream.”
[Photos by Kiply Lukan Yaworski]
Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined the parish community of Our Lady of Lourdes in Saskatoon on the Solemnity of Christ the King Nov. 26, offering special prayers for the installation of Fr. Daniel Yasinski as pastor.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen led prayers of installation for pastor Fr. Daniel Yasinski at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Saskatoon Nov. 26, 2023. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Yasinski was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish earlier this year. Ordained in 2013, he previously served as pastor at the parishes of Assumption of Our Lady, Kerrobert; Immaculate Conception, Major; St. Eugene de Mazenod, Luseland; and Our Lady of Grace, Dodsland.
The installation prayers by Bishop Hagemoen offered an opportunity to reflect prayerfully on the role of the pastor, highlighting 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.
Bishop Hagemoen will continue travelling to parishes in the diocese to install other recently-appointed pastors in the weeks ahead.
“This isn’t a required ritual, but it is something that is an option, and we have chosen to do that because of its simple but rich symbolism about the relationship of the pastor — the priest — with the people of God,” explains Bishop Hagemoen.
-30-
(Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the coordinator of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca)
The front of Holy Covenant Evangelical Orthodox Church on Alexandra Avenue in Saskatoon was bathed in red light Nov. 22, 2023, for Red Wednesday, a day of prayer, awareness, and advocacy about the persecution of Christians.
Inside, an ecumenical gathering featured prayers, information and reflections on the plight of followers of Christ who face persecution, discrimination, violence, and death because of their faith.
Holy Covenant Evangelical Orthodox Church in Saskatoon on Red Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Red Wednesday is an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic aid organization founded in 1947, and recognized as a Pontifical Foundation since 2011.
The Red Wednesday event began in 2016 in the United Kingdom, with a number of high-profile buildings bathed in red light to bring awareness to the issue of Christian persecution, said Myron Rogal, who emceed the Saskatoon event. “Red, of course, is the colour of the blood of martyrs.”
Myron Rogal, coordinator of Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Rogal, who coordinates the Office of Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, said that while religious freedom is a reality in Canada, that is not the reality for an estimated 327 million Christians who live in countries where they are persecuted, excluded, and attacked for their faith.
“It is estimated that 75 percent of all acts of violence for religious reasons are perpetrated against Christians,” he said. “Instead of the situation getting better, it is getting worse. In 47 countries since 2021 the situation has worsened.”
“We gather together tonight in a spirit of solidarity,” Rogal said.
The Red Wednesday event began with a welcome from Evangelical Orthodox Bishop Jakob Palm, who also provided a reflection on the ecumenism of martyrdom.
Bishop Jakob Palm of Holy Covenant Evangelical Orthodox Church. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
“The way in and to unity in the Church really is the way of suffering,” he said. “The witness of the church and its growth is and has been watered by the blood of the martyrs throughout the centuries.”
Those who persecute Christians do not ask which denomination or confession that they belong to – rather they are persecuted simply as followers of Christ, observed Palm.
“Christian unity in such cases is de facto realized in persecution and blood: an ecumenism of martyrdom. To be called Christian ultimately means to be called to the cross.”
The service continued with the proclamation of scripture, hymns, and prayers, as well as testimony from Rubina Bhatti, a Catholic Christian from Pakistan, and Bishop Emeritus Albert Thévenot, MAfr, former missionary and retired bishop of Prince Albert, both of whom are members of the Saskatchewan-based charity Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians (CAPC).
Rubina Bhatti of Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Christians are at risk in Pakistan, as well as in other countries around the world, such as North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, and India. Since its inception in 2019, CAPC has been providing legal and survival support to the families suffering minor girls’ abduction and forceful conversion and marriages, victims of blasphemy laws, and refugees fleeing persecution, as well as helping Christians denied aid during natural disasters and the pandemic.
Bhatti described examples of persecution and violence in Pakistan, highlighting the misuse of blasphemy laws, and summarizing a number of cases and events, including the mob attack in the Christian community of Jaranwala in August 2023. “Houses and churches were burned.. families displaced… homes looted, vandalized, and set on fire,” because of an accusation of blasphemy, she said.
Bishop Emeritus Albert Thévenot, former misssionary and retired bishop of Prince Albert diocese. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Emeritus Thévenot recalled his time serving in Tanzania, where different faith groups – Christians, Muslims, and traditional African religious — lived in peace and friendship. A group from Sudan came into the community and wanted to change that relationship, but the local Muslim population refused to disrupt the harmony. “In some societies you always have fanatics, who want to go overboard.”
However, in some parts of the world, division, persecution and violence are directed against Christians today – it is not something that only happened long ago, Thévenot said. “It still exists today…while I am taken up with the idea of all these people dying for their faith, do I stay indifferent… or do I feel touched?”
He noted that even North American society is becoming increasingly anti-Christian, with secularism even pushing against the celebration of Christian holidays such as Christmas.
He also described the work of CAPC to provide help and support to Christians in peril “They are not forgotten, and we give witness that Christ is with them always,” he said, also urging action: “not only to talk about them, but to try and find ways to help them: let us be involved in this; let us not be spectators.”
Bishops Palm and Hagemoen lead prayers during the ecumenical service. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Roman Catholic Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined Evangelical Orthodox Bishop Jakob Palm in leading prayers before a time of silent prayer and candle lighting.
In closing remarks, Hagemoen said that in the face of the plight and suffering of persecuted Christians, “we come back to the Word of God, which sustains us: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’…God’s grace is so powerful that he can bring light even to the darkness.”
Hagemoen said the challenge is responding to the plight of the persecuted, given the way of the Gospel. “There is no easy answer to this,” the bishop said, calling for a response that is faithful to he way of Jesus Christ who is the Saviour. “It does mean to respond to hate not only with love, but with engagement, and not to give in to indifference.
The celebration concluded with the Lord’s prayer and a blessing.
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
-30-
[Photos by Joan Hill]
Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated Sunday Eucharist with St. Peter Cathedral parishioners at Muenster, SK, on Nov. 19, 2023, offering special prayers to officially install Fr. Paul Oshin as pastor of the parishes of St. Peter, Muenster; St. Scholastica, Burr; and Holy Trinity, Pilger.
Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB, of St. Peter’s Abbey, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and pastor Fr. Paul Oshin (Photo by Joan Hill)
Oshin was appointed pastor of the three Humboldt-area parishes earlier this year. He previously served at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, and as a hospital chaplain in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, as well serving as pastor to the Athabasca region parishes at Black Lake, Fond du Lac, and Stony Rapids in the northern diocese of Keewatin-Le Pas.
The installation prayers by Bishop Hagemoen offered an opportunity to reflect prayerfully on the role of the pastor, highlighting 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.
Bishop Hagemoen will continue travelling to parishes in the diocese to install other recently-appointed pastors in the weeks ahead.
“This isn’t a required ritual, but it is something that is an option, and we have chosen to do that because of its simple but rich symbolism about the relationship of the pastor — the priest — with the people of God,” explains Bishop Hagemoen.
(Photo by Joan Hill)
-30-
Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated the Eucharist with the faith community of hSt. Philippe Neri Parish in Vonda, SK, Nov. 18, 2023, offering special prayers to officially install Fr. Daniel Louh, SMA, as pastor of the parishes at Vonda, Prud’homme, and St. Denis.
Louh was appointed pastor of the Trinite parishes earlier this year. He is also serving as pastor of Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens Francophone Parish in Saskatoon. Originally from the diocese of Man, Côte d’Ivoire, Louh assisted at St. Paul Co-Cathedral when he first arrived in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon in 2021. A member of the Society of African Missions, Louh also served for a time as associate pastor at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon.
Fr. Daniel Louh, SMA, proclaims the Gospel during celebration of the Eucharist Nov. 18 in Vonda. Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The installation prayers by Bishop Hagemoen offered an opportunity to reflect prayerfully on the role of the pastor, highlighting 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.
Bishop Hagemoen will continue travelling to parishes in the diocese to install other recently-appointed pastors in the weeks ahead.
“This isn’t a required ritual, but it is something that is an option, and we have chosen to do that because of its simple but rich symbolism about the relationship of the pastor — the priest — with the people of God,” explains Bishop Hagemoen.
-30-
(Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the coordinator of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca)
Members of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) Discernment Circle gathered Nov. 17 at Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal for a time of prayer and reflection. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)
Priests from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon gathered for Priest Study Days Nov. 13-16 at Elk Ridge, SK. (Photo by Fr. Darryl Millette)
Information, inspiration, fellowship, and renewal were features of an annual Priest Study Days gathering Nov. 13-16, 2023 for clergy from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
Priest Study Days 2023 was held Nov. 13-16 at Elk Ridge. (Submitted photo)
Some 45 priests gathered with Bishop Mark Hagemoen for a program that included an opening session featuring a presentation by Cardinal Thomas Collins, about “how to be refreshed spiritually amid the stresses of ministry.” In his online presentation Cardinal Collins’ took his theme from Isaiah 12:3 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Coordinator of Hospital Chaplaincy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Jackie Saretsky (front, left) was one of the speakers addressing the topic of medically-provided death during Priest Study Days. (Submitted photo)
Dr. Mary Heiilman, St. Paul’s Hospital / CHAS ethicist, spoke at Priest Study Days. (Submitted photo)
Study Days continued with reflections on medically-provided euthanasia in Canada – known as Medical Assistance in Dying or MAiD. Speakers included Hazel Markwell — who gave a a presentation on current statutes and pastoral response by clergy — as well as St. Paul’s Hospital/CHAS Ethicist Mary Heilman and diocesan Hospital Chaplaincy Coordinator Jacqueline Saretsky.
Tom Hickey, a superintendent with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, spoke about clergy support for Catholic schools, while diocesan Director of Administration and Finance Greg Chatlain spoke about “Supporting Pastoral Action with Good Administration.”
Health and wellness sessions were presented by Dr. Eran Talitman and Rev. Dr. Innocent Okozi.
Prayer, fellowship, and meals together were also part of the annual event.
Recent Comments