Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom:

Congress Days 2020 – March 27 and 28

Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK

Open to all!

Click here for REGISTRATION

Register for both days, or either day!

COST: $35/day or $50/two days (Student price: $20 flat rate) – includes meal each day

DEADLINE: Register by 5 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2020

All are welcome to attend these days of training presented by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon to help every one of us to “Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom” in our parishes, communities and families. 

Click here for SCHEDULE

Offering enrichment and inspiration Congress Days will explore the diocesan Pastoral Plan’s focus on our call to Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom and will help to equip us as missionary disciples to respond to that call!

Further information: contact Naomi Jalbert at njalbert@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5831 or Marilyn Jackson at mjackson@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5836.

SPEAKERS:

Keynote: André Regnier

André Regnier co-founded Catholic Christian Outreaach (CCO) in Saskatoon in 1988 along with his wife Angèle. For over three decades CCO has been affecting change in the lives of the students to whom it ministers, calling them to deeper conversion and a Christ-centred life. André and Angèle were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal for distinguished service to the Church. This is the highest medal that can be awarded to laity by the Pope.

André has written 3 books: Catholic Missionary Identity, Five Tenets to Renew the World, and  Clear and Simple: How to Have Conversations that Lead to Conversion.

In November 2019, André and Angèle and their entire family (five children, three in-laws and grandchildren) spoke at the Vatican on the topic of the universal call to be missionary disciples. The family has also written a book together titled Brick by Brick that speaks about how to raise children to have missionary hearts.

André is a motivating and engaging speaker who gives talks both nationally and internationally. He is especially sought-after to present on discipleship formation in dioceses and parishes alike. His desire is to draw people to a deeper conversion to the person of Jesus Christ, and to be a catalyst for them to embrace the Church’s evangelical mission.

Keynote: Harry Lafond

Harry Lafond is from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, which is in Treaty 6 Territory, part of the Cree Nation which occupies the territories stretching from James Bay to the Rocky Mountains.

By profession Harry is a teacher, who has taught from elementary classrooms to university classes. He has a Masters degree in education with certification to teach the Cree language. He was asked to be the chief of Muskeg Lake and served the people in this role for 10 years. He is currently a councillor, a role that he has served for the past nine years. For 11 years Harry served as the Executive Director of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in Saskatchewan.

Harry believes in the power of building relationships as the primary road to a better community and the building block to the strengthening of a people.

March 27 Breakout Session: Jackie Saretsky

Jackie Saretsky is the Coordinator of Hospital Chaplaincy for the Roman Catholic diocese of Saskatoon. She has been in this position for 4 years. Previously, she worked in the Spiritual Care department for the Saskatoon Health Region at St. Paul’s hospital in Saskatoon for 9 years.

She has a Master’s in Theological Studies and has a passion for educating people on the dignity of human life, end of life and promoting good end of life care.

Click here for information about Jackie Saretsky’s Dying Healed presentation

March 27 Breakout Session: John Hickey

John Hickey is the Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) Campus Leader at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He and his wife Heather have four children.

John says on the CCO website: “While I was baptized as an infant, and grew up in the Church,  faith was just a small interest in my life. After being away from the Church for about a year as a university student, it was through my involvement with CCO that I had an encounter with Jesus which changed everything.

He adds: “I am always blown away by the way God works so clearly and powerfully in the lives of the students I get to work with. If you just give Him a chance, he’ll do big things in your life…. Being on staff with CCO has allowed me to grow in my leadership and in my faith. Through my involvement with CCO, I have been given opportunities to lead others that I never would have thought possible. I’ve also learned how to effectively share my faith with others, which has been a great blessing in my personal life.”

Click here for information about John Hickey’s presentation “Called to Share The Hope Within You”

March 28 Breakout Session: Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke has served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon over the past 21 and half years as a Youth Minister, Pastoral Associate, Parish Life Director, Cathedral Administrator and currently as the Human Resources Manager.

Patrick hold a certificates in Business Administration from the U of S and in Human Resources and Labour Relations from Athabasca University. Patrick is certified by Kilmann Diagnostics to use the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument in working with teams and individuals. Patrick is married to Tanya (20 years) and has three children ages seven to 14.

Click here for information about Patrick Clarke’s presentation “Managing Polarities in Parishes”

March 28 Breakout Session: Masson Normand

Masson Normand has been leading worship and speaking to audiences of all ages since 2007. He travels across Canada full-time leading faith-based events in Catholic schools. His message, combined with his musical talents, allow him to lead students to an authentic experience of Christ’s love.

PULSE is an organization dedicated to helping lead students to an authentic encounter with the person of Christ. The PULSE belief is that God has called each student by name and given him or her a unique purpose that is to be lived out boldly.

Click here for information about Masson Normand’s presentation “Kerygma 4 Kids”

During the Advent season many parishes will gather together to hold Penitential Celebrations, to facilitate and encourage celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). You can find a schedule of penitential services below. As well, the Christmas Mass times for many parishes are posted at: rcdos.ca/Christmas

Resources for going to confession:

Information on Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation) and how to celebrate: Come to Confession

The Beauty of Mercy – Pope Francis and Confession

Below is a schedule of Advent Penitential and Confession times and places, submitted by a number of parishes in our diocese – both within Saskatoon and in parishes located outside the city.

Parishes located in the City of Saskatoon (listed by date):

• 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 Adoration and Confession at St. John Bosco, 1202 Avenue O South
• 3:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 Advent penitential, with Adoration and Confession at St. Francis Xavier, 222 Willow Street (corner of Melrose Avenue and Hilliard Street)
• 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Holy Spirit, 114 Kingsmere Place
• 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1235-12th St. (Additional confession times: 30 minutes before every Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes)
• 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at St. Michael, #13-33rd Street East (Additional confession times: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. SATURDAYS at St. Peter the Apostle, 1121 Northumberland Avenue)
• 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at St. Philip Neri, 1902 Munroe Ave. S.
• 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 at Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road.
• 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 at St. Anne, 217 Lenore Drive (Additional confession times: every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
• 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 at St. Joseph, 535 – 8th Street East (Additional confession times: half hour before Mass)

Parishes located outside the City of Saskatoon (listed alphabetically, by community):

• ALLAN, SK – St. Aloysius, Allen at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
• BIGGAR, SK – St. Gabriel, Biggar: No penitential service, but reconciliation is available Sundays before Mass.
• COLONSAY, SK – St. Mary, Colonsay at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
• DENZIL, SK – Sacred Heart, Denzil  at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13
• FOAM LAKE, SK – Christ the King, Foam Lake – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16
• FOX VALLEY, SK – St. Mary, Fox Valley – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12
• HUMBOLDT, SK – St. Augustine, Humboldt – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11
• KERROBERT, SK – Our Lady of Assumption, Kerrobert at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18
• LEADER, SK – Little Flower, Leader – 7:00 pm Thursday, Dec. 19 (Additional confession times: After 7:30 P.M. Mass on Dec.14 in Lancer and after 7:30 P.M. mass on Dec. 21 in Liebenthal.)
• LUSELAND, SK – St. Eugene Mazenod, Luseland – 5:00 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 17
• MACKLIN, SK – St. Mary, Macklin at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 (note corrected date!)
• MAJOR, SK – Immaculate Conception, Major at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
• MARTENSVILLE, SK – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martensville at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 (Additional confession times: Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
• ROSETOWN, SK – St. Theresa, Rosetown at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11
• UNITY, SK – St. Peter, Unity at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 (Additional confession times: Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.)
• VANSCOY, SK – St. Francis Xavier, Vanscoy – Confession in Advent available before Mass on Dec. 15 and Dec. 22.
• VISCOUNT, SK – St. Aphonse, Viscount at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13
• WISHART, SK – Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wishart – 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
• WYNYARD, SK – St. Mary, Wynyard – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17

The Dying Healed workshop teaches important issues about human suffering, human dignity and the power of human presence, as well as other end of life issues.

All are welcome 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 for this presentation by Pete Burak of Renewal Ministries, presented at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon. Be inspired to draw people into a deepening intimacy with the Lord!

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the Director of Ministry Services at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Marilyn Jackson, at mjackson@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5836.

The evening begins with a short  and inspiring dramatic presentation of The Woman at The Well, followed by insights and inspiration from Pete Burak.

Pete Burak is the director of i.d.9:16, the young adult outreach of Renewal Ministries. He is a 2010 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship, evangelization, and young adult topics. He is the co-director of Pine Hills Boys Camp and the co-founder of the Millennial Church Conference. Pete and his wife Cait have four children.

POSTER PDF

All are welcome to attend this Fall Gathering from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, as Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, explores the evolution of faith formation for Catholic adults.

The Annual Fall Gathering is sponsored by the Lay Formation Alumni each fall, and is open to all.

Registration:

Cost is $40 before Oct. 7, or $50 after Oct. 7 (includes lunch). Register online (below). For more information call Blair at 306-260-4009. (Pre-registration is required in order to plan for lunch.)

Overview:

Forty years ago, many lay people began to study theology beyond the basic catechesis of their youth. Initially there was a lot of enthusiasm among laity and clergy alike, and a wonderful blossoming took place. Thousands of lay women and men became theologically and pastorally literate in a deeper way and began to do ministry within their parishes and dioceses. This is still happening, but in a situation where the task has changed, and new tensions have arisen. Yet the hope remains the same. This day will be a look at what the theological formation of laity involves today in terms of tasks, tension and hope.

Speaker:

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, is a Catholic priest and theologian, born and raised in Saskatchewan, who was a long-time popular presenter for the Lay Formation Program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon — a program that this year has been re-named the Adult Faith Enrichment Program.

Fr. Rolheiser is a speaker, workshop leader, columnist, and writer on contemporary spirituality. He was born in Macklin, SK in 1947, one of the older children in a large family. Following his school years, he entered the noviciate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and professed his First Vows in September 1966, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1972. During and after his own studies, he taught theology and philosophy at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, AB.

He has served the religious community of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as Provincial Superior of St. Mary’s Province (Canada), as Regional Councilor for Canada, serving on the General Administration of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in Rome, for six years. In August 2005, Fr. Ron became the President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

From June to September, pilgrimages are held at beloved Catholic sites across the Prairies. Communities and visitors gather together to worship, sing, pray, and socialize during these events.

Rama Pilgrimage August 14-15

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at St. Anthony Church, Rama, SK

Rama Pilgrimage – The 78th annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at St. Anthony Church, Rama, SK will be held Aug. 14 and 15, 2019. Events begin Wednesday, Aug. 14 on the Vigil of Mary’s Assumption with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the Grotto at 2:45 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 3:15 p.m. Supper will be available at 4:30 p.m. for $13 each, but must be booked before Aug. 2 by calling (306) 593-6120.  At 6 p.m Aug. 14 Hymns of Praise to Mary will be presented, with confessions from 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., and Celebration of the Eucharist at 8:00 p.m. with Archbishop Donald Bolen. There will also be living rosary, candlelight procession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Rama pilgrimage continues on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Thursday, Aug. 15, with 8:30 a.m. morning devotional prayers to Mary in Polish, 9:00 a.m. Mass in Polish, 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite, and then at 11:45 a.m. final Mass with celebrant Archbishop Donald Bolen, with anointing of the sick and aged, blessing of religious articles, etc. For more information see: www.RamaShrine.ca

NOTE: A bus from Saskatoon and Humboldt to the Rama Pilgrimage will be available on Wednesday, Aug. 14, leaving St. Patrick Church, 3339 Centennial Crescent, Saskatoon at 10:00 a.m., with a second pickup at Market Mall, Saskatoon, and a stop in Humboldt to pick up additional passengers. Cost is $25 each (cash only). Contact Mila Bernacles at (306) 664-3695 if you wish to book a seat on the 56-passenger bus. (Remember to pack a lunch. If you wish to book a $13 chicken supper at the pilgrimage, call Mary at (306) 593-6120 before Aug. 2, 2019.)

Walking pilgrimage to Rama: There will be a walking pilgrimage from Yorkton to Rama, SK from August 11-14, with participants camping along the way. When the pilgrims arrive at Rama they will stay overnight in order to attend the Rama Pilgrimage on August 14 and 15. For details regarding itinerary, costs, registration, see: https://www.stphilomenawalkingpilgrimage.org or call (306) 527-2738 for more information.

St. Laurent Pilgrimage Aug. 15 / Sept. 8

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at St. Laurent, SK (north east of Duck Lake: take the road from the statue landmark on Highway 11).

NOTE: Throughout the summer from July 7 to Sept. 1, weekday Mass will be celebrated at the historic shrine at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Mass at 4 p.m.

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine – the Grotto at the site at St. Laurent, SK.

Feast of the Assumption

Thursday, August 15 

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoration (grotto)

6:00 p.m. – 6:45 pm – Guest speaker (Fr. Stefano Penna)

6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. – Marian prayer / Rosary  (grotto)

6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Priests available for confession

7:30 p.m. – Mass and candlelight procession

.

Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday, September 8

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Marian prayer / rosary

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Priests available for confessions

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Mass and candlelight presentation

8:30 p.m. – Birthday cake and coffee

(Please bring a long stemmed rose to present to Mary before Mass – roses can also be purchased on site)

For information, see: Shrine website or phone Blessed Sacrament Parish in Duck Lake, SK at (306) 467-2003.

Pro-Life Millennium Cross Pilgrimage August 25

19th Annual Pilgrimage to the Pro-Life Millennium Cross will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2019, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Keynote speaker is Cathy LaFleche, Executive Director, Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre. The pilgrimage includes praying of the Rosary, pro-life displays, and a hot dog concession (by donation). Bring your rosary and lawn chairs. The 100-foot Pro-Life Millennium Cross is located 10 km northeast of Aberdeen, SK on Highway 41. For more information see www.prolifemillenniumcross.ca

 

Everyone is welcome to attend this inspiring and informative conference to be held in Saskatoon June 6-8, sponsored by the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

The theme of the 8th Bi-Annual Western Canadian Catholic Stewardship Conference (WCCSC)  is “Go Make A Difference!”

Speakers include:

Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto https://www.archtoronto.org/about-us/bishops/cardinal-collins

Emilie Callan, of Salt+Light Catholic Media Foundation https://saltandlighttv.org/about/rosica.php – one of the Canadian delegates to the recent Synod on Youth held at the Vatican

Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon https://www.skeparchy.org/wordpress/about-us/bishop-bryan-bayda-cssr-eparch/

Tracy Earl Welliver, Catholic author, speaker, consultant, and Gallup-certified Strengths coach with over 25 years experience in parish ministry – https://tracyearlwelliver.com/