April 14, 2026 is the starting date for the next course in the online program. “Indigenous Settler Relationship” will be offered Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Saskatchewan time), weekly from April 14 until June. 9. No prerequisite is required.
Cost is $200 (bursaries may be available). Find more information, as well as a video overview and participant reflections, on the diocesan website at rcdos.ca/indigenous-ministry-education or for more information, contact programs@rcdos.ca or call (306) 659-5844.
Our Lady of Lourdes, 1224 12th St. East, Saskatoon – 8:00 am, 7:00 pm
Saint Anne, 217 Lenore Drive – 8:30 am, 12:15 pm, 7:00 pm (There will be Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and from 1 pm to 6:30 pm)
St. Augustine, 602 Boychuk Drive, Saskatoon- 7:00 pm
St. Francis Xavier, 222 Willow St (corner of Hilliard St. and Melrose Ave), Saskatoon – 9:00 am
St. John Bosco, 1202 Avenue O South, Saskatoon – 6:30 pm
St. Joseph, 535 8th St. East (at Broadway Ave), Saskatoon – 5:00 pm
St. Mary, Avenue O South and 20th Street West, Saskatoon – 9:00 am, 7:00 pm
MARTENSVILLE, Sask. – Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 300-8th Ave. South, Martensville – 9:30 am, 6:00 pm
MUENSTER, Sask. – St. Peter Cathedral Parish, Muenster – 7:30 pm
ROSE VALLEY, Sask. – Christ the King Parish, 302-2nd Ave. South, Rose Valley – 11:00 am
PETERSON, Sask. – St. Agnes Parish, Main Street, Peterson-CANCELLED (Ashes will be distributed at 9 am Sunday Mass Feb. 22)
TRAMPING LAKE, Sask. – St. Michael Parish, 208 Saskatchewan Avenue, Tramping Lake – 11:00 am
UNITY, Sask. – St. Peter Parish, 201-5th Ave. West, Unity- 6:00 pm
WADENA, Sask. – St. Mary Parish, 85-3rd Street, Wadena – 9:00 am
WILKIE, Sask. – St. James Parish, 612-1st Street West, Wilkie – 5:00 pm
Ash Wednesday Feb. 18, 2026 marks the beginning of Lent, a season of penance, almsgiving, prayer and fasting, focused on conversion to Jesus Christ, preparing for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, when the baptized will renew their baptismal promises.
The next Search live-in weekend retreat for students in Grades 10-12 presented by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, will be held Feb. 20-22 at E.D. Feehan Catholic School in Saskatoon.
For more information and/or online registration, please see: https://saskatoonsearch.ca/. Register by Feb. 14
Small groups, music, activities, prayer time, and talks given by other young people are just a few of the things that make the retreat great. Attending Search is a powerful way to deepen a close, personal relationship with God, make friends and forge lasting memories. Cost for the entire weekend including food and accommodations is $100 (if cost is an issue, financial assistance may be available.)
If you have questions, please contact diocesan Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey at jhickey@rcdos.ca.
(Youth ministry is supported by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.)
Start the New Year with renewal and transformation at a Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon weekend of inspiring talks, praise and worship, fellowship, renewal, and prayer Jan. 16-17 opening hearts to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Life in the Spirit Seminar will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, and from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Saint Anne Parish, 270 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon open to anyone high school age and up; cost is $50 per adult and $30 per youth (under 18 years) – includes lunch and dinner on Saturday.
Keynote speaker is Chris Keyes of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO), who has over 30 years of experience in evangelization and ministry. He combines deep faith, leadership expertise and engaging storytelling to inspire others to live fully in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“The Incarnation – Jesus who is the Word of God made flesh among us – is the inspiration and source of all hope. ” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen Christmas 2025 message to the diocese.
“To always be close to Jesus, that is my life plan.” – Saint Carlos Acutis
Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we journey through another Advent and Christmas season, we again enter together the darkening days of winter, awaiting the joy of celebrating the “…light that pierces the darkness” – the dawn of Light and Hope for the World, our One Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The simple quote above – from St. Carlos Acutis, who was canonized earlier this Jubilee Year by Pope Leo XIV – provides focus and inspiration for our journey: “to always be close to Jesus.” Indeed, Jesus – who comes as a little babe in the poverty of the wintertime – is our Way, Truth, Life!
At this time, I am particularly aware that the journey we take together – as children of our One God – is a journey guided by the Holy Spirit into ever deeper communion, participation, and mission.
Communion, participation, and mission are the goals and the focus of the ongoing “Synod on Synodality” that was first launched by Pope Francis, and is now being implemented around the world under the encouragement and leadership of Pope Leo.
Synodality is described as a way of walking together through mutual listening, dialogue and discernment – wisely using the gift of our human faculties to determine what God’s will for us is. And we don’t just do that personally, we do that together, guided by the Holy Spirit.
I have also witnessed communion, participation, and mission being lived out here in the Diocese of Saskatoon, through our many ministries, programs of support and service, and through the prayer, worship, and sacramental celebrations in the parishes of our diocese. I thank each one of you for all you are doing and living in order to be the heart, the hands and the feet, the entire Body of Christ, for our world. Together let us deepen our commitment to that journey during this year’s Christmas season, and as we enter another New Year.
During these darker and colder days, in the midst of a world dealing with much violence and strife, our hearts are stirred by the meaning of the call to be alive and to seek God’s grace and peace in all things. As St. Paul reminds us: “Now may the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways …the Lord be with all of you.” (see II Thessalonians 3:16)
We also recall that the Saviour who comes to us at Christmas takes on anything that can come between us and the love of God. He does this through His amazing life, His passion, and His cross – His holy cross which redeems the world!(St. Francis of Assisi)
The way of Jesus Christ calls us to be excellent human beings in all things, in all circumstances.
Jesus is the great light and hope that has come into the world. This is the reality that we celebrate joyfully at Christmas. It is the great good news that GOD IS WITH US. Emmanuel has indeed come! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is loving us, suffering with us, caring for us, holding us.
I invite you to take time during this season of preparation and celebration to take a personal inventory of what we gaze upon, and …what is the source of our hope? It is so easy to be distracted by temporary or false hopes, as it is easy to be distracted by false gods that at best endure only for a short time. Jesus is the Way, the Light. He is our Peace, our source of Healing. He is our real Hope.
I conclude with the words of Pope Leo as we conclude the Jubilee Year 2025 and find the pathway forward in the coming New Year: “…be authentic Christians and honest citizens… [who] share a vocabulary capable of expressing things as they are, without duplicity, cultivating harmony among peoples…Peace, is the duty that unites all humanity in a common search for justice… peace is the definitive and eternal good that we hope for everyone.”
You and I are called to the hope that finds its source in the Saviour who comes to us at Christmas. The Incarnation – Jesus who is the Word of God made flesh among us – is the inspiration and source of all hope. This hope was the focus of the Jubilee Year, and continues to be our inspiration as we seek to be teachers and patterns of hope for each other – and for the world.
I take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your love and faithfulness to God and His people, and his salvific desire for all the world. I also thank you for all that you do every day to respond to the needs of those you care for, with compassion and care.
I wish you, your families, and communities, a blessed and joy-filled Christmas season!
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Mark A. Hagemoen, Bishop of Saskatoon
-30-
RELATED:
Find Christmas Mass schedules for parishes across the diocese posted at rcdos.ca/christmas
Christmas message from the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: cccb.ca
Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen has announced the launch of the diocese’s synod implementation phase.
“Synodality is NOT a program or method, but rather a way of being Church… and therefore it calls us all to conversion because it entails a change of mindset and a way of being Church together.” – Summary about Synod Implementation in the Diocese
The Implementation Phase of the SYNOD on SYNODALITY
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Sunday, Nov. 9
The Celebration of Our Participation in the Life, Passion, Death, & Resurrection of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? – (I Corinthians 3:16)
Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Diocese of Saskatoon:
This year of the Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope has seen the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV. One pope started us on this pilgrimage journey of hope – which also features the call to be a more synodal church. And now Pope Leo has confirmed this call and work. At a recent Jubilee of Synodal Teams, Pope Leo said that synodality will “help the church fulfill its primary role in the world, which is to be missionary, to announce the Gospel, to give witness to the person of Jesus Christ in every part of the world, to the ends of the earth.”
This is, of course the mission of the Church at every level, and in every setting! Synodality is indeed a way of walking our journey of missionary discipleship in unity with Jesus Christ, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit. In this walk, we are inspired by the Synod on Synodality that has listened in the Spirit to the voices of people from around the world over a multi-year process of discernment. The Final Document released by the Synod of Bishops calls for intentional focus and an ongoing journey of conversion to become a more synodal church of communion, participation and mission – and the Holy Father is now asking dioceses around the world to implement this synodal vision.
Thus, I am pleased as your bishop to announced the “implementation phase” of the synodal process for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. Our implementation phase will feature the following:
Firstly, we will continue the conversations in the Spirit that have happened to date at the local and diocesan levels about the meaning and practical features of synodality.
Secondly, we will link the implementation features of synodality to our Diocesan Pastoral Plan. We have put a lot of prayer, discernment, and work into this plan – which has been a source of renewal and focus for all of our diocese. However, the pastoral plan can be greatly improved by being infused with the spirit of synodality – just as the Beatitudes (see Mathew 5: 1-16) bring life and character to living out of the Gospel.
Thirdly, as we conclude the Jubilee Year of Hope, we also look to another coming great event: The 2000th anniversary in 2033 of the Resurrection of Christ and the Great Commission. What a remarkable and unprecedented opportunity for the celebration of the very reason for our hope, and the basis for mission. I pray this upcoming time will be a real time of deepening conversion for all of us called to the mission of Jesus Christ to save and bless His people.
Fourthly, this implementation phase is being announced for our diocese on the Feast of the Dedication of John Lateran Basilica – a day when the Church celebrates the great temple and Pope’s cathedral church as the mother church for all the world. It is also a day when we are reminded – as missionary disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ – of His call to us all to be His temples in and for the world. As St. Caesarius of Arles, bishop, states, “…we are to be the true and living temple of God… let the light of good works shine in us … God wishes to enter in to our souls, for He promised: I shall live in them, and I shall walk the corridors of their hearts.”
May our synod implementation plan help each of us to be better temples of the life of God – within ourselves – and for our parishes, diocese and larger communities. May we approach the synod implementation phase not as another task or plan to be accomplished, but as a real time of patient listening to the Holy Spirit, who calls us to a new and greater awareness of not only the goal and destination, but also the journey along the way.
I conclude with this inspiration from St. Mother Teresa – who is a great teacher about the synodal features of empathy and attentive listening: “We are called to be contemplatives in the heart of the world by seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, everywhere, all the time, and His hand in every happening.” (St Teresa of Calcutta)
Sincerely, in Christ,
Most Reverend Mark A. Hagemoen, Bishop of Saskatoon
“A SYNODAL WAY of Proclaiming Christ and God’s Kingdom Today”
Background about the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – November 2025
In communion with the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV and the universal Catholic Church, Bishop Mark Hagemoen is officially launching the implementation phase of our diocese’s synodal journey on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. The guiding document for this phase of the Synod on Synodality is the Final Document from the Second Session of the 16th Assembly( “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission” – FD) along with the supporting document, Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod.
Synodality is NOT a program or method, but rather a way ofbeing Church‘modus vivendi et operandi’ (FD #30) and part of “…her proper identity” ( FD#31), and therefore it calls us all to conversion because it entails a change of mindset and a way of being Church together (FD #33)
In deepening synodality in the life of our diocese, our parishes, and among all the baptized, our diocesan pathway will include:
Continuing to reflect upon – and practice – the Conversations in the Spirit from the synodal listening sessions held throughout our diocese and the whole world during the Synod on Synodality 2021-2024.
Proceeding with the ongoing implementation of our Diocesan Pastoral Plan to “Proclaim Christ and God’s Kingdom Today” by intentionally focusing on our priorities and goals through the lens and practice of synodality.
Finding renewed ways to come together to pray, discern, listen to the Holy Spirit and listen to one another as we seek some practical ways to make the existing programs and structures more synodal in practice and in approach.
“The synodal form of the Church is at the service of its mission, and any change in the life of the Church is intended to make it more capable of proclaiming the Kingdom of God and witnessing to the Gospel of the Lord to the men and women of our time.” – Cardinal Mario Grech, Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod.
The supporting resource Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod provides a framework for our diocese to reflect on and implement pastoral strategies, that emphasize: exploring the Gospel, ways of sharing our faith, and creating more synodal practices. This would include: exploring decision-making and governance structures that focus on the church’s mission; broader sharing of ideas and experiences that emphasize evangelization and mission; pursuing formation in listening and accompaniment; and developing strategies at the parish level that include synodality and listening that enhance and create “communion, participation, and mission.” The process is also supported by a timeline (including an evaluation process) with a view to a larger ecclesial assembly in October 2028.
Key implementation pathways:
Discerning ways of Ministry and Service:
We commit to exploring and developing ways of discernment that contribute to good decision-making, include listening to each other, and working together in parishes and dioceses, grounded in the Word of God and attentive to the Holy Spirit. This includes exploring and developing forms of service and ministry that respond to pastoral needs.
The Focus on Mission:
We will strive to ensure that structural changes help the Church better serve the local context and the world in sharing the Gospel message of hope.
Sharing Ideas:
Parishes will be encouraged to engage with and learn from each other’s challenges and accomplishments through the exchange of ideas, resources, and charisms (gifts of the Holy Spirit).
Impacting and Renewing Personal and Communal Life:
The goal is to undertake concrete developments and changes that affect people’s everyday lives in the parish, rather than only writing theoretical plans. This involves the renewal of parishes in a synodal way, grounded in listening, belonging, and a missionary spirit.
Support and accountability
Participatory Bodies:
Ensuring that the diocesan and parish leadership and ministry bodies are reflecting on their own operating methods, and that these are renewed in a synodal way.
Bishop’s Role:
The diocesan bishop is entrusted with the ecclesial leadership responsibility for initiating, guiding, and concluding the implementation phase within the diocese.
Related Formation and Skills:
Forming people in listening, discernment, and facilitation skills to support ongoing listening and conversation.
Widely Participatory:
Engage with a wide range of people, including those on the margins and those who may not have been fully involved.
Evaluation:
The process is structured to include ‘evaluation assemblies’ at the diocesan level in the first half of 2027, and at the continental level in the first half of 2028.
NOTE: Materials and updates related to the diocese’s implementation phase will be available at: https://rcdos.ca/synod.
“The Peace of the Risen Christ beckons us to be MISSIONARY DISCIPLES” – Pope Leo XIV.
The 2025 Fall Congress Series includes three sessions open to everyone:
OCT 9 Congress Day – Keynote speaker from “Faith Room” – 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, with Keynote Speaker Jean-Paul de Fleuriot of Faith Room. Cost $25 (includes lunch) – REGISTRATION LINK
OCT 10 Congress Music Ministry Workshop – 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 at Saint Anne Catholic Church, 217 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon, with Cameron Turner and Jean-Paul de Fleuriot. Free-will offering (refreshments will be served). – REGISTRATION LINK
OCT 16 Congress Day Introduction to Intentional Accompaniment – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, presented by Catholic Christian Outreach. Cost $25 (includes lunch) – REGISTRATION LINK
ANEW will begin the 2025-26 program on Wednesday, Sept. 24, providing hope, encouragement, and faith support for those who are separated or divorced. Based 100% on Catholic teaching, Anew helps participants regain hope and restore peace in their lives.
Anew will be held at the Catholic Pastoral Centre (2nd floor of Cathedral of Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon) from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm every second Wednesday beginning Sept. 24, 2025 (with a break over Christmas/New Year’s). Cost is $50. Meeting dates are:
On the 10th anniversary of the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in Canada, a messagefrom the national Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle affirms the work of the TRC, calling for renewed commitment to a path of healing and right relationship.
“As a coalition of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Catholics focused on reconciliation and right relations, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle encourages the Catholic community and all people of good will in Canada to recognize that, while we have all taken many very important steps on a long journey, this is not a time to rest but a time to deepen our commitment,” says the message, which was released as Canada marks the 10th anniversary of the completion of the TRC hearings.
Co-chaired by Indigenous member Tom Dearhouse and Donna Geernaert, SC, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle includes representatives from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada, the Canadian Religious Conference, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women’s League, and at-large members from First Nation communities, and religious orders.
Starting the week after Easter, Bishop Mark Hagemoen has been travelling from parish to parish, joining communities for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation with youth.
The confirmation season started with a celebration at Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon on April 29, continued April 30 at St. Augustine Parish, Saskatoon, May 6 at St. Patrick, Saskatoon; and May 7 at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Saskatoon.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. Clement Arthur with confirmands at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Saskatoon. (Photo by Monica Aspiazu)
Confirmations at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon were held over two evenings — May 8 and May 9.
On Sunday, May 11, Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined St. Anthony Parish at Lake Lenore, to celebrate confirmation with youth of that parish, located in the Humboldt deanery.
Earlier in the day on May 11, Bishop Hagemoen also confirmed youth at St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt, and the evening before on May 10, the bishop celebrated confirmation at St. Bruno Parish in Bruno.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. John Abban-Bonsu with confirmands at St. Anthony Parish, Lake Lenore, SK. (Submitted photo)
On Friday, May 16, the bishop celebrated confirmation with youth at St. Michael Parish, Cudworth.
Confirmations were celebrated Saturday, May 17 at St. Peter Parish, Unity, SK, an on Sunday, May 18 at St. Mary Parish, Macklin, and then at Immaculate Conception Parish, Major, SK.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. Charles Nweze with confirmands at Immaculate Conception Parish, Major, SK. (Submitted photo)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. Matthew Ramsay with confirmands from St. Michael Parish, Tramping Lake, and St. Peter Parish, Unity, on May 17, 2025) (Photo by Aleah Anseth – www.altestudios.ca)
Bishop Hagemoen addresses confirmands during the celebration in Unity, SK. (Photo by Aleah Anseth –www.altestudios.ca)
The bishop celebrated confirmation with youth at Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Parish in Saskatoon May 20 and with a large group at the Cathedral of the Holy Family on May 21.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and other leaders with the confirmands from the Cathedral of the Holy Family, where Confirmation was celebrated on May 21. (Submitted photo)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined St. Mary Parish at Lanigan, SK on Sunday, May 25 to celebrate confirmation with youth of the parish.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu with confirmands at St. Mary Parish, Lanigan. (Photo b y Traci Bell)
Confirmands after the celebration May 25 at St. Mary Parish, Lanigan. (Photo by Traci Bell)
Later in the day May 25, Bishop Hagemoen also confirmed youth at St. Mary Parish in Wynyard, SK.
Bishop Hagemoen celebrated confirmation at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon on Ascension Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Fr. Luke Tran, Bishop Mark Hageemoen, pastor Fr. Kevin McGee, and Deacon Nicholas Blom (l-r) with confirmands at St. Mary, Saskatoon on May. 29. (Submitted photo)
Bishop Hagemoen gives the homily durijng confirmation Mass at St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon May 29. (Submitted photo)
Bishop Hagemoen celebrated the sacrament of confirmation with youth from St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown on June 1. The evening before, he celebrated confirmation in a celebration at St. Gabriel, Biggar.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. Habila Musa with confirmands at St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown. (Submitted photos)
The bishop joined the parish communities of St Philippe Néri, Vonda; St. Denis, St. Denis; and Sts. Donatien & Rogatien, Prud’homme, for celebration of confirmation with youth June 3 in Vonda.
On June 5, Bishop Hagemoen confirmed youth from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon, in a celebration held at St. Mary Catholic Church.
Bishop Hagemoen celebrated the sacrament of confirmation with youth at St. Mary Parish in Fox Valley, SK, on Sunday, June 15, before travelling to St. Joseph Parish in Eatonia, SK, to confirm youth of that community as well.
Confirmation at St. Mary Parish, Fox Valley SK: Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined pastor Fr. Prince Osuwu Sarpong and confirmands for the celebration June 15, 2025 in Fox Valley. (Submitted photo)
Diocesan seminarian John Paul Wasan, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and pastor Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi (back, left to right) with the confirmands at St. Joseph Parish, Eatonia, SK. on Sunday, June 15. (Photo by Joanne Stusrud)
Bishop Hagemoen celebrated confirmation with youth of Sacred Heart Parish, Watson, and Holy Rosary Parish, LeRoy, in a celebration June 21 at LeRoy, SK.
BIshop Mark Hagemoen and Pastor Fr. Francis Akomeah with young confirmands from Holy Rosary Parish in LeRoy, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Watson. (Submitted photo)
Confirmation celebrated at Holy Rosary Parish, LeRoy, SK. (Submitted photo)
On the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ June 22, 2025, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen joined Christ the King Parish at Rose Valley, SK for celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Later the same day he also celebrated confirmation at St. Theresa Parish, Lintlaw, SK.
Seminarian John Paul Wasan joined the bishop at the celebrations in the Wadena deanery.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Pastor Fr. John Ezeoruonye, and Seminarian John Paul Wasan with young confirmands at Christ the King Parish in Rose Valley, SK. June 22, 2025. (Submitted photo)
The 2025 Confirmation schedule with the bishop continues throughout the Easter season at parishes across the diocese until early summer: check out the website calendar of events for other celebration dates and locations: rcdos.ca/events.
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