In partnership with St. Thomas More College, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has launched a new program that combines academic and spiritual formation.
Sts. Benedict & Scholastica Formation Program has been established for candidates who have made a decision to pursue an academic and vocational pathway that seeks ordained ministry, religious life, or professional lay ecclesial ministry.
The program consists of two fundamental components:
A recent video and mail-out is highlighting the important work of Catholic education in nurturing faith, and requesting support for the ongoing work of GSCS Foundation. The video features Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Bishop Bryan Bayda of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, Diane Boyko and Greg Chatlain of Greater Saskatoon Schools, and Laurie Karwacki of GSCS Foundation.
“Catholic education is built on our commitment to that right of parents and relationship with God, and that strives for excellence in all things – academics, virtuous living, extra-curricular activities, service to others. These are the hallmarks and foundation of Catholic education,” describe Bishop Hagemoen and Bishop Bayda in the recently-released materials.
Bishop Hagemoen adds: “In all of this, our own Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, supported by their Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation, need your support in order to move forward with this mission.”
“I ask you to please consider adding your gift to these efforts. Your contribution is a way to give flesh to your love and concern for God’s children,” says Bishop Hagemoen.
To learn more about the work of GSCS Foundation to support Catholic education, or to make a gift online, see the website: LINK
A message from the Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan for Catholic Education Week:Download the PDF.
Catholic Schools throughout Saskatchewan will celebrate Catholic Education Week and the significant contribution of Catholic Education in our province during Catholic Education Week May 9-16.
The theme for this year’s Catholic Education Week is “Catholic Education: Nurturing Hope/L’éducation catholique: Cultiver l’espérance”.
This is a special week in our schools as we celebrate the joy and hope of Catholic Education.
There are five sub-themes, one for each day of Catholic Education Week, aimed at helping staff and students to reflect more fully on what Nurturing Hope means to them. The five sub-themes are:
Day 1: Preparing the Earth / Préparer la terre
Day 2: Sowing Seeds of Gratitude / Semer la gratitude
Day 3: Cultivating Relationships / Cultiver nos relations
Day 4: Harvesting New Fruit / Récolter de nouveaux fruits
Day 5: Marvelling in Wonder / S’émerveiller
Catholic Education Week is marked by special activities such as prayer celebrations and service activities.
On Ascension Thursday, May 13, 2021, which is World Catholic Education Day, a live-stream liturgy with Bishop Mark Hagemoen will begin at 10:00 a.m. for all the faithful of Saskatchewan posted at https://saskatoonmass.comand on the diocesan YouTube channel:LINK
A number of Easter celebrations have been live-streamed at https://saskatoonmass.com since attendance is restricted because of COVID-19 public health orders.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has launched a video series to assist in reflection about Pope Francis’ latest papal encyclical Fratelli Tuttion human fraternity and social friendship.
The second in this video series features a panel discussion led by Bishop Mark Hagemoen, in conversation with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools teacher Celine Cyrenne, Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei missionary society, and Fr. Stefano Penna, rector of St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon.
Find more information and resources about Fratelli Tutti on the diocesan website at: rcdos.ca/fratelli-tutti
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has launched a video series to assist in reflection about Pope Francis’ latest papal encyclical Fratelli Tuttion human fraternity and social friendship.
The first in this video series is a timely conversation about Chapter 5 of Fratelli Tutti“A better kind of politics,” which calls for a social and political order based on “social charity” and “political love.”
In conversation are: Myron Rogal, coordinator of Justice and Peace for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon; Dr. Brett Salkeld, Theologian for the Archdiocese of Regina; Matthew Marquardt, President and Founder of Catholic Conscience; and Brendan Steven, Executive Director of Catholic Conscience.
With Saskatchewan in the midst of a campaign for an Oct. 26 provincial election as well as for Nov. 9 civic/ municipal elections, the discussion is particularly timely.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen has written a letter to the faithful announcing a change of the normative age for Confirmation to Grade 6 (age 11) in our diocese, beginning in 2021.
The present practice in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon is to celebrate confirmation immediately before First Holy Communion at a combined celebration in Grade 2 (age 7).
“I hope that this shift will not only present new and ongoing opportunities for effective faith formation of youth and their families in preparing for all of the Sacraments but may also be the opportunity to foster new initiatives and creativity regarding ongoing faith-formation and youth activities for the young people and their families of the parishes of our diocese.” – Bishop Mark Hagemooen
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has continued to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as needed, working with public health orders put in place to protect the community, especially the lives of the most vulnerable.
A general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation ENDED as of April 2, 2022 (Letter from Bishop Mark Hagemoen)
A number of parishes are live-streaming Mass, with links published at saskatoonmass.com
“Please join with me in prayer for a rapid end to the COVID-19 virus. May God grant healing to those who are ill, and eternal rest to those who have died. May the Lord’s blessing come upon our medical professionals and civic authorities, who continue to strive with enormous effort and expertise to keep all of us safe.” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen, April 2020
“Please join with me in prayer for a rapid end to the COVID-19 virus. May God grant healing to those who are ill, and eternal rest to those who have died. May the Lord’s blessing come upon our medical professionals and civic authorities, who continue to strive with enormous effort and expertise to keep all of us safe.” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen, April 2020
A central website has been established for those who wish to access live-streaming of Masses and other online resources created by priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: saskatoonmass.com
Several Masses are streamed and archived there daily, including live-stream broadcast at 9:00 a.m. Sunday mornings with Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrating Eucharist at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, Saskatoon except on Easter Sunday, when Mass will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. from St. Paul Co-Cathedral. The live-stream Mass can also be viewed on the diocesan website home page rcdos.ca
Mass on Television – Depending on particular cable and satellite plans:
Regarding watching Catholic Mass on television, as opposed to watching livestream on the Internet, here – with thanks – is a message from a parishioner who researched this for an elderly parent: “For those residents who are still most comfortable with the TV as their main ‘appliance’ for receiving information and entertainment from their suites as opposed to using computers, smart phones, IPads or tablets, your TV service providers have some alternatives that may help during Easter and during COVID-19 in the future. – SaskTel Max offers: Eternal Word TV Network. This is a Catholic faith-based channel that can be purchased as an individual channel add-on;…. SaskTel had the channel activated within about 20 minutes of my call with them; see: www.ewtn.com or Call 1-800-SASKTEL(1-800-727-5835). – Access Communications offers: Eternal Word TV Network Call: (1-866-363-2225). – Shaw Communications (Shaw Direct satellite has this too?) offers: ‘Salt and Light Television’ a quality Catholic faith-based channel that is sold as a stand-alone channel or as part of a channel package; see: www.saltandlighttv.org / Call 1-888-472-2222. – Bell TV Satellite offers: Salt and Light Television, Call 1-866-310-2355. Note- the TV service providers also have a variety of interdenominational Christian channels — such as Vision TV (which broadcasts daily Catholic Mass) among their channel and/or packages, so when a resident or their support person calls the TV service provider they just need to ask the Telephone agent what’s available for Catholic or other faith-based programming.”
Act of Spiritual Communion to unite oneself in prayer to Jesus Christ when one is unable to receive the Eucharist sacramentally:
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
– St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Prière de communion spirituelle:
Mon Jesus, Je crois que tu es reellement present dans le Tres Saint Sacrement de l’autel. Je t’aime plus que toutet je te desire dans mon âme. Puisque je ne peux pas te recevoir Sacramentellement maintenant, viens au moins spirituellement dans mon cœur. Et comme tu es deja venu, je t’embrasse et je m’unis tout entier a toi. Ne permets pas que je sois jamais separe de Toi.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen is calling for a special time of prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Fridays in the Easter season and beyond, praying for healing and protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic. More information and Resources, can be found at: rcdos.ca/heart-of-jesus
Justice and Peace Way of the Cross: in lieu of the annual outdoor Way of the Cross held in downtown Saskatoon for many years, during the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020, a virtual version was created by various individuals and groups filming their individual reflections and prayers. Share in this virtual walk with Jesus Christ and the suffering of our world, organized by the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace:
NOTE: The list of lyrics and the Stations of the Cross (scriptural version introduced by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1991), along with a list of themes and presenters can be found at: LINK to 2020 Way of the Cross Lyrics-Station Info Sheet
Online faith resources:
In addition to live-streaming of Mass and other devotions by parishes in our diocese posted at saskatoonmass.com, there are a number of other online faith resources available during these times of physical distancing and isolation measures. These include:
Divine Renovation free resource for parishes: This free resource kit has insight on leading well, advice on what tools to use, and lots of practical examples from Catholic parishes innovating brilliantly around the world: Divine Renovation website.
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools has also shared its link to the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ religious education program. The Student Home portal grants at-home access to videos, stories, interactive activities, and songs – all grounded in the celebration of our Catholic faith, aligned with the Church’s liturgical year. Log in online at: www.pearsoncanada.ca The username is: GIFGIC_student99 and the password is: Student99
Reflections on the Sunday Readings – The diocese of Saskatoon has posted reflections on the Sunday readings for family sharing and discussion, available at: Scripture Resources on the website
*Support your Parish through online Sunday Offering: Since offering envelopes are not possible at this time of no public celebrations of Mass, we ask you to support your parish community through online giving. The Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation has set up a webpage at dscf.ca/parish-offertory that allows you to direct your donation to any parish in the diocese as a one-time or recurring monthly gift. Thank you for remembering the needs of your parish at this challenging time of the COVID-19 crisis.
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.
The purpose of the Dying Healed workshop is to give volunteers confidence that their presence at the bedside of a lonely or dying person is an invaluable service.
The workshop includes important pastoral and practical aspects of what to say, how to listen, and how to be with people who suffer illness, disability and loneliness.
It is intended to be a preparatory training for those who would like to spend time with people who are elderly, ill, disabled and dying; those people who are the most vulnerable to the negative influences to Canada’s euthanasia and assisted suicide law.
Those interested in hosting a Dying Healed workshop can contact Jacqueline Saretsky at (306) 292-5531 or Email jsaretsky@rcdos.ca for more information.
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