News

In December, St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon opened the doors of its hall on 20th Street West as an overnight warm-up location, in partnership with the Salvation Army and with federal government funding.

Since Dec. 4, 2023, the warm-up location has been open at St. Mary’s hall from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven nights a week. With life-threatening frigid temperatures, the importance of having an overnight warm up location is more important than ever.

• Find more information about the project on the diocesan Catholic Saskatoon News site at: ARTICLE.
• Find more information about the City of Saskatoon’s Extreme Cold Weather Emergency Response strategy at: LINK

Ways to help:

• Pray:

Please continue to pray for the guests of the site, for staff, and for everyone involved.

• Advocate:

Take time to advocate for those in need: meet, inform, and/or work with elected officials at every level of government, with other helping agencies, and people of other faiths to take collective steps that will reduce poverty.

• Donate:

Monetary donations to assist St. Mary Parish in continuing to provide outreach and support for those in the neighbourhood without access to many basic needs can be made in person, dropped off or mailed to St. Mary Parish, 211 Avenue O South, Saskatoon, S7M 2R6 (cheques can be made out to the parish with “Warm-up shelter” written in the memo line.) Those wishing to set up longer-term pre-authorized donations can call the parish office at (306) 244-2983 or e-mail Ryan Baker at rnbaker@rcdos.ca to receive a pre-authorized giving form. E-transfers can also be sent to rnbaker@rcdos.ca (please include your name and mailing address along with “Warm-up shelter” in the memo line). All donations over $20 will be issued a tax receipt.

Donations of needed items – including blankets, mitts, gloves, toques, and jackets – can be dropped off at St. Mary Parish Office during regular office hours, or any time at the Salvation Army, 339 Avenue C South, Saskatoon.

• Volunteers

Volunteers are not yet needed: As this project is new, organizers are still discerning where volunteers might be able to serve most effectively. Contact Myron Rogal in the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace at mrogal@rcdos.ca to be kept up-to-date.

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A new series of IPL online courses will be launched in our diocese, starting in January 2024:

The next course –  “Introduction to Contemporary Effects of Colonization: Social Justice” – will be offered online, 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm (SK time) on Tuesdays, Jan. 9, 2024 to March 5, 2024. REGISTRATION LINK

No prerequisite is required. Each course is 18 hours including out-of-class time commitment to additional reading and course work. The fee is $200 for each course.

Funding assistance and bursaries may be available for both clergy and laity – diocesan residents can apply for support through the diocesan Education of Laity Fund: LINK. (Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools may have funding assistance for teachers, please check with the school division.)

About the Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader program:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, St. Thomas More College, and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools jointly launched Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Education, a continuing education program for Catholic Indigenous and non-Indigenous clergy, lay ministers, educators and leaders, which is led by teams of Indigenous and non-Indigenous instructors, modelling respectful and reconciling relationships.

The Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Education Program includes:

• An overview of the features of Indigenous peoples in western Canada, with specific reference to the Saskatchewan context.
• An overview of the history and features of contact and relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples with specific reference to the Roman Catholic Church experience.
• Creation of a dialogue between Indigenous and Christian world views.
• Insight into the history that has shaped the complex nature of the relationships in the present day.
• Provide mutual sharing and hope for a respectful and harmonious future as children of God, who together seek beauty and good of all.

Why take the program?

• To participate in a concerted effort to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action.
• To learn about the history of the interaction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples including the impact of Roman Catholic missionaries on Indigenous communities.
• To discuss areas of culture convergence/divergence.
• To further Catholic social and moral teachings.
• ​To support the building of right relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Catholics in Western Canada.

Who should take this program?

• Clergy
• Lay ecclesial ministers
• Catechists
• Catholic school teachers
• Youth
• Family ministry leaders

Schedule and Registration:

The first four-course series has been offered twice, and included:

• Introduction to First Nations Studies
  
• Indigenous-Settler Relationship
• Introduction to Contemporary Effects of Colonization
• Introduction to Reconciliation: The Church and Indigenous Peoples

The second series begins in January 2024, and includes:

• Introduction to Contemporary Effects of Colonization II: Social Justice – Jan. 9 to March 5, 2024 – REGISTRATION LINK
• Introduction to Métis Studies – April 2 – May 28, 2024 – REGISTRATION LINK
• Introduction to Inuit Studies – Sept. 24 – Nov. 29, 2024 – REGISTRATION LINK
• Final course – Information to be announced

NOTE:  If participants complete all 8 courses, they earn a Diploma. (Diplomas, an increasingly popular option amongst post-undergraduate professionals, provide more in-depth knowledge of a field of study and are of longer duration than certificates).

The program sessions for each of the courses will be offered online only, with sessions offered from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (SK time) on Tuesday afternoons. Participants will receive log-in information before the first session. (Each course is 18 hours including out-of-class time commitment to additional reading and course work. The fee is $200 for each course.)

Funding assistance and bursaries may be available for both clergy and laity – diocesan residents can apply for support through the diocesan Education of Laity Fund: LINK. (Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools may have funding assistance for teachers, please check with the school division.)

Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education Program graduates and leaders: Cohort Two certificates Dec. 2, 2023. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Second Cohort of IPL Program Presented with Certificates Dec. 2, 2023 – LINK

An ecumenical “Red Wednesday” service to pray for persecuted Christians, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at Holy Covenant Evangelical Orthodox Church, 1426 Alexandra Avenue, Saskatoon.

Everyone is welcome.

Evangelical Orthodox Bishop Jakob Palm and Roman Catholic Bishop Mark Hagemoen are among those participating in prayer and reflection during the service.

Red Wednesday is a day of prayer, action and awareness about the persecution of Christians around the world.

Background: Be RED, Wear RED, Light RED – With establishment of Red Wednesday, the international Catholic aid organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has drawn attention to the fate of millions of persecuted, oppressed and threatened Christians worldwide. Since Red Wednesday was established, many countries around the world, cathedrals, churches, monasteries, monuments, and public buildings are illuminated in blood red around this day. Make a statement and take part by wearing red, learning more, and praying for those who are persecuted for their faith. Find more information at: https://acninternational.org/.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) supports over 5,000 projects every year in around 140 countries, helping Christians to live their faith in situations where they are oppressed, or lack the necessary means to cover their pastoral needs.

If you have questions about the Saskatoon event, please contact Myron Rogal in the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace at the Catholic Pastoral Centre: mrogal@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5841.

Justice and Peace is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

SEARCH for Christian Maturity live-in weekend retreat experience sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon will be held Nov. 10-12 at E.D. Feehan Catholic High School.

Deadline to register is Oct. 31, 2023; find more information at saskatoonsearch.ca or register online at: LINK

The program is rooted in the Catholic faith and open to young people in Grades 10-12 of any denomination or creed. Cost is $100 (covers food and supplies for the whole weekend). If cost is an issue, bursaries are available; contact John Hickey at jhickey@rcdos.ca for information.

SEARCH provides an opportunity to think, talk, question and wonder about life and faith in an accepting and challenging environment.

It is an opportunity to experience God in a personal and real way.

The weekend is youth- and peer-oriented. It is run by young people for young people, under the guidance of a team of adult mentors.

The retreat starts on Friday evening Nov. 10 at 7: 30 p.m. and runs through Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m.

Youth are invited to come and experience a great weekend with SEARCH and see what God has in store!

(Youth Ministry in the diocese of Saskatoon is supported by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.)

Catholic Women’s League members, spiritual advisors and a number of special guests gathered June 4 and 5 at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon for the 75th annual Saskatchewan CWL provincial convention.

Themes: “Catholic and Living It” and “Walking Together”

The two-day program included talks by national CWL president Fran Lucas, speaking on the League’s theme “Catholic and Living It” from the perspective of relationships (June 4) and of servant leadership (June 5).

Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity was celebrated June 4 with Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon, Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert, Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, of St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster and a number of CWL spiritual advisors.

Photo Gallery – LINK

Reflecting the provincial convention theme of “Walking Together” in reconciliation and understanding, the Mass during the CWL provincial convention June 4 included participation from members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous and Métis Catholic Parish in Saskatoon, with the First Nations tradition of smudging explained beforehand by parish Elder Sharon Genaille, praying in the four directions at the Great Amen, and music ministry led by the Our Lady of Guadalupe choir.

At a 75th anniversary reception and banquet that evening, Cristin Dorgan-Lee, principal of St. Michael Community School in Saskatoon reflected on Canada’s colonial history, the treatment of Indigenous Peoples, impact of the Indian Act, and the ongoing inter-generational legacy of pain and suffering caused by Residential Schools — as well as on the hope of the ongoing journey of “Walking Together” toward Truth and Reconciliation.

Awards and recognition were also part of the banquet program, including the presentation of a Maple Leaf Service Pin to Regina archdiocesan CWL president Janette Rieger, and of life memberships to Marge Appell and Helen Kayfish.

Fr. Peter Nnanga, MSP, was also recognized for his service as the provincial CWL spiritual advisor. That role will now be taken up by Fr. Francis Hengen, who was installed as provincial spiritual advisor at the closing Mass of the convention June 5.

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Indigenous Reconciliation Fund –

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, the diocesan Indigenous Discernment Circle and its Granting Committee are now accepting applications for funding projects addressing Indigenous healing and reconciliation initiatives as part of the national $30-million commitment by the Catholic Bishops of Canada announced in September 2021.

Find more information at: rcdos.ca/indigenous-reconciliation-fund and/or via the links below.

Indigenous Reconciliation Fund diocesan grant application process DONATE to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund

All grants are to be made in support of local projects and initiatives of:

• Healing and reconciliation for communities and families.
• Culture and language revitalization.
• Education and community building.
• Dialogues involving Indigenous elders, spiritual leaders and youth with focus on Indigenous spirituality and culture.
• The diocese may seek support from or provide support to other dioceses and/or regions for projects that have impact beyond their diocese/region or are in excess of the committee’s budget.

General consideration and process will be as follows:

• Sourcing of grants is the responsibility of the Discernment Circle and board.
• All grants are to be made with Indigenous consultation based upon an assessment of the project’s merit and local value.
• All recipients must be registered charities.
• Projects and collaborations will be guided by integrity and align with miyo pimatisiwin and Catholic Social Teachings.
• Grants will be made for up to 5 years.
• Available funds are to a maximum of $250,000 per year over 5 years.
• Preference will be given to initiatives that support legacy projects.
• While the Granting Committee of the Discernment Circle guides the application process, approved grants will be made by the national “Indigenous Reconciliation Fund” directly to the recipient.

(Download application form and submit to Indigenous Discernment Circle Granting Committee, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 2nd floor, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK S7S 1H1, or via e-mail to: bishop0ffice@rcdos.ca for more information contact Myron Rogal at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 306-242-1500).