Spring Congress follow-up sessions designed to enhance parish hospitality and outreach

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Two events will be held in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon this month following up on themes explored at Spring Congress 2024 – a free webinar on May 8 about how to launch a “Name Tag Sunday” in a parish, and an in-person workshop May 14 about establishing prayer ministry as part of parish outreach and engagement.

Both ideas were among suggested ways to enhance parish hospitality, evangelization, formation and outreach that were highlighted by Fr. Simon Lobo, CC, and Fr. Isaac Longworth, CC, of St. Benedict Parish in Halifax, NS, during the diocese of Saskatoon Spring Congress held in March. That diocesan event in Saskatoon focused on the theme “Making Every Sunday Matter” as one of the priorities of the recently-updated diocesan Pastoral Plan, continuing a commitment to explore and deepen Pastoral Plan goals during Congress events for pastors, parish and ministry leaders, and all interested parishioners.

At Spring Congress, Lobo and Longworth focused in particular on “three Hs” — hospitality, hymns, and homilies. Prayer ministry was also modelled at Congress during an evening Encounter event of reflection, Eucharistic adoration, and prayer for specific needs of those in attendance.

Name Tag Sunday

Daniel Pettipas, Coordinator of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation at Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon, will lead the Name Tag Sunday webinar at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8. (Registration: LINK.)

Pettipas, who has a BA in Religion and Culture, “is passionate about growing parishioners into passionate parish leaders through dynamic relational ministry and empowering the whole parish community to take up the mission of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations.”

Prayer Ministry Training

John and Tracy Connelly of Bruno, SK, will lead an in-person Prayer Ministry Training workshop Tuesday, May 14 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, beginning with a light supper at 5:15 p.m., followed by the presentation at 6:30 p.m., exploring “What is Prayer Ministry? How do I practice it?” The workshop will explore the foundations of prayer ministry and healing as explained in scripture and Catholic teaching, as well as the current practice of prayer ministry in the Church. The facilitators will also provide step-by-step hands-on practice of prayer ministry during the training session. (Registration: LINK)

John Connelly currently works as a Conference speaker, Retreat leader and Ministry Consultant. Tracy Connelly has a B.A. in Psychology, and works as a Catholic life-coach offering spiritual accompaniment to women and families. The Connellys also have experience in diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis and Youth Ministry.

Spring Congress 2024

During Spring Congress in March, speakers Fr. Simon Lobo, CC, and Fr. Isaac Longworth, CC, emphasized the importance of hospitality, welcoming and belonging as vital steps in becoming a missionary parish, focused on evangelization.