On Dec. 7, representatives of eight different agencies gathered online with participants from a number of city parishes, Bishop Mark Hagemoen and diocesan leadership to learn more about the needs of those who are homeless.

Participants in the video gathering “learned how parishes can respond by providing time, talent, and treasure supported by advocacy and education,” reported the bishop in a recent letter to the diocese.

“Over the last eight months, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has witnessed parishes hearing and responding to the ‘cry of the poor’ that can be heard in every one of our communities,” wrote Bishop Hagemoen.

“Based on a parish survey, followed by a resource package for parishes in early 2021, we know that more communities are seeing higher rates of poverty, and more parishes are working within their communities to disrupt this injustice. In rural areas, parishes have connected with local agencies and others to reach out to their neighbours with dignity.”

The bishop noted that those living in rural areas can continue to assist at the local level by helping to feed families in their home community: LINK to donate to Food Banks in various communities

“Saskatoon, like any community, faces its own unique challenges when it comes to disrupting poverty. We know that disrupting poverty consists of three significant categories being income, housing, and food,” said Hagemoen.

Recently the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace has received many requests from parishes, groups, and individuals asking how they can respond to what is currently a homelessness crisis in the city of Saskatoon.

The challenge to “match generosity with basic human needs” was addressed in the bishop’s letter to parishes.

“The first phase of response will involve offering city parishes the opportunity to be connected with some of the urgent practical needs that agencies are facing as we focus on working together on common ground for the common good,” he said. “Some examples of this are financial aid, in-kind aid, need for volunteers, need for board members, need for staffing.”

The second phase, which is longer-term, is to continue to advocate for systemic changes, continuing education around poverty, and continuing to focus on healing relationships with those who are excluded.

“These two phases are rooted in our Catholic Social Teaching that calls us to act in charity, truth, and justice,” Hagemoen said.

An invitation to connect with local agencies and ministries addressing problems of poverty and homelessness was also part of the bishop’s message to pastors and parishes.

Donate to a Food Bank location in our diocese: LINK

Other agencies and ministries with a ready list of specific and immediate needs:

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish – (306) 653.4945
• Friendship Inn – Volunteer: friendshipinn.ca/volunteer/ Friendship Inn Donate: friendshipinn.ca/donations/
• Salvation Army – www.salvationarmysaskatoon.org/donate
• The Bridge Saskatoon – www.thebridgesaskatoon.com/capital-campaign.html
• Saskatoon Housing Initiative Partnership – www.shipweb.ca/
• Central Urban Métis Federation Inc – cumfiadmin@sasktel.net
• Meadow Green House for All Nations warmup location – sarah.warman@servantpartners.org

“Ideally, parishes can begin to consider supporting identified needs of a specific agency. This could evolve into a longer-term relationship with these agencies to work towards the common good together. Such partnerships would ensure that the basic needs of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters are met with increased reliability, consistency, and dignity.”

The possibility of some parishes exploring the possibility of offering a warm-up location during cold weather was also raised in the bishop’s message to parishes.

RELATED: Canadian bishops release: “Poverty in Canada: Ensuring safe, secure and affordable housing”

RELATED: Indigenous, disabled at highest risk of poverty (Catholic Register)

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