By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
All are welcome at a local Saskatoon event planned for Residential School Survivors and families in conjunction with the visit of Pope Francis to Canada on Tuesday, July 26.
The free “Walking and Healing Together” come-and-go event will be held at St. Mary’s Education and Wellness Centre, 327 Avenue N South, Saskatoon, running all day July 26 for those wishing to participate in a gathered local event during the papal visit.
Held on the Feast Day of St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, the day organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and Greater Saskatoon Catholic School representatives will feature video broadcast of events with Pope Francis, including the public Mass at Commonwealth Stadium. The program also includes speakers, supports, prayers, and meals.
Those attending the Saskatoon event July 26 are asked to register online if possible, to assist in planning: LINK
For information about free in-city transportation to the Saskatoon event, contact Myron Rogal at mrogal@rcdos.ca or Rhonda Smallchild at rsmallchild@gscs.ca
Volunteer opportunities with flexible times between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 are also available – contact Myron Rogal for more information mrogal@rcdos.ca
To support the diocese’s efforts in sending Residential School Survivors and Elders to the papal visit in Edmonton, please visit the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation website: dscf.ca/papal-visit-2022
The schedule for the Walking and Healing Together event begins with a pipe ceremony at 7 a.m. July 26, a sacred fire that will burn throughout the day, a Mass at nearby St. Mary Catholic Church, and a morning re-broadcast of Pope Francis’ visit to the residential school site at Maskwacis the day before. The program continues in the afternoon with the live-stream video of the Mass at Commonwealth Stadium and the Pope’s visit to Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage site later in the day.
Local speakers and entertainment will also be featured at the Saskatoon event. Survivor supports, child care, smudging and refreshments will be available throughout the day, along with breakfast, lunch and supper.
As noted, those attending the Saskatoon event July 26 are asked to register online if possible, to assist in planning (LINK) — although registration is not required: drop-ins are welcome.
In addition to organizing the free local event, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon is sponsoring a group of Residential School Survivors and Elders to attend papal visit events July 25 and 26 in Edmonton, on a trip organized by Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, which serves Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and non-Indigenous parishioners in the heart of Saskatoon. (To support this trip visit: https://dscf.ca/papal-visit-2022/).
Bishop Mark Hagemoen will also attend the Edmonton events.
A novena of Masses ahead of the papal visit is also being held at Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon July 18-26, to pray for the visit of Pope Francis, and for healing and reconciliation, with Mass followed each night by an Indigenous teaching. Mass is held at 5 p.m. July 23, and at 7 p.m. July 25 and 26 at Saint Anne Church, 217 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon.
For those wishing to view live-stream video and coverage of the visit of Pope Francis to Canada there are several options:
INFORMATION, including live-stream links in a number of languages – papalvisit.ca
Live-stream of events by Salt+Light Catholic Network – PDF of SCHEDULE
(Note: ET times are two hours earlier in SK)
Related: Catholic bishops welcome announcement of program for papal visit to Canada – LINK
Related: Pope Francis coming to Canada
Related: Saskatchewan Catholic bishops respond to news of papal visit
Related: Archbishop Bolen and Chief Delorme call for new ways of “Walking With Your Neighbour”
Related: Manitoba Métis praise Pope Francis for listening
Related: Indigenous leaders see “fresh tracks” in hunt for healing
Related: Pope apologizes for treatment of Indigenous People, promises to visit
Related: Text of Papal Apology
Related: Indigenous People want truth about past, partnership for future
Related: Catholic TRC Healing Response (information and to donate)
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