By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Photos by Jim Ramsay

A group of Catholic men of all ages and states of life gathered June 30 at St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt to reflect on their primary identity as men of God.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was guest speaker for the event, which also included time for table discussions and socializing.

The bishop addressed themes of baptismal identity and the seven cardinal virtues in his presentation.

He then explored features of male spirituality, including prayer, intimacy with Jesus Christ, life with others in terms of both community and service, sacraments, ongoing conversion, mission, evangelization, and the importance of hope and gratitude.

He also reflected on “living in the tension” of the Incarnation – which includes a “both/and” between immanence and transcendence, the heart and the law, love and truth.

“Our life is a journey – an adventure,” Bishop Hagemoen asserted, encouraging his listeners to be less activity-driven and more “receptive, trusting, and potent in Him.”

Questions for reflection addressed during discussion time included:

• What do you see as the biggest issue facing your family?
• Is anything happening at work that causes you concern about people knowing you are Catholic?
• What do you want from the Church?
• What do you remember most about Mass from when you were a kid?
• What is the biggest challenge you face as a Catholic man?
• How much freedom do you have as a Catholic man?
• What do you see as hopeful in our community/society/families and what can you do about it?
• At what point do we as laity address current social challenges and what do we do?
• What is the role of men in responding to our secular culture? How do we support women and families?

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca