Bidding farewell to pastor and chaplain Fr. Michael Dechant, OMI

Students and staff at Holy Cross Catholic High School in Saskatoon pray a blessing for school chaplain Fr. Michael Dechant, OMI, pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish, who is leaving the diocese. (Photo by Bishop Mark Hagemoen)

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Farewell celebrations were held before Christmas for Fr. Michael Dechant, OMI, who will be leaving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon as of Dec. 26.

Both St. Philip Neri Parish and Holy Cross Catholic High School in Saskatoon took time Dec. 21 to express gratitude and best wishes to Dechant, who will soon begin a sabbatical at the Oblate School of Theology in Texas.

Dechant has served as pastor of St. Philip Neri for the past five years, and has been the chaplain at Holy Cross High School for some eight years.

Fr. Ken Thorson, superior of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Lacombe Canada announced the news at the conclusion of Mass on the third Sunday of Advent at St. Philip Neri Parish.

Associate pastor Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI, has been appointed parochial administrator of St. Philip Neri Parish.

In an announcement to the diocese about the change, Bishop Mark Hagemoen writes: “I take this opportunity to thank Fr. Michael for his diligent service and for his great pastoral heart … I also extend my appreciation to Fr. Douglas for his ongoing pastoral ministry in our diocese at St. Philip Neri Parish.”

-30-

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