Awaken adult faith series: exploring Catholic prayer devotions

Fr. Daniel Yasinski, Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas, and Sr. Malou Tibayan, VDMF, (l-r) were facilitating the final evening of the fall 2024 Awaken series "Prayer Devotions." The next four-part series -- Gospel Encounters with Jesus -- begins in February. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

The fall 2024 adult faith Awaken program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon continued a focus on prayer in the year leading up to Jubilee 2025.

Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas said the four-part diocesan “Prayer Devotions” module explored understanding and practice of both traditional and contemporary Catholic devotions, with presenters offering practical tools and spiritual insights to participants seeking to enrich their prayer life.

The series opened Oct. 23 with a focus on Eucharistic devotion, facilitated by Sr. Marlene Aquino of the Missionary Apostles of Christ in the Eucharist (MACE ).

Sr. Marlene Aquino, MACE, led a presentation on Eucharistic devotions to open the fall 2024 Awaken series. (Photo by Astrid Alas)

Fr. Gerard Cooper, rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, continued the focus on prayer Oct. 30 with a presentation on the Divine Mercy devotion established through the revelations given to St. Faustina Kowalska.

Awaken series presenter Fr. Gerard Cooper stands with the Divine Mercy image of Jesus Oct. 30. (Photo by Astrid Alas)

Marian devotions were explored by Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity Nov. 13, while Fr. Daniel Yasinski, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Saskatoon, concluded the fall 2024 Awaken series on Nov. 20 with a presentation on “The Grace of Indulgences.”

During a session on Marian devotions, Awaken presenter Sr. Malou Tibayan, VDMF, stands next to a painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Catholic artist Michael O’Brien. (Photo by Astrid Alas)

The next Awaken four-part module will be held in the New Year.  “Gospel Encounters with Jesus” will be presented 7 p.m. on four Tuesday evenings – Feb. 18, Feb. 25, March 4, and March 11. Cost is $40 for all four sessions. (To register online visit the Jotform link.) Speakers and locations are:

  • Feb. 18 – Fr. David Tumback at St. Patrick Parish, 3339 Centennial Drive, Saskatoon;
  • Feb. 25 – Fr. Gerard Cooper at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon (second floor of the Cathedral of the Holy Family);
  • March 4 – Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the Catholic Pastoral Centre;
  • March 11 – Sr. Marta Piano, VDMF, at the Catholic Pastoral Centre.

For more information about Awaken, contact Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas at (306) 659-5858 or amalas@rcdos.ca.

Awaken series photos:

Fr. Daniel Yasinski explored indulgences Nov. 20. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Astrid Alas is Adult Faith Coordinator in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

(Photo by Astrid Alas)

 

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

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Adult Faith, Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.

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