“Turn Debt Into Hope” – Share Lent 2025 message from the bishop of Saskatoon

Share Lent 2025 during this Jubilee Year has as its theme "Turn Debt Into Hope." Bishop Mark Hagemoen has written a message about the Development and Peace - Caritas Canada campaign, encouraging donations on Solidarity Sunday April 6. (Image from devp.org)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski March 20, 2025

Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has written a message of support for “Turn Debt into Hope” Share Lent 2025. Bishop’s Share Lent message – PDF

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The theme of this year’s Share Lent campaign is Turn Debt into Hope. This inspires and challenges us to reflect on God’s call to us all to live the way of righteousness by how we care for one another, and especially the poorest and most unfortunate in our global human communities.

The Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is from St. John the Evangelist. Jesus responds to the intention of the scribes and Pharisees to carry out a severe and final punishment for the sinful acts of a woman. Jesus’s famous response – “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.” All God’s people need His mercy, forgiveness, and help. We are also reminded in the First Reading by the Prophet Isaiah, “I am about to do a new thing: I will give drink to my chosen people.” The prophet is addressing God’s promise to deliver Israel from exile to a new exodus to freedom and new life.

This Lent we can support the Share Lent 2025 appeal by holding in our hearts and prayers those peoples who strive to make progress and break free from historical and current economic burdens that weigh heavy on their ability to move forward. In particular, we hold in prayer our sisters and brothers in the Global South who face insurmountable debt for which they are not responsible

I join with my brother bishops in Canada by asking the following:

  • Encouraging the parishes of our diocese to give generously to Share Lent;
  • Signing the global petition calling for the cancellation of unjust debts, a reform of the international financial system, and the creation of a comprehensive debt framework within the United Nations.

Through this campaign may we show forth the compassion and justice of Our Lord through our acts of awareness, engagement and solidarity.

I appreciate Bishop William McGrattan’s (CCCB President) recent citing of Pope Francis’s reminder to us all:

“If we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, let us commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts, and feeding the hungry.”

Let us support the Turn Debt into Hope appeal by a renewed commitment to have the same mind and heart as Christ Jesus – who holds in His Sacred Heart all peoples of our world.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops again designates the Fifth Sunday of Lent as Solidarity Sunday when our annual Share Lent collection will be taken up.  On Sunday, April 6, I ask you to please be generous in donating to Development and Peace / Caritas Canada.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Mark A. Hagemoen, Bishop of Saskatoon

Related:

Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina – Message about Share Lent – PDF

Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert – PDF of Share Lent message – English / French

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada resources:

To donate online: Click here

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