By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

An Awaken series about “Gospel Encounters with Jesus” and a Lenten ‘Surrender” retreat have been among the winter season adult faith formation offerings in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

The four-part Awaken series in February and March 2025 featured four different speakers reflecting on various scripture passages revealing how the life and teachings of Jesus Christ have the power to transform and enrich our lives, said diocesan Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas. Each session included time for prayer.

The series began Feb. 18 at St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon, with pastor Fr. David Tumback reflecting on Chapter 21 in the Gospel of John, where Peter affirms three times his love of Christ, and the resurrected Lord in turn asks him to “feed my sheep.” The message for every Christian is that to love Christ is to persevere in following him, said Tumback.

Fr. Gerard Cooper, rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Family, presented the second session in the series on Feb. 25 at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, exploring the Gospel passage from Luke 24:13-35 with the disciples walking with Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, which illustrates how Christ’s followers move from being strangers to friends, and are not left alone.

In the third session March 4, Bishop Mark Hagemoen explored what Jesus reveals to us in the “Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Elder Brother” in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke.

The winter Awaken series concluded March 11, with Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, reflecting on the loving mercy of Jesus Christ revealed in the Gospel passage about the woman caught in adultery in Chapter 8 of the Gospel of John.

Lenten retreat

“Surrender” was the theme of an adult faith Lenten retreat held March 15 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, with prayer and reflection led by Fr. Gerard Cooper.

He reflected on the call to rely fully on God, rather than our own ego, ability and plans. “Have we ever thought that we owe all of our successes to our merciful God?”

Difficulties, struggles and suffering can bring us to an awareness of the truth of our dependence on God, and not ourselves. “We should look at these experiences in the light of faith, not as difficulties, but as things that we should consider helpful, because they push us into the arms of Christ, and enable us to turn to Him for help.”

 

Upcoming adult faith events

The adult faith ministry year continues in the weeks ahead, with a number of events to be offered in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

An Encounter event entitled “Oasis” will be held 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon  (Oasis Registration – LINK). It will include testimonies from those who took part in a recent adult faith mission trip introducing the Called and Gifted program to Catholic communities in the Philippines. “Oasis” will also include Eucharistic Adoration, and the opportunity for confession. “Oasis will be a time to gather, share in the fruits of faith, and draw closer to God together,” said Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas.

A third annual diocesan women’s breakfast — Feminine Genius III — will be held 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday May 14 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, with Verbum Dei Missionary Sr. Malou Tibayan continuing her reflections on the gifts that women bring to the Catholic Church and to the world (Feminine Genius Registration – LINK).

An annual diocesan “Continuing the Walk” presentation about truth and reconciliation this year will take the form of a one-day Returning to Spirit “Seeds of Reconciliation” workshop to be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon (Seeds of Reconciliation Registration – LINK). “Participants will discover the ability to be at peace with themselves, others, and the world no matter what the circumstance,” describes Myron Rogal, diocesan Coordinator of Justice and Peace. “This workshop offers a unique opportunity for clergy, lay leadership, educators, and those holding leadership positions in the wider community to become masters at reconciliation building.”

A “Date Night” event for engaged and married couples entitled “The Friend Zone” will be held 7 p.m. Saturday, May 24 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon (Date Night Registration – LINK). The relaxed evening will explore embracing friendship as a pathway to intimacy for couples, described Marilyn Jackson, diocesan Director of Ministry Services.

 

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