Diocesan CWL convention held in Saskatoon on April 26, Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel

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By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) members from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon held their 89th diocesan convention April 26 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, hosted by several local CWL councils.

The 2025 convention coincided with both the feast day of CWL patron Our Lady of Good Counsel, and the day of Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome. Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen during the day-long 89th annual convention was therefore also a diocesan memorial celebration for the late pontiff, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

In addition to greetings, reports, speakers, displays, prayer and annual business, the convention included commissioning of a new diocesan CWL executive: President Edna Hodgson, Vice-President Charlene Genkens, Treasurer Yvonne Wiesner, Faith Chair Ida Rose Wilde, Service Chair Wendy De Sa, and Social Justice Chair Diane Coté.

An installation of officers for the new executive of the Saskatoon Diocesan Council of the CWL was held at the conclusion of the 2025 convention (l-r): Social Justice Chair Diane Coté, Treasurer Yvonne Wiesner, Faith Chair Ida Rose Wilde, Vice President Charlene Genkens, Service Chair Wendy De Sa, President Edna Hodgson, Past-President Marion Laroque, outgoing Past President Audrey Zimmerman, and Saskatchewan Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Welcome and Opening

CWL members welcomed convention participants to the Cathedral of the Holy Family April 26, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Registration table for the diocesan CWL convention in Saskatoon April 26, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The program opened with a welcome from chair of the convention committee, Wendy LaFleche, who is the president of the CWL council at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, followed by an opening procession to bring in the flags of Canada, the province, and various levels and councils of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.

President Marion Laroque offered a land acknowledgment of Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis, reflecting on her own family history in the province, so closely intertwined with the treaty relationship that connects all people on this land. “We are all treaty people,” she affirmed, before introducing special guests, including Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

Wendy De Sa then led the opening prayer, before a number of special guests brought greetings.

Cathy LaFleche, president of the CWL council at the Cathedral of the Holy Family welcomed particpants to the 89th annual diocesan convention of the Catholic Women’s League held at the Saskatoon Cathedral April 26, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Flag bearers during the opening procession of the 89th annual diocesan CWL convention. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Wendy De Sa led the opening prayer for the diocesan CWL convention (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon brought greetings and thanks to the diocesan CWL convention April 26 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

In his greetings to the 89th annual diocesan CWL convention, Bishop Mark Hagemoen expressed his profound thanks to CWL members for their faith, witness, and service. “May God bless you, the CWL, as you continue to reflect, preach by your words but also very much by your ministry and life what it means to be an Easter people. I want to underscore the Pilgrimage of Hope theme for this Jubilee Year, and …the CWL theme ‘Who am I, Send Me’ from Isaiah. Many of you have said that for years.”

He thanked members for their generosity and hope in responding to God’s call and many areas of ministerial life an need in the diocese and beyond.

“I thank you for being the occasion of hosting the memorial Mass for Pope Francis in our diocese today,” the bishop said. “Not just accommodating it, but celebrating it. It means a lot and Pope Francis has a considerable impact on the diocese and here in Canada, and on all of you and your pastoral work.”

Greetings were also brought to the diocesan convention by Grand Knight Roland LaFleche of the Holy Family Knights of Columbus council, who thanked the CWL for more than a century of collaboration and partnership with the Knights of Columbus. “Thanks especially to the CWL for standing up with us in support of life,” he said.

MLA Hugh Gordon brought greetings, thanking the CWL for “countless contributions,” includimg work on raising awareness about human trafficking. “Thank you for all you do for Saskatchewan.”

Roland LaFleche of Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council #8215 brought greetings to the CWL convention April 26 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Provincial CWL President Helen Kayfish was another special guest, speaking to League members about the decision of the national organization to continue with a structure that includes diocesan councils. “I encourage you to keep going strong into the future,” she said. “Keep on answering the call of God.”

Prince Albert Diocesan CWL President Shirley Lamoureux and and Regina Diocesan CWL president Linda Maddaford also brought greetings.

Four organizations offering hope

A number of featured organizations and initiatives were highlighted by guest speakers.

Tracy Boyle of Hope’s Home described the non-profit organization’s history and calling to support families by providing medially-inclusive childcare “where kids with complex medical and typical needs can learn, grow, and thrive together.”

Hope’s Home supports families in Regina, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Warman. Supportive Living Home beds for children with complex needs are available in Regina, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, and Early Learning and Child Care Centres are open in Regina, Prince Albert, and Warman, with two child care centres set underway in Saskatoon.

Staff at Hope’s Home Early Learning and Child Care Centres include nurses, early childhood educators, physical development consultants, recreation programmers, and developmental workers. Boyle described the huge impact of the Hope’s Home services on children and families dealing with complex medical issues that have prevented participation in other pre-school programs or day care centres.

Tracy Boyle, Philanthropy Manager for Hope’s Home spoke at the CWL convention about early learning and child care services for children with complex medical needs. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Kendra Mazer of Hope Restored Canada described the Saskatoon-based organization’s outreach supporting sexually exploited and trafficked women and youth, as well as efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking in our local communities, signs of exploitation, and how to help.

Hope Restored provides holistic recovery and supports to help individuals fleeing sexual exploitation to start a new life, including a residence and a range of counselling services. A vital piece of the organization’s work is to partner with other agencies, services, and organizations in the community who are also responding to the scourge of human trafficking. “When we all come together collectively, it makes it much easier to respond.”

She noted that the average age of entry for a victim of sexual exploitation and human tafficking is just 13 years old. Increasing awareness about the reality of the crime will help ensure other young people are not at risk, she added.

Kendra Mazer of Hope Restored Canada spoke about the services and outreach offered to victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Catholic Women’s League members Anne Ashcroft and Diane Coté also spoke about responding to human trafficking in our communities.

Ashcropt reported on the ongoing efforts of Saint Anne CWL to promote and encourage observation of Human Trafficking Awareness Day Feb. 22 – locally, nationally, and now provincially. Raising awareness is vital, she said, with many people shocked to learn that this happens right here in our own communities.

CWL efforts to raise awareness has also included workshops and presentations, focused on sharing resources about how to spot human trafficking, and what practical steps can be taken to help in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Anne Ashcroft of Saint Anne, Saskatoon CWL council spoke about efforts around human trafficking awareness. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Coté described the work of IWIN (I’m Worth It Now) initiative, and the partnership of IWIN with the CWL which includes providng backpacks of supplies for those who are fleeing situations of human trafficking. “Often they walk away with nothing,” she said, describing the essentials included in the back pack, as well as a prayer bracelet that ensures the recipient that someone is praying for them. IWIN also offers a Red Sand prayer liturgy for groups and parishes, to raise awareness and to pray for victims of human trafficking.

Diane Cote spoke about the CWL partnership with the IWIN initiative, which provides backpacks of basic supplies for those fleeing human trafficking and sexual exploitation. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Celebration of Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen

On the day that Pope Francis was laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Bishop Hagemoen presided at the diocesan Memorial Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon to pray for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father, joining members from the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) from across the diocese attending the convention.

CWL members provided music ministry, proclaimed the readings, and carried up the offertory gifts at the celebration.

In his homily, the bishop reflected on the life, ministry, and impact of Pope Francis. “All our popes are men who take very seriously the good news of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of Christ in particular,” the bishop said.

“It’s interesting how Pope Francis build on Pope Benedict XVI,” he noted. “Pope Benedict talked about performative hope — hope that is real because it points to a future based on a trajectory of the past and the present and Pope Francis really took that to heart and he has been a real ‘pope of hope’ … who has really emphasized the gospel of hope and also the gospel of mercy and forgiveness that is not just one way to interpret God but in Pope Francis’s language, is the lens to interpret everything about God.”

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at a diocesan Memorial Mass for Pope Francis April 26 – the same day that his funeral was held in Rome. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The bishop added: “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the crucifix, if it wasn’t for the fact that although he was in the form of God (says our second reading) Jesus did not deem being equal to God as something to be taken advantage but he emptied, emptied, emptied himself all the way.” This is what ultimately inspired Pope Francis, said Hagemoen.

The bishop went on to reflect on other themes of Pope Francis’ papacy, including fraternity and dialogue (summarized in the document Fratelli Tutti), care for creation. (Laudato Si’ and Laudato Deum), and youth (Christus Vivit), and emphasized, particularly in the Syond on Synodality, the importance of how we walk together as followers of Jesus Christ.

The late pope’s overarching concern for the poor, for those on the margins, for migrants and refugees has also had a lasting impact in the diocese and beyond, said Hagemoen.

Finally he reflected on the powerful penitential pilgrimage that a determined Pope Francis made to Canada in 2022 to meet with Indigenous Peoples in this land, and to apologize for the Church’s role in residential schools.

“His heart for Indigenous people and (addressing) the history not just in Canada but in the world of the encounters with other colonizing nations was a great concern to him and he did something that was very powerful.” As a religious leader, Pope Francis’ apology for the sins committed against Indigenous Peoples was “powerful language,” especially for those who heard his words at Maskwacis during his visit to Alberta, said Hagemoen

“There’s a phrase that the pope recently used that for me sort of summed up where we go from here: ‘if we allow Jesus to take us by the hand no experience or failure or sorrow however painful will have the last word on the meaning and destiny of our lives.Henceforth if we allow ourselves to be raised up by the risen Lord no setback, no suffering, no death will be able to halt ur progress towards the fullness of life. Let us welcome Jesus, the God of life.'”

In saying yes to Christ, “no stone will block the way to our hearts, no tomb will suppress the joy of life, and no difficulty or failure will doom us to despair,” he added.

“We pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis: for the repose of his soul on this day of his funeral. We thank God for his papal leadership, we thank God for his blessing to the church and in the world, and we say as a people of God together: well done good and faithful servant. May your good deeds go before you, may you rest in the peace and light of Christ and may this peace and light not only receive Pope Francis but motivate us.”

CWL member Wendy Dale led the music ministry for the Memorial Mass on Aug. 26, the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel, patron saint of the Catholic Women’s League — she sang a hymn in honour of the Feast Day as worshippers assembled. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Marion Laroque of the Diocesan Catholic Women’s League executive proclaims the first reading at the diocesan Memorial Mass held April 26 to pray for Pope Francis. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Leading the Psalm at the Memorial Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Diane Cote of the Diocesan Catholic Women’s League executive proclaims the second reading at the diocesan Memorial Mass held April 26 to pray for Pope Francis. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Members of the Catholic Women’s League who were gathered at the cathedral for their diocesan convention joined in the Memorial Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Catholics from many parishes across the diocese also attended the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis held April 26 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A number of priests joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen to concelebrate the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis April 26 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Guest speaker and presentations

After celebration of Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen, the CWL convention program continued, with special guest speaker Sr. Cindy Lewans, PM, bringing an inspiring message of hope about connecting with those living with dementia.

Sr. Cindy Lewans, PM, was a guest speaker at the CWL convention, speaking about “Connecting with People Living with Dementia.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Diocesan Spiritual Advisor Fr. John Abbas-Bonsu and Provincial Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen also spoke, and convention business continued with treasurer’s report, review of other reports and presentations, and finally an invitation to the next diocesan convention, to be held in Rosetown, at St. Theresa Parish.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to hosting councils, and the commissioning of the new executive was held to conclude the 89th annual convention.

Representatives of St. Theresa, Rosetown CWL invited members to the 2026 convention to be held in their community. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Francis Hengen, provincial CWL Spiritual Advisor (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Newly-elected diocesan CWL President was commissioned at the convention, along with other executive members. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Past-President Marion Roque passes on the role of Diocesan CWL President to President Edna Hodgson of St. Bruno Parish, Bruno, SK. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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

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