By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

The office of Adult Faith Formation in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon concluded another year with an evening of reflection, prayer, and refreshments — as well as time to rest in the Lord during Eucharistic adoration.

“Oasis” was held April 29 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, opening with a welcome from cathedral rector Fr. Gerard Cooper, who reflected on the year of formation, learning and encounter experienced by participants in various adult faith events hosted by the diocese, with support from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

“Tonight is a time to really listen, to pray… a time of meditation on the work that God is doing in our lives,” he said of the Oasis evening. “Indeed our lives are an encounter… and we come also for adoration, a time of quiet to drink deeply from the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.”

The Oasis program began with testimonies from those who participated in a diocesan mission trip to introduce the Called and Gifted discernment program to Catholics in the Philippines in January 2025.

The Called and Gifted™ Discernment Process from the Catherine of Siena Institute is designed to help Christians discern the presence of charisms (God’s gifts) in their lives and to determine how they are being called to use those gifts to build up God’s kingdom. Find more information about Called and Gifted in the diocese of Saskatoon: LINK.

Diocesan Called and Gifted coordinator Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, described the vision and planning behind the January 2025 mission trip, which was undertaken to introduce the discernment process from the Catherine of Siena Institute. “I believe it is the most effective tool in helping people form their missionary identity,” Tibayan said.

Highlights of the month-long outreach in the Philippines included seeing the missionary spirit of the diocesan team and experiencing the prayerful spirit of collaboration and Christian community that they shared during the trip, she said.

Sr. Malou Tibayan also expressed appreciation for all those who supported the trip, including the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation, and the Filipino Catholic community of Saskatoon, and all those who prayed for the success of the trip. “We are all partners working together in God’s mission field,” she said.

In their testimony about the mission trip, Brenda and Jim Tryhuba of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish described sharing faith, and the joy of building spiritual connections with the people of the Philippines; creating a network for God.

Together the team shared the challenges and the joys, said Brenda of the journey that included “so much fun and lots of laughs,” learning the meaning of “more or less” in the Filipino culture; and growing in humility and trust in the Lord.

The two Verbum Dei missionary centres where the team offered Called and Gifted workshops – at Pasig and at Tagaytay — were very different, but both radiated the presence and peacefulness of God, she noted.

“The mission trip has given us a sense of purpose and a zeal to bring Called and Gifted to people in the diocese,” said Brenda.

“Coming back, we are stronger as Christians – not as scared or as timid,” added Jim.

Mission team member Anne Williams stressed the unity experienced by the team – a unity which is “always the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Everyone did their part throughout the month of living in close quarters, bringing different backgrounds, personalities, and unique gifts to one common purpose, Williams added. “The Holy Spirit united us together, and gave us one mind and one heart for mission.”

 

For Cameron Choquette, the experience on the mission team confirmed for him the importance of faith and mission, and that “there is more to life than work.”

“A lot of trust is required to fly across the world with strangers,” he admitted. The inter-generational friendships and bonding experienced on the team was powerful: “Charisms manifest themselves a lot more in a community where you are loved and welcomed,” he said. “Our faith grew in community.”

The importance of community in the Phillipines was also very evident, shown in the importance of sharing meals, and the great concern that no one would eat alone, he said. “Christian community is the heart of where our faith grows, and we can’t do this alone.”

 

“Don’t be afraid to love one another in Christ,” echoed Astrid Alas, a mission team member and the diocesan Adult Faith coordinator. “All cultures are beautiful… but when we are together, working together, sharing together, it is like a big family.”

She recalled the many ways she was touched by the people she met in the Philippines – whose “hearts are overflowing with love” — and described the connection of shared devotion that came when she received a small box to hold a beloved tiny image of the Child Jesus. “It represents in its simplicity, how something small can hold so much greatness inside.”

“We are trying to do that tonight at Oasis,” Alas added. “We want to try and  make sure you are filled with the Holy Spirit… like another small container that is filled up with Him.”

 

 

After a time of hospitality and refreshments that included Filipino “finger food” and other treats, the Oasis event continued with Eucharistic Adoration led by Fr. Gerard Cooper, and musical worship led by Matthew Marcoux.

 

 

 

 

 

“In the upcoming year new and exciting programs are being offered,” said Alas after the first-ever Oasis evening. “Thank you to all participants, presenters, and volunteers who continue to support and be part of Adult Faith Formation,” she said.

The 2024-25 ministry year has included two Awaken series, an “Enkindle” retreat during Advent, and a “Surrender” retreat during Lent, as well as two Feminine Genius movie nights, a Feminine Genius women’s breakfast, and ongoing “Called & Gifted” discernment sessions held at several parishes in the diocese.

 

RELATED:  

Mission trip a humbling and inspiring experience – ARTICLE

Called and Gifted presented in the Philippines by Saskatoon team – ARTICLE

“Pilgrims of Hope” mission trip initiated in diocese of Saskatoon – ARTICLE

 

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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 .