By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Participants in the diocesan Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education (IPL) Program presented their final projects at a wind-up gathering May 31, 2025 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon online program is led by Indigeous and non-Indigenous leaders and facilitators modelling respectful relationships, focused on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous Peoples and the church.
During the retreat day, Bishop Mark Hagemoen also reflected on the program and presided at celebration of the Eucharist at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
The bishop and program coordinator Adrienne Castellon presented diploma certificates to those who completed all eight modules of the online program.
Other speakers during the day-long celebration included young adult Maximilian Connelly, an alumni of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, SK, who reflected on his experience of service and mission in the northern diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, NWT. Participants also visited St. Thomas More College (STM) for a presentation on truth and reconciliation by Deacon Harry Lafond, STM Indigenous Scholar.
IPL diplomas for completing all eight modules, including a final field study, were presented to Chandra Behrenz, Elaine Callow, Wendy Dale, Nicole Gursky, Margy Hitchcock, Marilyn Kotylak, Carmen Lopez Folan, Marcelle Marion, Pat Schiller, and Cheryl Unruh.
Video excerpts from the IPL wind-up day:
Photos:
IPL participants listen to the final project presentations. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Wendy Dale. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL participants listen to the final project presentations. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Wendy Dale. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentations, reflections, and prayer were part of the wind-up celebration for IPL. May 31, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Chandra Behrenz. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Ferdinand Gemoh, Parish Life Director at Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous Catholic Parish in Saskatoon, at the IPL wind-up day May 31, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL Coordinator Adrienne Castellon (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Nicole Gursky. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Nicole Gursky. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by Nicole Gursky. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by Marilyn Kotylak. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by Cheryl Unruh. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Marcelle Marion. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Final project presentation by participant Marcelle Marion. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
During a presentation on Zoom, young adult graduate of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, reflected on his outreach and service in the northern Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, with additional insights from Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
During a presentation on Zoom, young adult graduate of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, reflected on his outreach and service in the northern Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, with additional insights from Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Cheryl Unruh (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Elaine Callow (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Marcelle Marion (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Marilyn Kotylak (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Chandra Behrenz (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL participant Chandra Behrenz was joined by her family during the presentation of IPL diplomas May 31, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Nicole Gursky (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL leaders (l-r) Fr. Joseph Salihu, Adrienne Castellon, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Participant Wendy Dale (centre) received her IPL diploma from Bishop Mark Hagemoen and IPL facilitator Cristin Dorgan Lee. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass during the IPL retreat day. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Mass in the Queen of Peace Chapel on May 31, 2025, during the IPL retreat day. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Mass in the Queen of Peace Chapel on May 31, 2025, during the IPL retreat day. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL participants visited St. Thomas More College during the wind-up day May 31 for a presentation by STM Indigenous Scholar Deacon Harry Lafond. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL participants visited St. Thomas More College during the wind-up day May 31 for a presentation by STM Indigenous Scholar Deacon Harry Lafond. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
IPL participants visited St. Thomas More College during the wind-up day May 31 for a presentation by STM Indigenous Scholar Deacon Harry Lafond. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Deacon Harry Lafond, St. Thomas More College Indigenous Scholar (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.
Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.