Annual barbecue marks beginning of summer for clergy serving in the diocese of Saskatoon

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

An annual barbecue for clergy in the Roman Catholic diocese of Saskatoon was held July 8, once again hosted, organized and presented by parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Martensville, with support from the Knights of Columbus.

Priests from across the diocese gathered at a local acreage north of Saskatoon for games, refreshments, and a barbecue supper with all the fixings.

“This day means a lot to our priests, as a real celebration marking the beginning of summer,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

Praying grace before the meal, the bishop gave thanks for the “wonderful fellowship” and “for the acknowledgement of our priesthood” as well as for the food and all those who prepared it.”

During the meal, MC Kevin Higgins reflected on the impact of priests on the lives of countless people over many decades as he announced those celebrating milestone anniversaries of priestly ordination – beginning by acknowledging the priest who was most recently ordained in October 2024, Fr Luke Van Tam Tran, and concluding with the 60th anniversary of Fr. Denis Phaneuf and Msgr. Raymond Senger, celebrated on June 5.

Other milestone ordination anniversaries this year for priests in the diocese (many of whom were also present at the barbecue) acknowledged by Higgins were:

60 years – Fr. Paul Fachet, OMI (Dec. 12 , 1965)
50 years – Fr. Ken Beck (April 26, 1975) and Msgr. Don Vito Pavilando (June 29, 1975)
35 years – Bishop Mark Hagemoen (May 12, 1990)
30 years – Fr. David Tumback and Fr. Rheal Bussiere (both ordained on June 23, 1995)
25 years – Fr. Jerome Ogunleye (Aug. 3, 2000)
20 years – Fr. Bassim Shoni (May 27, 2005) and Fr. Paul Oshin (Aug. 5, 2005)
15 years – Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo (July 10, 2010) and Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu (Aug, 21, 2010)
10 years – Fr. Prince Sarpong (July 18, 2015) and Fr. Greg Smith-Windsor (June 19, 2015)

On behalf of the clergy, Fr. Kevin McGee, pastor of St. Mary, Saskatoon and diocesan Vicar General, thanked the hosts, volunteers, and supporters who made the event possible.

“What we give time for and what we celebrate shows what we consider important,” said McGee “What this is saying is that priesthood and leadership in the Church is important – but it is not about us… it is about the priesthood that serves the community,” he said. “Thank you for recognizing that… we are very happy, delighted, and honoured to be here.”

Photo gallery:

Clergy, hosts, volunteers, parishioners, Knights of Columbus members, and diocesan staff gathered for a group photo before the barbecue supper. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Priests from across the diocese played a game of soccer during the Clergy Barbecue July 8. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo (left) and Seminarian Huy Le pursue the ball during the pre-supper soccer game. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Colin Roy (left) moves in as Fr. Prince Sarpong takes aim. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Greg Roth, Fr. John Abban-Bonsu, Seminarian Huy Le, and Fr. Colin Roy (left to right) watch as the ball gets through the “goal posts” during the pre-supper soccer scrimmage. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi showed his soccer expertise. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Seminarian Huy Le considers his aim. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. John Abban-Bonsu reacts to a soccer move. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Soccer action included altar servers and parishioners from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Martensville. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Habila Musa demonstrates volleyball moves as Seminarian Huy Le looks on. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Board games were also played during the summer afternoon: (l-r) Fr. Paul Oshin, Fr. Jerome Ogunleye, Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Enjoying the shade: (l-r) Msgr. Don Vito Pavilando, Fr. Benedict Arakkal, and Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. John Ezeoruonye visits with Riah De Mesa and Rita Flaman Jarrett (l-r) of the Catholic Pastoral Centre admin team. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fellowship, refreshments, games, and supper were part of the appreciation event organized by Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish volunteers for priests from across the diocese: (l-r) Fr. Peter Ebidero (pastor at Langham and Martensville); Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu (pastor at Wynyard, Wishart, Foam Lake, and Lanigan); Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC (pastor at Wilkie, Handel and Leipzig); Fr. Benedict Arakkal (hospital chaplain); Fr. Emile April (retired). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen chats with diocesan seminarian Huy Le during the July 8 clergy barbecue. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Retired diocesan priest Fr. Ralph Kleiter visits with diocesan Coordinator of Hospital Chaplaincy Jacqueline Saretsky. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

From left to right: Fr. Prince Sarpong (pastor of parishes at Leader, Liebenthal, Fox Valley and Richmound), Rita Flaman Jarrett (a staff member at the diocesan Catholic Pastoral Centre); and Fr. Charles Nweze (pastor at Kerrobert, Luseland, Major and Dodsland). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Emile April and Fr. Habila Musa visiting during the Clergy Barbecue July 8. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Knights of Columbus State Deputy Marte Clemente Nogot (left) plays a board game with Fr. Jerome Ogunleye (pastor of parishes at Wadena, Kelvington, Lintlaw, Fosston, and Perigord). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Charles Nweze and Fr. Darryl Millette (l-r) share some friendly banter even though their caps represent competing teams. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Visiting in the tent sent up for the annual Clergy Barbecue on the grounds of an acreage north of Saskatoon (l-r): Fr. Greg Roth, Fr. Joseph Thazhathemuriyil, VC, and Msgr Raymond Senger. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Ralph Kleiter and Fr. Jerome Ogunleye (l-r). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen thanked volunteers who organized the annual Clergy Barbecue. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Left to right: Riah De Mesa (Executive Assistant to the Bishop); Marte Clemente Nogot (Knights of Columbus State Deputy); and Fr. Arnold Bolima (pastor at Asquith and parochial vicar at St. Patrick, Saskatoon). (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett)

(Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett)

Volunteers cooked the meal for the Clergy Barbecue July 8. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Volunteers set out the food for the supper. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC Kevin Higgins expressed gratitude for the ministry of priests across the diocese. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Luke Van Tam Tran stands as he is acknowledged as the most-recently ordained priest in the diocese. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Milestone anniversaries were acknowledged during the supper. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Denis Phaneuf (right) raises a cap to acknowledge applause for his 60th anniversary of ordination. Also acknowledged was Msgr. Raymond Senger (centre) for his 60th anniversary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Knights of Columbus representative Adrien Piche holds up a history book, which was then presented to Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Adrien Piche (left) presents a history book to Bishop Hagemoen during the supper program. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Kevin McGee (standing at right) thanked those who organized, prepared, and served the dinner, speaking on behalf of the clergy. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Hagemoen (left) presented notes of thanks to organizers, including Fr. Peter Ebidero, pastor of parishes at Martensville and Langham. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Altar servers helped clear the tables and serve dessert. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

v\Altar servers helped clear the tables and serve dessert. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Altar servers helped clear the tables and serve dessert. (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.

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