Divine Mercy Chapel blessed at KC Charities seniors’ residences Columbian Manor and Columbian Village

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

The new Divine Mercy Chapel that connects Columbian Manor with the new Columbian Village was blessed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen during celebration of Mass on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr. Ken Beck, Fr. Emile April, Fr. Michel Bedard, and Fr. Denis Phaneuf con-celebrated Holy Eucharist with the Bishop for the Divine Mercy Chapel blessing and dedication Sept. 8, 2025.

“We are gathered here with great joy to dedicate this chapel to God,” the bishop said at the beginning of the celebration at the entrance to the chapel, before blessing the walls of the building and all those assembled. The altar was blessed later in the celebration, right before the start of the Eucharistic prayer.

Assisted by Fr. Denis Phaneuf, Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the altar of the Divine Mercy Chapel. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

In his homily Hagemoen congratulated and thanked the Knights of Columbus of KC Charities for “their vision, support, and hard work” and most especially in making the chapel a priority as part of construction of the new seniors’ residence in southeast Saskatoon, stressing how important it is “to have a holy place like this to celebrate God’s work in the world.”

“To make a decision to take this square footage, and make it a place of worship is a great commitment by the Knights,” said the bishop. “As we celebrate this special day, this feast day, the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we give thanks for Mary’s accompaniment of us… she is a model for us, not only as one who is holy and brings forth the Saviour, but she is a model for us of seeking Christ in all things. And this is a building dedicated to God’s people seeking Christ in all things.”

“In this chapel, may you be anointed every time you come here and pray, about God’s life and God’s call to you. This is a holy and a special place, not just because God is here in a special way but because he has an anointing, a blessing, a message, an affirmation to give you every time you come here to praise and worship him.”

Spiritual Care Committee Convener Sophie Lachapelle spoke at the conclusion of Mass, offering thanks to all involved in the celebration and in the project itself. “What a blessing!” she said of the commitment by so many to enriching the lives of Columbian Manor and Columbian Village residents.

The chapel project was funded by many donations from families and individuals, including from major donors Les and Irene Dubé and the Bob and Irene Jeanneau family. “”We are forever grateful for their assistance in reaching our fund-raising goal,” she said, also acknowledging the assistance of Don Gorsalitz of DCG Philanthropic Services in the fund-raising campaign.

Lachapelle thanked the priests who live and serve at Columbian Manor and Columbian Village, saying “for our priests, who lead and guide us every day — we have Fr. Denis Phaneuf, Fr. Emile April, Fr. Michel Bedard, Fr. Ken Beck, and also Monsignor Raymond Senger, who now lives next door at St. Ann’s. And mostly we want to remember Monsignor Stan Urbanoski, who is now deceased; but he first suggested the name for our chapel, and in memory of all the other priests who have served us here from day one of Columbian Manor… and we give thanks for all the residents who come to daily Mass. They are our lifeline to peaceful hearts.”

She also acknowledged Monique Feist who made rosaries given to all those in attendance at the chapel blessing. “They are blessed, so you know they are ready to go!”

A reception in community rooms of both Columbian Village and Columbian Manor followed the Mass.

RELATED: Columbian Village serniors’ residence officially opened: LINK

Photos:

Celebrants gather at the entrance of the new chapel for the blessing prayers that opened the Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Those assembled for the blessing of the new chapel were sprinkled with holy water during the opening of the celebration Sept. 8, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Michel Bedard, Fr. Emile April, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, and Fr. Denis Phaneuf (l-r) begin the blessing prayers at the start of the celebration to bless the new Divine Mercy Chapel that serves the residents at Columbian Manor and Columbian Village in southeast Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(L-R): Fr. Michel Bedard, Fr. Emile April, Bishp Mark Hagemoen, and Fr. Denis Phaneuf at the start of the celebration to bless the new Divine Mercy Chapel. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the Eucharistic celebration at which the Divine Mercy Chapel was blessed. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Guy Belliveau proclaimed the first reading. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sr. Marlene Aquino, MACE, proclaimed the Psalm. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Emile April proclaimed the Gospel. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The new chapel was full for the chapel blessing celebration Sept. 8, on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The new Divine Mercy Chapel is located between the original seniors’ residence Columbian Manor and the new addition, Columbian Manor, located on Louise Street in southeast Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sophie Lachapelle, Spiritual Care Convener (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.