Recently-arrived priests welcomed and supported through diocese’s Enculturation Week program

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

An Enculturation Week for international “Fidei Donum” clergy who have recently arrived to serve in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was held Oct. 6 to 10, providing orientation and welcome, including information about life in Canada, and an overview of diocesan structures, ministry, safeguarding, truth and reconciliation, as well as community services and supports.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomed recently-arrived priests to open Enculturation Week in the diocese of Ssakatoon (l-r): Fr. Michael Magaji, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, and Fr. Peter Ebidero, the Bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum International Priests. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomed the priests and their mentors on Day 1, expressing his thanks for responding to the call to serve the People of God in the diocese, and offering an overview of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and its goal to “Proclaim Christ and the Kingdom of God Today” through several key priorities.

In addition to presentations by a range of guest speakers, the week also included tours, social gatherings, prayer, and participation in a diocesan Fall Congress Oct. 9 focused on accompaniment and mission.

Newly-arrived priests also spent time with host families, sharing meals and building connections.

The title “Fidei Donum” or “the Gift of Faith” hearkens back to a 1957 encyclical of Pope Pius XII seeking the cooperation of diocesan bishops to send priests to mission lands. The most-recent arrivals of missionary priests to the diocese of Saskatoon include priests from Nigeria, Ghana, and Eritrea.

Recently-arrived priests participating in the 2025 Enculturation Week are:

Michael Magaji, who is serving as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon;
Isaac Atta Mensah, who is serving as pastor at St. John Bosco Parish in Saskatoon and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vanscoy, as well as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon;
Frank Offin-Sekyere, who is serving as parochial vicar (associate pastor) at St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt; St. Peter Parish in Muenster, Holy Trinity Parish in Pilger; and St. Scholastica in Burr;
Tekie Kidane Michael, who is serving the Saskatoon Eritrean Catholic community from St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon.

Culture Night

A “Culture Night” Oct. 8 was hosted by the Eritrean Catholic community, with traditional food and demonstrations of prayer in song, dance, and drumming.

Master of Ceremonies Kevin Higgins introduced the four new priests, Bishop Mark Hagemoen brought words of appreciation on behalf of the diocese, and members of the Eritrean community also brought messages of gratitude and joy.

Community member Tsega Kibreab introduced the coffee ceremony that was part of the evening, explaining that it is “a sign of love, peace, and togetherness” in Eritrean culture.

“We prepare and offer coffee at every important moment – during marriages, feasts, and family gatherings, and even in times of sorrow — to comfort one another, to celebrate blessings, and to strengthen our unity,” she said. “It brings us joy after a long day of hard work in the fields or daily life, and reminds us that we are one family. Today, as we celebrate our Cultural Day, we offer this traditional coffee ceremony as a symbol of our gratitude and unity. It expresses our joy of being part of the Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, where our culture, faith, and traditions are respected and welcomed.”

The ceremony also expresses the joy of welcoming the four recently-arrived priests to the community, she added. “Thank you for saying “yes” to serve our community with love and faith.”

In response, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah spoke on behalf of the priests, saying “we have found more than a diocese to work with, we have found a home.”

Recently-arrived priests join the bishop in cutting the cake at a Culture Night held Oct. 8 in the diocese of Saskatoon as part of this year’s Enculturation Week (l-r): Fr. Michael Magaji, Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, and Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, with Fr. Peter Ebidero, the bishop’s delegate for international clergy looking on. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael (centre) and members of the Eritrean Catholic community offered prayer in song and action during the culture night held as part of the Enculturation Week. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Members of this year’s Enculturation Week committee included Fr. Peter Ebidero, the Bishop’s Delegate for Fidei Donum priests and pastor of parishes at Martensville and Langham; Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, pastor at Wynyard, Wishart, Foam Lake, and Lanigan; Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo, pastor at Cudworth, Middle Lake, and St. Benedict; Keith Schwark, Obiora Agu, Michelle Calanday, Vanessa Nyssen, Tirhas Gibremariam, Mark Kornder, and Matthew Courchene, Parish Life Director at St. John Bosco, Saskatoon, as well Rita Flamen Jarett and Riah de Mesa of the Catholic Pastoral Centre administration team.

Photo gallery – Enculturation Week 2025

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presentation:

Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomed recently-arrived priests on the first day of a diocesan Enculturation Week. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen provided an overview about the diocese, including the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and priorities. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen leads a session during Enculturation Week for new priests in the diocese. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Wanuskewin tour:

Visiting Wanuskewin during an Enculturation Week for recently-arrived priests. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Visiting Wanuskewin during an Enculturation Week for recently-arrived priests (l-r) Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, Fr. Peter Ebidero, Fr. Michael Magaji and Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael at Wanuskewin.

Visiting Wanuskewin during an Enculturation Week for recently-arrived priests. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Wanuskewin tour (l-r): Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, Fr. Peter Ebidero, Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, Fr. Issac Atta Mensah, Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, and Fr. Michael Magaji. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere at Wanuskewin. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael at Wanuskewin. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Wanuskewin tour during the Enculturation Week for recently-arrived priests in the diocese. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu at Wanuskewin. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Michael Magaji at Wanuskewin. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Wanuskewin tour during the Enculturation Week for recently-arrived priests in the diocese. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere at Wanuskewin. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu, and Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere (l-r) at Wanuskewin. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Culture Night hosted by the Eritrean Catholic community:

Tsega Kibreab of the Eritrean Catholic community in Saskatoon expressed thanks to the diocese and welcome to the four recently-arrived priests. She also explained the traditional coffee ceremony. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A traditional coffee ceremony was part of the culture night hosted by the Eritrean Catholic community. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Left to right: Fr. Michael Magaji, Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, and Fr. Peter Ebidero, the bishop’s delegate for international clergy (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen blesses the bread held by Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, who recently arrived in the diocese to serve the Eritrean Catholic community. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Serving the coffee after the traditional ceremony. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah spoke on behalf of the recently-arrived priests, thanking the diocese for the welcome. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael (left) and Fr. Stefano Penna (centre) joined in the dancing presented by the Eritrean Catholic community during a culture night Oct. 8. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fall Congress Day:

During the Enculturation Week Oct. 6-10, recently-arrived priests joined parish representatives from across the diocese for Fall Congress sessions with guest speaker Jean-Paul de Fleuriot. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Mass with Bishop:

Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrated Mass with the priests on the final day of the Enculturation Week program. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Cathoic Saskatoon News)

Mass on the last day of Enculturation Week, with Bishop Mark Hagemone presiding, was live-streamed. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Cathoic Saskatoon News)

Live-stream video of Oct. 10 Mass

Visit to Western Development Museum:

Visit to the Western Development Museum during the diocesan Enculturation Week (l-r): Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael, and mentor Fr. Peter Ebidero, the Bishop’s Delegate for International Clergy. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Recently-arrived priests learned some of Saskatchewan’s history at the Western Development Museum during a dicoesan Enculturation Week (l-r): Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, and Fr. Michael Magaji. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Enculturation Week included a tour of the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Frank Offin -Sekyere at the church building in the Western Development Museum street display. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Enculturation Week included a tour of the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Touring the school house display at the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett)

Enculturation Week included a tour of the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Enculturation Week included a tour of the Western Development Museum to learn about Saskatchewan history. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Michael Magaji, Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah, and Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere (l-r) at the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Enculturation Week included a tour of the Western Development Museum to learn about Saskatchewan history. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

(Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Tekie Kidane Michael next to one of the old cars on display at the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Frank Offin-Sekyere with an alternatively-fuelled vehicle at the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah tries out an “old time” phone booth during the Western Development Museum tour. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

Trying out the vehicles at the Western Development Museum. (Photo by Rita Flaman Jarrett, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon)

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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.