Fall Congress Series in diocese of Saskatoon: Beckoned to become missionary disciples

“The peace of the Risen Christ beckons us to be missionary disciples.” – Pope Leo XIV

[This article is part of a “Fuel-Up Friday” series in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. To subscribe to the diocesan “Fuel Up Friday” weekly mail-out of updates and inspiration, e-mail Marilyn Jackson, Director of Ministry Services at: mjackson@rcdos.ca.]

By Myron Rogal, Office of Justice and Peace

Fall Congress 2025 brought together the why and how of the universal calling of becoming intentional disciples who are sent forth on mission.

Keynote speaker Jean-Paul de Fleuriot challenged us to lead through mission, to become outposts of mission in our communities, and to focus on accompanying those who would never otherwise step foot in a Catholic Church.

In particular, I was struck by his reflection that “God’s plan is not for us to huddle in our church, but to go out.”

During the diocesan Fall Congress Oct. 9, Jean-Paul de Fleuriot shared inspirational stories about his family’s commitment to living as missionary disciples in their neighbourhood, encountering and loving those facing many struggles. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Jean-Paul offered rich stories of how he and his family have essentially both risked and gained it all in order to accompany those on the margins towards the light of Christ.

Stories are at the heart of accompaniment, as we were reminded, this is the medium that Jesus used most, and that in a world where people demand immediate, direct answers to questions, Jesus rarely did so. Jean-Paul described that “stories help people see themselves as active participants and not bystanders.”

As Coordinator of Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, I frequently reflect on areas that I can move away from the outside crowd and into a relationship with those who suffer. Even though it is easy for me to hang out in the comfort of the crowd, that this is not what I am called to.

We were challenged to remember that “we carry the church wherever we go” and to not “be a spectator of injustice but a participant in God’s story of redemption.”

“Our mission field is the human heart” – Jean-Paul de Fleuriot
Fall Congress participant from IHMP, Martensville: “Jean-Paul de Fleuriot shared with us how he and his wife have given their lives to be missionary disciples and he shared many stories of his lived experiences. They live in the poorest of poor neighbourhoods amongst drug dealers, prostitutes, and biker gangs in British Columbia. Their home is open to all without judgment. Amazing thing have happened just by opening up their hearts and allowing people to tell their story… ” (Excerpt from Fuel-Up Friday)

Fall Congress Series participants began the day with praise and worship led by Cameron Turner. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Introduction to Intentional Accompaniment from CCO

In part two of Congress Oct. 16, Christy Dupuis and John Hickey reminded us that the Holy Spirit is very much alive, that “the Lord is already calling people but the fruit only comes when we are prepared to receive them.”

Content Specialist for Catholic Christian Outreach Christy Dupuis spoke about Intentional Accompaniment during the Oct. 16 Fall Congress Series session in the diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator)

Both John and Christy challenged me to be on the lookout for the work of the Spirit where we may not expect it.

Listening is a necessary skill to recognize the Spirit: instead of thinking “what do I need to say in this conversation?” I need to shift my attitude to a holy curiosity and wonder “what is God up to in this person?”

Diocesan Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey was a presenter during Fall Congress, speaking about Intentional Accompaniment. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator)

Overall both Congress Day presentations confirmed that to have an expectation that people will come to us to become missionary disciples is a limited vision of what it means to be a Christian witness — and provides very poor yields. In contrast, the unique missionary style of Jean-Paul de Fleuriot and the many missionaries of Catholic Christian Outreach remind us that “the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.”

And there is no greater adventure story in this life than to become a missionary disciple in full thrust!

“A common thread ran through both days of the Congress Series: ‘who am I called to invest in?‘ Jean-Paul spoke about ministering to the person in front of you, while Christy encouraged us to radically commit to the ‘few’ in order to reach the many.” – Marilyn Jackson, Director of Ministry Services, Fuel-Up Friday

Fall Congress Series – Photo Gallery

The Fall Congress Series in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon included guest speaker Jean-Paul de Fleuriot of “Faith Room” on Oct. 9, a “Heart of Worship” music workshop led by Cameron Turner on Oct. 10, and an “Introduction to Intentional Accompaniment” with Catholic Christian Outreach leaders Christy Dupuis and John Hickey on Oct. 16.

Oct 9 – Missionary Discipleship

Cameron Turner opened the Fall Congress Series Oct. 9, 2025 with praise and worship, and the next evening led a “Heart of Worship” music workshop at Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen with Fall Congress keynote speaker Jean-Paul de Fleuriot, one of the bishop’s former parishioners from Vancouver who runs Faith Room, a family ministry that helps Catholics live out their faith, find greater freedom in Christ, and embrace their God-given calling. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sr. Mirasol Abala of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternnity was MC for the first day of the Fall Congress Series at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon Oct. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomes participants to the diocesan Fall Congress. He also presided at Mass for those attending the diocesan faith enrichment event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Jean-Paul de Fleuriot was keynote speaker on the first day of Fall Congress Oct. 9, and also co-led a Heart of Worship music workshop with Cameron Turner Oct. 10. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Reflecting on discussion questions was part of the process during the Fall Congress Series. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Participants at Day 1 of the Fall Congress Series. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Oct. 10 – “Heart of Worship” music workshop

“Heart of Worship” was the theme of a music workshop during the diocesan Fall Congree Series. The Oct. 10 evening was held at Saint Anne Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

An Oct. 10 music ministry workshop was part of the 2025 Fall Congress Series. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Worshipping God is the heart of music ministry — not performance or perfection, said Congress music workshop presenters (l-r) Cameron Turner and Jean-Paul de Fleuriot. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Participants in the diocesan “Heart of Worship” workshop had time for discussion Oct. 10 at Saint Anne Catholic Church in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Oct. 16 – “Intentional Accompaniment”

Christy Dupuis, Content Specialist for Catholic Christian Outreach, was one of the speakers Oct. 16 along with diocesan Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator)

Fall Congress Oct. 16: focusing on Intentional Accompaniment, using resources from Catholic Christian Outreach. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator)

Rita Flaman Jarrett of the Catholic Pastoral Centre administration team welcomes Fr. Prince Sarpong, pastor at Leader, Fox Valley, Liebenthal, and Richmound, to Fall Congress Oct. 16. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator)

Fall Congress Series Oct. 16 also included time for discussion. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator)

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