By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Priests from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon attended an annual Clergy Study Days Nov. 3-6, 2025 at Elk Ridge, SK, near Prince Albert National Park.

Priests from across the diocese gathered for annual Clergy Study Days Nov. 3-6. (Submitted photo)

“At Clergy Study Days we cover a range of important themes related to the life and ministry of the diocese,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen, reporting that 45 priests attended this year’s gathering.

Clergy Study Days 2025 coordinator was Fr. Daniel Yasinski, with Fr. Gregory Roth providing technical assistance throughout the four days, which included a number of guest speakers and presenters, both in-person and online, as well as time for celebration of the Eucharist, prayer and fraternity.

A key theme this year was preparing for the Synod on Synodality implementation phase in the diocese, which will be launched by the bishop on Nov. 9, the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of John Lateran.

“We began Monday evening with a keynote presentation on pastors as synodal leaders by Fr. Nathaniel Haslam, LC, chaplain for the Lumen Institute for Christian Business and Cultural Leaders, who spoke on the theme, Shepherds with Vision: Leadership, Vision, and Synodality: Shepherding with Joy and Foresight,” said Hagemoen.

A presentation by Fr. Nathaniel Haslam, LC, chaplain for the Lumen Institute for Christian Business and Cultural Leaders was part of Clergy Study Days. (Submitted photo)

On Nov. 4, two key sessions on the implementation of the Synod on Synodalty were led by Fr. Joseph Salihu, chair of the Diocesan Synod Committee, co-presenting with the bishop. A group process for discussion and discernment was then led by Greg Chatlain, diocesan Director of Administration and Finance.

Fr. Joseph Salihu, chair of the Diocesan Synod Committee, spoke about the Synod on Synodality. (Submitted photo)

“Later in the day Greg Chatlain also gave an update addressing several features of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan – particularly the practical features of the goal ‘Moving from Maintenance to Mission,’ in terms of administrative and organizational supports for the work of the diocese.”

Presentations continued Nov. 5 with Director of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Francois Rivard, and Assistant SuperIntendent Thomas Hickey, providing updates regarding Catholic schools.

Later that day, Jonathan Courchene of Face-to-Face Ministries, and Benjamin Turland of Catholic Christian Outreach gave a presentation about youth and young adults, and the importance of pastoring and accompaniment by priests.

Nov. 5 included an update from Fr. Geoffrey Young, the chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission about celebrating the Church’s liturgy and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). Fr. Colin Roy and Fr. Daniel Yasinski provided a report about vocations support and development, and Fr. Joseph Salihu addressed the upcoming Diocesan Mission Works appeal to be held in parishes Nov. 8-9.

(Submitted photo)

Clergy Study Days concluded with a “Bishop’s Forum” which covered recent statements by the Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan on Indigenous liturgy rubrics and Catholic institutes of higher education; the Church’s approach to artificial intelligence as recently addressed by Pope Leo IV and by Fr. Philip Larrey, PhD, at the 2025 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) this year; as well as an overview of Pope Leo’s first apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te.” The new papal document offers “validation, encouragement, and support for outreach and apostolates to the poor,” said Hagemoen.

The bishop also encouraged clergy to look ahead to the Extraordinary Jubilee in 2033 which will celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of the Resurrection and the Great Commission. Hagemoen noted that a report about preparing for Jubilee 2033 was part of an October 2025 forum of the CCCB’s Standing Committee for Relations with Catholic Movements and Associations.

“Jubilee 2033 will be a remarkable and unprecedented opportunity for the celebration of the very reason for our hope, and the basis for mission,” Hagemoen said.

Celebration of the Eucharist concluded the gathering Nov. 6.

(Submitted photo)

Fr. Ralph Kleiter (Submitted photo)

Fr. Darryl Millette and Fr. Marvin Lishchynsky at breakfast. (Submitted photo)

Fr. Greg Roth provided technical support. (Submitted photo)

Fr. Daniel Yasijnski coordinated this year’s Clergy Study Days. (Submitted photo)

(Submitted photo)

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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