Range of programs were offered this fall through the Catholic Pastoral Centre
By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
An “I Believe” series on the Nicene Creed, a movie forum focused on St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Called and Gifted introductory workshops in two locations were among the highlights of adult faith formation in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon held this fall.
Awaken series
Coordinated by Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas, a four-session fall Awaken series “I Believe” explored elements of the Nicene Creed, offering a prayerful exploration of the three Persons of the Trinity as. well as a reflection on “Life Everlasting.”
“Each session provided an opportunity for participants to delve deeper into the foundational beliefs of their Catholic faith, exploring the rich meanings of each part of the Creed,” said Alas. The series coincided with this year’s 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, which proclaimed the Nicene Creed as a summary of the Catholic faith.
Awaken presenter Sr. Mirasol Abala of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (right) and diocesan Adult Faith Coordinator Astrid Alas at the final session of the “I Believe” series on the Creed Oct. 28. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
“I Believe…”
Held at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, the Awaken series opened Oct. 7 with “The Father Almighty” presented by. Fr. Joe Nelo Penino, parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
He challenged participants to reflect on their understanding of God as both “Almighty” and as “Father” and how that understanding impacts their relationship with God and with living their faith in the world.
Fr. Joe Nelo Penino, parochial vicar (assistant pastor) at the Cathedral of the Holy Family led a session on “The Father Almighty” to open the Awaken series on the Creed Oct. 7. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Awaken continued with “Jesus Christ: Eternally Begotten” Oct. 14, as cathedral rector Fr. Gerard Cooper explored belief in our saviour, the eternal Son of God, who “lives before the face of God not just as a friend, but as a Son… in the most intimate unity with the Father.”
Fr. Gerard Cooper, rector and pastor of the Cathedral of the Holy Family, led a session on “Jesus Christ Eternally Begotten” during the fall Awaken series. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith)
“Holy Spirit Giver of Life” was presented by Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity Oct. 21. She introduced scriptures that shed light on the mystery of the Trinity and the Holy Spirit — including examples of the Spirit’s action in the Old Testament, in the life of Jesus, and in the Acts of the Apostles.
She also explored the action of the Holy Spirit in our own time — in particular as the “principal agent of evangelization” (Evangelii Nunitandi #75) and as the giver of both gifts to keep and charisms to “give away.”
Sr. Malou Tibayan reflected on the Holy Spirit during the third session of the Awaken adult faith series Oct. 21. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Awaken series, fall 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Finally, Sr. Mirasol Abala of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity offered a reflection on “Life Everlasting” to wind up the Awaken series Oct. 28, exploring the faith in the Resurrection that is at the heart of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Sr. Mirasol (Sol) Abala led the final session of the fall adult faith Awaken series exploring elements of the Nicene Creed. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Congess Days nurture faith and discipleship
A variety of other events in the diocese this fall has also offered faith enrichment, inspiration, and formation, led by diocesan ministry offices supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Formation in missionary discipleship and intentional accompaniment was offered during a Fall Congress series held in October.
The series included presentations by Jean-Paul de Fleuriot of Faith Room on Oct. 9, a “Heart of Worship” music workshop with Fleuriot and Cameron Turner on Oct. 10, and an Oct. 16 workshop on Intentional Accompaniment with Christy Dupuis of Catholic Christian Outreach and diocesan Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey. (Read more: LINK)
Fall Congress Series Oct. 16 provided practical formation for Intentional Accompaniment of others journeying in faith. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Adult Faith)
Participants in the diocesan Fall Congress “Heart of Worship” workshop had time for discussion Oct. 10 at Saint Anne Catholic Church in Saskatoon as part of a presentation about music ministry and how it can inspire deeper worship of God. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Movie forum
Another adult faith offering this fall was a Movie Forum offered twice on Oct. 29 as a follow-up to the Feminine Genius women’s breakfast by Sr. Malou Tibayan. This year’s forum featured the full-length 2003 movie Mother Teresa starring the late Olivia Hussey as the saint known for her love and service to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta.
The film “Mother Teresa” was shown at the Catholic Pastoral Centre as a follow-up to the Feminine Genius presentations by Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Some 36 people gathered for the afternoon movie showing, with a second showing also held later in the evening — both complete with popcorn.
A few of those who viewed the film “Mother Teresa” Oct. 29. (Photo by Sr. Malou Tibayan, Adult Faith)
Participants at the diocesan adult faith event included a group from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Outlook, SK, who travelled to the Catholic Centre for the film as part of a Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Holy Family, one of the sacred sites in the diocese designated by the bishop during this Jubilee Year of Hope.
A group from Immaculate Heart Mary Parish in Outlook attended “Mother Teresa” as part of a Jubilee pilgrimage trip to visit the diocesan cathedral. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski Catholic Saskatoon News)
Those who viewed the film were invited to share their reactions to the Mother Teresa film through notes on a display board, that included phrases such as: “Trust in Jesus” … “If I could have a fraction of the faith that Mother Teresa had!” … “Storm the heavens with your prayers” … “See Jesus in people that I meet” … “I have the whole of eternity for resting” … “Do something small with great love” … “It all begins with a smile!” and “Have confidence in God’s ways.”
Called and Gifted
Parishioners across the diocese continue to explore their God-given charisms for building up the Kingdom of God, thanks to the Called and Gifted process from the Catherine of Siena Institute. This fall, introductory workshops were held at St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon in October (LINK), and at St. Mary Parish in Macklin in November.
Participants from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon took part in the introductory workshop of the Called and Gifted process this fall at St. Patrick Parish, Saskatoon, exploring the gifts that God has given each of them for building up the Kingdom of God. (Photo by Astrid Alas)
The Called and Gifted introductory workshop was presented Nov. 1 in Macklin, SK. (Photo by Sr. Malou Tibayan, Adult Faith)
Participants in the introductory workshop at St. Mary Parish, Macklin, SK — the first step in the Called and Gifted discernment process. (Photo by Sr. Malou Tibayan, Adult Faith)
Upcoming events
Upcoming adult faith opportunities in the diocese include an Advent “Rejoice!” retreat 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 presented at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon by sisters of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity. (LINK to register).
“Rejoice is a retreat inspired by Philippians 4:4, which encourages us to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always,'” said Alas. “This retreat offers a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. Participants will engage in a variety of enriching activities, including reflective prayer sessions, inspiring talks by the Verbum Dei Sisters, and moments of silent contemplation.”
After Christmas, a winter Awaken series focused on The Art of Listening will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Family over four Tuesday evenings, starting Jan. 27 (LINK to register),
“We will explore the foundational elements of listening, progressing through different levels, and finally, understanding listening in the context of our relationship with the Lord,” said Alas. The four-part series will conclude Feb. 17 with a presentation on “Listening as a pathway to becoming a missionary synodal Church.”
The next Called and Gifted workshop for parishioners to discern what gifts God has given them will be held Jan. 30-31 at St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Humboldt, SK. (LINK to register). Participants from parishes across the diocese are welcome
Those in ministry and Catholics from all walks of life are also being invited to deepen their understanding and commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through the diocesan online Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Education Program (IPL) which will begin again in the New Year.
iPL Course 1: An Introduction to Indigenous Studies series will begin Jan. 6, offered online by Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders on Tuesday evenings (LINK to IPL web page).
The Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader (IPL) Ministry Education Program includes:
- An overview of the features of Indigenous peoples in western Canada, with specific reference to the Saskatchewan context.
- An overview of the history and features of contact and relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples with specific reference to the Roman Catholic Church experience.
- Creation of a dialogue between Indigenous and Christian world views.
- Insight into the history that has shaped the complex nature of the relationships in the present day.
- Provide mutual sharing and hope for a respectful and harmonious future as children of God, who together seek beauty and good of all.
Other diocesan adult faith events to watch for in the new year include Spring Congress March 11 and 12; a “Man of Sorrows” Lenten retreat March 15; an Oasis Encounter event April 28; and the fourth annual Feminine Genius women’s breakfast May 13, 2026.
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca
Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa .