The universal Church at work, one parish, one family at a time: Mysterion training initiated in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Fifteen participants from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon took part in a three-day retreat and workshop offered by the Mysterion Formation Team of Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries. (Submitted photo)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski January 30, 2026

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 Marilyn Jackson, Director of Pastoral Services

I felt extremely blessed to spend Jan. 19 to 20 at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, participating in Mysterion training from Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries, along with a cohort of 15 diocesan participants from Saint Anne and Holy Family, Saskatoon; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martensville; St. James, Wilkie; and St. Mary, Fox Valley, along with two others from the Catholic Pastoral Centre ministry team.

Executive Director of Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries, Dr. Steven Serafin says this: “We need a Universal Church that is ready and supported for mission!

“We are so grateful to the diocese of Saskatoon, Canada, for participating in our third cohort of Mysterion. Fifteen inspired diocesan and parish leaders had the ability to step away from the busy-ness of ministry to re-encounter Christ, collaborate with other leaders, and be renewed in how the Spirit is leading them to witness to others.

“The Mysterion Formation Institute was designed to bridge theory and practice forming Church leaders in a process of accompaniment and discipleship.

“Each session guides leaders through hands-on experiences of how to align their ministries to the catechumenal process, become more intentional, and family-centric.

“These last three days at the beautiful St Peter’s Benedictine Abbey were restful and encouraging! We each return home energized to share the Good News with those we serve!”

The January retreat and workshop in the diocese of Saskatoon was led by Dr. Steven Serafin, Fr. Tim Donavan, and Formation Director Tori Cutcher.

The diocesan Mysterion cohort will continue meeting with Steven, Tori and Fr. Tim online twice a month until the end of June, to continue learning how to implement the “Pathways Formation Suite.”

Our goal in the diocese is to assist families in making the home the cornerstone for faith sharing and development.

Please contact me at mjackson@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5836 if you want to know more about bringing this to your parish!

Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries overview from their website:

MISSION –

  • To rebuild the Church one family at a time

VISION –

  • Create and provide innovative and relevant resources to assist families in making the home the cornerstone for faith sharing and development.
  • Support and form parents in their role as the primary educators of the faith.​​
  • Influence the transformation of faith formation structures.​​

Photos from Mysterion training event at St. Peter’s Abbey:

Mysterion training with a cohort of 15 diocesan participants from Saint Anne and Holy Family, Saskatoon; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martensville; St.
James, Wilkie; and St. Mary, Fox Valley; and the Catholic Pastoral Centre ministry team was held Jan. 19-21 at St. Pater’s Abbey in Muenster, SK. (Submitted photo)

Mysterion training with a cohort of 15 diocesan participants from Saint Anne and Holy Family, Saskatoon; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martensville; St. James, Wilkie; and St. Mary, Fox Valley; and the Catholic Pastoral Centre ministry team was held Jan. 19-21 at St. Pater’s Abbey in Muenster, SK. (Submitted photo)

Mysterion training with a cohort of 15 diocesan participants from Saint Anne and Holy Family, Saskatoon; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martensville; St.
James, Wilkie; and St. Mary, Fox Valley; and the Catholic Pastoral Centre ministry team was held Jan. 19-21 at St. Pater’s Abbey in Muenster, SK. (Submitted photo)

Mysterion training with a cohort of 15 diocesan participants from Saint Anne and Holy Family, Saskatoon; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martensville; St.
James, Wilkie; and St. Mary, Fox Valley; and the Catholic Pastoral Centre ministry team was held Jan. 19-21 at St. Pater’s Abbey in Muenster, SK. (Submitted photo)

Mysterion formation is offered by Faith and Family Life Ministires, whose mission is to “Rebuild the Church one family at a time.” (Submitted photo)

Worship in the St. Peter’s Abbey chapel during the Mysterion retreat. (Submitted photo)

The Mysterion training for a small cohort of parish and diocesan leaders was held Jan. 19-21 at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster. (Submitted photo)

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The Evangelization and Catechesis Office, Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.