By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
With files from the Couples for Christ Canada Facebook Page.
“In the One, we are one” (1 John 1:3-4) was the theme of a Couples for Christ “Mensa Christi” regional treat held May 22-23 in Saskatoon.
The 2026 Central Region Thee Weekend focused on unity — communion with Christ and with each other — and included worship, talks, fellowships, and time for personal encounter with the Lord.
The theme of the Mensa Christi regional retreat was “In the One, we are one.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Speakers during the weekend regional retreat in Saskatoon included Ricky Ysonza, Buboy Santo, Leo Ama, and Michael “Shok” Ariola, who explored the theme in four sessions emphasizing healing, renewal, and belonging in Christ; building a home grounded in love and peace; responding to the call to listen, serve and forgive; and finding true joy in the Lord’s presence.
Mass with Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen was celebrated Saturday morning, May 23. Msgr. Don Vito Pavilano, Fr. Joe-Nelo Panino, Fr. Arnold Bolima, and Fr. Clement Arthur concelebrated Mass with the bishop, along with a visiting priest from the Diocese of Prince Albert.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass during the Couples for Christ regional retreat. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
In his homily, Bishop Hagemoen thanked members of Couples for Christ for their witness. While serving as a priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, he became aware of the work of Couples for Christ and the various groups associated with it, Hagemoen said.
“I have come to appreciate, and indeed to rely, in my pastoral work as a priest and now as a bishop, on the great faith and missionary zeal of Couples for Christ.”
The family-based international Catholic organization is responding to the missionary call to spread the gospel, Hagemoen affirmed.
“This missionary zeal is very much affected by the need for the gospel,” he said. “The need is great and the issues that we face in our world … are also great, and the need to witness the light of Christ and illumine our human dignity, to illumine our family and communities in particular … and to illumine the ways that Catholic Christians seeking righteousness and holiness serve the Lord’s mission.”
Reflecting on the scriptures for the day, the bishop stressed that God created humanity for communion, grounded in the community of the Holy Trinity.
“Thank you for your communion with Christ, and with the Church, and for your illustrated communion with your families, and how you support Catholic Christian family life in all your various activities, ” he said, urging: “Continue to carry out those with zeal and with great joyful enthusiasm.”
Photos – May 23 Mass
Introductions before Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Music ministry during the Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Proclaiming the word. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Leading the Psalm refrain. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Hagemoen prays over Fr. Joe-Nelo Panino, parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, before the proclamation of the Gospel. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Proclamation of the gospel by Fr. Joe-Nelo Panino, Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Hagemoen presided at the May 23 Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Prayers of intercession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bringing forward the gifts. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bringing forward the gifts. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen accepts the gifts brought forward during the Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Words of thanks. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Stopping for a photo at the end of Mass of all assembled. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen with accolyte Emmanuel Canillas, Couples for Christ church relation officer and parishioner at Holy Family Cathedral. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen with Reylan Lozada, Jane Lozada, Liza Siasat and infant, and Lyn Dayapan after celebration of the Eucharist May 23 at the Couples for Christ regional retreat in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Greetings after Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Greetings after Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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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.