By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
The Sts. Benedict and Scholastica Formation Program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has launched a summer Mission Experience, inviting young adults to join in outreach locally and/or up north.
The Sts. Benedict and Scholastica (SBS) summer outreach program is open to all young adults, ages 18 to 30 years, who are willing to serve and to journey with others, including with those in need or who are living on the margins, says Sr. Marta Piano, of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, who coordinates the program along with Sr. Sol Abala.
“The basic requirement is a heart to serve Christ in the poor – and flexibility!” says Piano.
Launched in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon as a vocation initiative, the SBS main program of academic, theological, and human formation happens from September to April, offered to young adults discerning vocational paths, with both residential and non-residential options.
This is the first time a summer Mission Experience has been offered by SBS. Two young adults – diocesan seminarian Huy Le, and student Ian Lam – are participating in the summer program while living at the Sts. Benedict and Scholastica residence in the university neighbourhood of Saskatoon. Non-residential participants are also welcome to take part in the summer program.
The SBS Mission Experience includes local outreach with several partner groups including St. Mary Mission and Outreach Ministry (hampers and street outreach); Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (food pantry); and the Mustard Seed shelter in Saskatoon (activities with residents).
Young adults will also have an opportunity to travel to the annual Athabasca-Pine Channel Pilgrimage in northern Saskatchewan, in the Archdiocese of Keewatin-LePas, joining Dene peole throughout the Athabasca region who gather for the Catholic pilgrimage and retreat each July. There will also be a mission trip to Yellowknife, NWT, to the northern Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith.
“The young adult summer service program in our diocese is an opportunity to engage young people in many areas of outreach, as well as for them to experience cultural immersion and gain insight into the needs in our community,” says Bishop Mark Hagemoen.
“This mission experience is also a way in which young adults can be immersed in the Church’s moral and social teaching – not only as it relate to how we serve, but also giving a practical experience of synodality in caring for those in need,” he said.
Young adults interested in applying for the program can contact Sr. Marta Piano for more information at mpiano@rcdos.ca or 306-659-5843 (space is limited).
Touring St. Mary Parish facilities and learning more about the parish outreach program. (Photo by Jennifer Nunes)
The new Sts. Benedict and Scholastica summer program includes outreach at St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon. (Photo by Jennifer Nunes)
St. Mary Mission and Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Nunes, SBS Coordinator Sr. Marta Piano, Mission Experience participant Ian Lam, St. Mary pastor Fr. Kevin McGee, seminarian and Mission Experience Huy Le, and SBS Coorinator Sr. Abala Sol (left to right) at St. Mary Catholic Church, Saskatoon. (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.