By Kiply Lukan Yaworski
Bishop Mark Hagemoen provided an update about clergy assignments for the 2026-27 ministry year in a June 17 message to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
Parochial Vicar appointed to two parishes
Fr. Jacques Kouadio Kouassi of the Ivory Coast, who has been serving in the Archdiocese of Regina, will begin an appointment as Parochial Vicar at both Saint Anne Parish and Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Francophone Parish in Saskatoon as of Aug. 31, 2026. Fr. Gregory Roth continues as the Pastor of both parishes.
Kouassi is originally from the Diocese of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, and has a doctoral degree in Moral Theology.
Fr. Jacques Kouadio Kouassi will serve as Parochial Vicar with Pastor Fr. Gregory Roth at Saint Anne and Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Parishes in Saskatoon. (Submitted photo)
Fr. Prosper Abotsi is concluding his assignment with the diocese effective Aug. 31, after seven years of service. His most recent appointment has been as Parochial Vicar of Saint Anne Parish, Saskatoon, assisting Pastor Fr. Gregory Roth.
“We extend our sincere gratitude for Fr. Prosper’s years of ministry and pastoral care, and we wish him God’s abundant blessings as he moves forward to his next assignment,” the bishop said in his appointment message.
Fr. Prosper Abotsi will conclude his time in the diocese of Saskatoon after seven years of service. (Catholic Saskatoon News photo)
Pastor for the Syro-Malabar community
Fr. John Paleethottathil Kurian concluded his pastoral assignment as Pastor of Christ the King Syro-Malabar Parish in Saskatoon on May 31, and returned to his congregation in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy in Mississauga.
The Syro-Malabar Church is one of 23 Eastern rites in full communion with the Catholic Church. In Saskatoon, the community celebrates liturgies at St. Michael Church in Saskatoon (LINK).
“We thank Fr. John for his faithful service in our diocese, and wish him God’s abundant blessings as he takes on a new assignment,” said Hagemoen.
Fr. John Paleethottathil Kurian has concluded his time as Pastor of the Syro-Malabar Parish in Saskatoon. (Catholic Saskatoon News photo)
The bishop welcomed Fr. Sunil Chrusseril Kuriakose to the diocese of Saskatoon to serve as the new Pastor of Christ the King Syro-Malabar Parish in Saskatoon, effective June. 1. He previously served as associate pastor at St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Pilgrim Church in Scarborough, ON.
Fr. Sunil Cherusseril Kuriakose is the new Pastor of Christ the King Syro-Malabar Parish in Saskatoon. (Catholic Saskatoon News photo)
Seminarian assignments
Diocesan Seminarian Huy Le will continue his pastoral formation under the guidance of Fr. Matthew Ramsay as he undertakes a pastoral year as part of his candidacy for Holy Orders. After completing a summer mission program in Saskatoon, Le will begin serving at St. Peter Parish, Unity, and St. James Parish, Wilkie, SK, in late August.
Le has completed his Bachelor of Theology and Masters of Divinity degrees at Christ the King Seminary, Mission, BC.
Celebrating the candidacy of Huy Le for Holy Orders last summer at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon were (left to right) Fr. Phong Pham, Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino, Deacon Luke Tran Van Tam, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, candidate Huy Le, Vocation Co-Director Fr. Colin Roy, Cathedral Rector Fr. Gerard Cooper, and Vocation Co-Director Fr. Daniel Yasinski. (File Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Le and his family have been long-time members of Our Lady of La Vang faith community, Saskatoon. Le entered the seminary following the completion of his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Saskatchewan.
Diocesan Seminarian Matthew Witzaney will continue his pastoral formation under the guidance of Fr. Gerard Cooper at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, effective immediately.
Witzaney and his family are long-time members of Sacred Heart Parish, Denzil. He entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton following the completion of his Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Upon completion of his pastoral internship year, he will return to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton to complete his Master of Divinity degree.
Diocesan seminarian Matthew Witzaney of Denzil has started a pastoral internship year at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. (Submitted photo)
“Please join in gratitude and prayer as we welcome these new clergy and these seminarians
for ministry and service in our diocese,” concluded Hagemoen. “We ask for God’s abundant blessings on them as they fulfill these new assignments.”
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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.