By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
“You Did It To Me – The Call to Mission Animated by Hospitality” was the theme of the second annual summertime Festival of Faith organized and hosted July 8 to 14 by St. Philip Neri Parish in Saskatoon.
Hospitality was a hallmark of the event as well as its theme, with volunteers and helpers from the parish and beyond contributing to the spirit of welcome and community. Each session included breaks for home-baked muffins, fruit and other treats –as well as time for visiting.
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Keynote presentations, learning, daily Mass, prayer, and music were again part of the event originally launched by the Saskatoon parish in 2025, continuing a local tradition of spiritual refreshment and renewal in the summer months once hosted by the now-closed Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal.
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The seven-day Festival of Faith began July 8, with pastor Fr. Edward Gibney presiding at a Wednesday evening opening Mass, followed by a social.
“Hospitality is grounded in our relationship with God,” Gibney said in his homily. “It is in following Jesus that we are led into hospitality.”
Fr. Edward Gibney, pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish in Saskatoon, presided at the opening Mass for the Festival of Faith in July. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Norman Lipinski of St. Philip Neri Parish choir leads the Psalm during the Festival of Faith opening Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Hospitality, scripture, and faith
Deb Rolfes, who holds Master Degrees in English literature and in Hebrew scriptures spoke July 9, beginning with the biblical admonition from Hebrews 12:3 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it,” and continuing with an analysis of Abraham’s hospitality to three visitors, before focusing on visits by Jesus to Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary.
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Rolfes provided context, interpretation, and insights into the accounts of Christ’s visits to Bethany, located on the road to Jerusalem, and the welcome given by Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42, at the raising of Lazarus in John 11, and the anointing of his feet with precious oil by Martha’s sister Mary in John 12:1-8.
Deb Rolfes spoke about hospitality in the scriptures. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, OSU, introduced speaker Deb Rolfes. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Award-winning writer, speaker and retreat leader Eric A. Clayton — who currently serves as the deputy director of communications for the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the USA — explored how story-telling is part of the practice of hospitality, and how myth, fairy tales and stories can lead to God in presentations July 9.
His final session July 10 explored “recognizing and responding to the call of Christ,” which included reflections on Pope Leo’s recent exhortation Dilexi te on love of the poor, as well as Ignatian spiritual exercises.
Eric A. Clayton explored how story-telling is part of hospitality. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Gordon DesBrisay introduced speaker Eric A. Clayton (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Hospitality, social time, and community-building was part of the Festival of Faith. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
On the afternoon of July 10, Fr. Kevin McGee, diocesan Vicar General and pastor of St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon, provided an introduction and an experience of the contemplative prayer practise of “The Welcoming Prayer,” and the need to “let go” of desires for security, affection, and control.
Later that evening, the Festival of Faith also included a time of Taize Prayer.
Organizing committee member Katarina Nechvatal of St. Philip Neri Parish. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Sr. Cindy Lewans of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary explored a spirituality of hospitality in a Saturday morning presentation July 11, describing how real hospitality embodies authentic ministry, and includes “the integrated exercise of presence, the deliberate creation of space, and the creative holding of tension.”
Citing the exploration of Henri Nowen’s “insights for humble hospitality” by Will Hernandez, Lewans reflected on how genuine presence requires presence both to self and to God – and loving ourselves as God loves us – and she explored how hospitality involves providing space that is open, free, friendly, welcoming, fearless, empty, and empowering.
“Mary, A Celebration in Song” was led by St. Philip Neri music ministry July 11.
Hospitality central to Christ’s message
Oblate priest, author and theologian Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, returned to the diocese as a speaker at the 2026 Festival of Faith, presenting four sessions July 12-14 that explored “Hospitality as the Hallmark of our Christian Churches and Homes.”
The practice of hospitality is shared by the great world religions, Rolheiser noted, before exploring how hospitality is central to Christ’s message to welcome the stranger, the outsider, and the refugee.
Christ identifies his own presence with the presence of the stranger, Rolheiser stressed, citing Matthew 25. “Welcoming the stranger is welcoming Jesus,” he said.
Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, presented four sessions at Festival of Faith 2026 at St. Philip Neri Parish in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Brian Zimmer and JoAnn Chrones introduced speaker Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Rolheiser also reflected on the call to (and the challenge of) Eucharistic hospitality, as well as other elements of hospitality and welcome, including: trusting God’s mercy; taking Jesus seriously about loving those who hate us; being vigilant in keeping discourse gracious, respectful and charitable; and being a good neighbour.
As with the inaugural event in 2025, the Festival of Faith this year also included a classical music concert with musicians Matthew Praksas and Wagner Barbosa, followed by a wine and cheese social.
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(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Presenter Deb Rolfes. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(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.