By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Saskatoon’s Francophone Catholic parish again held a summer family picnic at a local provincial park, attended by many parishioners who are new to Canada, as well as guests from other parishes.
Approximately 87 people attended the event July 25 at Blackstrap Park, south of Saskatoon, including newcomers from Africa and the Middle East, said parishioner Dennis Will.
“This event, which they organized, is especially important to the immigrants, regardless of what country they come from, as it helps build a community that they can relate to, and helps replace the extended families they have all left behind,” Will said.
Each family — large or small — was invited to come into the centre of a circle of parishioners to introduce themselves and share something about their background. “There was always loud clapping and cheering when each family was finished the brief presentation,” Will said.
The summer event is one of the highlights of the year for the community, and also has a spiritual tone as well, he said.
Preparing food. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Children enjoying watermelon at the much-anticipated event. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Lining up for food during the annual parish event (Photo by Dennis Will)
Lining up for food during the annual parish event (Photo by Dennis Will)
Getting food for the children. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Sharing food, conversation, and community. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Parishioners with their granddaughter at the Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens event. (Photo by Dennis Will)
A newcomer from Mauritius (left) visits with a parishioner orignially from the Ivory Coast. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Games and activities were part of the summer event held at Blackstrap Provincial Park. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Families introduced themselves and built community during the joyful event. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Families large and small shared their background and built connections at the summer event. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Newcomers from Lebanon are now part of the Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens community. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Smiling cooks serving the food. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Families are introduced to the group. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Families are introduced to the group. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Parishioners applaud, acknowledging each family as they are introduced. Families are introduced to the group. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Roland Will (left) and Dénis Tassiako were among the cooks at the summer event. Families are introduced to the group. (Photo by Dennis Will)
Getting food during the parish picnic. Families are introduced to the group. (Photo by Dennis Will)
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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.