Join St. Mary Parish in their Mission and Outreach Ministry to those in need of shelter this winter

Volunteers who served at a recent community meal offered on the grounds of St. Mary Catholic Church in Saskatoon, part of the parish Mission and Outreach Ministry. Coordinator Jennifer Nunes is now looking ahead to needs this winter. (Photo courtesy of St. Mary Mission and Outreach Facebook page)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski September 23, 2026

By Jennifer Nunes, Coordinator of St. Mary Mission and Outreach Ministry

For the fourth year, St. Mary Parish Hall will serve as a winter warm-up location, offering shelter, warmth and dignity to people experiencing homelessness—and we invite people from across the entire diocese to join us!

This past winter we had over 15,000 check-ins and expect numbers to rise this year.

Related: Parish outreach continues, grounded in relationship – ARTICLE

Throughout the winter, St. Mary Mission and Outreach Ministry helps provide snacks, juice, warm socks, gloves, hand warmers, coats, simple entertainment and other essentials for the men who come through our doors.

There is a place for everyone to help! Behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities are available for people of all ages, while those volunteering directly with guests inside the warm-up location must be 18 years of age or older.

Volunteer training will begin in October, with dates and further information coming very soon. In the meantime, please email me at jnunes@rcdos.ca to add your name to our volunteer list and receive future updates.

We also invite individuals, families, parishes and community groups to begin setting aside blankets, jackets and winter gear to help care for those who will seek shelter in St. Mary Parish Hall this winter. A list of current needs is also posted on the ministry website (LINK).

Your support also allows us to respond to needs we simply cannot predict. If a man arrives on a freezing winter night without proper boots, for example, we want to be able to say, “What size do you wear?” and go get them. That is why monetary donations are always needed and deeply appreciated.

Donations may be made:

Together, our diocesan family can help make a real difference for many.

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Jennifer Nunes is the Coordinator of Mission and Outreach Ministry at St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon.

Catholic Saskatoon News is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.