By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Solemn remembrance and joyful celebration were both part of a Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation memorial Mass and fund-raising gala recently held at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at the Mass, which included prayers and remembrance of all those who have made a memorial donation to the Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation over the past year – including deceased clergy, religious, Knights, family members and others.
Mass, with prayers and a candle lighting service for those who were remembered this year with a donation to the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation preceded a Celebrity Gala dinner held Sept. 18 in Saskatoon to raise funds for youth programming. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
At the conclusion of Mass, Knights of Columbus members and wives came forward to read groups of names to accompany a slide show of images, lighting a candle and placing a white rose before the altar.
“Follower of Jesus who happens to play football”
The gala banquet after Mass featured guest speaker Trevor Harris, quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who delighted some 480 fans with an inspirational message about his Catholic faith, devotion to family, leadership, and football.
The self-described “follower of Jesus who happens to play football” was the 2025 Grey Cup “most valuable player” and continues to lead the Saskatchewan CFL team this season.
Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR, and others from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon pose for a photo with Trevor Harris of the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the Celebrity Gala. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
In addition to the MVP award, Harris was also the recipient of the 2025 Gord Barwell Award from Athletes in Action for demonstrating steady, Christ-centred leadership, noted Knights of Columbus member Brian Schatz of Regina, who introduced the popular guest speaker to the enthusiastic crowd.
“I’ve known Trevor since he entered the CFL. I got to know him even more when he was a parishioner at Resurrection Parish and he and his family were attending Sunday masses every week—rain or shine, cold or not, win or lose,” said Schatz. “I got to know him even more when my wife offered a house for him and his kids while they were here. The first thing he said when moving into that house was: ‘I am a follower of Jesus who happens to play football.’”
In his address, Harris said that his Catholic faith was re-ignited when he and his wife Kalie looked into church history together. “I started asking myself why we’re called to be one body, one church, and one mind in Christ when that isn’t how it is.”
He described the impact of reading Chapter 6 in the Gospel of John, in which Christ says “I am the living bread that came down from heaven,” saying that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever — with Jesus even repeating himself when disciples were walking way because of this teaching. “I read that and I realized the Catholic Church had this right,” Harris said.
“When Christ asks us to participate in the Eucharist—the body and blood of Christ, the one true final sacrifice re-presented every Sunday—what a gift that is. We should never take for granted the Real Presence.”
Other questions that he had about the Catholic faith were also eventually investigated and answered, he said. “One by one, over about three years, my wife and I knocked down those pins and realized that everything in the Catholic Church has reason, biblical backing, and tradition behind it.”
Harris said that his walk of faith has been a constant learning process, and is about ongoing conversion – a matter of constant striving to be a light and a witness in the world.
“Pro football locker rooms aren’t all ‘kumbaya’ or clean language, but that is an opportunity to sharpen who I am and be authentic.,” he said, urging his listeners to be “better for Jesus every single day,” in every situation.
“Light overpowers darkness—if you put a light in a dark room, it lights up the whole room,” he said. “God gives us gifts like communication. Are we using communication to build people up or tear them down? Mis-using the gifts that God gives you is where sin comes in.”
He added: “My faith journey has really been a challenge of self-mastery. Lean into your Bibles every single day, learn from those around you, and sharpen yourself.”
A capacity crowd attended this year’s Celebrity Gala of the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
During a question-and-answer session that followed his talk, Harris also reflected on leadership, stressing the importance of being authentic.
“In football as a leader, if you try to be ‘one of the guys’ or blend in with different crowds, it comes off as phony, and people see right through it. They know who you are,” he said. “So be authentically yourself, and even if you’re a cornball-dad-joke guy like me, you’ll be accepted and loved by your teammates. You just have to embrace who you are and continue to be authentically yourself, and you’ll be a great leader.”
The love and camaraderie he shares with teammates motivates him to train, practice and perform on the field, Harris said in response to another question. “You always fight harder for people you know, love, and trust on a deeper level.”
As for what’s next in is career, the American father of four said that he and his family will discern as the season unfolds whether he will be back with the Roughriders again next year.
Harris — who earlier in the day took time to visit children in two local Catholic schools and the day before at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital — added that he does have an interest in coaching and forming the next generation.
“My heart is in ministry and coaching. When I’m done playing, I’ll probably end up coaching because coaching is nothing more than impact, and leadership is influence. …outside of parents, most kids say their coach was the most impactful person in their life. Coaching lets you impact the next generation.”
Guest speaker Trevor Harris answered questions from the capacity crowd at the Celebrity Gala. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Mission of the Charitable Foundation
Aside from the inspirational message from Harris, the evening was an opportunity to raise awareness and support for the mission of the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation.
Established in 1969, and working with all Knights of Columbus Councils throughout the province, the Saskatchewan K of C Charitable Foundation supports programs that strengthen families, provide education, and uphold Catholic values.
Invested gifts and funds raised through events such as the gala banquet or cash calendar fund-raisers remain with the Foundation, with only the earnings used for grants. Ongoing areas of support include vocations, food security, youth and faith.
During the Sept. 18 event Foundation President and CEO Harvey Granatier provided information about three of the funds that have been established through the charitable organization.
“The George Mackey Foundation was established by Knight of Columbus Council 1517 approximately 35 years ago. Each year since, they have made donations to charities in and around Saskatoon,” said Granatier, before inviting executive members Denys LeBrun and Ed Frank to stand and be recognized.
“This year the George Mackey Foundation donated $500,000 to our Foundation and established the George Mackey Foundation Endowment. Our Foundation will invest and administer the funds and their board will provide direction on where the earnings are paid out each year.”
Granatier also highlighted the history of the James and Lawrence Meier Food for Families Endowment.
Brothers James and Lawrence Meier farmed together for many years near Luseland, SK, Granatier related. After Lawrence Meier died in 2018, his brother James sold the farm and retired in Swift Current, near his sister Loretta, donating a significant portion from the proceeds of the sale of the farm to establish the James & Lawrence Meier Food for Families Endowment.
“It was his wish to develop a legacy in the name of his brother and his only request was that the earnings from the Endowment would be used to feed the hungry,” said Granatier, inviting James and family members to stand and be recognized. “The James and Lawrence Meier Food for Families Endowment now has a balance of over $2,0 million and the earnings from this legacy Endowment has and will continue to provide food and nourishment to many people within our province for years to come.”
The Alma and James Meier Youth Endowment Fund was also established this year by James Maier and his wife Alma (Froese), whom he met in retirement, and married in 2021. “Although neither had children of their own, they both had a desire to provide funding that would engage youth in faith supported activities such as attendance at Christian Summer Camps and Catholic Youth Ministries,” said Granatier.
“Established earlier this year and through their shared generosity, the Alma & James Meier Youth Endowment has now reached over $270,000,” he said, adding that all proceeds from the gala evening would be donated to the Alma & James Meier Youth Endowment to further support the funding of youth participation in the province.”
Master of ceremonies for the evening was Dr. Richard Devon, with Fr. Gerard Cooper welcoming all those in attendance to the Cathedral of the Holy Family, and Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR, leading grace before the meal. K of C Foundation chaplain Fr. Greg Elder led a prayer of thanksgiving in conclusion.
Knights of Columbus members from across the province were in attendance at the memorial Mass and Celebrity Dinner held Sept. 18 in Saskatoon. (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.