Queen’s House farewell Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski July 20, 2024 Volunteers welcome arrivals to the Queen's House farewell celebration. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Volunteers continued the Queen's House tradition of hospitality and welcome at the closing celebration July 18, 2024. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Sr. Leona Meier, SMS, (left) receives a nametag at the Queen's House farewell celebration. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Queen's House programming coordinator Sarah Donnelly consults OMI Lacombe Provincial Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, about the farewell celebration before its start. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Shirley and Bernie Karstad and Pat Rogal spend time visiting before the start of the Queen's House farewell. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Margaret Sanche, who has served as archivist for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, visits with others at the farewell for Queen's House of Retreat and Renewal. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Preparing for Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Preparing for Mass in the beautiful Queen's House chapel, which opened a time of prayer and reflection to bid farewell to the retreat centre in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Connecting with others was part of the farewell celebration held to mark the closing of Queen's House. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The Queen's House farewell began with celebration of the Eucharist with presiders (l-r) Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Regina Bishop Donald Bolen, and OMI Lacombe Canada Provincial Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)OMI Lacombe Canada Provincial Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, opened the farewell celebration for Queen's House with words of welcome at the opening Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Oblates, associates, staff, board members, volunteers, patrons, and supporters of Queen's House gathered for celebration of the Eucharist July 18, part of a farewell to the retreat centre, which is closing its doors as of July 31. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Janet Postle proclaimed the first reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11: "For everything there is a season." (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Celebrating the Eucharist at the start of a farewell for Queen's House July 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Psalm cantor Norman Lipinski, who provided music ministry for the Mass along with Michelle Dinter-Lipinski. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Psalm Cantor Norman Lipinski: "In every age, O God, you have been our refuge" (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Presider Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, provincial of OMI Lacombe Canada, blesses Fr. Doug Jeffrey before proclamation of the Gospel from Matthew 11 28-30 "Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Homilist Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI, reflected on the paschal mystery of death and Resurrection. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Sr. Anne Lewans, OSU, led the prayers of the faithful at the Mass held as part of a farewell to Queen's House. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon, Archbishop Donald Bolen of Reginja (l-r) during Mass at the Queen's House farewell. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Yvonne Wiesner prepares the altar. during Mass for the farewell celebration for Queen's House. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Fr. Ken Thorson presides at the Eucharist to open the farewell event for Queen's House Retreat and Renewal Centre. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Celebration of the Eucharist opened a farewell to Queen's House held July 18, 2024. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Celebration of Mass opened a farewell to Queen's House held July 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The Oblates of Mary Immaculate led the assembly in the singing of Salve Regina at the conclusion of Mass during the Queen's House farewell. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Queen's House Director Brendan Bitz expressed gratitude to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Queen's House Advisory Board, the staff, volunteers, supporters, and all who have made Queen's House the sacred and welcoming space it has been for so many over the past 66 years. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina led grace for the evening meal held after Mass during the Queen's House farewell July 18 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Knights of Columbus volunteers grilled the burgers for the supper that was part of a Queen's House farewell July 18 in Saskatoon. (Photo courtesy of Larry Packett, K of C Past State Deputy)A volunteer Knights of Columbus barbecue crew assisted with cooking supper for the Queen's House farewell July 18. (Photo courtesy of Larry Packett, K of C Past State Deputy)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The dining room at Queen's House was full for the barbecue supper held as part of a farewell to the retreat centre -- and so were conference rooms throughout the building as hundreds gathered to pray, reflect and share thanskgiving and laments. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Sharing a meal together as part of a farewell to Queen's House of Retreat and Renewal, which closes its doors July 18. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Conference rooms became dining rooms as hundreds filled Queen's House for a celebration that included Mass, a barbecue supper, and a program of speakers. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The farewell program was shared online -- an innovation that came into common practice at Queen's House after the pandemic. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Program MCs Deb Rolfes (member of the Queen's House Advisory Board) and Brendan Biz (Queen's House Director) at the retreat centre's farewell celebration July 18, 2024. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, of the Oblate School of Theology in Texas was the first of several speakers during the Queen's House farewell program July 18. Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Adele Longstaff, chair of the Queen's House Advisory Board, expresses thanksgiving during the farewell program. Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon expressed gratitude to the Oblates and to all those who made Queen's House a place of welcome and faith formation. Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Sr. Leona Meier, SMS, recalled the early days of Queen's House, and the contributions of countless religious sisters to Queen's House over the years, serving in many capacities. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Bishop Jakob Palm of Holy Covenant Evangelical Orthodox Church reflected on the impact of Queen's House for people of many faiths. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Hundreds gathered at Queen's House and virtually online to bid farewell to the retreat centre established in 1958 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The building has been sold and Queen's House Retreat and Renewal Centre will close July 31, 2024. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, concluded the program of speakers at the Queen's House farewell with a message of gratitude and hope. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)OMI Lacombe Provincial Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, provided the closing words at the July 18 Queen's House farewell. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Prayer and reflection as well as community time were featured during the July 18 farewell celebration for Queen's House of Retreat and Renewal. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Fr. Paul Fachet, OMI, with Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, at the closing celebration for Queen's House. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The doors of Queen's House Retreat and Renewal Centre will close July 31, 2024. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The tabernacle in the Eucharistic Chapel at Queen's House. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Queen's House was built on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, with the beauty of its grounds adding to the retreat centre's atmosphere of peace. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)The outdoor altar on the grounds of Queen's House was the site of a Holy Covenant Evangelical Orthodox Church "Sanctuary on the Saskatchewan" prayer service on the afternoon of Sunday, July 21. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Statue of Mary on the grounds of Queen's House. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)Queen's House of Retreat and Renewal was built by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and opened in 1958, dedicated to Mary, Queen of Heaven. It has now been sold and will close its doors July 31. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)