World Day of Prayer for Vocations Our diocesan family joins Catholics around the world this month in praying for an increase in vocations to religious life and the priesthood, and for an increasing awareness of how God calls each person to their vocation in life. Testimonies by some of those in our own diocese who have discerned a call to religious life can be found in this edition of the Diocesan Newsletter, including articles by Colin Roy and Daniel Yasinski (pictured at left with Bishop Don Bolen), who will be ordained to the priesthood 7 p.m. Bishops reflect on call to Friday, June 14, 2013 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. care for the environment VOCATIONS • PAGES 14-17 DOCUMENT • PAGE 7 Newsletter of the VDisit us oin tohe web cat: wwew.sasksatoonercdioc eseo.com f S askatooAPRnIL 2013 Benedict XVI resignation and the selection of Pope Francis sparks interest and reflection in diocese By Kiply Lukan Yaworski Latin America, that they had chosen The attention of many in the a Jesuit, that they had chosen diocese – and around the world – someone who I had met before, and was focused on the papal transition who had struck me as a person of this spring, as first Pope Benedict simplicity and humility, someone XVI took the historic step of who was self-effacing and gentle,” resigning as head of the Catholic said Bolen. Church, and then the cardinals While working in Rome for the elected Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, Pontifical Council for the Promo- SJ, of Argentina, who was installed tion of Christian Unity several years March 19 as Pope Francis. ago, Bolen met and shared a meal Bishop Donald Bolen called for with Cardinal Bergoglio, whom he prayers throughout these weeks of describes as a down to earth person transition -- for the retiring pontiff, who did not draw attention to for the cardinal electors and for the himself. newly-chosen Pope Francis. With “It’s a stroke of genius that he the new pope announced March 13, has chosen the name Francis,” said a diocesan vespers service March 14 Bolen. “As a Jesuit, the Holy Father at the Cathedral of the Holy Family stands in the tradition of St Ignatius in Saskatoon became a time of of Loyola, the tradition of the thanksgiving and prayer for the new pursuit of knowledge and of mission Holy Father. and radical discipleship. But that he Easter baptisms Bolen said that he experienced a should connect the papacy to St. Rev. Ron Beechinor baptizes Sawyer Scott during the Easter Vigil celebration at St. Francis Xavier thrill of surprise and delight when Francis of Assisi is a way of saying parish in Saskatoon March 30. Sawyer’s older sister Keanna ( right ) also received the sacraments he heard the name Bergoglio. to the Church: ‘I will be a servant of initiation at the celebration, supported by godparents Brent and Delous Scutchings, and parents “It was the recognition that we leader. I want to lead in humility and Kim and Willy Scott (l-r ). The initiation sacraments of baptism, confirmation and first Eucharist were being taken into completely simplicity. I want to lead with joy in were celebrated in many parishes across the diocese during the Easter Vigil and will continue new territory in an inkling – that the the spirit of St. Francis.’” throughout the Easter season, as the season of parish confirmation and First Eucharist celebrations begins. - Photo by Tim Yaworski cardinals had chosen someone from PAPAL TRANSITION Page 3 BYY KeIPLY aLUKrAN YoAWOfRS KI Faith Feinscludtedi pvarisah brlea kfapsts, la afaminly dnance ewithd faith The diocese of Saskatoon will mark the conclusion testimonies, a faith-based concert for young children, of the Year of Faith with a three-day festival of events speakers and presentations, and special times of prayer. November 8-10, 2013 . “We really encourage you to think about how you Special guest speaker for the diocesan Year of Faith are going to be involved,” he told DPC representatives Festival in November will be Most Rev. Gérald from deaneries and groups across the diocese. Lacroix, who is the Archbishop of Quebec and the The Year of Faith has been “a summons to an Primate of Canada, announced Bishop Donald Bolen at authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord,” as a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) meeting April 6 in described by Pope Benedict in his Apostolic Letter Saskatoon. Porta Fidei . Parishes, deaneries, CWL and Knights of Columbus Catholics are being called both to renewal and to councils and any other interested organizations or small find ways to give new and relevant testimony about groups will be encouraged to organize concurrent their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, said Bolen. “I Love Life and Family” Video Contest events across the diocese during the Nov. 8-10 weekend “We are called to find creative ways to be in Get out your camera and create an original video for this diocesan Year of Faith Festival , said the bishop. dialogue with the culture around us,” Bolen said, (under two minutes) celebrating life and family! All the independently-organized events throughout describing recent public challenges that insist that faith It is a chance to win fun prizes, share your the diocese would then be promoted as part of the does not have a place in the public sphere. festival, along with the main keynote talks by The Year of Faith Festival will hopefully create an insights and joy, and help the diocese Archbishop Lacroix, which will be offered in English exciting opportunity for many groups to step up and and the eparchy of Saskatoon celebrate and in French, he said. host faith-centred events that will enrich and engage Life and Family Week (May 12-19). Ideas for the festival suggested at the DPC meeting many in our communities, he said. The contest deadline has been extended to 5 p.m. Monday, April 29 to give contestants of all ages INSIDE: a bit more time to polish up their entries! • Congress Day held at three locations across the diocese • Page 4 For more information about how to enter, contest • Idle No More and Catholic Social Teaching • Page 6 guidelines, and needed forms visit our website: • Brazil Bulletin • Pages 20-21 www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com 2 • Diocese of Saskatoon Newsletter • April 2013 Diocese continues to work toward long-term financial stability As one of the first dioceses in Canada to acknowledges this reality, saying, “The have a Bishop’s Annual Appeal – first ministry and administration of the diocese is Episcopal Corporation of Saskatoon established under the leadership of Bishop dependent on a declining source of revenue James Mahoney – the Roman Catholic Diocese and smaller, less financially stable parishes are Statement of Revenue and Expenses of Saskatoon has a long history of financial looking to us for increased ministry and For year end June 30, 2012 leadership and innovation. administrative services.” “Over the last decade,” says Diocesan The Episcopal Corporation (the diocese) 2012 2011 SuPPORT AND REVENuE Finance Committee Chair Neil Redekkop, finished the fiscal year with a planned deficit of Bishop’s Annual Appeal $ 946,590 (A) . $ 995,938 “under the leadership of Bishop Albert LeGatt $265,041 ( see Note C ). The Foundation Parish assessments 1,072,822 . 1,022,916 and then Bishop Donald Bolen, the diocese originially anticipated having a much larger Investment income 67,134 . 63,608 recognized the need to find additional ways to deficit this fiscal year, but an increase in Donations 560,528 . 1,081,941 raise funds and ensure long-term financial unrestricted donations (accounted for in Brazil collections 96,305 . 81,626 stability. That was the reason behind General Donations) significantly reduced the Ministry 128,618 . 160,747 establishing the development office in 2007.” projected deficit at the end of the year. As such, Foundation asset allocations and external grants 368,615 (B) 396,763 The diocese hired fundraiser and local funds were transferred after the end of the . 3,240,612 . 3,803,539 . Catholic Don Gorsalitz as the director of fiscal year to cover the diocesan deficit, while EXPENSES 1,251,291 . 1,311,288 development, with a view to long-term creating a larger deficit for the Foundation. Pastoral services Outreach grants & donations 314,412 . 542,344 financial stability for the diocese, and in “We cannot and will not run successive Clergy and vocations 584,325 . 952,972 conjunction with a Uniting in Faith campaign deficits,” noted Redekkop, “but it was a sound Brazil mission 96,305 . 81,626 that was undertaken to build a new diocesan decision as we waited for the completion of Administration and chancery 923,565 . 780,583 Cathedral and Pastoral Centre. Uniting in Faith Campaign. Parish support 324,609 . 220,351 The people of the diocese of Saskatoon As pledges for the construction of the 3,494,507 . 3,889,164 responded generously, raising close to $22 Cathedral and Catholic Pastoral Centre wind Revenue less expenses before undernoted items (253,895) . (85,625) million for the construction of Holy Family up, the Foundation office is connecting with Gain (loss) on disposal of investments (6,144) . (4,459) Cathedral and Catholic Pastoral Centre as well donors, asking them to consider continuing the Unrealized gain (loss) in market value of investments (5,002) . 53,350 .. as sustaining participation in the Bishop’s same level of giving, but now directing Uniting . (36,734) Annual Appeal. in Faith donations to ministry and REVENuE LESS EXPENSES (265,041) (C) During the winter of 2012, the programming needs in the diocese. 1,280,440 1,317,174 FuND BALANCE, BEGINNING OF YEAR development office was incorporated as the A video message from the bishop was $ 1,015,399 .