To all our “beloved” of St. Philip Neri Parish, 

Greetings and blessings to you, your family and friends, and summer visitors, from Fr. Mike Dechant OMI

Joyfully building up the Church (St. Philip Neri Parish) – even when it is outside the “building”.

As a Parish Family, may we continue to meet and work together to respond to Jesus’ prayer -“That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 21: 1)

Something from the Parish:

A good number of parishioners of St. Philip Neri Parish are blessed with a cottage at a lake or able to go camping and visiting during the months of July-August. However, there is also a significant number of families who remain here in Saskatoon. Question: What is happening in Saskatoon that may be of interest to our parishioners? What can we “build” that would be exciting and family centered?

As the opening headline suggests, how can we joyfully build up our Parish Community – in a relaxed and informal way? Each Friday afternoon – from 4 – 6 pm – we gather in the Parish Grotto (or the Welcome Area, depending on the weather) to visit, to tell stories, to meet and greet … and to “build community”. The school playground is available for the kids to play, and the BBQ is ready with hamburgers and hotdogs.

All we ask:  Bring yourselves (and also Grandpa and Grandma, other relatives and neighbors) a few snack and drinks … and the desire to know your fellow parishioners.

It’s called: “Freedom Friday” – no agenda, no dress code. Come as you are … and enjoy.  And please note, that even this Friday, July 1, we will be having our usual Freedom Friday get-together, so do come celebrate Canada Day with us, starting around 4 pm!  

Take care … peace to all. Remember: God is good … all the time.

A reminder: The weekend Masses for July and August are:

• 5 pm Saturday
• 10 am Sunday

Praise be Jesus Christ … and Mary Immaculate

St. Philip Neri … pray for us

St. Eugene de Mazenod … pray for us

St. Kateri Tekakwitha … pray for us

So … wherever you go, go with God. And, whenever you go, go make a difference!

 Fr. Mike

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children at risk and in fear that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Hi Everyone!

Happy Canada Day, everyone!  July 1  is always such a wonderful annual gift -  it gives us a long weekend right off the bat to kick off the summer holidays as well as a special time each year to reflect on what an amazing country Canada is, in so many ways, and how very fortunate we are to be able to call this our home.  We are so blessed, with spectacular and diverse scenery beaconing us from every direction of this great land, the beauty that every changing season provides for us, and best of all, the cultural diversity of our people that makes living here so interesting and fun!  However you decide to celebrate Canada Day, whether big or small, may we all, in our own way, make a special effort to count our many blessings that come with being Canadian. Hopefully we will also get some nice sunny weather for this long weekend, to make any outdoor actitivies even more glorious!  Enjoy!  

Now, let's see what's coming up as we head into July:  

• First of all, please note three things regarding THIS weekend, the Canada Day Long Weekend:  First, the Parish Office will be closed on Fri. July 1, for Canada Day, but there WILL still be morning Mass on that day.  Second, remember it is THIS Sun. July 3, that we will be switching to only ONE Sunday morning Mass, at 10 am for July and August. Third, we will also be switching to a Parish Newsletter every SECOND weekend throughout the summer.  Please see all the specific details below.  
• Here's some great news - our Golden Age group is resuming their card-playing activities this fall! Check out all the details below for when and where you can join in on all the fun!   
• It's not too late to register your kids for summer camp!  Blackstrap Youth Camp is offering three week-long overnight camps to choose from.  Register your kids now for this awesome, unforgetable camping experience!  Grade 10 and 11 students may also apply to be Camp Counsellors - a great opportunity to develop some new leadership skills, in a great location!   Ignite SK 2022 is also offering their youth summer camp, for Grade 9-12 students, from August 8-13.  This one sounds like fun too!  See all summer camp details just below.  
• Our Refugee Committee continues to look for some other much-needed household items.  Please see the details below to see if and how you can help them out.    
• Two new dates have been set for the Bereavement Support gatherings.  Please scroll down to find those details.  
• Pope Francis will be visiting Canada from July 24-29, on a pilgrimage of reconciliation and healing.  There are a number of details below about some of the events occuring during this important Papal visit.   
• As Fr, Mike mentioned in his message today, we'd love to see you out at Freedom Fridays!  You're missing a great time!  It's a great way to wind down the work week with some great food and wonderful conversation with fellow parishioners - every Friday from 4 - 6 pm. Just bring some munchies, appies, or a simple dessert and meet us in the Welcome Area (or outdoor Parish Grotto if the weather is nice)!  
• A reminder to check out all the wonderful faith-building pilgrimages that folks from all across SK are invited to participate in.  Scroll down below to check out the next three, taking place in the month of July.
• Save the date!  Coming up in early August is the Prairie Knights Music Festival, in support of the Blackstrap Youth Camp. This sounds like a great time!  Check out all the details below and start planning to attend!   

Have a wonderful - and safe - Canada Day long weekend everyone, wherever you may be - may you celebrate as a proud Canadian and may we also be able to celebrate a Roughrider win on Saturday against Montreal!  

Canada Day Blessings,

Marlene

Important SUMMER Annoucements!

• The Parish Office will be CLOSED THIS Fri. July 1, for the Canada Day holiday. There WILL, however, still be regular Morning Mass, at 8:30 am on Friday, Canada Day.   
• For the summer months only, we will be sending out our Parish Newsletter every SECOND week (still on Friday afternoons) during July and August. Those Friday dates are:  July 15 & 29, and August 12 & 26.  That means there will be NO Newletter next Friday, July 8, but you can watch for the next one on the following Friday, July 15.  
• Finally, beginning THIS weekend, July 2-3, we will be offering only TWO weekend Masses, one as usual on Saturday at 5 pm, and ONE Sunday Mass, at 10:00 am, right through the summer, until Sunday, Sept. 4.  On the weekend of Sept. 10-11, we will be returning to THREE weekend Masses, the usual Saturday at 5 pm, and back to two on Sunday, at 9:30 am and 11:30 am.    

Attention all Card Players!

Beginning Wed. Sept. 7

Great news!  Just to give you an early heads-up, the Golden Age Group at St. Philip Neri is starting up their card-playing afternoons once again this fall, begining on Wed. Sept. 7!  We play on the second Wednesday of each month, in the Welcome Area of the church, beginning at 1:30 pm and finishing up around 3:30 - 4:00 pm.  The cost is $2 per day, which includes lots of delicious snacks, refreshments, socializing and fun!  We welcome back all our regular players and happily welcome any new players to join us!  For more information, please call the president, Slyvia Godbout, at (306) 374-9085.  See you on Wed. Sept. 7 at 1:30 pm!  

Blackstrap Youth Camp

Blackstrap Youth Camp is offering three week-long overnight camps this July, a for children, ages 8 -14 years. Blackstrap Youth Camp is a Catholic program run and operated by the Saskatoon Knights of Columbus, You may find information or register children by clicking on the button below, or: https://blackstrapyouthcamp.org/ 

Schedule:

• Week One: July 10-15
• Week Two: July 17-22
• Week Three: July 24-29

NOTE:  Blackstrap Youth Camp is also seeking counsellors: The Knights of Columbus camp is seeking driven, hardworking individuals who are passionate about sharing their faith and working with kids. This is a chance to develop leadership skills, work in nature and have a blast. Positions include Counsellor in Training (requires a Gr. 9 education); Junior Counsellor (requires a Gr. 10 education) Senior Counsellor (requires a Gr. 11 education.) E-mail questions or to apply, send a cover letter and resumé with the subject line “Application for Junior/Senior/CIT” to campblackstrap@gmail.com

Ignite SK 2022

Summer Camp: August 8-13

Ignite SK 2022 for Grade 9-12 will be presented by FacetoFace Ministries from Aug. 8-13 at St. Therese Institute, Bruno, SK (an earlier week has already sold out). Ignite is a week-long live-in Catholic summer camp for teens going into Grade 9 through graduating Grade 12, who desire to grow in holiness. This jam-packed week is filled with excellent talks, amazing people, epic large group activities, daily Mass, Adoration, praise and worship, and much more. Youth will grow in their relationship with God and be empowered to go forward while striving to be a modern-day saint and a light to the world. Register online at www.f2f.ca/ignite

What happens at Ignite? Check out these videos to see what youth will do throughout the week; promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibZaQmKjAlo&t=3s and/or view the video recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1YtEuZyQxA

* Ignite Junior Saskatchewan for Grades 6-8 will be presented by FacetoFace Ministries from Aug. 16-18 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road (Attridge Drive and Forestry Farm Park Drive), Saskatoon. Ignite Junior was a hit last year with 80-plus youth attending. Ignite Junior is a 3-day camp for youth in Grade 6-8. Ignite Junior is an opportunity for youth to grow in their faith in a fun and practical way. They will be immersed in the sacraments, will listen to engaging speakers, and will participate in awesome games all while building authentic friendships. Register today at www.f2f.ca/ignite

St. Philip Neri Refugee Committee's Ongoing Needs

The Refugee Committee continues to be in need of a wide variety of furniture and household items to replenish their stock for incoming refugee families. They are running low of almost everything!  If you have some items that you are ready to pass on to help others in need, please call Denise DeBrau, at (306) 291-1675, as soon as possible, and she will happily arrange for pick-up!  Thank you to those who have continually been dropping off smaller household items here in the Parish Office - your kindness and generosity will be so appreciated by our new familiies!

Kindergarten Registration for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools

Kindergarten Registration for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools is now open, with in-person open houses or information sessions. Hands-on learning will give your child the foundation they need to learn math concepts, build their language skills, develop a love of reading and writing, and grow in their love of God and neighbour. You can also learn more about our language options (French immersion, Ukrainian bilingual, Cree bilingual, Michif) and our Fine Arts school. Children must be five years old on or before Jan. 31, 2023, to start school in September 2022 (for Martensville, Warman, Biggar and Humboldt, five years old on or before Dec. 31, 2022). To learn more or to find a Catholic school near you, please click on the button below:

St. Philip Neri Parish Bereavement Support

Tuesdays, July 12 & 26, 1-3 pm

Please know that there is support offered here at the Parish. If you would like a place to gather and talk with others who have lost a spouse, please come out to our next two gatherings on Tuesdays, July 12 and 26, from 1 to 3 pm, here in the church's Sunroom. We look forward to walking with you in faith! No registration fee or sign up are required. Please just feel comfortable in coming to join us. If you wish to contact us, please call Deb or Shirley at the Parish.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Every Monday evening (except for long weekends), from 6 pm to 10 pm, and also every second Thursday of the month, from 9 am to 6 pm, people are invited to pray with the Blessed Sacrament in the main area of the church. 

The upcoming Adoration schedule: 

• Monday evenings, July 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 6 pm-10 pm 
• The next full day Adoration will be on Thursday, July 14, from 9 am - 6 pm.

Pope Francis Visits Canada July 24-29

On a Pilgrimage of Reconciliation and Healing

 Details and updates may be found at www.papalvisit.ca.

* Trip to Edmonton - Plans in our Diocese include a pilgrimage primarily for Residential School survivors, led by Our Lady of Guadalupe. Saskatoon’s Indigenous, First Nations and Métis Catholic parish, to Maskwacis, the site of the former Ermineskin Residential School south of Edmonton, and to the pilgrimage site of Lac Ste. Anne, AB, to coincide with Pope Francis’ visit to these locations July 25 and 26. For more information, please contact Debbie Ledoux at dledoux@rcdos.ca or (306) 653- 4945.

* Tickets to events: Tickets are free, but numbers will be limited in some cases, with priority given to Residential School survivors and Elders. For information, please contact Rita Flaman Jarrett at rflamanjarrett@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5856.

* Saskatoon event in conjunction with papal visit: A one-day local event is planned for Tuesday, July 26 – the Feast of St. Anne, grandmother of Jesus – to be held at St. Mary’s Wellness and Education Centre, 427 Avenue N South, for those wishing to participate in a gathered local event during the papal visit. The day will feature video recordings of events with Pope Francis on July 25 and a live feed of events July 26, including the public Mass at Commonwealth Stadium. Watch for more details.

Queen’s House: For Residential School survivors, Elders and family members from outside of Saskatoon who wish to travel to the July 26 local event, Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal, 601 Taylor St. E., has accommodation available, and will also have events on video at the retreat center. Queen’s House will also host a prayer vigil during the time of the papal visit. For more info, contact Brendan Bitz at director@queenshouse.org or (306) 242-1916.

* Papal visit support: Please go to the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation website at https://dscf.ca/papal-visit-2022/ to find opportunities to donate to help a Residential School survivor attend events, to support the papal visit in general, and/or to contribute to the Catholic TRC Healing Response. For more information about volunteer opportunities during the papal visit, see: https://www.papalvisit.ca/volunteer/

Vocation Reflection

“Silence And Seedbeds”

By Jake Mullin - Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Edmonton

“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few”. As a seminarian, one question I hear quite often surrounds the apparent lack of vocations and the shortage of priests in the church. “Where are all the vocations? Isn’t God calling people to serve him anymore?”, many ask.

At times, it can definitely feel like God has stopped calling people to the priesthood and religious life. After all, if he was still calling them, surely there would be more vocations, right? Where are the 70 that Jesus sent ahead of him in the gospel today?

As is often the case, the problem lies not with God, but with ourselves. God is still calling people to serve him; we are the ones not listening. For many people today, God is simply not on their radar. With so many other things to occupy their time, it’s no wonder people aren’t hearing God anymore.

Without getting too much into it, think of how rare it actually is to find yourself in a moment of silence. Music, the radio, social media, our phones – all these things, while not bad in and of themselves, can distract us from the things that truly matter: relationships with others. And what relationship matters more than the one we have with our Creator? When was the last time you found yourself in a moment of silence without trying to fill it? Or what about the last time you went on a silent retreat?

In our high production, instant gratification, super-consumer society, these things tend to fall to the wayside. I recall the passage in 1 Kings where God has Elijah go to Mt. Horeb to await his arrival. As Elijah is waiting, he experiences a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire, yet God was in none of these. Instead, Elijah encounters God in “a sound of sheer silence” (v. 12). This is particularly telling: silence is the seedbed of vocations.

As we begin this new week, let us spend some time in silence, actively trying to reorient ourselves to our Creator. Let us “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” and in the silence of our hearts, let us pray for the courage to follow where he leads us.

Let us rediscover the value of sacred silence: in the car, in the liturgy, in every moment, let us listen for God in the sound of sheer silence.

Jake Mullin

Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Edmonton

Thank you for praying for and encouraging vocations to the Oblate religious life!  For more information, please click on the button below:

Jarek Pachocki OMI
OMI Lacombe Canada - Vocation Director

Three more Summer Pilgrimages - for JULY

Sun. July 10, Sat./Sun. July 15-16, and Sun. July 17

There are always a number of wonderful pilgrimages held around Saskatchewan during the summer months.  Here are two more that you are invited to take part in, during the month of July.  Stay tuned for more to come during the month of August. 

1)  Reward Holy Rosary Shrine 90th Anniversary Pilgrimage will be held on Sunday, July 10 and includes:

• 2 p.m. adoration and confession,
• 3:15 p.m. praying of the Rosary with Marian hymns,
• 4 p.m. Mass outdoors with Bishop Mark Hagemoen presiding.

Children are welcome to bring baskets and flowers to carry and spread during the procession. Parish banner representatives will also be in the Mass procession. A barbecue supper will follow (free will offering). There will be a large tent on the grounds. Bring lawn chairs, umbrellas, etc. There will also be a Silent Auction and souvenir shrine items for sale.

Holy Rosary Church and Shrine is located three kilometres south of the hamlet of Reward, SK (which is southwest of Unity, SK).

Note: Historic Holy Rosary Church at the Reward Shrine site is in need of immediate refurbishing. Donations in honour of God’s people, priests, sisters, pioneers and descendants are much appreciated. Anyone unable to attend the July 10 celebration who would like to make a donation, can send donations to Holy Rosary Shrine, Box 1536, Unity, SK, SOK 4L0. Tax receipts are provided.

2)  Mount Carmel Pilgrimage will be held Sunday, July 17, marking the event’s 100th anniversary! The schedule includes:

• 9:45 am - An Hour with Mary - Rosary & Marian hymns/Sacrament of Reconciliation
• 10:45 am - An Hour with God’s family - Sunday Eucharist with Bishop Mark Hagemoen / Blessing of the fields/Blessing of the sick
• 12:00 pm -An Hour with our diocesan family – Lunch/Quiet time with the Blessed Sacrament
• 1:30 pm - An Hour with the Lord – Hymns/Stations of the Cross (in groups)/Blessing with the Blessed Sacrament

The picturesque Mount Carmel pilgrimage site is located about 5.2 km north of Carmel, SK (west of Humboldt).

3)  St. Laurent Pilgrimage – The 143rd Annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at St. Laurent, SK returns with pilgrimage events July 15-16, Aug. 15 and Sept. 8. The Shrine is located 12 km directly east of Duck Lake on grid road; or take the road from the statue landmark on Highway 11 (travel east).

• From July 6 to July 14, Daily Mass and Novena will be celebrated at the historic St. Laurent shrine (weekdays at 7:00 pm, Sunday at 4:00 pm)
• From July 3 to Sept. 4 - Sunday Mass is celebrated at 4:00 pm at the historic St. Laurent shrine every Sunday afternoon in the summer months.

a)  Pilgrimage to St. Laurent - Friday, July 15

• 6:00 pm - 6:50 pm - Priests available for confessions
• 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Quiet prayer time
• 6:30 pm - 6:55 pm - Marian devotion, Rosary
• 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Mass and candlelight procession
• 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Private adoration

b)  Pilgrimage to St. Laurent - Saturday, July 16

• 9:00 am – 11:00 am - Pipe ceremony/Mass in Cree
• 11:00 am - 1:45 pm - Priests available for confessions
• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm - Marian Devotion, Rosary
• 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 pm - Celebration of Eucharist with Anointing of the Sick

Filipino Catholic Community of Saskatoon

Next Monthly Mass - Sunday, July 17

The Filipino Catholic Community of Saskatoon gathers on the third Sunday of every month to celebrate Mass at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, 720 Spadina Cr. E., with the next celebration to be held on Sunday, July 17, at 5:00 pm. The Filipino Catholic community also holds a weekly Novena in English every Friday at 5:30 pm at. St. Paul Co-Cathedral. Everyone is welcome. 

Future dates for Sunday 5:00 pm Masses at the Co-Cathedral are:  Aug. 21 & Sept. 18.  

Grow Hope Saskatchewan

Bruno Cherry Festival!

Grow Hope Saskatchewan invites you to come out for their 2022 Field Day at the Bruno Cherry Festival on August 7! Starting at 9:00 am and continuing throughout the day, there will be a booth set up to celebrate our growing season and provide opportunities to learn more about the work being done by our collective agencies abroad. In addition, there will be an opportunity to meet one of our farming families in the Bruno area and tour acres of land donated to help feed those in need around the world. Come out for all the fun of the Bruno Cherry festival and witness the solidarity of farmers, staff, volunteers, and donors teaming up to help raise money for hungry people in the Global South!

Grow Hope Saskatchewan is again bringing together donors and farmers to feed the hungry! Saskatchewan urban and rural residents will again come together to support Canadian Foodgrains Bank in supporting people around the world who need emergency food assistance, as well as improving long-term food security. How it works: Generous farmers in Saskatchewan have donated land and agreed to grow a crop for Grow Hope Saskatchewan. It costs about $350 per acre to provide seed, fertilizer, fuel and other inputs. Donors from all walks of life are invited to sponsor a partial acre, full acre or multiple acres to help cover these input costs. After harvest, the farmers sell that crop and donate the proceeds to Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The federal government matches these donations at four-to-one. Find more information and/or sponsor this year’s growing effort at the Grow Hope Saskatchewan website: www.growhopesk.ca

NOTE: Development and Peace/Caritas Canada is one of the partner agencies in this project. Catholics can write a cheque to “Development and Peace” ear-marked for “Grow Hope Saskatchewan” in the memo line and mail it to: Development & Peace/Caritas Canada, 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor, Montreal QC. H3G 1T7 or call (416)922-1592 (Ext. 225), to donate by phone.

Prairie Knights Music Festival

August 6-7

Prairie Knights Music Festival in support of Blackstrap Youth Camp August 6-7 -- is two days of amazing Canadian bluegrass, country, rock, surf and gospel musicians -- at the Knights of Columbus Youth Camp at Blackstrap Lake, 42 km south of Saskatoon, adjacent to Blackstrap Provincial Park. Free on-site camping for RVs and tents. Event includes beer gardens, food venues, kids’ activities, car show, Sunday Mass and much more. Bring your lawn chairs. Daily passes: $55, weekend passes $99; kids, 12 and under are free. To get your tickets visit: https://prairieknightsfestival.ca/

Catholic TRC Healing Response

Bishop Mark Hagemoen announced earlier this year a Diocesan five-year goal of $1.25 million to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors and their communities. The Diocesan commitment will be part of a national $30-million pledge announced by the Catholic Bishops of Canada, following their apology to the Indigenous Peoples of this land. To see Bishop Hagemoen’s message, learn more, and/or to make a gift, please click on the button below:

St. Philip Neri Masses are live-streamed, every Saturday at 5 pm and every Sunday at 9:30 am

 If you aren’t able to attend Mass in person, you may watch it LIVE on YouTube.

To find us on YouTube, click on St Philip Neri YouTube Channel or go to our website, stphilipneriparish.ca and get to our channel from there.

NOTE:  If you are hard of hearing or would like to have the Live-Streamed Services "with text", please click the “cc”/ “Closed Caption” icon/button at the bottom right on your computer screen, below the live-streamed service.  You will be able to see the words of the speaker!

We have left past Masses up on our channel for you to watch, or you can tune in to our next upcoming LIVE Masses on the dates and times below:

Upcoming Live-Streams: 

Saturday, July 2 - 5:00 pm (Fr. MIke)

Saturday, July 9 - 5:00 pm (Fr. Mike)

Weekly Diocesan Bulletin

Get the latest fall news from around the Saskatoon Diocese!

Find out what's going on around the Diocese, including upcoming events, new learning opportunities to help you grow in your faith,  and other interesting information and announcements.

Note:  There will be one Diocesan Bulletin for the month of July, and a new one for the month of August.  Check out the July edition below!