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

Something from the Pastor:

• Welcome to a new school year and new Parish initiatives, encouraged by the Synod process, and embraced by the parishioners of St. Philip Neri Parish.  These next few weeks we will be inviting you to present yourself in the various ministries in our Parish family ... in our liturgical celebration, our social gatherings, and in our many other ministires within our Parish.  Please be generous with your time, talents and treasures.
• A reminder - for those of you who have a key to St. Philip Neri church, please hand in your key to the Parish Office - IF you no longer need the key because your need for access has expired. IF you still need a key to carry on Parish responsibilities, please indicate your name to the Parish Office.

Wherever you go, go with God. Whenever you go, make a difference.

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.

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!

 I hope you had a great long weekend and the kiddies are now settled back into the school routine.  We are already inching towards the middle of September, and except for some strong winds and cooler/cold nights, the lovely summer/fall daytime temperatures are hanging in there for us.  Did I hear 30C for this Sunday? I will happily take that!  With the SK harvest now 42% complete, the farmers are also hoping that the warm weather continues and allows them to "get the job done" for another year.  

It is with heavy hearts, and a world-wide collective sigh, that we say good-bye to our beloved, gracious and long-reigning Queen Elizabeth II.  In addition to her unwavering strength and sense of duty and service to her people, she was loved and respected around the world for her warmth, friendliness, grace, and charming sense of humour. Her love of Canada and Canadians was evident as she called Canada her "second home", and visited us more than any other country. A deeply spiritual Christian woman, with unquestionable love of God and all his creatures, may Queen Elizabeth now be welcomed into the kindom of Heaven after a long, honourable and well-lived life.

 Now, let's see what's new for you this week and what you might need to be reminded about.  Let's start with the reminders:   

• A reminder that regarding our weekend Mass schedule for this fall - until further notice, we will be continuing with the two weekend Masses, our usual Mass on Saturday afternoon at 5 pm, and only ONE Sunday morning Mass, still at 10 am.  
• Ladies of the CWL - don't forget that your first meeting of 2022 is coming up THIS Wed. Sept. 14.  Please see the details below.  
• Shirley, our Pastoral Associate, has some new information for you below about our Parish Liturgical Ministries, and how you may volunteer and get involved in your Parish to serve God and your fellow parishioners.  Check out all the details below, in green.  
• A reminder of our exciting new youth program beginnning here at St. Philip Neri this fall, called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, for children ages 3-12.  Stay tuned for more details!  This Program is also looking for donations of picture frames that you may not be using anymore at home.  These details are are also just below.
• The St. Philip Neri Bereavement Support group will be having their next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Please see the rest of the details below.  All are welcome to join this group at any time.  
• The Golden Age Card Players group is now up and running again and will meet again for some lively card-playing, socializing and yummy snacks on Wed. Sept. 21. The details remain below as a reminder for former AND new members.
• Here's a new one:  Campaign Life has two of their important annual events coming up - the "40 Hours of Life" Campaign beginning on Sept. 21 and LIfe Chain on Oct. 2.  See all the details below for how to participate in being a voice for the beautiful unborn children.
• The SYNOD Results are now available to us.  To access the various reports, the link to the Diocesan website is below. 
• The Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre's Annual Gala is coming up on Fri. Sept. 23.  Scroll down below for all the details.
• Do you know about Rachel's Vineyard?  They have a retreat coming up from October 14-16.  Please spread the word about this retreat to anyone who you know who may be "hurting because of an abortion".
• Recycling is good for us and good for our planet!  Consider donating your recyling refund to the Catholic TRC Healing Response.  Find out where you may use the very convenient "drop and go" system to contribute to this important Diocesan TRC fund.  
• The "Season of Creation" began on Thurs. Sept. 1, on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and continues until the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Tues. Oct. 4. The burning bush is the Symbol for the Season of Creation 2022.  Please scroll down below to learn more about this year's important "Season of Creation".   
• Don't forget that the Serena Run for the Family is coming up on Sat. Sept. 17. Scroll down below to find the dates and other important information about how to participate.  
• Do you know of someone who is looking for a job?  Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools is hiring for a number of casual employment opportunities!  See the details and how to apply, below in green.
• Don't forget about the Compassionate Healers' Mass coming up at The Cathedral of the Holy Family Cathedral NEXT Sunday, Sept. 18.  Check out the details regarding this special Mass below.  
• Final reminder to register for Saskatoon Challenge (for girls) and Saskatoon Conquest (for boys), who are starting up their fall programming again soon!  Learn more about these great Catholic youth programs available for the youngsters in your family by scrolling down to the details below.  
• Finally, don't forget about Freedom Fridays!  Freedom Fridays continue to run this fall, every Friday from 4-6 pm! Come out and join us - to visit with old friends or meet new ones!  It's a great way to wind down the work week with some great food and wonderful conversation with fellow parishioners. 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)!   

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  The forecast continues to look warm and sunny - for the rest of the month!  Yay!  May you continue to get out there and enjoy this lovely lingering "summer" weather.  We came SO close to beating Winnipeg in the Labour Day Classic last weekend - could we manage to take way fewer penalties, turn the tables and beat them on their home field in the Banjo Bowl this Saturday? With God anything is possible! Go Riders!       

Warm September Blessings,

Marlene

St. Philip Neri CWL

First CWL Meeting of 2022

The St Philip Neri Council of the CWL will begin the season with its first meeting THIS Wednesday, September 14 at 7 pm in the church. Since this is our first gathering in over two years, we plan to make this a social event with time for visiting , a spiritual service and the presentation of long overdue awards. There will also be refreshments. All ladies are invited to spend the evening with us! 

Parish Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical Ministries: There is an informational booklet about the Liturgical ministries available in the Welcome area for a brief explanation of the Mass ministries. There are registration forms in the Welcome Area and also in the pews for those who are interested in assisting with the Mass ministries in which they wish to serve. The ministry sign up forms should be returned by Friday, October 7,  to Shirley Hyshka in the Parish Office.  Please note: There is a possibility too of signing up through google docs., but we are in the early stages of setting that up.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation: Those who are interested in registering their child/children for the preparation and celebration of First Reconciliation (Confession) are invited to complete the registration form which is found on a table in the Welcome Area. The form could also be emailed to you if you request one. The completed forms should be returned to Shirley Hyshka at the Parish before Friday, September 30, at s.hyshka@stphilipneriparish.ca.   

Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms will be celebrated on Sunday, September 25 and Sunday, October 23. Please contact Shirley, Pastoral Associate, for more information.

A New Youth Program at St. Philip Neri Parish!

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is coming to St. Philip Neri Parish this fall!

This extraordinary program will invite children aged 3-12 years of age to spend time with God in a unique way. Stay tuned as there are more details to come. In the meantime, if you'd like more information, please contact Cynthia, at lcfoster@sasktel.net.

Also - do you happen to have any hangable picture frames that are no longer being used or needed at home? Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is looking for picture frames of various sizes to create an art gallery of religious images in our downstairs spaces. If you have frames in good condition that you would like to donate to our new program, please bring them to the church and drop them off in the Parish Office.  Thanks so much! 

We keep in our prayers ...

• All the victims and their families of the horrific tragedy suffered by so many on James Smith First Nation, and in Weldon, SK, last weekend.  May God gently soothe and heal the minds and hearts of the survivors and all those impacted by this tragic, senseless event, and may those who lost their lives be at peace and in the arms of Jesus.
• Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and all those around the world who loved our gracious, kind and caring queen.  May God grant his loyal, faith-filled servant the joy, peace and happiness of eternal life, and may he also bring comfort and strength to all those who mourn the loss of their mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, matriarch and friend, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
• For our parishioners, family, friends and neighbours who may be struggling with ill health.  May God grant them, and their families, strength, patience, healing and peace.  

St. Philip Neri Parish Bereavement Support

THIS Tuesday Sept. 13, 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 gathering THIS Tuesday, Sept. 13, 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.

Golden Age Card Players

The Golden Age Group at St. Philip Neri is now back up and running with their card-playing afternoons!  Their next session will be on Wednesday, September 21, in the Welcome Area, 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 some fun, friendly competition!  Stay tuned for the October card-playing dates!  For more information, please call the president, Sylvia Godbout, at (306) 374-9085. 

Campaign Life Coalition SK

Life Chain - Sunday, Oct. 2

Campaign Life Coalition Saskatchewan will be hosting the annual Life Chain on Sun. Oct 2, from 2 pm to 3 pm, on the corner of Idylwyld Drive and 22nd Street in Saskatoon. Signs are provided. Please plan to attend to show your support for the life from conception to natural death.

The "40 Hours for Life" Campaign will begin on Wednesday, Sept 21. This event will be slightly modified from previous years, due to the 50 meter Bubble Zone in place around the hospitals in Saskatchewan. This year's campaign will be on the corner of Queen Street and 4th Avenue. There will be three one-hour time slots from 9 am to noon on Mondays to Fridays. Signs are provided. Please help advocate for the protection of human life within the womb during this campaign. Come as often as you are able and the team captain for each time slot will assist you with signage and literature. The campaign will end on Friday October 28. For more information contact Louis (306) 249-2764.

Pregnancy Options Centre “Dare to Imagine” GALA

Friday, Sept. 23

* Pregnancy Options Centre “Dare to Imagine” GALA - It's fall and time once again for the Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre Gala and Online Silent Auction! All are invited to attend on Friday, Sept. 23 at Prairieland, Saskatoon. Tickets are free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. This is the SPOC major fundraiser for the year. It's a fun night with musical entertainment by Sonia Reid Noble and a live onsite painting done by Ramona Swift Theissenn which will be auctioned at the end of the evening. The silent auction goes live Sept. 13. To host a table, get tickets or obtain the link for the online silent auction, please contact Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre at 306-665-7550 or email contact@saskatoonpregnancyoptions.com.

Rachel's Vineyard Ministry 2022 Retreat

October 14 - 16

Are you hurting because of an abortion? Rachel's Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortion emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. The next retreat in Saskatchewan will be held Oct. 14-16, 2022, in a location near to Saskatoon. To register or speak to someone confidentially, please contact Elaine at 1 (306) 480-8911 or e-mail: r.vineyardsk@sasktel.net

Donate your recycling refund to Catholic TRC Healing Response

Please consider donating your recycling refund to Catholic TRC Healing Response. There are four "drop-and-go" recycling locations in Saskatoon where you are able to donate your returnable deposit proceeds to the Diocesan TRC fund:

1.  350B-103^rd St. East in Sutherland
2.  2327 Faithful Ave.
3.  2900 Jasper Ave.
4.  2305-22^nd St. West

Note:  These locations will have a separate entrance for Drop and Go.  Everything is a touch screen, and when it asks for your account, you can type in TRC or trc.  You will enter the number of tags you need for your bags and stick them on before droping them off.  Thank you for your kind contributions to the Catholic TRC Healing Response!

Season of Creation

September 1 - October 4

The burning bush is the Symbol for the Season of Creation 2022. Today, the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Creation cries out as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice. On the contrary, the fire that called to Moses as he tended the flock on Mt. Horeb did not consume or destroy the bush. This flame of the Spirit revealed God’s presence. This holy fire affirmed that God heard the cries of all who suffered, and promised to be with us as we followed in faith to our deliverance from injustice. In this Season of Creation, this symbol of God’s Spirit calls us to listen to the voice of creation.  For more information, click on the button below:

Serena Run for the Family

 Participate in this fund-raising family run on Saturday, Sept. 17 either “live”, from 9 am to 11 am, or “remotely” anytime between Sept. 14 and Sept. 18. Find all the details at:  www.facebook.com/SerenaSaskatchewan or on the Natural Family Planning organization’s website: saskserena.ca.

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, Sept. 12, 19 and 26, from 6 pm-10 pm 
• The next full day Adoration will be on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 9 am - 6 pm.

GSCS is now hiring!

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools is hiring for a number of casual employment opportunities, including educational assistants, secretary, medical facilitator, and more. Apply at https://www.applitrack.com/gscs/onlineapp/ or click on the button below, and help make a difference in our Catholic school communities.

Compassionate Healers' Mass

The Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan has announced that the 16th Annual Compassionate Healers’ Mass will take place at on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 9 am, at Holy Family Cathedral, 123 Nelson Road. Bishop Mark Hagemoen will preside. This year, all parishes are invited to take the opportunity to offer a blessing to all those who share in the healing ministry of Christ: family members who support elderly, sick and less-able people, medical professionals, councillors, those who respond to the many faces of those wounded in mind, soul, and body.

Catholic Youth Programing

Grades 3 and up!

For the GIRLS - Saskatoon Challenge is a Catholic Youth Ministry program for girls in Grades 3-12 to grow in knowledge of their Catholic faith, build friendship with Christ, and make a difference and positive impact on their families, friends and in the world around them. Challenge meets Friday nights at St. Anne Parish, 217 Lenore Drive, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and at other scheduled times for mission and outreach. Register online at https://rcdos.ca/challenge-girls-club/ or if you have any questions about Challenge or the registration process, please contact Erin Hickey at skchallengegirls@gmail.com or (306) 716-2062. The deadline for registration is THIS SUNDAY, September 11.

For the BOYS - Saskatoon Conquest is a Catholic Youth Ministry for boys in Grades 3 and up. The purpose of the club is to help boys to grow in their relationship with Jesus, to increase their knowledge of the Catholic faith, and to grow in virtue and service. Registration night will be held 6:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at 6:45 pm at St. Matthew Elementary School, 1508 Arlington Avenue. Most meetings will also be held at St. Matthew School on Fridays, from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm.  For more info, please see the Conquest website at: conquestsaskatoon.com or contact conquest.saskatoon@gmail.com

CWL Clothing Depot - Ongoing Needs

CWL Clothing Depot continues to depend on donations, including: cutlery, towels, blankets, pots and pans and small appliances in good working condition. Donations may be dropped off Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm at the alley entrance of the Clothing Depot, which is located at 619 20th Street W., OR here in the Parish Welcome Area, during regular office hours.  Thank you for your continued support!

Filipino Catholic Community of Saskatoon

Next Monthly Mass - Sun. Sept. 18

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, September 18, 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:  Oct. 16, Nov. 20, and Dec. 18.   

St. Philip Neri Masses are live-streamed, every Saturday at 5 pm

 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, September 10 - 5:00 pm (Fr. Mike)

Saturday, September 17 - 5:00 pm (Fr. Mike)

Catholic Saskatoon NEWS

Our Diocese has an online news portal featuring local, national and international Catholic news. Go to “Catholic Saskatoon News” at https://news.rcdos.ca to check out the latest coverage, or to sign up to receive headline updates via e-mail. The Diocese also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saskatoonrcdiocese and can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SaskatoonCath.

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.