Christ is risen! Indeed he is risen! Alleluia!

Below you will find Bishop Donald Bolen’s 2013 Easter message.

Fr. Darryl’s homilies from the Triduum:
Homily from Holy Thursday
Homily from Good Friday
Homily from Easter

Please pray for our new Holy Father, for Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, and for the Church throughout the world!

Here are some of Fr. Darryl’s initial reactions to the election of the new Pope.

And here are a couple of videos recalling those moments when the white smoke erupted from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel and Pope Francis was introduced to the world:

Experience the most vivid Catechism ever created.

Location: Holy Guardian Angels Parish basement, Englefeld

Join those journeying through the RCIA to watch and discuss this ground breaking, 10-part DVD series about the Catholic faith!  Creator and host Fr. Robert Barron illuminates what Catholics believe and why, while immersing you in the art, architecture, literature, music, and all the riches of the Catholic tradition.

Dates and times for all episodes:

(May be subject to change – please watch here for the latest information. All events are in the basement of Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Englefeld.)

• Episode 1 – Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God Become Human – Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 @ 7pm
• Episode 2 – Happy Are We: The Teachings of Jesus – Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 @ 7pm
• Episode 3 – The Ineffable Mystery of God – TBA
• Episode 4 – Mary, the Mother of God - Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
• Episode 5 – Peter, Paul, and the Missionary Adventure - TBA
• Episode 6 – The Mystical Union of Christ and the Church - Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013
• Episode 7 – The Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist - Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2013
• Episode 8 – The Communion of Saints – TBA
• Episode 9 – Prayer and the Life of the Spirit - TBA
• Episode 10 – World Without End: The Last Things - TBA

Trailer:

Fr. Geoffrey Young of Saskatoon came out to Watson from March 10-12 to lead us in a Year of Faith Parish Mission.

Audio and Video of the sessions is now available!

Video is below:


Click below to listen to the audio (MP3 files):

• Session #1: 50 Years Since Vatican II (March 11, 2013)
• Session #2: Blessed John Paul II – A Witness of Faith (March 12, 2013)

Diocese expresses appreciation to Holy Father

Feb. 11, 2013 - Upon hearing the news this morning about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon issued the following statement:

“The faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon join the entire Church in expressing our deep gratitude for the many gifts that Pope Benedict XVI has brought to us over the years. We pray that the Holy Father will enjoy many years of rest and good health after stepping down from office February 28, 2013. We also pray for the whole Church as she chooses Pope Benedict’s successor, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

Statements from Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus

Here are some of the statements given from Benedict XVI in his final weeks as Pope. They are well worth reading!

• Full statement announcing Benedict XVI’s resignation as Pope (Feb. 11, 2013)
• Benedict’s last Wednesday General Audience (Feb. 27, 2013) – this is a GREAT read!
• Benedict’s last audience address given to the Cardinals present (Feb. 28, 2013)

And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t include his last message sent on Twitter:

• @Pontifex: “Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives.”

Some reflections

• Click here to listen to reflections from Fr. Darryl, Jane, and Andy over at Hot Cup of Ministry. (MP3)
• Bishop Don Bolen offers his thoughtful, personal reflections. (PDF)
• Fr. Matthew Ramsay, pastor of the Kerrobert area parishes, had his reflection published in the Globe and Mail.  It is exceedingly beautiful: read it here!
• Also check out this reflection from Sarah Dickmeyer, published by the CBC.  (Sarah was also the source of the wonderful Pope Benedict photo seen above.)

Moving forward from here

This is the first time in almost 600 years that a Pope has resigned (Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415).

• The now Pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, who turns 86 in April, has resigned in an amazing act of deep humility after a great deal of discernment. His resignation became effective on Feb. 28, 2013 at 1pm CST.
• The cardinals who are under 80 years of age have elected a new Holy Father! Pope Francis from Argentina is now our Pope!
• Approximately two months after his resignation, Benedict will be living a former convent inside the Vatican. He is currently spending this time at Castel Gandolfo, the papal vacation home.
• More details about his name and titles can be found at the Vatican News Service website.

Read some FAQs about the Pope’s resignation (ZENIT).

Here is a nifty graphical view of the conclave: Vatican Insider.

And check out this video from Busted Halo about how a papal election (a “conclave”) works:

What can we all do?

Pray! And don’t worry – the Holy Spirit continues to work in and through the Church!

Lent is a time for us to concentrate on our faith life through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Therefore, this is a great time to offer our acts of piety for Pope Benedict and for his successor.

I call upon all of us in the parishes of Watson, Englefeld, St. Gregor, and Quill Lake to offer special prayers for Pope Benedict, for the college of cardinals who will elect a new pope, and for his eventual successor.

- Fr. Darryl

Where: Englefeld Church basement
When: Thursday, Feb. 14 @ 7pm NOTICE: RCIA has been cancelled for this week. We’ll post here when we have the rescheduled date/time!

Joyce in Tanzania with a child recovering from surgery

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” (Alan Wilson Watts). This quote certainly describes how I’m feeling as the new director of Volunteer International Christian Service. VICS, a lay volunteer mission organization, was started by the Canadian Spiritan priests 42 years ago. Through their discernment, they have chosen to continue their support and involvement in the program with one major change – handing the directorship over to a lay person – me! My name is Joyce de Gooijer and though I plunged into the position early January of this year, in many ways I joined the VICS dance a long time ago.

My history with VICS started 25 years ago when my husband, John, and I experienced our first 2-year volunteer posting. We’ve been out three times now – serving in Kenya, East Africa; Kiribati, Central Pacific and Tanzania, East Africa. VICS matches requests from developing countries with Canadian volunteers’ professional and technical skills. Twenty years of teaching and principal experiences in rural Saskatchewan (most recently in the Watson and Drake areas) served me well for my experiences overseas.

Joyce with Catherine, a student dealing with cancer

Working alongside people in developing countries often leads to experiences one didn’t expect. In Kenya, I taught Math and English to high school students. Expecting to once again teach in Kiribati, I became the principal at St. Joseph’s College, a 400-student boarding school. And Tanzania? Well, that unfolded in a way I never expected, teaching 13 to 56 year old students with physical disabilities to read and write their national language – Swahili!!

And now as director, I plunge in, move with and am part of the VICS dance in a new way, continuing to respect the program and it’s philosophies within the context of change and moving forward. What an exciting place to be!

John and Joyce are now located in Edmonton, Alberta.

The SportsFathers: Catholic priests who talk about sports.

Join Fr. Darryl and other priest friends as they talk about the latest in the world of sports! Even with the CFL playoffs now finished, there is a lot to discuss.

(Go Riders!)

Listen here: thesportsfathers.com

Perhaps a better question to ask is: “Who is the Catholic Church?”

Watch below as Fr. Robert Barron explains, in Episode 6 of CATHOLICISM

The entire series is being shown in Englefeld, beginning on Dec. 6, 2012. Click here for details.

If you are on a mobile device, skip ahead to the 9 minute mark for the beginning of the episode.

And, as always – please feel free to check out your parish near you!

Click here to download the Mass schedule.

Also, feel free to contact Fr. Darryl if you have any questions:

306.287.3260

pastor@watsoncatholic.ca

facebook.com/frdarryl

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