An Enculturation Week was held in October for international “Fidei Donum” clergy who have recently arrived to serve in the Diocese of Saskatoon, providing orientation and welcome.

The week shared information about life in Canada and an overview of diocesan structures, ministry, safeguarding, truth and reconciliation, as well as community services and supports. 

Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomed the priests and their mentors on Day 1, expressing his thanks for responding to the call to serve the people of God in the diocese, and offering an overview of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and its goal to “Proclaim Christ and the Kingdom of God Today” through several key priorities.

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In addition to presentations by a range of guest speakers, the week also included tours, social gatherings, prayer and participation in a diocesan Fall Congress focused on accompaniment and mission.

Newly arrived priests also spent time with host families, sharing meals and building connections.

The title “Fidei Donum,” or “the Gift of Faith,” hearkens back to a 1957 encyclical of Pope Pius XII seeking the cooperation of diocesan bishops to send priests to mission lands. The most-recent arrivals of missionary priests to the Diocese of Saskatoon include priests from Nigeria, Ghana and Eritrea.

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A “Culture Night” was also hosted by the local Eritrean Catholic community, with traditional food and demonstrations of prayer in song, dance and drumming.

Master of Ceremonies Kevin Higgins introduced the four new priests, Hagemoen brought words of appreciation on behalf of the diocese and members of the Eritrean community also brought messages of gratitude and joy.

Community member Tsega Kibreab introduced the coffee ceremony that was part of the evening, explaining that it is “a sign of love, peace and togetherness” in Eritrean culture.

“We prepare and offer coffee at every important moment — during marriages, feasts and family gatherings, and even in times of sorrow — to comfort one another, to celebrate blessings and to strengthen our unity,” she said. “It brings us joy after a long day of hard work in the fields or daily life and reminds us that we are one family. Today, as we celebrate our Cultural Day, we offer this traditional coffee ceremony as a symbol of our gratitude and unity. It expresses our joy of being part of the Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, where our culture, faith and traditions are respected and welcomed.”

The ceremony also expresses the joy of welcoming the four recently arrived priests to the community. 

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“Thank you for saying ‘yes’ to serve our community with love and faith.”

Fr. Isaac Atta Mensah spoke on behalf of the priests, saying “we have found more than a diocese to work with, we have found a home.”