Ecumenical Events

Prairie Symposium for the Common Good Public Lectures

In collaboration with St. Paul’s College and Campion College, St. Thomas More College is proud to announce its hosting of the Leslie & Irene Dubé Chair for Catholic Studies Lecture and the Ayotte Lecture on Faith and the Environment as part of this year’s Prairie Symposium for the Common Good.

Please be advised that both lectures will take place at the Fr. O’Donnell Auditorium (STM 140), with reception to follow. Both lectures will be in-person only and no registration is required to attend.

Lecture Descriptions

Everyone is Needed: Building the Common Good through Dialogue and Friendship (April 29th, 2024 at 7:00 pm Saskatchewan)

In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis explains that “Authentic social dialogue involves the ability to respect the other’s point of view and to admit that it may include legitimate convictions and concerns” (203) and it is only possible when we begin by recognizing the equal dignity of all (211). Rejecting the throwaway culture, relativism, and utilitarianism, Catholic social teaching offers a vision of the common good as built through inclusive participation in dialogue. Friendship and kindness are valued as integral elements for “once kindness becomes a culture within society it transforms lifestyles, relationships and the ways ideas are discussed and compared. Kindness facilitates the quest for consensus; it opens new paths where hostility and conflict would burn all bridges.” (FT 224). In this lecture, Dr. Clark will offer insights from Catholic social teaching’s vision of the common good for thinking about the values of diversity and inclusion within our pluralistic societies.

Sharing the Creator’s Earth: The Meeting of St. Francis of Assisi & Sultan, Al-Malik al-Kāmil as a Model for Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples (April 30th, 2024 at 7:30 pm Saskatchewan)

The U.S. is far behind Canada in owning up to past atrocities committed against Indigenous Peoples, and then seeking justice and reconciliation with them. In the case of the Sisters of St. Francis - Rochester, MN (my religious community) while we did not sponsor or run boarding schools, our Motherhouse property is on a hill where Indigenous People formerly held ceremonies. Only in the Summer of 2023 did we finally publicly acknowledge that reality, and officially begin conversations seeking how to make amends. We’ve only just begun sharing our common ground namely, a deep desire to care for “The Creator’s Earth.” This presentation will offer a model for dialogue toward reconciliation rooted in the 1219 encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan, Al-Malik al-Kāmil.

New Website Launch!

The Canadian Council of Churches' Commission on Justice and Peace (CJP) is pleased to announce the launch of a new archive website: justiceandpeace.ca!

This digital library is a culmination of over 25 years of dedicated work, ecumenical dialogue, communal prayer, bible study, and advocacy efforts among members of the Commission on Justice and Peace, The Canadian Council of Churches (the Council), Canadian church leaders, and Canadian religious leaders.

At justiceandpeace.ca, you will find a rich collection of resources from the Council aimed at promoting justice, peace, and ethical reflection. This extensive archive includes theological resources, position statements, advocacy letters, briefing notes, and various other materials that have evolved over 25 years of thoughtful collaboration and engagement.

We invite you to visit justiceandpeace.ca and explore the invaluable resources available to inspire and inform your journey towards justice and peace.

Stones Cry Out: Praying with the Land
ELCIC/ACC National Worship Conference July 18-21, 2024

Registration is now open! Visit our website at: nationalworshipconference.org and follow us on Facebook @nationalworshipconference for updates regarding the keynote speakers, workshops, and Friday evening hospitality options!

The focus of the conference is to help us to think about, talk about, and pray about the ways in which we can transform our worship, in authentic ways - from language and image of empire and colonialism, to one which recognizes our rich multi-cultural and Indigenous heritage.

Early bird registration ends on May 31 so now is the time to register: https://www.nationalworshipconference.org/registration/

We have 9 inspiring workshop offerings for participants offered by a wonderful variety of leadership, both local and from away.

Workshop titles:
Ceremony and Liturgy
New Words, New Melodies, New Inspiration
Mysterium: the development and practice of an Ancient-Future worship service
Sacred Treaty relationships and promises
Understanding Indigenous Spirituality
Walking together in a good way: stories from Indigenous and Ally perspectives
An Indigenous Creed
Crafting and Leading Rituals of Healing and Reconciliation
Singing and Praying Justly

Thursday evening after our first plenary session, we welcome local musicians, the Kelly Bros. who will entertain at our social pub night. The Kelly Bros. are Brian, Anthony and Blake Kelly who grew up on a farm in a musical family in the Qu’Appelle Valley near Rocanville, SK. They’ve been singing together since they were children, along with Mom, two younger brothers and their dad accompanying them on the guitar. The Kelly Bros. show spotlights their family harmonies on original material and songs from the country, rock and pop genres that come primarily from “brother” acts.

On Friday evening, participants will have the choice to attend a traditional pow wow hosted by the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, a Christian Indigenous concert put on by our friends at Indigenous Christian Fellowship (https://icfregina.ca), a supper and Mysterium service at Christ Lutheran Church or spend the evening on your own exploring Regina! More information is here: https://www.nationalworshipconference.org/friday-evening/

Visit https://www.nationalworshipconference.org/workshops/ to learn more!

Have you made your travel plans? Make sure to take an extra day or two to visit some of the awesome destinations in and around Regina. Here's our list of places to check out: https://www.nationalworshipconference.org/explore-regina/

Early bird registration ends on May 31 so now is the time to register: https://www.nationalworshipconference.org/registration/

Travel discounts are available here: https://www.nationalworshipconference.org/travel-discounts/

Can't wait to see you!

Sincerely,

Rev Lynn Robertson (local Lutheran co-chair) & Kate Berringer (local Anglican co-chair)
[email protected]

CircleM Rural Ministries Conference
Experience the rural culture of the Alberta Foothills, June 18-21 2024, Cochrane, AB.

Hosted by the Centre for Rural Community Leadership and Ministry (CircleM, circle-m.ca) and by the Rural Church Network of the United States and Canada.

Accommodation, meals, and some programming at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre; transportation offered from Calgary airport to people from out-of-province. Program includes visits with the Wray Farm (involved in regenerative agriculture); Land of Dreams (Immigrant and Indigenous urban gardening); Mînî Thnî (a Stoney Nakoda community in the foothills, with roots in the history of the Indigenous Day of Prayer), and Banff (rural church life in a tourist region).

Total cost for residential conference and all tours will be $500. Options available for people not staying at Mount St. Francis.

Information at https://www.circle-m.ca and registration is now open at https://cdn.jotfor.ms/233544505783056

New podcast: Grassroots Ecumenists

Grassroots Ecumenists, produced in collaboration with the Glenmary Ecumenical Commission, presents stories from around the world of individuals and organizations involved in the work of Christian unity and is hosted by Nathan Smith, Director of Ecumenism for Glenmary.

More info at https://www.focolaremedia.com/tag/grassroots-ecumenists

I especially encourage you to listen to episode 2 (Sept. 28). In this episode Nathan and Rev. Dr Karen Petersen Finch discuss her experiences of ecumenism at the grassroots level, and how she got the inspiration for her book. Dr. Petersen Finch is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and an ecumenical theologian specializing in the Reformed and Roman Catholic traditions, author of Grassroots Ecumenism, the book that inspired this series.

Contemplative Listening
A Formation Program for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction

Facilitated by Archdiocese of Regina Spiritual Directors Group

This two-year program, September 2024 to June 2026, is limited to twelve persons who will meet once a month for ten months each year. It will include some retreats.

If you believe you are a possible candidate for this program and would like more information and an application form, contact Karen Ziegler (306) 527-2738, email: [email protected] or Dennis Ziegler (306) 539-7134, email: [email protected] before March 1, 2024.

For more information visit https://archregina.sk.ca/group/spiritual-direction/

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