Grace and peace to you in the Lord. In the five months since my ordination as bishop, I have begun the great task of getting to know the people of the Diocese of Saskatoon. Despite significant challenges, the Church is alive and well here, and there is a great deal to rejoice in. I daily give thanks to God for all of you within the 96 parishes of the Diocese, and for all the good which is being done within those parishes as we seek to walk ever more as Christ's disciples, building up the Church and placing ourselves at the service of those most in need in our midst.

Much of what we are able to accomplish as a diocesan church, including a wide range of initiatives that are unique to this diocese, comes as a result of the Bishop's Annual Appeal. It is greatly encouraging to hear how, for more than 25 years, the Appeal has been responded to generously, opening doors for the diocesan church to carry out its life-giving mission. The leadership demonstrated by parishes in the diocese in supporting this vital annual campaign is a powerful witness of unity and faithfulness.

God has blessed us with many gifts and resources, giving us the opportunity to reach out to others in turn. Thanks to your support for the Bishop's Annual Appeal, our Diocese benefits from more than 40 important ministries and programs responding to spiritual and material needs across the diocese and in the larger community. Youth Ministry, Lay Formation, Justice and Peace, Marriage and Family Life, Rural Catechetics, Vocations promotion, Prison Ministry and Hospital Chaplaincy are among the many initiatives in our diocese supported by the Appeal. I invite you to seek out more information about these and other ministries by visiting our diocesan website or contacting the Bishop's Annual Appeal office.

My heartfelt gratitude for continued support and prayers for the many ministries within our Diocese. May God continue to bless you with every good blessing.
Yours in Christ,

Bishop Don Bolen

Diocese of Saskatoon