Aboriginal Lay Formation

In the fall of 2007 Aboriginal Lay Formation was added to the existing Lay Formation program in Saskatoon, which for 20 years has empowered people to live their faith more fully. The newest stream focuses on our Catholic faith as lived out within Aboriginal traditions and culture.

A joint project of three Roman Catholic dioceses – Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Keewatin/LePas, –Aboriginal Lay Formation is offered in conjunction with the existing program at Queen’s House of Retreats in the city of Saskatoon. Participants gather one weekend a month from September to June for two years.

Three streams – Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic and Aboriginal Catholic – are now available. Participants are together for their shared Catholic faith formation. At other times, the three streams separate in order to delve more deeply into their own particular traditions and spirituality.

This is a unique faith formation experience that provides each participant with an increased understanding of their own Catholic faith tradition, as well as the chance to learn from those of other traditions.

Coordinator

Vivian Whitehawk coordinates the Aboriginal Lay Formation stream in collaboration with the Saskatoon diocesan Lay Formation Team.

Lay Formation weekends offer a variety of topics and presenters, including Harry Lafond, Howard Cameron, Larry McCallum and Sr. Kateri Mitchell.

Unique program

The unique new program fills a great need for Aboriginal, First Nations, and Metis people to deepen their Catholic faith within their own cultural framework, with a focus on Native spirituality.

The program is not radical or controversial, but explores the Catholic faith as it is lived out within Aboriginal culture. The Aboriginal stream of Lay Formation welcomes the diversity of Nations within the Aboriginal community.

“Initiating this program cooperatively among three diocese is a powerful statement about the place and the need for First Nations people within our Church. It reflects the strength of their own communities and the many gifts they have to offer the larger community.”
Most Rev. Albert LeGatt, Bishop Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Format

Gathering for one weekend every month from September to June over two years, participants in the formation program spend time deepening their prayer lives, sharing their faith and life experiences, and learning more about the Catholic faith.

The program is offered at Queen’s House of Retreats, which is situated on the banks of the Saskatchewan River. Both the building and the grounds have a peaceful and prayerful atmosphere. Lay Formation participants stay at the retreat centre for the entire weekend, sharing meals and community time together.

Subjects addressed by high quality speakers throughout the two-year process include:

• Scripture
• The Trinity
• Christology
• Sacraments
• Justice and Peace
• Moral Theology
• Liturgy
• Prayer
• Different styles of spirituality
• Ecumenism
• Interfaith relations
• Church history
• First Nations traditions and history
• Role of Mary, saints and models
• Aboriginal spirituality
• First Nations spirituality and Catholic practice

Within the weekend schedule there are also prayer sessions – both as a large group and as small prayer groups – as well as personal prayer time and even time for singing practice for the Sunday Eucharist.

Testimony

Participant Myrtle Ballantyne of St. Gertrude Parish at Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan, says that the opportunity to journey into a deeper understanding of her Roman Catholic faith within the context of Native spirituality is a great blessing.

“It is just so powerful and meaningful to me,” she says of the power of traditional symbols such as sweetgrass, the circle, the four directions, and the rocks of the earth. Sharing First Nations spirituality with those from other traditions in the Lay Formation program is a profound and enriching experience, adds Dolores Sand of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and St. Joseph Parish in Marcelin, Saskatchewan.

“This is something I’ve been looking for. I want to increase my knowledge of our faith, of the Bible. I need tools. I need the knowledge,” says Sand.

Contact

The Lay Formation program is offered within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon with the support of funding from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and from Catholic Missions in Canada. Bursaries are available to help offset the cost of participating in the Aboriginal Lay Formation Program.

For more information about Aboriginal Lay formation, contact Vivian Whitehawk at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Saskatoon, 100-5th Ave. N, Saskatoon, S7K 2N7, phone 306-242-1500, Toll Free: 1-877-661-5005, Fax: Fax: 306-244-6010. E-mail: aboriginallf@saskatoonrcdiocese.com

Download the application.