To promote Christian Unity and Dialogue among World Religions

The October launching of the 1st Irénée Beaubien, s.j. Ecumenical Institute by the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism will assemble noted experts in ecumenism (Christian unity) and interreligious dialogue. Fifty years after the foundation of the Centre and the publication of the Vatican Council II decree on ecumenism, this event will create a space where the theory and the practice of ecumenism can intersect and serve as a platform for future action. Pioneers who laboured to establish dialogue when this was not the popular thing to do will pass on their experience and the knowledge gleaned from their efforts to a younger generation passionate about overcoming differences and working together. Society will reap the benefits.

The Irénée Beaubien Ecumenical Institute will bring together people from different churches and different religions for two days of conferences, October 24-25, in the Anglican diocese’s Fulford Hall in Montréal located at 1444 Union Avenue. Participants will learn from some fourteen church leaders and specialists in the fields of inter-church and interfaith dialogue as these speakers explore the understanding and the practice of ecumenism from different angles. Question periods following each talk will provide the opportunity for clarification and exchange.
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Saskatoon Theological Union (St. Andrew’s College) will be offering a “Preparing for Ecumenical Ministries” course from January 18-22, 2010, for credit or audit. It will run from 9-5 daily. The instructor will be Sandra Beardsall (Professor of Church History and Ecumenics).

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Summer Ecumenical Institute 2009: Telling our story, shaping our future: Christian unity and reconciliation in Canada

June 2-5, 2009 in Saskatoon, SK

The Summer Ecumenical Institute will function as a stock-taking and a vision-building exercise for the grassroots ecumenical community in Canada. 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. It is also the 50th anniversary of the announcement by Pope John XXIII of the Second Vatican Council, one of whose main aims was the advancement of Christian unity. It is 50 years since our founder, Fr. Bernard de Margerie, received his call to the path of ecumenism. There is much to celebrate!

More details at ecumenism.net/sei/
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Foundations, “Exploring Our Faith Together” is a faith enrichment program for adults offered by the parishes in Saskatoon’s Roman Catholic diocese during the fall and spring of each year. The cost of each course is $5 per person, per two hour session. High school students: no charge. Anyone is welcome to attend sessions — it is not necessary to be member of the parish organizing the event. Pre-registration is required. A minimum of 15 people is required for the course to run. A partial selection of topics is included below. The complete Foundations schedule for Spring 2008 and contact information is available on the RC diocesan website.

“Zombie Jesus or Resurrected Christ” with Blake Sittler
Holy Spirit Parish, Saskatoon, Monday, March 3, 7:30 pm
Every Sunday we proclaim that we believe in the resurrection of the dead but do we really understand what the resurrection is? Blake will investigate the scriptural, theological, historical and practical aspects of our hoped for glorification.

“Theology of Johnny Cash” with Blake Sittler
St. Patrick Parish Centre, Saskatoon, Wednesday, March 5, 7 pm
Visiting different aspects of Catholic theology using the lyrics of Johnny Cash.

“Spirituality & Social Justice” with Gertrude Rompré
Holy Spirit Parish, Saskatoon, Tuesday, March 11, 7:30 pm
How do we develop a balanced spirituality that includes a commitment to justice? How do we create a balanced activism that remains gospel-centered? This session explores these questions and how we can develop a “faith that does justice”.

“A Funny Thing Happened on my Way Through the Bible” with Blake Sittler
Assumption of Our Lady Parish, Kerrobert, Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 pm
A search for the use of humour in the Old and New Testament and a discussion about the importance of making the Word relevant to people today.

“Interchurch Families” with Shirley & Bernie Karstad
St. Anne Parish, Saskatoon, Wednesday, April 16, 7:30
Interchurch marriages are a particular life situation for many Christians that require special pastoral sensitivity. We will explore the realities of these families which share a baptismal and marital oneness.
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St. Andrew’s College, Saskatoon is pleased to announced that Sandra Beardsall, professor of ecumenics and church history, will offer a five-day course (for credit or audit) called “Preparing for Ecumenical Ministries,” June 4-8, 2007 (course #HA 356).
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Once again, Scripturefest will be held at Queen’s House, Saskatoon. Theme: “The bread that we break – the cup that we bless: Scriptural perspectives on the Lord’s Table.” Keynote speaker will be Christian Eberhart, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $35 (with lunch).
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The 2007 edition of Growing Together is now available for pre-order at the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. Growing Together is a series of Sunday bulletin inserts prepared by a special writing team for the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. Produced annually since 1985, GT consists of a set of 5 inserts normally distributed in church bulletins from January to May.

The 2007 GT series is:

1. Hear the Word of the Lord – Prophetic Voices for God
2. The Power of Words
3. When We Disagree: Living with Difference in our Congregations
4. A Muslim Friend I Would Like To Have Known
5. The Spirituality of Travel
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Multi-Faith Saskatoon will present the 22nd Annual Festival of Faith on Oct. 29, 2:00 p.m., at Nutana Park Mennonite Church (1701 Ruth Street). More information will come later.

The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism’s Fall Workshop for Ecumenical Contacts will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2006 at St. Francis RC Church, Saskatoon (Willow St. & Melrose Ave.) from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Our theme is “After you say hello: going deeper in inter-church dialogue.”
Lots of people can generate some enthusiasm for ‘surface’ ecumenism (occasional potlucks, an annual joint service, etc.), but how do you move yourself and your church from polite greetings to meaningful, lasting engagement? This can be particularly challenging for lay people who operate at varying distances from the centres of power in their churches. Sharing enthusiasm and tested ideas with us will be the Rev. Dr. Jim Halmarson, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, who is serving with the Anglican parish of Christ Church, Saskatoon, and who also teaches at the Lutheran Theological Seminary.
The workshop forms part of the ongoing training and development of Ecumenical Contacts – people in parishes and congregations who accept the call to work for Christian unity and reconciliation – but it is open to anyone who is interested in the subject. Registration is from 8:30 am. There is no charge for the workshop (donations welcome). For further information call the PCE at 306-653-1633 or email pce [at] ecumenism [dot] net.
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The annual Holocaust Memorial Service will be held Sunday, April 30th at 1:30 p.m. Hosted by the Congregation Agudas Israel at 715 McKinnon Ave., Saskatoon. This year, the keynote speaker is Philip Weiss. Born in 1922 in Drohobycz, Poland, Philip, along with his parents, his brother and sister, were first placed in a ghetto, then
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On Earth Day, April 22, 2006, a conference in Saskatoon will feature local, national, and international speakers on nuclear issues and healthy positive energy alternatives. Entitled “Towards a Nuclear Free Future,” the conference will be held at the St. George’s Senior Citizens’ Club, 20th Street & Avenue M, Saskatoon, from 9 am to 4:30 p.m.
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A workshop for ecumenical contacts and leaders entitled “God in Your grace, Transform the World: An eyewitness report from the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches” will be held April 22 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Saskatoon.
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The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is March 21, the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960.
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Scripturefest with Dr. Jo-Ann Badley at Queen’s House of Retreats (601 Taylor St. West, Saskatoon) January 21, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration required, $35. Co-sponsored by Queen’s House, RC Diocese of Saskatoon, and the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.

We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus, the coming of hope to our world: hope for love and belonging; hope for compassion and sharing; hope for forgiveness and reconciliation; hope for justice and peace. How does the celebration of Christmas hope shape our interactions during a federal election campaign? An election campaign provides many
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“Walking in someone else’s shoes: Using empathy to heal conflict” is the title of the 2005 Restorative Justice Week workshop. Keynote speaker: Mary Rose Boyer, and additional workshops. At Mount Royal Mennonite Church (610 Avenue O North, Saskatoon) on November 15, from 1:30 to 9 p.m. $15 for registration, $7 for underwaged persons, students no
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