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 Monsignor Donald Bolen will be ordained the seventh bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon on the Feast of the Annunciation, Thursday, March 25.
“It’s a wonderful feast on which to be ordained,” says Monsignor Bolen, describing how the words of Mary at the Annunciation "Let it be done to be according to your word" has echoed throughout the appointment process, and in his own life. “It all seems right,” Bolen said of the date, which falls just days before the start of Holy Week.
Another blessing is that four days after the March 25 episcopal ordination (when attendance will regrettfully be “by invitation only”) there will be another chance to celebrate with the entire diocese at the Chrism Mass, 7 p.m. Monday, March 29 at St. Patrick Parish.
The Chrism Mass celebration brings together representatives from parishes across the diocese to receive the sacred oils blessed by the bishop. Bolen will also have his first chance to preach to a diocesan gathering at the Chrism Mass – something that doesn’t happen at an episcopal ordination, when the new bishop only says a few words of thanks.
Another celebration dear to Msgr. Bolen's heart will be the Ecumenical Prayer Service held the evening before the ordination, an event which is open to all. The Ecumenical Prayer Service will be held 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24 at St. Paul's Cathedral (Spadina Crescent and 22 Street, Saskatoon). Bishop-elect Bolen's background in ecumenical studies and dialogue includes several years of work with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity in Rome
Before taking up his new role as diocesan shepherd March 25, Bolen will be taking steps to “clear the deck” of commitments and obligations in preparation for “giving all my mind and my heart and my attention to the diocese.”
“I really appreciate the huge number of phone calls and e-mails, letters and cards that I have received since the announcement. There has been such a warm welcome and a celebration of the appointment – all of which is something I rejoice in, but at the same time, it’s also overwhelming,” Bolen said.
“I’m taking one step at a time, praying, and trusting God.”
See Related News Articles:
New bishop announced for Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: Msgr Don Bolen
Glad tidings of new bishop welcomed by Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: Msgr. Don Bolen of Archdiocese of Regina reflects on appointment
NEWS RELEASE Dec. 21, 2009: New bishop appointed for Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: Msgr. Don Bolan of the Archdiocese of Regina will shepherd Saskatoon diocese
Bishop-Elect Donald Bolen
He was born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan on February 7, 1961, the son of the late Joseph (+1968) and Rose (+2006) Bolen.
Upon completion of his High School education he undertook studies in English and Religious Studies at the University of Regina, completing a B.A. Honours.
He entered Saint Paul Seminary in Ottawa for the Archdiocese of Regina in 1986, eventually completing a B.Th., M.Th. and L.Th. through Saint Paul University.
He was ordained to the priesthood on October 12, 1991.
In the years following his ordination his ministry assignments have included:
- 1991-93 Associate Pastor, Estevan;
- 1993-94 Post-Graduate Studies, Saint Paul University, Ottawa; Priest Moderator at Church of Our Lady, Moose Jaw;
- 1994-97 Post-Graduate Studies, University of Oxford;
- 1997-99 Faculty, Dept. of Religious Studies, Campion College, University of Regina; Priest Moderator, Milestone and Lang Parishes; Administrator, Paroisse St. Jean Baptiste, Regina; Chair of Ecumenical Commission, Archdiocese of Regina;
- 1999-2000 Sabbatical to work on Doctoral Dissertation;
- 2000-2001 Faculty, Campion College; and Priest Moderator, St. Jean-Baptiste, Regina; Chair of Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission;
- 2001-2006 Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Rome – relations with Anglican Communion and World Methodist Council (five year term);
- 2006-2008 Renewal of permission to continue working with the Pontifical Council;
- 2009 (Jan-May) Nash Chair in Religion, Campion College;
- 2009 (August-present) Vicar general of the Archdiocese of Regina; Pastor of St. Joseph, Balgonie, St. Agnes, Pilot Butte, and St. Peter’s Colony, Kronau; Chair of Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission;
He is an Associate Priest of the Madonna House Apostolate, and an Oblate of St. Peter’s Benedictine Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan.
In November, 2008 he was awarded the Cross of Saint Augustine by the Archbishop of Canterbury for his service to relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
The bishop makes Christ's mission present and enduring in the Church. He
undertakes
Christ's role as teacher, priest, and shepherd. (LG21)
As shepherd, a bishop exercises his authority in a spirit of service, considering
it as a vocation to serve the whole Church; so that it is all the more obvious
that he is in truth the servant of God and the servant of the servants of God
after the example of the high priest. (CD 16)
It is the bishop's responsibility to teach the word of God with authority
and bear witness to it, to faithfully guard and to authentically interpret
it (LG 24-25). He is to preside over Christian worship in the person of Christ
and dispense the mysteries of God (LG 26). It is his role to gather together
the particular churches of the diocese (LG 27). He is to choose and direct
their helpers in the sacred ministry (LG 28-29). And it is his role to pass
judgment on the goodness and orderly exercise of charisms (LG 12).
Since he bears the office of teacher, priest and shepherd, the bishop needs
the collaboration of the whole community, not only of priests and deacons,
but also of the laity. Lay people are called to take part in the common apostolate
in the Church and to cooperate with their pastors under the authority of the
bishop. Without this cooperation, the bishops hierarchical apostolate is for
the most part unable to achieve its full effect (AA10).
(LG) - Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) the Documents of
Vatican II
(CD) - Decree on the Bishopâs Pastoral Office in the Church (Christus
Dominus) the Documents of Vatican II
(AA) - Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem) the
Documents of Vatican II
In each diocese there is a council of priests who represent the Îpresbyterium
and who serve as the Bishop's senate. The council's role is to assist the Bishop
in the governance of the diocese, so that the pastoral welfare of the people
of God entrusted to the Bishop may be most effectively promoted.
About half of the members of the council are elected by the priests themselves,
some are members by reason of the office they hold, and some are appointed
by the Bishop.
The diocesan bishop convenes the council of priests, presides over it and
determines the matters to be discussed in consultation with the members. (Code
of Canon Law #495-501)
Previous Bishops
Bishop Albert LeGatt - July 26, 2001 - September 21, 2009
James Vernon Weisgerber, Fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 1996-2000
James Patrick Mahoney, Fourth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 1967-1995
Francis Joseph Klein Third Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 1952-1967
Philip Francis Pocock, Second Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 1944-1951
Gerald C. Murray, CSsR, First Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 1934-1944 |
