Mission & Outreach Ministry - St. Mary's Parish Saskatoon

04/06/2026

Alleluia!! He is Risen!!

04/04/2026

Tonight, we gather for the most sacred night of the entire Church year—the Easter Vigil, the Vigil of all vigils—at 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish.

We begin in darkness, outside with the lighting of the fire, as the Paschal Candle is lit and carried into the darkened church—the Light of Christ breaking into the darkness. One by one, that light is shared, filling the church and reminding us that the darkness does not overcome it. We listen to the great story of salvation through the Scriptures, culminating in the Gloria resounding as bells ring out—Christ is risen!—followed by the joyful return of the Alleluia, proclaimed with great joy.

Tonight, we will also witness new life in a profound way, as three new members are welcomed into the Catholic Church through Baptism, others receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, and others receive their First Holy Communion for the very first time.

This is the night where we commemorate when everything changed—the triumph of light over darkness, life over death, good over evil. Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death. He rises. And because He lives, we are given new life.

Come and experience the beauty, the depth, and the joy of this holy night. Come and encounter the Risen Lord.

04/03/2026

Join us today

04/01/2026

Tonight is the last night of the warm-up location in St. Mary’s Hall.
And honestly… we don’t really have the words for how today feels. It's a tough night.

Since November, over a thousand different men have walked through our doors. Not just numbers—real people. Men who shared their stories with us. Men who made us laugh. Men who cried. Men who prayed with us… and even prayed over us. Men who, in ways we didn’t expect, cared for us too.

And now, as we look outside at the fresh snowfall from yesterday… it just feels heavier.
So tonight, more than anything, we ask you to pray.

Pray for each and every one of these men. Not just that they would find somewhere safe and warm—but that they would come to truly see their own dignity… that they would know their worth… that they would find the help they need… and that their lives would be filled with real, lasting hope.

Pray for the volunteers, who showed up again and again, giving not just their time but their hearts. This is hard for them too.

Pray for the Salvation Army staff and the EPS Security team, who were here night after night, faithfully caring for the men and helping keep everyone safe.

Pray for the staff and volunteers at Friendship Inn, who made sure no one went without a meal—serving supper and breakfast each day with such quiet, consistent care.

And please… pray for us too.
Because the truth is, this isn’t just the closing of a space.
These men are not strangers to us.
They are our friends.

There are a lot of tears today.

❤️ But one thing we want to say clearly—
Just because the doors of the hall are closing… it does not mean that our hearts are closing or that our job is done. We are still at work.
This is just a transition from one season to the next and we are still here... and the men know that.

We will meet them where they are. We will continue to be present—on the streets, in the moments, in the conversations. Stay tuned for how you can join us!

Please consider helping us continue our work by making donations that fuel our works so that we can provide the essential needs of the men, the women and children we meet on our steps, at our door, in our church and throughout the community.

Online:
www.stmarysoutreach.com/donate

E-transfer: [email protected]

Cheques sent to:
St. Mary’s Outreach
211 Ave O South
Saskatoon, Sk
S7K 3V8

Our mission is not just a winter project... we are here and working all year round to show love and compassion to all those we meet.
This is a mission. A calling. A commitment to love.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty an...

03/31/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Nestor’s Bakery for their generosity.
They offered us an incredible deal on long johns so that every man in the hall last night could receive one—and they were very well received.

What was beautiful to see was how something so simple sparked conversation. Many of the men began sharing memories of having long johns when they were younger—stories that brought with them many smiles.
It was something Jennifer, our coordinator, could relate to as well—remembering stops at the bakery with her grandma to pick up a coconut long john. Moments like that remind us how meaningful even the smallest gestures can be and how we all have things in common.

So thank you, Nestor’s Bakery, for helping create not just a treat—but mamy beautiful moments of laughter and joy.

03/31/2026

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Black Pepper Pizza for their incredible generosity.

They donated 20 pizzas and then went above and beyond by offering us an amazing deal on another 30—making it possible for us to ensure there was more than enough for everyone in the hall last night.

Because these last days matter.

We have been trying, in every way we can, to shower the men with extra love as we approach the closing of the warm-up location. And something as simple as sharing pizza together becomes so much more—it becomes comfort, community, and a reminder that they are cared for.
If this is hard for us, we know it is even harder for them.

So thank you, Black Pepper Pizza, for helping us create a night where the men were not just fed—but truly seen, valued, and loved.

Your kindness made a difference.

03/31/2026

Last night in the hall was special.

After a full day of preparation and assembling the bags, another group of volunteers came in the evening to be with the men. Some were familiar faces, others were joining us for the first time—but all came with the same heart to serve.

And it’s amazing… even after such long hours, being there doesn’t drain you—it fills your soul.

There’s something about sitting with the men, sharing treats and essential items, having conversations, and simply being present that reminds you why this matters so much.

There is a mix of emotions in the hall right now. You can feel it.
But the one that continues to rise above the rest is gratitude.

These last days are not easy.
Even after the volunteers had left, Jennifer and her husband stayed longer. Because it’s not easy to walk away.
These are not strangers.
These are men we know.
Men we have built relationships with.
Men we care about deeply.

There is both sadness and love. There is also deep awareness.

And maybe what makes it feel even heavier is looking outside and seeing snow falling again… a reminder that while the season is changing on the calendar, the reality for many of these men has not.

To every volunteer who showed up last night—thank you.
Your presence matters more than you know.

03/31/2026

Today at St. Mary’s, something very meaningful took place behind the scenes.

For many days, preparations were underway—every detail carefully thought out so that the men who have found shelter in the warm-up location, in our hall, will receive a bag on the final night.

Countless hours were spent organizing and preparing everything, and then a group of 21 volunteers came together, this afternoon, to bring it all to life.

Together, they assembled 130 bags—each one filled with essential items for survival, essentials, winter gear and along with small treats. Not just things that are needed… but things chosen with intention based off what the men told us would be most helpful.

These bags are meant to be more than supplies.
They are a message of love.

We are so incredibly grateful to every single person who donated—those who gave items, those who gave financially—because it is through your generosity that we were able to purchase what was needed and ensure that each man will receive a bag filled with care, dignity, and the essentials he needs.

Together we gathered with St. Mary's Pastor, Fr. Kevin McGee, to pray and to bless the bags.

Please join us in praying for each man who sought shelter at St. Mary’s this winter.

03/30/2026

Wondeful words from one of our volunteers, Marie:.

When I first entered the hall I was feeling anxious, overwhelmed and a bit helpless.

Men were around the perimeter of the hall, having eaten, thanks to the Friendship Inn a lot had full bellies and were feeling safe and warm lying on pieces of cardboard, some were fast asleep exhausted from their day of just existing, surviving, staying warm and safe. Some were restless and pacing trying to settle.

Each visit the conversations got easier and the faces more familiar and through Gods Grace the transformation was life changing for me.
It started with getting to know how their days went and if there was anything they needed, to sharing stories about their lives and them opening their hearts.

At the end of the night some men were beating me to the God Bless Yous and the smiles of gratitude for simple conversation and the snacks we were handing out.

I’m feeling so blessed to have the opportunity to meet these men, the other volunteers and our passionate, fearless leader, Jenn
We get into our comfortable lives and forget we were created to live in Service of others

03/26/2026

We are still in urgent need of more donations of the following items to fill the bags we are preparing for the men, on the last day of the warm up location being open.

Men's deoderant
Thick Men's socks
Blankets or sleeping bags
Juice boxes
Reuseable water bottles
Tim Hortons or fast food gift cards
Small notebooks and pens
Gum
Ponchos

Please consider helping by dropping off donations at St. Mary's Parish office (211 Ave O South)
Thursday from 9am to noon or 1pm to 3pm
Friday from 9am to noon

Or you can donate monetary donations that will be used to purchase needed items:
E-transfer [email protected]
Or
www.stmarysoutreach.com/donate

All donations of $20 or more will receive a income tax charity receipt.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty an...

03/26/2026

It’s hard to explain what happens in St. Mary’s hall to someone who hasn't been there with you...
Because from the outside, it looks so ordinary to many.

But inside… something deeper is unfolding.
Men come in carrying more than just their bags.
And somehow, in a simple room, they find a moment to breathe and we create relationships.

Not because everything is fixed—
but because someone chose to show up.
A volunteer sitting down instead of standing.
A quiet conversation no one else hears.
A simple offering placed into cold hands.

Nothing about it seems extraordinary.
And yet… it is.

To our volunteers—thank you!!
Because what you give isn’t just your time.
It’s presence.
It’s dignity.
It’s the choice to truly see someone.

And to those who donate, please hear this:
What you give becomes something more.
A blanket becomes warmth.
A snack becomes comfort.
A small act becomes a reminder that you are not invisible.

Please consider fueling our mission with your support

www.stmarysoutreach.com/donate
Or
E-transfer [email protected]

Thank you so much for helping us!!