SASKATOON, Sask. (CCN) — The annual Bishop’s Dinner held April 30 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family was again a time of connection and celebration in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
An after-dinner program highlighted themes of mercy, compassion and service, and celebrated the stewardship that supports the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ and God’s Kingdom in our community — including three examples highlighted during the evening: CWL member Mary Kehrig, local philanthropists Brian and Rosemary Colquohoun, and the late Lee Hergott.
A concert presented in conjunction with the dinner by Catholic singer-songwriter Sarah Kroger resonated with songs of praise and hope.
“It was a performance, but it was also a gift of prayer,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the concert. “It was powerful gift of song and talent that had an inspiring and prophetic message.”
In remarks during the program, Bishop Hagemoen reflected on the shepherding call that all the baptized are called to share in – a call that goes beyond the bishop.
Asking newly-elected Catholic school trustee Giovani Yousif to hold his crozier, Hagemoen described how he also asks young confirmands to hold the “shepherd’s staff” as he anoints them in the sacrament of confirmation. It is a way to acknowledge “all the ways that God gifts people to carry out the life, work, and mission of Jesus in a world that greatly needs his hope, his love, his healing, his life,” the bishop said, adding: “I can’t carry that on my own.”
Reflecting on the parable of the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost, the bishop affirmed that the mission of Jesus Christ that we share is grounded in love. “It is not a numbers game … it is about a relationship, a deep relationship.”
“As the bishop of this diocese I am held up by the many, many giants before me, bishops, clergy and laity,” Hagemoen said. “When people ask me how do you like this diocese, my common answer these days is this: ‘the diocese of Saskatoon does way more for me than I do for it,’ he described.
“The ways in which the people of God share in the shepherdship of Christ in so many ways, really helps me to carry this.”
Expressing his gratitude, Hagemoen continued: ‘The Bishop’s Dinner is a call to come together to celebrate the life and the work of the whole diocese, a celebration of the People of God, but most of all of what God is doing in our lives together.”
MC Steve Chisholm welcomed those assembled and introduced speakers during the after-dinner program featuring three stories of service and stewardship in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
“The theme tonight is ‘Songs of Mercy, Hearts of Compassion,’ and that is more than a theme, it is a calling,” Chisholm said. “We are deeply honoured tonight to hear from some individuals and some families who reflect that calling in a deep and powerful way.”
The faith, service and contributions by Mary Kehrig were described in a presentation by Catholic Women’s League representative Donna Aldous.
Born into the Kaminski family in the small farming community of Archerwill, Saskatchewan, Mary was the eldest of five children. “Leadership came naturally to her. From an early age, she understood the importance of working together and ensuring that what needed to be done got done,” said Aldous.
After teaching one year, she married Francis Kehrig and together they built a life grounded in love, partnership, and shared purpose. “Married for 42 years, they raised seven children in a home filled with faith, hard work, and care for one another,” said Aldous.
After her husband’s death in 2006, Mary continued to serve in her parish and community.
For 18 years, she has been an active member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada; for 10 years, she has been part of Eagle’s Wings, teaching Gospel stories to children in northern communities. She has been a Lay Franciscan for 30 years, volunteers regularly at Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, and gives her time at St. Volodymyr School on Thursdays.
“She is a faithful member of her Cenacle prayer group, volunteers with Time-Out for Moms, serves on the Teen-Aid board, and attends daily noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, a place she feels privileged to live near, describing it as living ‘in the shadow of the Cathedral,’” described Aldous
A life-long learner, Mary has embraced travel, seeking knowledge “with curiosity and openness.” In addition, she has crafted and donated numerous bags and blankets to St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry, Pregnancy Options Centre, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and Grow Hope Saskatchewan.
“Mary’s life offers a simple but powerful message: stewardship is not about doing everything — it is about giving yourself fully to what you are called to do. It is about presence, generosity, and faithfulness every day,” said Aldous. “Mary reflects on her journey with these words: ‘Walk with people, because the presence of God is within all of us.’”
Introduced by their daughter Anne-Marie Hughes, Brian and Rosemary Colquhoun of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Saskatoon were recognized during the 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for their years of outreach — in particular for the connection and support provided to newcomers to Canada fleeing persecution and violence in Myanmar (Burma).
Dr. Brian Colquhoun described the history of Burma, now known as Myanmar, and the refugees fleeing dictatorship and violence, particularly since the 1980s. One of those forced to flee was Lu Kyaw, a student at Rangoon University, who lived in refugee camps until he was sponsored to come to Canada.
First arriving in Winnipeg, MB, with a group of other students, Lu Kyaw gained a reputation for his culinary skills, “cooking up a storm of beautiful Burmese dishes” at special cultural events in Winnipeg, where the Colquhouns first met him.
On visits to Saskatoon Lu Kyaw would share details with the Colquhoun family about the recipes he prepared, along with prospective costs, expressing interest in running a restaurant — also a long-time dream of Dr. Brian Colquhoun, who was born in Burma.
In the fall of 2004, Lu Kyaw moved to Saskatoon and with the support and encouragement of the Colquhouns opened a Burmese restaurant – the Golden Pagoda – on 2nd Avenue in Saskatoon in February 2005.
Since then, Lu Kyaw has become the sole owner, and has married Khin Lin Su, also from Burma, who is now a Canadian citizen helping to run the family business. The couple’s two children are students at Holy Cross High School.
As an added connection, the Golden Pagoda catered the 2026 Bishop’s Dinner, with dessert and meal service provided by Sami’s Sunrise Grill and Lounge.
Fr. David Tumback, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon, introduced the life and legacy of the late Lee Hergott (Nov. 26, 1941-July 12, 2025), whose faith, service, and contributions continue to make a difference in the community.
“Lee Hergott was a man of faith and Lee believed that such faith was never meant to be something that was passive,” said Tumback. “Faith was meant to be lived, shared and handed on.”
He led not only with words, but with deeds, Tumback added. “Many of us are blessed with faith foundations, but what made Lee different was how intentionally he acted upon them.”
Born in Humboldt, Lee attended St. Peter’s College and the University of Saskatchewan, and eventually earned his Chartered Accountant designation. He married Margaret (Peggy) Hamilton in 1962, raising three children and welcoming five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He served for many years at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon and loved music, singing with the “Young at Heart” group.
Lee’s professional life as an accountant helped to shape his understanding of legacy, said Tumback. “Selected alongside another accountant and a lawyer to help establish the McNeil Foundation, Lee witnessed firsthand the profound impact that foundations can have.”
That knowledge led him to create his own family foundation—”an intentional act” showing the enduring importance of generosity. “Giving, for Lee, was not an obligation. It was a value – a value to be lived and passed on.” Tumback noted that Lee Hergott’s vision and spiritual presence continues through the bequest left to the Catholic Foundation.
“In his honour, two spend-down endowments are being established, planting new seeds of faith that will soon bear fruit. Beginning this fall, we will welcome grant applications to support parishes, ministry initiatives, youth programming, faith formation, adult faith, service programs, and outreach efforts throughout our diocese. These grants will carry Lee’s faith-filled legacy forward.”
Thanking Peggy and the Hergott family for helping to bring the story of Lee together, Tumback then led a toast: “To Lee Hergott: may your vision, mission, and values live on through our diocese and throughout our greater community.”
Ray Kolla, chair of the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation, which presents the Bishop’s Dinner each year, also spoke during the dinner program.
“Tonight we have heard stories that are in their own say sacred songs — stories of mercy lived out in action; songs of compassion that have touched lives in ways that we may never see. Each story reminds us of something equally true: that God is always at work through people, through generosity and through l0ve made visible,” he said.
“The invitation is for each of us to become part of that song, to offer what we have…. and to trust that in God’s hand, even the smallest offering is something beautiful, something that brings hope, something that brings healing, and something that brings love into the world,” Kolla said.
Kolla thanked all those in attendance, as well as the volunteer Catholic Foundation board and staff members Executive Director Raissa Bugyi and Development Manager Andrea Alas.
Kolla concluded by thanking the bishop for his prayerful guidance of the diocese. “Not only is he our shepherd, leading his flock, but he helps us understand the importance of offering what we have, our time, our talents, and our treasures.”
