SASKATOON, Sask. — Young adults who journeyed through the Project Timothy formation program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon this past year marked their year-end on April 22 with the celebration of the Eucharist in the Queen of Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
Coordinated by Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity and diocesan Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey, and supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, Project Timothy was established in 2021 to equip young adults to share their faith, in particular by leading, mentoring and accompanying youth in the diocese and beyond.
“I think it is beautiful that today we have the Resurrection gospel with Mary Magdalene, said Sr. Marta Piano, welcoming participants to the chapel for the Easter Tuesday Mass to wind up the 2024-2025 Project Timothy program.
“Mary Magdalene is looking for Jesus, and it is beautiful, Jesus turns to her and says ‘woman, why are you weeping, who are you looking for?’” she noted, before asking participants: “And who are you looking for after seven months of Project Timothy?”
Just as it was for Mary Magdalene in the garden, it is not “what” but “who” — and the “who” that we seek is Jesus, said Sr. Marta. “After these past seven months — studying, working, discerning our charisms, trying to build our personal rule of life, and tasting the vitality of building community — the important thing is how we help each other…. and yes, Lord, it is you that we are looking for!”
She added: “It is beautiful that the Church gives us 50 days of Easter to realize the signs of Resurrection that show up in things and moments that we do not expect.”
Further to the Project Timothy journey, she hearkened back to a recent retreat for the participants, “which perhaps has shaken us with some questions.”
She added that it is important to be open like Mary Magdalene, who recognizes Jesus when he calls her name. “And even through this Eucharist we can hear Jesus calling us by name… It leaves us trembling sometimes, because the mission that he gives us is always bigger than ourselves, but he calls us by name,” she stressed.
“If we are faithful, the Lord will show us how to be his missionary disciples,” she assured the participants, before the celebration of Mass with Fr. Gerard Cooper, rector of Holy Family Cathedral.
The great devotion and love of Mary Magdalene is an example for all Christians, he said in the homily, encouraging participants to remain patient and faithful in the face of challenges and disappointments. “We see the sadness, the grief the worries and troubles… but we also see that God is faithful.”
