Staff, trustees, and parish priests from across the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division came together at St. John the Baptist Parish in Estevan for their annual Opening Faith Day. Centered around this year’s theme, “Let Your Light Shine,” the day served as an inspiring celebration of faith, community, and the unique, God-given gifts each person brings to the division.
The morning began with the celebration of Holy Mass, setting the foundation for the day. Following opening remarks from Board Chair Bruno Tuchscherer and Director of Education Ken Sampson, Traditional Knowledge Keeper Lyndon J. Linklater welcomed attendees and introduced Archbishop Don Bolen of the Archdiocese of Regina.
Archbishop Bolen delivered a keynote address on the division’s theme, urging staff to reflect on how they can cultivate and share Jesus’s light in their daily lives and classrooms.
Following lunch, the afternoon featured Guiding Lights, a shared dialogue between Archbishop Bolen and Traditional Knowledge Keeper Lyndon J. Linklater. Directly aligning with the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) Indigenous Teachings Handbook for Catholic Schools, this dialogue brought the document’s vision to life by modeling mutuality among Church leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and educators. Together, they addressed questions from across the division, exploring common parallels between Catholic and Indigenous spiritualities and demonstrating how Catholic school communities can actively walk together in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.
The day concluded with a hands-on workshop led by Lyndon J. Linklater, who was himself a key contributor to the SCSBA handbook. Staff wove traditional birch bark baskets in an activity that offered a tangible connection to Scripture, drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:15-16: “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others…”
In Indigenous traditions, birch bark baskets are crafted to harvest, carry, and share gifts with others, a practice rooted in generosity and community care. As participants crafted their baskets, they reflected on the call to ensure their own lights are never hidden under a basket, but rather carried into their school communities to illuminate, serve, and uplift others.
The Opening Faith Day left attendees renewed in spirit and ready to ignite a bright, supportive, and faith-filled school year across Holy Family RCSSD.
