2022 Campaign

Supporting Volunteers

“When [you] donate to the [Appeal] it [helps] me to be a catechist.”
– Cecil Cabahug

Cecil has always been a caregiver. Throughout her childhood in the Philippines and her move to Canada, the love of Christ and desire to serve has encouraged her in many ways. Your generosity helped give Cecil the opportunity to extend this compassion to the young people of Carlyle as a catechist.

Your donations to the Archbishop’s Appeal support Catechetics and other vital programs that uplift rural parishes.

Watch Cecils’ Video

This video will be available on YouTube on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.

Supporting Youth

“When you donate to the [Appeal] you are changing the lives of young people just like me.”

– Zoe Stradeski

Zoe grew up in a loving Catholic home, but never felt confident sharing her faith with the world around her. Your generosity helped to enliven Zoe’s faith and boost her confidence to lead others by her involvement with the Archdiocese’s Youth Ministry.

Your donations to the Archbishop’s Appeal ensure our many programs and events for youth offer a safe and loving place for young people to encounter Christ.

Watch Zoe’s Video

This video will be available on YouTube on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022.

Supporting Clergy

“Without your financial support, I wouldn’t be here.”

– Fr. Chris Juchacz

For Fr. Chris, discernment of his vocation as a priest meant grappling with worries he had for the future. Your generosity played an important role in his formation, and emboldens him in his mission to gather and minister to God’s people.

Your donations to the Archbishop’s Appeal support the ongoing and lifelong transformative work undertaken by all our seminarians and priests.

Watch Fr. Chris’ Video

This video will be available on YouTube on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

Why we give

“Generous living has inspired hope in us.”

– James & Miri Schiller

Miri and James want to share the many gifts they’ve been given. Though life is busy on their 3rd-generation family farm, they constantly seek ways to teach their six children about the importance of giving, even when it feels impossible.

Your donation to the Archbishop’s Appeal does incredible work. Combined with the gifts of others, like James and Miri, your generosity touches so many in our community with Christ’s enduring hope.

Watch The Schillers’ Video

This video will be available on YouTube on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022.

Supporting Volunteers - Read Cecil's Story

Cecil Cabahug’s unyielding desire to care for others is a gift from her childhood. She grew up in the Philippines, where a single mother and her grandparents raised her with a deep faith and strong sense of fellowship. Her extended family was a constant in her life, her family home was a warm place full of the love of aunties, uncles, cousins, and community.

“Growing up, because of our very close family ties, we took care of each other,” says Cecil. “Even neighbours, we would take care of them. It is in my heart that I need to take care of other people.”

It was in part this passion for caregiving which led Cecil to make a big leap. In 2012, she decided to move to Canada on a work visa to financially support to her family back home. Both Cecil and her husband left to work abroad in two different countries, leaving their children with Cecil’s mom.

In June 2012, Cecil arrived in Carlyle to nanny for a young family.

“A good family,” says Cecil. “They treated me as family and introduced me to their friends as a new member of their family.”

This family would grow when Cecil’s husband and two sons would reunite with her after five years apart. The role of nanny was a rewarding one for Cecil, as she loves to be with and teach children. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, Cecil found herself moved to another kind of caregiving.

“When COVID hit, the family and kids all stayed home, so I needed to find another job,” says Cecil. “I applied in long-term care and got a job as a continuing care assistant.”

While settling into her new role, Cecil also received another call to step up: when the Church of Our Lady in Carlyle was in need of a catechist, Cecil felt moved to keep the program alive.

“When Sister got ill, and no one stepped up, this was my call,” says Cecil. “Maybe the Holy Spirit told me to step up because no one else was going to. Through prayer, I decided.”

Deep down, Cecil knew she had what it takes to deliver the catechism program at her church. The experience took her back to her childhood, where her faith formation found her in a similar role.

“When I was maybe 10 years old, the catechist who taught me encouraged me to join the team,” recalls Cecil. “Being a catechist at an early age, it’s a good memory and good experience. Not every young person can do it, but I was eager to do this as a child. I have a passion to teach catechism.”

Cecil knew she could continue the catechism program in Carlyle, but she also knew she would need help. She reached out to the Archdiocese and shared her desire to keep the catechism program in Carlyle alive. The Archdiocese provided Cecil with all the training and resources she would need.

“There are kids who are willing to serve the church,” says Cecil. “I want to serve, I have the eagerness to teach them more. The Archdiocese can help provide me with the resources I need.”

Your generosity helped give Cecil the opportunity to extend this compassion to the young people of Carlyle as a catechist. Your donations to the Archbishop’s Appeal support Catechetics and other vital programs that uplift rural parishes.

“Young people are the future, and I want to draw them back to the church,” says Cecil. “When people donate to the Archbishop’s Appeal, they can help provide resources for rural churches, and help people like me.”

Supporting Youth - Read Zoe's Story

Church every Sunday. Prayers at every meal and at bedtime. Conversations about faith and belief, met with comforting encouragement. Zoe Stradeski grew up in a loving Catholic home where faith was the centerpiece of life.

“In my homelife I always had a strong foundation for my faith,” says Zoe. “It was a very open line of communication in my family which really set a strong foundation for me of having a relationship with God, and not just going to church once a week.”

As a little girl, Zoe looked up to her grandmother, who Zoe always felt was the best example of living one’s faith that she could imagine.

“She lived her faith 100% with her whole life,” says Zoe. “She exuded such a deep and unconditional love for absolutely anyone and everyone, regardless of what they are going through in their life, what they’ve done. She just loves. As a little girl, that’s what I wanted to be. I always wanted to emulate that love in my own life.”

Living one’s faith so outwardly and outspoken takes a lot of courage. And while Zoe’s inner world and family life were safe places to express her love of God, the world around her never felt as welcoming.

“My faith was a very personal and private thing for me,” says Zoe. “And I realized throughout school that being Catholic and having a relationship with Jesus wasn’t something that was openly discussed with friends. Very quickly I learned that this was something I hold personally for myself. I would go to church, I would pray with my family, but it wasn’t something I openly expressed with anyone else.”

While Zoe grew, she continued to look for examples of living faith. She admired her grandmother and her parents and was deeply touched by those who had the confidence to live their faith fully in the world. As a young child, it was Veronica’s act of wiping Jesus’ face that stayed with her.

“I remember as a little girl thinking, wow, someday I wish that I would have the courage to do that,” recalls Zoe. “Like, if I was in that situation that I would wipe Jesus’ face, that I would go against the masses and do what I think is right.”

Everything changed for Zoe when she attended a LEAP Retreat, a gathering for young Catholics organized by the Youth Ministry team. It was here that Zoe realized there were young people who were open to expressing their faith and sharing their love of God with those around them.

“It really opened my eyes to this whole other world,” says Zoe. “That I can express myself and be myself, genuinely. And that I’m not just accepted for it, but I am loved for it.”

This experience opened a whole new world for Zoe. She began to express her faith by attending events with other young Catholics. Through the many different opportunities organized by the Archdiocese’s Youth Ministry team, Zoe found a place where she learned more about her relationship with Christ and experienced His love in a very real way.

“And now as a young adult I get to take leadership roles at each of those events where I can help other youth grow in their faith while growing in my own,” says Zoe. “My transition from shyness and fear to a place of confidence and desire to help and to lead was all because of the relationships and people and experiences that I was given the opportunity to be a part of through the Archdiocese.”

Your donations to the Archbishop’s Appeal ensure our many programs and events for youth, such as Source, MyGen, and Archdiocese Camp, offer a safe and loving place for young people like Zoe to encounter Christ.

“The opportunities provided to me through the Archdiocese changed my life,” says Zoe. “With the help of our parishioners through the Archbishop’s Appeal, these programs can continue existing and nourishing the souls of young people like me.”

Supporting Clergy - Read Fr. Chris' Story

Father Christopher Juchacz had no idea he would be a priest. Born and raised in Regina, Fr. Chris actually wasn’t sure what life would have in store for him.

“For most of my life I just floated around,” says Fr. Chris. “I didn’t necessarily have some sort of specific plan or idea. So I kind of floated a little bit trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life. But I always had a passion for caring and helping other people.”

When Fr. Chris first attended university, he thought a career as an educator would be a good fit. But as time passed, it seemed as though the Lord was showing him a different direction. Through many opportunities and relationships made at Campion College, and later through volunteering at the Cathedral in Ottawa, Fr. Chris first began to consider his vocation as a priest.

“For many years I kind of gave God a portion of my life but not my whole life,” says Fr. Chris. “And when I gave that more thought immediately the idea of becoming a priest came to my mind and absolutely scared me.”

Despite his fears, Fr. Chris decided to pursue becoming a priest. His family and friends were supportive, though at first his siblings worried about him. They had expected him to choose a more common path, to get married and have kids and find a career. Eventually, they came to accept and support the path their brother had chosen, even though Fr. Chris himself would continue to have doubts all through his formation.

“As I began my formation for the priesthood in Edmonton, I had many doubts about whether I’d have the academic chops to do the studies that are required to become a priest,” says Fr. Chris. “I realized the academic demands of being a seminarian of needing to take philosophy and theology, and I had a low expectation of my ability to actually succeed in the program.”

At one point, Fr. Chris even contemplating leaving. But the rector of his seminary, Fr. Stephen Hero, who is now the Bishop for Prince Albert, offered him encouragement.

“Because of him, I’m a priest today,” says Fr. Chris. “As time went on, I learned the Lord would provide.”

This year, Fr. Chris has started his third priestly assignment in Carlyle and area. Through this role, he will also have the opportunity to work with three local Indigenous communities and their churches.

“Now to be a full pastor for the first time is such a great blessing,” says Fr. Chris. “In these communities we haven’t had much of an outreach and so I’m looking forward to doing that. I’m looking forward to getting to know the people and discover what the needs of these communities are. For me, that gives me great joy and excitement.”

As Fr. Chris reflects on his journey from doubtful seminarian to full pastor, he can’t help but feel grateful for the support he has received along the way. The Archdiocese provided full financial support for Fr. Chris to complete his formation and will continue to support him throughout his career and beyond. Your generosity through the Archbishop’s Appeal played a crucial role in his formation and emboldens him in his mission to gather and minister to God’s people. Your donations support the ongoing and lifelong transformative work undertaken by all our candidates for ordination, seminarians, and priests.

“The fact that the archdiocese supports us priests throughout our entire ministry is a great consolation and gives us great freedom to be able to give ourselves entirely to the mission of the church,” says Fr. Chris. “Without your financial support I wouldn’t be here.”

Why We Give - Read James & Miri's Story

Miri and James Schiller want to share the many gifts they’ve been given. And they both feel as though God has given them so much.

Miri grew up the youngest in a big family just blocks from the Cathedral in Regina where they still go to church every Sunday. James was also the youngest of his large family, and grew up on the farm where he, Miri, and their six children now live. Their lives have always been filled with family and faith, and the couple is always reflecting on what this means to them.

“Early in our marriage, I remember seeing the people around us who are always there, always helping out,” says Miri. “We decided early in our marriage that we wanted to be those people.”

While faith was always a constant for both James and Miri, it wasn’t until they were married and started having children that they began to think more deeply about what their faith meant to them, and how it is reflected in their day-to-day lives.

“Once we got married, it became more of a priority,” says James. “And when we had our first child we really started seeing everything through the lens of our faith.”

James and Miri have been involved with many different programs throughout their marriage and as their busy lives can accommodate. This ebbs and flows with time, as their children grow and as their life on the farm allows. But being involved somehow is always a priority.

“We like helping out with any event in our church,” says Miri. “Any event is a good opportunity to get to know people in the community.”

Most recently, the family has become volunteers with the Cathedral Community Fridge. This community initiative is a type of “free store” that is community owned, used, and maintained. Every Sunday after church, the Schillers clean the fridge as a family, and donate to it as often as they can.

“Every time we’ve been there, we’ve met someone from the community,” says Miri. “It’s not just making a donation and walking away but getting to know people. It’s really good for the kids to be involved as well.”

Their family commitment to the fridge has even inspired one of their daughters to use her own money to make gift packages and buy groceries for the fridge, something that Mari says inspires her to keep giving.

“We choose to give in these ways because we have the opportunity,” says Miri. “The family can be busy, but it’s so important to pass that on to our kids.”

“I see it all as gratitude towards God,” adds James. “The Lord is super generous so any way that we can participate comes back tenfold. It inspires others, and others inspire us.”

Miri and James share all they can, whenever they can, even when times are tough. With six active children and a farm to run, there have been times when the Schillers have felt like there wasn’t enough to go around.

“Sometimes it really does feel impossible, when things don’t go as planned,” says James. “But with God, nothing is impossible.”

“In those years that are really challenging and we literally might not have anything left to give we’re always discerning… things can be worse,” adds Miri. “We still need to and want to give back. And somehow we’ve made it through all those years.”

Through the years, the Schillers have become devoted donors to the Archbishop’s Appeal. Being generous in this way helps them feel like they can be a part of the church’s larger mission.

“Something I like about the Archbishop’s Appeal is that sometimes it’s hard to figure out where you want to donate,” says Miri. “We can’t do it all. But by donating to the Archbishop’s Appeal, you can give and know that it will be given to where it is needed most.”

2021 Campaign

Unbinding Ted’s Suffering

‘IT’S HARD TO LOSE A CHILD, BUT HIS SUFFERING WAS OVER.’

Your generosity supports ministries like the Diaconate Program, which prepare men like Deacon David for the service of others in need.

Removing walls to free Halle’s heart

‘THE GREATEST EVANGELIZATION COMES FROM KIDS THAT STUDENTS CAN SEE THEMSELVES IN.’

Inspired by young retreat leaders who modelled living deeply in faith and trust, Halle realized that she could unbind herself from ways she’s previously been living.

The Love of Mary on the Prairies

‘SHE UNBINDS EVERYTHING.’

With struggles like Covid, anxiety and loneliness on the rise, more people are turning to Mary for support. One title for Mary is ‘untier of knots,’ as she unbinds us from worldly challenges through her intercession and love.

From Holy Land to Heartland

“THE LOVE HE OFFERS US MAKES US WITNESSES SO THAT WE CAN DEEPEN OUR FAITH.”

We believe that Mary and Joseph escaped Herod and fled to Egypt to protect Baby Jesus. Fast forward thousands of years, Dr Mikhail Shahat, born and raised in Egypt, was looking to find a better place for his family to live and flourish. His journey led him to Canada where he and his family are experiencing God’s love through fruitful work opportunities and the kind and caring people from the province.

2020 Campaign

A Time for Resilience: New Ways for Reaching Out

“I would say that God has given us a new challenge to reach out to the world…”

In what felt like an instant, the pandemic changed almost everything. Despite not being able to gather as we once could, we continue to be church, and we continue to journey together.

A Time for Caring: Helping Others During Lockdown

“I see the Archdiocese as a pillar in the midst of the storm.”

The Lord calls us to look after each other, to reach out to one another in our needs, to care for each other. Now more than ever, we need to feel God’s care.

A Time for Trusting: Finding God in the Pandemic

“There was the fire of the Spirit in all these people.”

Trusting in God is not easy when our normal way of living is completely disrupted. Finding hope in every season has required that we find new ways to proclaim that God is with us.

A Time for Envisioning: Future Full of Hope

“We know that God has a plan – and we believe in His plan.”

God promises us a future full of hope. That same spirit calls us anew each day to do our part to dream and to build that future.