Catholic charities in Winnipeg and Saskatchewan aid evacuees from Flin Flon with meals, shelter, and prayers as wildfires burn over 300,000 hectares in Western Canada.
Newsroom, June 16, 2025, Gaudium Press – As wildfires ravage Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northern Ontario, Catholic charities are stepping up to provide aid and comfort to displaced communities. In Winnipeg, St. Vital Parish’s Loaves and Fishes Ministries hosted a chili luncheon on June 1 for over 75 evacuees from Flin Flon, a historic mining city on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.
On May 28, Flin Flon’s 5,000 residents were ordered to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire that had consumed over 300,000 hectares by June 11. As of June 15, no public, commercial, or residential structures in the city had been damaged, according to local reports. Evacuees seeking refuge in Winnipeg were housed in large venues like Century Arena and Billy Mosienko Arena.
Candace Anthony, parish life coordinator at St. Vital, was approached by a parishioner eager to help. “He said, ‘Do you think we could do something for them this weekend?’” Anthony recounted. “It’s not uncommon for our group to provide a chili lunch for local communities, so we thought we could do the same for those staying in the arena.”
The parish also opened St. Maurice School, affiliated with St. Vital, to offer an air-conditioned space for children to play. Over 30 Flin Flon children were bused to the school, where young adult leaders from the parish organized games and activities. “The people were very appreciative,” Anthony said. “Being stuck in an arena with cots everywhere, there’s not much to do. It was nice for our young adults to connect with the kids.”
The initiative resonated with Winnipeg’s new Archbishop, Murray Chatlain, who previously served the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, encompassing Flin Flon, for over 12 years. Janelle Malkiewicz, communications director for the Winnipeg archdiocese, shared Chatlain’s message: “The Archdiocese of Winnipeg continues to pray for all affected by the Manitoba wildfires and for our dedicated first responders. Our clergy are ready to welcome those displaced, and parishes have been encouraged to include them in their prayers.”
In Saskatchewan, the Diocese of Prince Albert is also mobilizing support. Social justice director Louis Hradecki noted that residents from First Nation reserves in northern Saskatchewan have been relocated to Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and southern communities. “Bishop Stephen Hero has urged parishioners to assist displaced people by contacting emergency shelters or the Red Cross to determine needs,” Hradecki wrote. “Through parish bulletins, he has called for prayers for the evacuees, firefighters’ safety, and rain to quell the fires. We are grateful for the generosity shown to our neighbors.”
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reports over 1,950 wildfires across Canada this year as of June 15, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the importance of community support.
Raju Hasmukh with sources from
– Interviews with Candace Anthony, parish life coordinator, St. Vital Parish, Winnipeg.
– Statement from Janelle Malkiewicz, director of communications, Archdiocese of Winnipeg.
– Statement from Louis Hradecki, social justice director, Diocese of Prince Albert.
– Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, wildfire statistics, June 15, 2025.
– Catholic Register
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