Its focus was prayer and protective services.
Humboldt's emergency services - RCMP, ambulance personnel and firefighters - were the official honourees at Humboldt's annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, held January 22 at the Humboldt Uniplex, and attended by approximatley 150 people.
"We thank you for being here, representing that part of society that's so badly needed in our community," said Pastor Murray Lees of the Alliance Church, the master of ceremonies for the breakfast, to the members of the Humboldt Fire Department, Humboldt and District Ambulance Service and Humboldt RCMP present at the breakfast.
"One of the things I'm proud of, that I brag about, is the tremendous working relationship and the support (Humboldt's emergency services) give to the community," said Mayor Malcolm Eaton in his address.
Not only do the ambulance, fire and police in Humboldt provide the community with their professional services, "there is a long history and tradition of the three organizations working together," which can be seen, he noted, in the organizations Safe Communities Humboldt and Area, and HERO, the Humboldt Emergency Relief Organization, which all three agencies are involved with.
Eaton and city council, he indicated, "appreciate the work you do very much, and I know that all the people of Humboldt do as well."
Fitting in with the general theme, the guest speaker for the breakfast was Tom McCullagh, the provincial chaplain for the RCMP.
McCullagh spoke about purpose and the power of life purpose. Every one of us, he said, is significant to the world. But far too often, we spend a lot of our time thinking about the things we can't do, or have done wrong, living in regret.
The average person, he said, has over 300,000 thoughts a day, and it's estimated that over 80 per cent of those thoughts are negative.
Psychologists say that thoughts dictate feelings, and another side to that, McCullagh believes, is that beliefs will dictate your behaviour.
"I encourage you this morning... to understand you are created with significance. You have been created for a purpose," he said.
Whether or not its intended, "you already are making a difference in our world," he said. "But some are oblivous to their importance."
Everyone has a sphere of influence, he continued - in their families, workplaces, with volunteer work. McCullagh challenged people to look at their own spheres of influence and how they are using it, or abusing it.
"Your position in life is not something to be taken for granted."
We have the responsibility, he continued, to use our positions in life to creative positive things within our sphere of influence, big or small.
"Young or old, rich or poor, healthy or sick, we can make a difference," McCullagh said.
He used Mother Theresa as an example of this.
"She ministered to the sick. She had nothing, she gave away everything, and she had a world-changing impact."
What about you? he then asked.
"Will you choose to use your influence to better our workplaces, families, world, communities?" he asked.
"It's not how much you know. It's what you do with what you know," he continued. "To make a difference demands faith - faith you have value, faith you are special."
We don't know the influence we may have, he said, but our influence on the people around us will have an impact. It's up to us to use that impact to build up the community or hold on to the status quo.
"Look at your resources and use those to further the welfare of those around you," he said, before closing his message with a Franciscan blessing.
Some special prayers followed McCullagh's presentation - prayers for the province of Saskatchewan, for the Nation of Canada, for youth and family services, and the community of Humboldt, all performed by representatives of the different church in Humboldt.
Fr. Emile April of St. Augustine Church in Humboldt offered the prayer for the Mayor and for city council members, asking for a blessing "as they deliberate on the future of Humboldt. In this time of new hospital, new collegiate, new families and new businesses, grant them the vision that comes from your wisdom to plan for a future of hope and opportunity for our city and its surrounding area," he stated.
Special prayers were also offered to the emergency services.
Wayne Sturgis of St. Andrew's Anglican Church said a prayer for the firefighters, asking that God give them strength, wisdom and knowledge when they are going into an emergency situation, and to protect them and bring them safely home to their families when they are finished.
Brenda Curtis of Brithdir and Westminster United Churches asked God to strengthen the hands and hearts of the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the difficult work they do and to be with them in moments of hope and healing as well as those of loss and despair.
Murray Lees offered the prayer for the RCMP, "people who are special in our community, who rarely get thanked for the job they do.... We pray for their appreciation... (and that) you comfort them and give them a sense of encouragement as they do their job."
