St. Basil’s Catholic Church Celebrates 160 Years of Ministry
September 15, 2016
For 160 years, St. Basil’s Catholic Church at the University of St. Michael’s College, has served as a meeting place between its neighbours of Toronto’s financial district and the Catholic university. On Wednesday, September 14, the anniversary date and the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, the parish celebrated 160 years of ministry with a special Mass of Thanksgiving.
In his homily, Father George Smith, CSB, superior general of the Congregation, noted that the church’s unique geography represents how parishioners come to face realities of the world and to think about their place in it. “This is a sacred meeting place between the Church and the world, between the University and the neighbourhood we serve. We Basilians take very seriously the collaborative dimension of this mission,” he said. Basilians, including the parish’s pastor, Father Chris Valka, CSB, gathered to concelebrate the occasion. The Basilian Fathers have continuously administered the parish since its founding in 1856.
The Mass marked the beginning of a nine-day Novena, which will be celebrated at St. Basil’s 12:10 p.m. Mass.
Categories
Discerning, a Vocations BlogGeneral News
Stirrings
Uncategorized
“Truth and Reconciliation” – A History of Basilian Involvement in Aboriginal Social Justice
Last year Pope Francis paid a visit to Canada, meeting Bishops and leaders of Indigenous groups. “I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the […]
Read MoreSaint Basil Coffee – “Making a Difference One Cup of Coffee at a Time”
It may be hard to imagine that a simple cup of coffee can be a catalyst for change, but it can! Saint Basil Coffee has recently surpassed half a million […]
Read MoreWe welcome you, Brothers! – The profession of Óscar Martínez Ávila, Erick de Jesús Enríquez Gutiérrez, and José Adán Gómez Villalvazo
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Óscar Martínez Ávila CSB, Erick de Jesús Enríquez Gutiérrez CSB, and José Adán Gómez Villalvazo CSB professed the vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience in […]
Read MoreMonstrance and Relic of Pope St. Pius X Find New Home in St. Pius X Parish
When the chapel and sacristies of the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre were being emptied of their contents this past summer, Father Jefferson M. Thompson, CSB learned that two items available […]
Read MoreBasilian Lay Associates of Rochester hold a Memorial Mass for deceased Basilian Fathers
On Tuesday, August 29, the Basilian Lay Associates of Rochester held a Memorial Mass for deceased Basilian Fathers. Fr. Kevin Mannara, CSB, presided. Fr. Lance Gonyo, a diocesan priest educated […]
Read More