Our Ministries.
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Prayer.
Using contemplative prayer, these groups meet on a regular basis to foster a deep personal and community oriented faith.
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Social Justice.
Rooted in service and hospitality, these groups meet regularly to serve the most vulnerable in our community, and educate themselves about initiatives.
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Community.
These groups serve one another through hospitality, social time, social communications, and a commitment to creating a welcoming space for all
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Liturgy.
These groups serve the community in the Sacramental life, as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, and Ministers of Hospitality.
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Music.
These groups serve the parish and wider community through the gift of music as choir members and cantors.
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Faith Formation.
These ministries create opportunities to deepen one’s one faith, explore special topics, and sacramental preparation.
Interested in a Ministry?
Register as a volunteer
Prayer Ministries
Liturgy of the Hours
Monday-Friday 5:10pm
Do you have a desire to deepen your daily prayer life around the pattern of church worship? The Liturgy of the Hours has been celebrated throughout the world for centuries, answering St. Paul’s call to “pray without ceasing”. Join us in-person every weekday evening to pray with the Psalms.
Contemplative Women of St. Anne
Sunday afternoons
The Contemplative Women of St. Anne was founded in the Archdiocese of Toronto (at St. Basil’s Church) in 2012 to provide for study, prayer, growth and support for women who desire, or are already practicing, lives of contemplative prayer.
The community guides and upholds individual discernment, while exploring and sharing the wisdom of women saints and doctors of the Church. We concentrate our studies within the feminine mystical tradition of the Church, enriching the essential experience of silence.
To find out more about joining the CWSA, please contact the parish office.
Serra Club
3rd Wednesday of the Month
Serrans are Catholic lay men and women who vigorously respond to the call to promote and support vocations to the ministerial priesthood and consecrated life in the Catholic Church. Sign up for our e-bulletin to be notified when the next meeting is.
Breaking Open the Word
Tuesdays 7:00pm
Seeking to grow in your relationship with Christ and community? Join St. Basil's Breaking Open the Word on Tuesday evenings for an hour of reflection and faith sharing on Zoom! Engage with Sunday scriptures, music, and small group conversation, and learn to share your faith story. All are welcome! Register here.
Christian Meditation
Wednesdays & Sundays
Meditation is a time to allow God’s silent presence within us to give meaning and purpose to our lives, while increasing our well-being, resilience, and connection to community. Join our group online for a weekly guided Christian meditation to experience this contemplative prayer.
Prayer for Marriage and Family Life
Are you a person who believes in the power of persistent prayer? Join the Ministry of Prayer for Marriage and Family Life by responding to individual requests and communal needs. Pray on your own monthly, and join together as a group annually on March 19th.
Magdala Conciliary
Magdala is a conciliary (a place to gather and listen to God’s word from the lips of God’s people). Its mission is to foster, promote and share feminine sanctity and wisdom through the love of Jesus Christ. Magdala offers discussion, education, relationship and community. Meeting once a month, subjects and themes to be shared include awareness and knowledge of feminine principles, influences from scripture and culture, defining feminine genius and natural/spiritual maternity. The group also works in tandem with the Magdala Colloquy, whose journal you can read here.
Basilian Lay Associates
The Basilian Lay Associates hope to respond more fully to our Baptismal call to holiness and service, and to offer support to the Basilian Fathers through prayer, ministry and communal sharing. Each BLA is committed to the Basilian charisms of education and evangelization and share a special relationship with the Basilian community through their prayer and support.
Associates gather once a month for regular gathering of prayer, fellowship and faith development with the Basilian Fathers of the Toronto region. Initially, it is only necessary that a prospective BLA be a committed Catholic to attend gatherings. After attending a few gatherings, an initial interview proceeds a “come and see” period to get to know the group better.
Social Justice Ministries
Out of the Cold
Tuesday Mornings
The Out of the Cold program was initiated in 1987 by the students of St. Michael’s School with the support and guidance of Sister Susan Moran of the order of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow. The program was established after a group of students befriended a homeless man who had frequented the area near the school. Within a couple of weeks the relationship between the Students and the homeless man, he unfortunately died. This impacted the Students deeply and with Sr. Susan they began discussing what they could do to alleviate homelessness. The plan was simply that the faith group volunteers would open their doors one day a week for a period of approximately 23 weeks as well as provide food and hospitality to the homeless which are considered Guests of the program. Today there are 19 different programs – all with the same simple purpose: to provide food and hospitality for those who need it most.
Community Lunch
Monday Mornings
Initially begun as an extension of our Out of the Cold program, the Community Lunch now meets on Monday Mornings to provide a meal for patrons.
Miller Group
On Pause
As an important community outreach initiative, the Miller Group provides simple, but nutritious, packed lunches for those in need. Members help to shop for supplies, prepare sandwiches and pack and distribute the lunches.
Within each activity (Purchasing, Preparing sandwiches, and Distribution), members rotate on a scheduled basis every 4 weeks. Purchasing happens according to the schedule of the shopper.
There are no volunteer requirements to work with the Miller Group, except for friendliness and reliability. You are also welcome to come by and simply have a cup of coffee/tea with the patrons anytime. Many of them are excellent conversationalists.
Society of St. Vincent dePaul
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are dedicated to helping the poor and disadvantaged in our area. Members visit Neighbours-in-Need in their homes and help with food and clothing vouchers. Do you know your neighbours in need? Join a volunteer team with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul to personally visit and help those living near our parish who are struggling. We provide more than food assistance: we bring friendship, compassion, a listening ear, and a commitment to living out Jesus' mission of bringing good news to the poor. Most importantly we listen to people when we visit. In order to volunteer, there is an application process to become a member, which includes an application form asking for the name and address of three references. In addition, there is a criminal record check which the conference pays for. Lastly, there is an interview and a covenant form. All paperwork is then sent to the Central office and then the member is invited to an Orientation session, after which he/she gets a pin and a certificate.
Community Ministries
Coffee Hour
Sundays after 10:30am Mass
Coffee Hour is the Church’s coffeehouse. It is a place to discuss and create community over sweet treats with even sweeter people on Sunday mornings. Be like Martha in the kitchen serving Jesus by joining us to bake up some smiles. Let’s brew!
Church Environment
Beauty allows us to encounter God’s loving presence. Be part of the team that cares for the church environment inside and out, including the interior plants, flowers, and vigil candles as well as the exterior gardens. Share your attention to detail and green thumb, and maybe even get your hands dirty!
Readers Group (Book Club)
This group meets occasionally to read and learn about our faith, while building a deeper sense of community and collegiality. Past books include:
Seven Last Words (James Martin)
A Biblical Walk Through The Mass (Edward Sri)
Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism (Bishop Robert Barron)
Baking Club
St. Basil’s hosts a Bake Sale on special days of the year. But these aren’t just your average Bake Sales… behind every cupcake and cookie, there’s a pair of hands and a heart with vision in tasty aesthetics. You could be one of those hard working hands who works closely with one of the best bakers in the city.
Liturgical Ministries
Lectors
The Living Word of God, encountered whenever we gather at Mass, has the power to change hearts, guide us in holy ways, and give hope and meaning to our lives. Do you desire to inspire and captivate hearts by proclaiming the greatest story ever told? Become a Lector!
Altar Servers
Altar Servers support a prayerful liturgy through an attention to detail and reverent assistance at the Table of the Lord. Come serve Christ and the community at Mass while also deepening your faith! Open to anyone who has received First Communion.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Is there a fire burning within you to share God's love, mercy, and, most of all, the Eucharist with others? With joy and reverence, share Christ’s Presence with others at Mass as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
Jesus sends his disciples out to cure the sick and to assure them that the Kingdom of God is near to them. Members of the Ministry to the Sick and Homebound are dedicated to visiting those who are unable to come to Mass because of age, infirmity, or mobility issues. They pray with them and bring them Holy Communion which unites them with our parish community.
Ministers of Hospitality
Would you like to share your experience of God’s love and sense of belonging with parishioners and visitors? Join the Hospitality Team at weekend Masses! Offer a welcoming smile, answer questions, help people feel at home, and cultivate an open and caring community at St. Basil's.
Faith Formation
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a guided journey of faith and learning for individuals seeking to become Catholic. Want to support them through listening, learning, and accompaniment? Parishioners can deepen their faith by serving as team members, sponsors, or Mass companions for inquirers.
Children's Catechists
Children's Catechists: Do you wish to cultivate faith development in young children aged 3 to 6? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) welcomes joyful volunteers with creative talent to assist in designing our materials and animating our learning space through fostering a sense of wonder and exploration. Join us to make a difference in the lives of young people by nurturing their relationship with God!