Providing many ways in which our young people can experience themselves as part of the parish by having fun and making friends, growing in love for God, and discovering the joy of serving others. Meeting nights, sleepovers, summer camps, retreats, outings, and other special events. Students are invited to join Explosion (Grades 3 -5), Outlet (Grades 6 – 7), or Digging Deeper (Grades 8 – 12). Volunteers (from Grade 8 – adults) needed to assist with the many activities.
This takes place in Fall/Winter in the Saint Francis Xavier School gym. It is a program to help youngsters develop skills and good sportsmanship. Also provides leadership training to teens who work with the younger children.
A Christ-centred community whose goal is to always see the face of Christ in the poor in our midst. Provides food and other support to local needy households, together with other kinds of charitable work aimed at relieving the suffering of the poor.
This is an annual three-day Mission and celebration hosted by our parish at the beginning of May, honouring Saint Michael and providing an opportunity for those of Italian heritage to celebrate common bonds of faith and culture.
Many opportunities are available every year for travel to shrines and other places of pilgrimage, here and abroad. The ladies named here can help keep you aware of what sort of pilgrimage might assist your devotion and spiritual growth.
Children who do not attend Catholic schools, or are in need of catch-up instruction for the sacraments, are assisted (through correspondence courses and occasional meetings) to learn our faith and prepare to celebrate the sacraments.
This is a ministry of quiet prayer for people’s needs. Prayer intentions are taken from the boxes at the church entrances, from calls to the Rectory Office, or from requests to the Group Leader, and distributed through email or by telephone to Prayer Network members, who pray on their own time for the various needs. Members are thoroughly dedicated to the power of intercessory prayer to work miracles in the lives of God’s people.
Our Parish Council is a group of representative parishioners who meet monthly, together with the parish staff, to gather and share information about the needs of the parish community, and to develop and help implement a shared vision for the parish’s pastoral growth and Christ-like outreach to others.
Some volunteers bring Holy Communion to the Catholic residents of The Clarion and Pine Villa Nursing Home communities on Sunday mornings after Mass. Other volunteers help set up for the Masses held monthly in each Nursing Home on Thursday mornings, visit with the residents, and assist them during Mass. You can become involved in either or both of these ministries.
Responding to the call of recent Popes, our parish is striving to find ways to build the most welcoming community we can, to develop the spirit of outreach in a people renewed in appreciation of their Catholic faith, and to draw back those who are distanced from the Church. Many ideas and strategies are being developed.
This is both a regular Council and a 4th Degree Assembly of the largest organization of Catholic men in the world. The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization whose members are dedicated to life in Christ, spiritual growth, charitable outreach, and extensive activity to support parish and community, while also supporting each other in many ways. Knights promote life, the Church, youth, vocations, care for the poor, and much more. The HarmonKnights are a travelling singing troupe, bringing joy to many audiences, especially in nursing homes. K of C membership open to men 18 years and older.
There are many opportunities to volunteer in assisting the poor and disadvantaged at the Good Shepherd, especially with the meal programmes.
If the Parish Hall is available, families can use it for a reception after a Funeral Mass at our Parish. Someone from the family should visit the Parish Office to pick up an application form for the Use of the Parish Hall. Depending on the number of people expected, you can use the Great Hall or the Chapel Hall. You can hire your own caterer to bring in the food and coffee. Since we allow parishioners to use the Parish Hall when it is available, we expect that the family will accept the responsibility of this use and will help out in cleaning up after the event.
This committee organizes a variety of activities designed to promote family togetherness and to provide fun and community-building social opportunities for the whole parish: movie nights, trips, suppers, treats, parish picnic, winter carnival, and much more. Always in need of new ideas and extra hands to help.
We focus on promoting the devotion and teachings concerning the Divine Mercy of Our Lord, as revealed to Saint Faustina Kowalska. Activities include recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet every weekday morning after Mass, visiting nursing homes to pray with residents, and pilgrimages to the Diving Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
This is a group working to increase awareness of the issues and needs of the developing world as reflected upon through the social teachings of the Church. It promotes action on behalf of the world’s poor, and works to encourage the Share Lent collection. Also helps youth develop their passion for change in the world.
A parish chapter of the largest organization of women in Canada. The CWL has a long history of helping its members grow as dedicated and spiritual Catholic women, to be involved in many activities of parish growth, and to be aware of issues from a distinctively Catholic perspective, such as the promotion of life, dignity of the person, healthy family values, and outreach to the needy. Open to all ladies who are at least 16.
Card Club takes place every Friday evening from September to June, and is a wonderful social gathering of good friends, cards, refreshments, and great conversation. Periodic bus trips for shopping or casino are also organized.
Teams of volunteers, working in pairs, set up everything for Sunday afternoon Baptism ceremonies, welcome parents and guests, and assist the priest or deacon who is celebrating the Baptism.