St. Columba ParishA parish is never an island. St. Columba belongs to the Archdiocese of Toronto, the family of Catholic parishes, schools, hospitals, cemeteries and charities that stretches from Lake Ontario north to Georgian Bay and from Oshawa west to Mississauga. The Archdiocese is led by the Archbishop of Toronto, assisted by auxiliary bishops, and it serves close to two million Catholics who worship in more than three dozen languages every Sunday. Our parish shares in that wider mission, and the offices of the Archdiocese in turn support the work we do here in East York.
What the Archdiocese is
In the Catholic Church, a diocese is a territory entrusted to a bishop, who is the chief teacher, shepherd and priest of the local Church. Because Toronto is a metropolitan see, its bishop holds the title of Archbishop. The Archbishop of Toronto appoints and assigns priests, oversees the seminary, approves parish boundaries and building projects, and is responsible for the teaching of the faith across the whole region. The chancery (the Catholic Pastoral Centre downtown) houses the offices that coordinate everything from marriage tribunals and Catholic education to refugee sponsorship and youth ministry.
The cathedral of the Archdiocese is St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica on Bond Street. Every parish is invited to the Chrism Mass held there in Holy Week, when the Archbishop blesses the holy oils that we use at baptisms, confirmations, ordinations and anointings throughout the year.
How our parish relates to the Archdiocese
Fr. Moreau and Fr. Nguyen are priests of the Archdiocese, assigned to St. Columba by the Archbishop. Deacon Ferreira was ordained by the Archbishop for service in this region. Our parish follows archdiocesan policy on finances, volunteer screening, sacramental records and safe environment, and we file an annual financial report with the chancery. In practical terms, this means a few things for you as a parishioner:
- Your donations are receipted under our own charitable registration, but online giving runs through the secure archdiocesan portal.
- Sacramental records (baptisms, confirmations, marriages) are kept here and copied to the archdiocesan archive, so a certificate can be found even decades later.
- Marriage annulment cases, permissions for mixed marriages and dispensations are handled by the archdiocesan Marriage Tribunal and Chancery, with our clergy helping you prepare the paperwork.
- Our parish pays an annual assessment to the Archdiocese that funds the seminary, retired priests, chaplaincies and central services.
Good to know
St. Columba is part of the Central Region of the Archdiocese, and belongs to a deanery of neighbouring East York and Riverdale parishes whose pastors meet monthly. If you move within the Archdiocese, your sacramental records stay searchable, and you can simply register at your new parish.
Services
Archdiocesan offices and services
Many of the ministries that touch parish life are run centrally. These are the ones parishioners ask about most often.
Chaplaincies
Catholic chaplains serve Toronto's hospitals, universities, prisons and long-term-care homes. Learn how to request a chaplain for a loved one.
Refugee Sponsorship
The Office for Refugees helps parishes like ours welcome families fleeing persecution. Our sponsorship committee is always looking for help.
Vocations
Discerning priesthood, the permanent diaconate or consecrated life? The Office of Vocations and our parish can walk with you.
Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services
The Archdiocese operates Catholic cemeteries across the region, including Mount Hope and Holy Cross, and offers pre-planning consultations.
ShareLife
The annual archdiocesan appeal funds more than 40 agencies serving families, seniors, newcomers and people with disabilities. Our parish goal is set each spring.
Formation for Discipleship
Courses, retreats and resources for adults who want to grow in faith and lead in their parish, offered by the Archdiocese.
Safe Environment
The Strengthening the Caring Community policy sets out how every parish protects children and vulnerable adults, and how concerns are reported.
Frequently asked
Can I attend Mass at any parish in the Archdiocese?
Yes. You may worship anywhere, and your Sunday obligation is fulfilled at any Catholic Mass. Registering with one parish simply lets us serve you well with envelopes, sacramental preparation and records.
Where do I get a copy of a baptism certificate from another Toronto parish?
Contact the parish where the baptism took place. If that church has closed or merged, the Archdiocesan Archives holds its registers; our office can tell you who to call.
How does the Archbishop visit parishes?
The Archbishop or an auxiliary bishop comes to St. Columba for Confirmation each spring and for anniversaries and special occasions. Pastoral visits are announced in the bulletin well ahead of time.
Questions about anything on this page? Contact Ann Marie O'Connor at the parish office, 416-555-0142 ext. 20, or office@stcolumbatoronto.ca, and we will point you to the right archdiocesan office.