St. Columba Parish"For I was hungry and you gave me food." Everything on this page is a parish's answer to that sentence. Most of it happens in the hall, on Saturday mornings, and in the homes of neighbours you will never read about — and every part of it needs hands.
Out of the Cold
A hot supper, a warm bed and breakfast for up to 40 guests experiencing homelessness, in partnership with neighbouring churches and a downtown agency. Volunteer shifts: cooking (2–5 PM), supper and hospitality (5–9 PM), overnight (9 PM–7 AM, in pairs), breakfast and cleanup (6–8 AM).
Contact: Joan Petrie · ootc@stcolumbatoronto.ca
St. Vincent de Paul
Groceries for ninety households a week and practical help with rent, utilities and furniture.
Refugee sponsorship
The parish has sponsored eleven families since 2015; the current family arrived from Eritrea in February.
Development and Peace — Caritas Canada
The Canadian Church's international development agency, supporting partners in the Global South. The parish group runs the Lenten campaign and a fall action.
Contact: Louise Tremblay · devp.org
ShareLife
Funds Catholic Family Services, Covenant House, the Society of Sharing, Silent Voice and forty other agencies. Parish goal $85,000.
Prison ministry
Parishioners join the archdiocesan chaplaincy team for Sunday services and one-to-one visits; training and clearance required.
Seasonal drives
Food, hampers, gifts for 120 children, school supplies and winter coats, with the Knights and CWL.
Advocacy
Letters, deputations and education on housing, palliative care, migrants and the environment, guided by Catholic social teaching and the Archdiocese's public policy office.
Three ways to help
- Time. A pantry morning, an Out of the Cold shift, a drive to a refugee family's medical appointment. Sign up on the volunteer page; most roles need only low-risk screening.
- Money. Designate a gift on the giving page to St. Vincent de Paul, Out of the Cold or refugee sponsorship. Every dollar goes to the program.
- Prayer. The petitions at every Mass name the poor, the homeless, refugees and prisoners; the prayer chain prays for our guests by first name.
Why the Church does this
Catholic social teaching rests on the dignity of every person, made in God's image; on the common good; on solidarity with the poor; and on care for creation. It is not a political program but a way of seeing. The parish's Justice & Peace committee offers a four-week introduction each autumn, and the Archdiocese's Office for Refugees and its social justice office provide resources for parish groups.
I have a criminal record. Can I volunteer?
Often, yes. Talk to the screening coordinator in confidence; many roles do not require a police check, and a record is not an automatic bar.
Can my company or school group volunteer as a team?
Yes — pantry sorting and Out of the Cold cooking work well for groups of six to ten. Email the office two weeks ahead.