St. Columba ParishToronto is one of the few places in the world where publicly funded Catholic schools sit at the heart of parish life. St. Columba Catholic School, part of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), opened in 1958 on Columba Avenue, just two blocks north of the church, and serves about 380 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. The parish and the school are separate institutions with one mission: to help children know Christ and grow into good, capable, generous people.
Sacramental preparation
In the Archdiocese of Toronto, the parish, not the school, prepares children for the sacraments, and families register through the parish. The school supports that preparation in religion class, where the Grade 2 curriculum covers Reconciliation and First Communion and the Grade 7 curriculum covers Confirmation. Sr. Agnes, our Catechetical Coordinator, meets the school's Grade 2 and Grade 7 teachers each September to align what is taught in class with what happens in the parish program. Children who attend other schools, including public schools, are equally welcome in our sacramental programs; see Sacramental Preparation.
How school and parish work together
- School Masses. The whole school comes to the church for Mass at the opening of the year in September, on All Saints, in Advent, on Ash Wednesday, in Easter season and for the Grade 8 graduation Mass in June. Fr. Nguyen also celebrates a monthly Mass in the school gym for one division at a time. Parents are always welcome.
- Chaplaincy. Fr. Nguyen serves as the school's parish priest liaison, visiting classrooms, leading Advent and Lent reconciliation services for Grades 3 to 8, and being available to families and staff. The school also has a TCDSB chaplaincy lead on staff who coordinates retreats and prayer life.
- Catholic School Council. A parish representative, appointed by the pastor, sits on the school council; currently that is Deacon Ferreira.
- Shared outreach. Students run a Lenten food drive for our St. Vincent de Paul conference, sing at the parish Christmas concert, and serve at the Sunday 9:00 AM Mass as altar servers and readers.
- Youth ministry. Marcus Lee visits the Grade 7 and 8 classes each fall to invite students to the parish youth group, which is the bridge from elementary school to high school faith life.
Pastor's letter for school registration
Some TCDSB schools ask for proof of Catholic baptism at registration. If you need a baptismal certificate, or a letter from the pastor confirming that your family is registered with the parish, contact the office at 416-555-0142 ext. 20. Certificates take about a week; letters can usually be done in a day or two.
Registering at St. Columba Catholic School
Registration is handled by the school and the TCDSB, not the parish. Kindergarten registration for the following September opens each January, and families may register at any time during the year if they move into the area. To register a child you will generally need proof of the child's age (birth certificate or passport), proof of address, immunisation records, and, for Catholic admission, the child's or a parent's Catholic baptismal certificate. Contact the school office directly, or start online through the Board's website.
Catholic high schools
Graduates of St. Columba Catholic School go on to TCDSB secondary schools across the east end of the city, including the Catholic high schools closest to East York and the Board's specialty programs in the arts, technology and French immersion. Open houses take place in October and November, and Grade 8 families receive information from the school in the fall. Our parish youth group and 5:00 PM Sunday Mass are where many of our teens stay connected to the parish after they scatter to different high schools; see Youth Ministry.
Rosary Apostolate in the schools
Once a month from October to May, volunteers from the Rosary Apostolate visit every classroom at St. Columba Catholic School to pray a decade of the rosary with the children and teach them about the mysteries and the life of Mary. The Apostolate is a lay movement active across the Archdiocese; our parish team has nine members and is led by Concetta Bruno (rosary@stcolumbatoronto.ca). Volunteers complete high-risk screening and a short training session in September. It is a wonderful ministry for retirees and for parents with a free weekday morning.
Frequently asked
My child attends a public school. Can they still make First Communion here?
Yes. Sacramental preparation happens through the parish, and about a quarter of the children in our programs attend public or private schools. Register in September through the parish office.
Do we have to be parishioners to attend the school?
No. Admission is set by the TCDSB. But families who worship here find the connection between school and parish much richer, and registering with the parish is simple; see Register with the Parish.
Does the school have before- and after-school care?
Ask the school office; child-care programs in TCDSB schools are run by licensed providers and change from year to year.
Can our family attend the school Masses?
Always. They are announced in the bulletin and on the school's newsletter, and there is room at the back of the church.
Questions about the parish's work with the school? Contact Sr. Agnes Ibeh at 416-555-0142 ext. 25 or faith@stcolumbatoronto.ca.