St. Columba ParishA third of our parishioners are over 65, and many of them have been here since the church was built. This page gathers everything the parish offers older members — for fun, for prayer, and for the harder seasons of illness and loss.
Wednesdays after the 8:30 Mass
Prime Time 55+
Coffee and pastries in the hall at 9:15, then something different each week: a speaker (a pharmacist on medications, a lawyer on wills, a police officer on scams), cards and games, chair exercise, a film, or a bus trip — Niagara's shrines in May, the Martyrs' Shrine in June, a Christmas lunch in December. About sixty members; $10 a year. New members are welcomed with a name tag and a seat at a table of people who will remember your name.
Contact: Anna Ferraro · primetime@stcolumbatoronto.ca
Communion at home
If you cannot come to Mass, a screened visitor brings Holy Communion, the Sunday readings and the bulletin, and stays for a visit. Call the office to arrange.
Anointing Masses
A Mass at which anyone who is elderly or unwell may receive the Anointing of the Sick, followed by lunch in the hall.
Rides to Mass
Door-to-door rides within the parish for those who no longer drive. Book by Thursday with the office. Wheelchair-accessible taxi vouchers are available for those who need them.
Phone tree & friendly calls
A volunteer phones each week to say hello, check in and pass on news. Started in 2020 and never stopped.
Long-term care visits
Communion services and visits at the two long-term-care homes in the parish; monthly Mass at each with Fr. Nguyen.
Practical support
- Accessibility: step-free entrance on the east side, elevator to the hall, hearing loop (set your hearing aid to T), large-print missals and bulletins, reserved pews for walkers and wheelchairs. See accessibility.
- Livestream: a new Daily TV Mass each day; a volunteer can set up your TV or tablet.
- Forms and finances: the office helps with donation receipts, pre-authorized giving and Mass intentions in person or by phone.
- Referrals: the St. Vincent de Paul conference and our parish nurse volunteer can point you to home care, meal programs and seniors' services in East York.
- Funeral pre-planning: the office keeps a simple form for your wishes — readings, hymns, cemetery — on file for your family.
Give your experience
Retired parishioners run the pantry mornings, count the collection, garden, drive, phone, visit, sew, bake and — more than anyone — pray. If you have time now that you did not have at forty, the parish has a place for it. See volunteer, or come to Prime Time on Wednesday and ask.
Is there a cost for anything?
Prime Time membership is $10 a year; trips are priced at cost with subsidies available. Everything else is free.
I'm caring for an elderly parent.
Call the office. Communion at home, a visit from a priest, respite through the friendly-call team, and the bereavement group when the time comes are all there for your family.