St. Columba ParishBeing a young Catholic in Toronto is not easy, and it is not meant to be done alone. Youth ministry at St. Columba is led by Marcus Lee, a full-time youth and young adult minister, with a team of twelve screened adult and young-adult leaders. About 110 young people take part each year.
Grades 6 to 8
EDGE
1st and 3rd Fridays · 7:00 – 9:00 PM · youth room and hall. Middle school is the age of big questions and small confidence. EDGE nights mix games, snacks, a short talk on the theme of the month, small groups led by high-school and adult leaders, and ten minutes of prayer. Parents drop off at 6:50 and pick up at 9:00 sharp.
Grades 9 to 12
LIFE TEEN
2nd and 4th Fridays · 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Life Nights alternate between catechesis ("issue nights" on faith, relationships, mental health, vocation), social nights and service nights, and once a month end in adoration with praise and worship. Teens are welcome to bring friends of any faith. Leadership roles — worship team, small-group leader, tech — are open from Grade 11.
More than Fridays
Sunday 5:00 PM Mass
The youth and young adult Mass with the contemporary ensemble; teens serve, read and sing.
Retreats
A weekend away with Mass, adoration, canoes and no phones. Subsidized; nobody stays home for money.
Summer camp
A day camp run by our high-schoolers — the best leadership training we have.
Service hours
Signed hours for high-school community service and for Confirmation.
Safe environment
Every adult leader has completed the Archdiocese of Toronto's volunteer screening, including a police vulnerable-sector check and Safe Environment training, and two screened adults are present at every activity. Parents receive a permission form for every off-site event, and photos are only shared with written consent. Concerns of any kind may be brought to Marcus, to Fr. Moreau, or directly to the Archdiocese — see Safe Environment.
For parents
How do I register, and what does it cost?
Registration is online (or on paper at the office) each September and stays open all year; a $40 annual fee covers snacks and materials and is waived on request. Retreats and camp are priced separately with bursaries available.
My teen is not sure about faith.
Perfect. Youth ministry is for teenagers who are figuring it out, and honest doubt is welcome. Many of our most committed leaders started as reluctant Grade 9s brought by a friend.
We don't go to St. Columba's school or even this parish.
Any young person is welcome regardless of school or parish; about a third of our teens come from outside the parish boundaries.
How do I stay informed?
A parent email goes out every second week; teens are on a moderated group chat run by two leaders. Follow the parish on Instagram for photos and reminders.
Marcus Lee, Youth & Young Adult Minister — ext. 27, youth@stcolumbatoronto.ca.