The volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society are definitely the “givers” of our community who joyfully assist in the mission of serving less fortunate individuals and families around us with love, respect, and justice.
For people in need of food on the south side of the city, St. Vincent de Paul distributes food hampers from St. Agnes Church lobby Friday mornings between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please contact the parish office for more information or check out our calendar on our homepage to know specific dates when St. Vincent de Paul will be distributing food hampers.
Recipients need to bring proof of address and government issued picture identification for all members of the household, as well as heavy bags to carry food home. Those requiring assistance are eligible to receive one hamper of food every two months.
Each month, volunteers from St. Agnes Church prepare and distribute approximately 100 food hampers to those in need. Some donations of food come from parishioners of St. Agnes and other churches and from the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA). At St. Agnes Church, Hamper Sundays are held on the third Sunday of each month to encourage food donations, but much appreciated donations can also be dropped off at any time into the wooden food chest in the St. Agnes Church lobby.
If you are interested in learning more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society, please visit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ontario Regional Council by clicking here.
Team Leader: John Wenzell
Refugee Committee
Our committee works with the Diocese and the Parish in sponsoring qualified refugees to come to Canada. We provide support to the refugees before and after they arrive in Canada with the help of a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (Diocese). Once in Canada we help the refugees find housing, English training, help them learn about Canadian culture and values, provide emotional support, find them jobs, and also educate them about other services available to them in the city.
We pay for housing, food, medical expenses, personal products, and more for 1 year after they have arrived. This is possible because of the generous financial support of our parishioners. Even after the year ends, we continue to support our families in their quest to become Canadian citizens.
Team Leaders: Karen O’Connor and Joe Raynak
Communion Services in Long Term Care Homes
Hogarth Riverview Manor Long Term Care Home Pinewood Court Long Term Care Home
Services are held once a week at both long-term care homes during the months of September through June.
Pinewood Court services are Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Hogarth Riverview services are Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
On occasion, Sacrament of the Sick is also held.
A team of approximately 10 volunteers set up and conduct the weekly services, with the exception of one Tuesday each month, which is led by St. Agnes Parish Priest, Fr. James Panikulam.
Our team members gather up anywhere from 15 to 40 residents from their rooms and bring them to the worship area, assisting them with participation in the service, and returning them to their rooms following the service.
These communion services are greatly appreciated by the long term care Catholic residents, although any resident is welcome to participate.