St. Kevin’s Parish was founded in the early 1950’s and was named after the Irish Saint, St. Kevin. The pastoral responsibility for the Parish was entrusted to Holy Cross Fathers by the Diocese of St. Catharines in 1995. St. Kevin’s is a large and lively parish. Presently, we have about 3300 registered families. We also have pastoral responsibility for a Catholic High School, three Catholic Elementary Schools, and a couple of Senior Homes under the parish.
My pastoral work at St. Kevin’s gives me the opportunity to share God’s love and the message of hope in God. It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to journey with people during some of the most significant moments of their lives and to pray with them and for them. Whether it is celebrating the anointing of the sick with someone who is dying, dealing with a tragic event in a family, or helping a couple prepare for marriage, celebrating the sacraments with young people are graced moments of entering into people’s lives to share joy, love and hope.
The various ministries that are being carried out at St. Kevin with the help and support of its members are ways to accompany people in their spiritual journey and to nurture their faith, to build a community of faith and to express solidarity with those in need. Please visit our parish website http://www.stkevin.on.ca/ to learn more about the parish and its various ministries.
Father Jinto Puthiyidathuchalil, CSC
(Pastor)
I am happy to share my experience in St. Kevin’s parish. I moved to St. Kevin’s on January 10th 2020, after having completed my six months of Inculturation in Toronto. I remain grateful to Fr. Wilson Andrade, C.S.C. and Fr. Francis Noronha, C.S.C. for their initial support and accommodation. I came to St. Kevin’s with an open mind to do my ministry in a new place and in a new culture, with mixed feelings of excitement and homesickness. I trusted completely in God and in Fr. Vijai Amirtharaj, C.S.C., the Pastor.
However, I was pleased with such a grand welcome by the Community of St. Kevin. I felt at home when I saw my photo on the parish notice board. A month went by and I began to see some of pastoral challenges in my way. I am grateful to Fr. Vijai Amirtharaj, C.S.C. and Fr. Jim Mulligan, C.S.C. for their precise and timely guidance to adapting to the way of our Parish. Our community prayer and meals enabled me to find a deeper meaning in my religious and personal life.
Our Parish office staff made it easy to get into the work of the parish. On call hospital visitation and the Senior Home ministry gave me a kind of satisfaction in my pastoral work. The Food Bank and the Harvest kitchen at St. Kevin’s made me think of how fortunate I am. It helped me to be more compassionate towards those who are underprivileged, and it increased my love for them.
Though Covid-19 demanded lockdown, my time in the parish has blessed me with good friends and has allowed me to cherish our family spirit. I thank God and the community of St. Kevin for the great experience of the last 9 months.
Father Arockia Sunil Josapath, C.S.C
(Associate Pastor)
For more information, please visit:
www.stkevin.on.ca
