St. Patrick's Cathedral

Thunder Bay, Ontario

211 South Archibald Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1G4
Phone: (807) 622-5389 Fax: (807) 622-1529

Annual Events’ Gallery

 

 

THREE MAJOR CELEBRATIONS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO OUR CATHEDRAL PARISH

1.  PATRON SAINTS’ WEEKEND IN MARCH

 
St. Patrick (March 17th), is the Patron of our Parish and the secondary Patron of the Diocese.  St. Joseph (March 19th), is the Patron of Canada and of the Universal Church. On the Sunday closest to these dates, our Parish celebrates both Feasts with Solemn Masses.  A festive reception in the Cathedral Auditorium, with gifts for the children immediately follows the 10:30 am Mass on this Sunday.

 

2.  THE DIOCESAN MASS OF SACRED CHRISM BEFORE HOLY WEEK

    
Celebrated in the Cathedral by Bishop Colli and the priests of the Diocese on the Thursday before Passion (Palm) Sunday, this annual Diocesan celebration includes the renewal of Priestly promises and the solemn blessing of the three Oils which will be used for the celebration of the Sacraments in our Parishes throughout the year.  They are: The Oil of the Sick (O.I.) for the Anointing of the Sick; The Oil of Catechumens (O.S.) for the Anointing at Baptism and; the Oil of Sacred Chrism (S.C.) for Christening at Baptism, for Confirmation and for Priesthood and Episcopal Ordinations.  Our Diocesan ambry, where the Holy Oils are kept, is found in the Baptistry area of the Cathedral.
There are no other Masses celebrated in the Cathedral on this day.

 

3.  CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSIONS & CHILDREN’S PICNIC IN JUNE

   
On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi weekend in June, our Parish celebrates Solemn Masses of Thanksgiving, followed by indoor processions and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  An outdoor Procession and Eucharistic Benediction in our Holy Family Prayer Garden (weather permitting) take place after the 10:30 am Mass on Corpus Christi Sunday. Our annual Children’s Picnic follows the outdoor Procession in the Cathedral auditorium.

 

OTHER ANNUAL CATHEDRAL EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

 

1.  REMEMBERING THOSE WHO WERE BAPTIZED IN OUR PARISH THIS PAST YEAR, ON THE WEEKEND OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD IN JANUARY

  
Every year on the Baptism of the Lord Weekend we read aloud all the names of those who were baptized in our Cathedral in the past year and we pray for them and for their families.

2.  JOINT ECUMENICAL SERVICE OF PRAYER IN JANUARY

      
Each year during the World Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, our parishioners and clergy join the members of our three neighbouring Christian Churches: St. Paul’s Anglican, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and First-Wesley United, for a joint Ecumenical Service of Prayer.  Each year the venue changes from Church to Church. 

3.  CANDLEMAS DAY AND ST. BLAISE CELEBRATIONS IN FEBRUARY

 
On February 2nd, forty days after Christmas, our Parish celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.  On this day each year candles are blessed throughout the Universal Church and distributed to the faithful.  We sometimes call the day, ‘Candlemas’.  On the following day, February 3rd,  which marks the Memorial of St. Blaise, the throats of the faithful are blessed during the Mass.

 

4.  MARDI GRAS SUNDAY BREAKFAST AND ASH WEDNESDAY

  
On the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday each year, the Parish Pastoral Council, with the help of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women’s League Members and our Parish Liturgical Ministers, sponsor, host and serve a special pancake breakfast after the 10:30 am Sunday Mass.

5.  RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS PROCESS

 
This process of discernment in adults who believe that they may be called to join the Church.  There are two groups that embark on this journey of Faith; those who have never received Christian Baptism (Catechumens) and those who have received Baptism in another Christian Church and now wish to be received as full members of the Catholic Church (Candidates).
The process involves four Liturgical celebrations:
1. Rite of Acceptance    2. Rite of Election (first weekend of Lent)  
3. The Three Scrutines (3 consecutive weeks prior to Palm Sunday) 
4. Celebration of Baptism, Reception into the Church, Confirmation and First Eucharist (during the Mass of the Easter Vigil).

 

 

6.  PALM SUNDAY, THE EASTER TRIDUUM AND EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS

 
Distribution of blessed palms at all Masses on Passion (Palm) Sunday
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday Solemn Liturgy of the Passion with Holy Communion & Way of the Cross
Easter Vigil Mass of Resurrection on Holy Saturday Evening
Easter Sunday Masses in the Morning

7.  THE ANNUAL BLUE MASS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Each year, on a weekend, either in the Spring or the Fall, our Parish comes together to thank, support and pray for the safety of our Thunder Bay First Responders, by celebrating a Mass in their honour.

8.  GUIDED CATHEDRAL TOURS FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (April to June)

  
These guided one hour tours of the Cathedral help the students, teachers and parents of our Catholic Schools better appreciate the beliefs and the rich traditions  of our Faith.  Explanations of the religious significance of the different areas of the Church and adjacent Prayer Garden  and of the sacred vessels, statues and religious art.

 

9.  FIRST CONFESSION AND FIRST COMMUNION WEEKEND AFTER EASTER

    
Our children in Grade 2 celebrate these two special Sacraments for the first time as a group usually on a weekend in May or June.

 

10.  CONFIRMATION CELEBRATION ON PENTECOST SUNDAY

 
This third Sacrament of Initiation is celebrated for adults and for youths in Grade 8 on the Sunday of Pentecost during the 10:30 am Mass.

11.  GRADUATION MASSES IN JUNE

   
Graduation Masses for our two Catholic High Schools and for a number of other Catholic Schools in Thunder Bay are celebrated in the Cathedral annually in June, at the end of the school year.

12.  CANADA DAY MASSES IN JULY

  
We celebrate special Masses for our nation and in honour of Canada’s Patron,  St. Joseph, on the weekend nearest July 1st.

13.  CELEBRATION OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL IN JULY

Each year on July 16th we celebrate Mass in the Cathedral to honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and for the intentions of all who wear the brown Scapular.

14.  CELEBRATION OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY IN AUGUST

It was in 1950 that Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Dogma of Mary’s Assumption into heaven.  We celebrate this world-wide festival of Mary each year on August 15th.

15.  SENIORS’ APPRECIATION LUNCHEON IN THE FALL

 
This annual event which is hosted by our Parish Pastoral Council gives us the opportunity to express our thanks to the Seniors of our Parish who have helped to build up our Faith Community.

16.  OUR LADY OF CHARITY WEEKEND IN OCTOBER

        
On the first weekend in October, all the Masses in the Cathedral and in every Church of the Diocese are celebrated in honour of Our Lady of Charity, our Diocesan Patroness.

17.  OUR PARISH CELEBRATION OF THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER

 
As a Parish Family we give thanks to God each year on the occasion of Thanksgiving Day in October.  Our Mass of Thanksgiving is celebrated annually on the Thanksgiving holiday Monday at 12:10 pm.

 

18. SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS & MEMORIAL MASSES FOR OUR DECEASED PARISHIONERS IN NOVEMBER

With the Universal Church, our Parish solemnly celebrates All Saints Day on November 1st and prays for our deceased parishioners at all Masses on the weekend nearest November 2nd.

  MEMORIAL MASS FOR THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE
The Catholic Women’s League celebrates a Memorial Mass for their deceased members on the first Sunday of November at 10:30 am.

19.  ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY MASSES IN NOVEMBER

 
At all the weekend Masses nearest November 11th, we remember all service personnel who died in armed conflict and we pray for harmony and peace among all nations and all peoples.

20.  OUR ANNUAL PARISH BAZAAR IN NOVEMBER

 
Usually held on the third Sunday of November in the afternoon, this annual community building event is convened by the Catholic Women’s League and hosted and served by all the groups of the Parish. 

21. BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATHS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
  
Each Year on the First Sunday of Advent, the children make their own Advent Wreaths during their Children’s Liturgy session.  After Holy Communion the wreaths are all blessed in the Cathedral and used in the homes of our children parishioners throughout the Season of Advent.

22. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS & CHILDREN’S PAGEANT ON CHRISTMAS EVE

   
Our Children’s Liturgy Ministers select, prepare and rehearse the children of our Parish to present a short Christmas pageant in the Church each year during the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass at 5:00 pm.
Other Masses on Christmas Eve: 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm
Mass on Christmas Morning: 10:30 am

23.  SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD – NEW YEAR’S DAY

 
Mass on New Year’s Eve: 5:00 pm
Masses on New Year’s Day: 8:30 am and 10:30 am