St. Patrick's Cathedral

Thunder Bay, Ontario

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

Recent Events Media

November 24, 2024
THE MAKING AND BLESSING OF ADVENT WREATHS

The children made their Advent wreaths during the Children’s Liturgy Session and then brought them upstairs to have them blessed for use in their homes.  They also made a wreath and gifted it to Msgr. Pat for his home.  Thanks to our teachers, Crystal, Jackie, Stephanie and Ericka and to Crystal Tustian and Sean Murphy for providing us with this photo.

 

 

 

November 23, 2024
4TH DEGREE EXEMPLIFICATION FOR THE FR. BAXTER ASSEMBLY

The Exemplification ceremony took place at the Columbus Centre.  Five new Sir Knights were welcomed into the Assembly.
Pictured (from Left to right in the last photo) are Sir Knights Pierre Fortin, Chris Price, Father Doug McClure, Bill Vass Faithful Navigator, James Matejesic, Dan Bortolussi,  and his brother, Ron. Thanks to Bill Vass, F.N., Deacon Derek West and Louis Romito for the photos.

 

November 17, 2024
‘MITTS AND GLOVES’ APPRECIATED

 

A Message from Pam Brusadin

The staff members at the “Dew Drop Inn” were amazed at the amount we collected.

Michael the Executive Director asked me to pass on their thanks for the support St. Patrick’s Cathedral has given them and continues to give them.

Above is a picture taken with Michael and what we donated. 

Pam

November 17, 2024
OUR CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE SPONSORED ‘COOKIE WALK’ & ‘MITTS AND GLOVES’ APPEAL
and …
OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MINISTRY WEEKEND





From the Cookie Walk Team:
A very big thank you to all who made delicious cookies and treats for this weekend’s 2nd annual cookie walk.  We were so excited and grateful.  Thank you as well to all who came and assisted the team at each Mass.
Plus the Cookie Walk Team thanks to an anonymous donor was able to provide two grocery bags of bagged cookies for the Dew Drop.  

From the Mitts and Gloves Team:
It was overwhelming to see the generosity of parishioners. We were able to fill eight fabric grocery
bags overflowing with mittens, gloves and hats…from baby to adult sizes, hand knit hats and mitts/gloves as well as store bought ones.

St. Pat’s CWL is amazed by our parish community’s generosity!!!! Thank you, thank you!

___________________________________

Our Sir Knights of the Father Baxter Assembly ministered at our Masses and the Grand Knight of Fort William Council 1447, our own Sir Knight, Mike Spivak, spoke at our Masses about joining this worldwide Catholic Organization of the Knights of Columbus. In attendance at our 10:30 am Mass was our District 14 Deputy, Sir Knight, Bruce Sutton.

 

 

 

November 13, 2024
FORT WILLIAM K.C. COUNCIL 1447 DONATION

Our Council donated a box full of adult winter jackets  to the Salvation Army.  Pictured (l. to r.) Grand Knight Mike Spivak, Gail Kromm, Cathy Oleschuk and Deacon Derek West.

 

 

November 10, 2024
BAPTISM OF EDWARD (EDDIE) JAMES SCHOALES

Our newest follower of Christ, together with his parents, Kayla and Matthew Schoales.  We thank them together with Linda and Deacon Derek West for preparing them for the event and Deacon Derek for baptizing the child.

 

 

 

 

November 9/10, 2024 – ALL MASSES
OUR PARISH REMEMBRANCE DAY WEEKEND

At all our Masses on his special weekend, we remembered and prayed for all who lost their lives in armed conflict or were injured physically and emotionally, for their grieving families, for our veterans and for those who are now serving in the military.  Above all we prayed for peace in our families and in our world.

We thank our parishioners, George Romick for laying the wreath at our cenotaph and for both he and Larry Pankuch for standing guard as we sang the national anthem .  Thanks as well to Erick Villanueva and Cheryl DeLorenzi for preparing our cenotaph and Sean Murphy for providing us with these photos .

 

November 2/3, 2024 – ALL MASSES
REMEMBERING OUR PARISHIONERS AND LEAGUE MEMBERS WHO DIED THIS PAST YEAR



As we have done for many years on the first weekend of November, we prayed for and remembered all parishioners and League members at all our Masses, who died this past year.

We thank our Secretary, Janie Slobodnik for compiling the names of parishioners, Pam Brusadin for organizing the segment for the deceased members of the League and our readers, Martin Skillen, Pam Brusadin, Carol Williams and Holly Haggarty.  Thanks as well to Cheryl De Lorenzi and Erick Villanueva for preparing the candle memorial for us and Sean Murphy for providing us with these photos .

 

 

October 26, 2024 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
OUR KNIGHTS CONDUCTING THE ‘DEW DROP INN’ FOOD DRIVE

 
Here, collecting donations at the entrances on the 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm “shift” are Stan Kwaka, Vince Stilla, Mike Boyechko and Rob Popien.         …….. Photos by Louis Romito

The Knight volunteers from Council 1447 and the Fr. Baxter Assembly  and friends, manned the entrances  at the Metro Grocery Store on River Street last Saturday.  They were: Mike Spivak, Deacon Derek & Linda West, Patrick Klug, David Gaudino, Larry Pankuch, John Baker, Mike Posmituk, Juliano Brusadin, Peter Sabourin, Mike Boyechko, Stan Kwaka, Vince Stilla, Rob Popien, Matthew Covino, Robin Rickards and Louis Romito, all taking “shifts” at the doors at different times during the day.

 

 

 

October 21, 2024
OUR KNIGHTS REFURBISHING ST. BENEDICT’S CHAPEL


Mike Spivak, Deacon Derek West and Chris Price have been helping Father Doug McClure wit

 

 

 

October 10, 2024
KNIGHTS’ COUNCILS: INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS









     

We gathered at St. Andrew’s Church in Thunder Bay, North for the installation of Officers of all the Knights’ Councils of Thunder Bay.  Father Berchmans, Chaplain of K.C. Council 1130 and Pastor of St. Andrew’s, celebrated the Mass of “The Blessing of the Jewels” with Msgr. Stilla,  concelebrating and Deacon Joey Terlhijan assisting.   District Deputy, Bruce Sutton presided at the Installation together with past State Deputy, Joe Salini, distributing the jewels.  These photos show the Officers of our own Fort William Council 1447 receiving their Jewels of Office, with our Chaplain, Fr. Doug McClure and our Grand Knight, Mike Spivak, leading.
Many thanks to our parishioner and brother Knight, Juliano Brusadin for providing us with these souvenir photos.

 

 

 

October 6, 2024
WELCOME TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY!

  

Congratulations to the our newest follower of Christ, Casey and to the Figliomeni Family.

 

 

 

October 5/6. 2-24
OUR LADY OF CHARITY WEEKEND

   

At all our Masses this weekend we prayed for the future wellbeing of our Diocese and for a speedy appointment of a new Bishop.
Our Sanctuary Shrine of Our Lady was created by Cheryl DeLorenzi and Erick Villanueva.  Photos were taken by Sean Murphy (left) and Erick Villanueva (right)

 

 

 

 

October 5, 2024
A COMMUNITY EFFORT!

     

A huge “THANK YOU!” to the Knights of Columbus and Friends who helped move the angel stone from the Rectory parking lot: Mike Spivak, Jeff Collins, Mike Posmituk, Yvonne Begin, Mathew Covino, Pat Klug, Fabio Zorzes and Deacon Derek West for organizing the event!

 

 

 

September 28/29, 2024
“TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION” WEEKEND AT ST. PAT’S

                    

All the Masses this weekend were celebrated for the Intentions of Survivors of residential schools and for the repose of the souls of the Children who died while they attended these schools.

The display in our Sanctuary was created by Erick Villanueva.
Photograph by Sean Murphy.

 

 

September 21, 2024
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS: FR. BAXTER ASSEMBLY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Officers were installed in Our Lady’s Chapel after the 5 pm Mass in the Cathedral.

(l. to r.)  Sir Knights Mike Spivak, Faithful Pilot, Joe Salini, Faithful Comptroller, Deacon Derek West, Faithful Scribe, Keith Martinkus, Faithful Admiral, Dick O’Donnell, Worthy Former District Master, Bill Vass Faithful Navigator of the AssemblyLouis Romito, Faithful Purser, Msgr. Pat Stilla, George Romick, Faithful Sentinel, Terry Doyle, Worthy Former District Master, Brian Smith, Faithful Trustee, Claudio Monteleone, Faithful Trustee, Larry Pankuch, Faithful Captain, and Sam Spivak, Faithful Trustee.   

Missing are Fr. F. Blazek, Faithful Friar and David Turmaine, Faithful Sentinel.
Thanks to Cathy Vass for taking this photo.

 

 

 

 

August 26, 2024
BLESSED STATUE PLACED IN THE CHAPEL OF ST. ANNE

St. Dominic’s Statue has now been placed in the Prayer Chapel of St. Anne for the veneration of the People.  We thank Linda Bukovy for restoring the statue to its original state and Erick Villanueva for decorating the area with votive candles and for taking this souvenir photo for us.

 

 

August 25, 2024 at 10:30 am Mass
ST. DOMINIC STATUE BLESSING AND RE-DEDICATION

     

The Official Crest and Motto of the Order of Preachers (Called to Praise, Bless and Preach).

 

    

Originally venerated in the old St. Dominic’s Church in Thunder Bay’s East End, this sacred image of the founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) was donated to the Cathedral and was solemnly blessed and re-dedicated during the Sunday morning Mass.  It will be installed in the side Prayer Chapel of St. Ann.

Many thanks to the Giancola Family for donating it, and to Erick Villanueva and expert painter, Linda Bukovy for restoring the statue to its original state.  Thanks also to Sean Murphy for photographing this recent event. 

 

August 20, 2024
K.C. COUNCIL 1447 DONATION OF $5,000. FROM BINGO PROCEEDS

   

Fort William Council 1447 of the Knights of Columbus recently donated $5,000. to our St. Pat’s Hat Roof Fund.  Here, presenting the cheque to Deacon Derek West, Chair of our Roof Replacement Committee and Msgr. Pat Stilla, is Council 1447 Grand Knight, Mike Spivak.  The funds were raised at the “Superior Shores Gaming” Bingos, held recently.  Thanks to all the volunteers and to Josie Spivak for taking this photo.

 

 

August 17, 2024
FIRST COMMUNION DAY FOR THE SHONIAS CHILDREN

 

Michaela (12), Miley (10), Melvin (8) and Marshall (7) celebrated their First Confession and First Holy Communion last Saturday at the 5 pm. Mass. Thanks to Linda and Deacon Derek West for preparing them to receive these two special Sacraments.

 

 

Council 1447 – Supporting our Thunder Bay Border Cats

Enjoying the baseball and joining our local team mascot, Boomer are Mike Spivak, G.K., Mike and Lisa Posmituk, Josie Spivak and Linda and Deacon Derek West.

 

 

 

July 14, 2024
Bishop Colli’s Farewell Mass in Thunder Bay


The Celebration of the Mass

           
   

Presentation of Diocesan and Papal Awards for Volunteers in Our Parishes

    

Tributes and Gift Presentations:

… From Msgr. Stilla and Our Cathedral Parishioners:

 

… From Faithful Navigator, Bill Vass and Past State Deputy, Joe Salini and the Father Baxter Assembly of the Knights of Columbus:

 

… Gift and Members’ Blessing from Joleene Kemp, Provincial President Colleen Martin and St. Patrick’s Catholic Women’s League:

         

A Special Final Blessing for His Diocese

 

Many thanks to our Catholic Women’s League for hosting the reception after the Mass and to Sean Murphy for providing us with these memorable photos.

 

 

 

July 7, 2024
Our New Provincial League President

…photo by Pauline Krupa

 

 

 

A New Follower of Christ

Our Parish welcomes Bree Marsonet, who was recently baptized at St. Pat’s

 

 

 

May 19, 2024
Our Parish Pentecost Day Confirmation Mass


 

This was one of the three Confirmation Celebrations that were held in our City this year.  Many thanks to Sean Murphy for taking these photographs.

 

 

 

 

June 23, 2024
Family Picnic 2024









 










 

Many Thanks from our Family Picnic Coordinator, Susan Momot

Thank you to all who attended this year’s Parish Picnic.
It’s been 5 years since we were able to gather for this event, and it was lovely to see the camaraderie. The huge smiles on the children’s faces, their shouts of joy, and the fellowship experienced by all was so heartwarming.
A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers that made this event possible: the amazing team from the Children’s Liturgy group, led by Crystal Tustian and Leanne Joseph, who ran the games and provided the prizes, our decorators that made the hall look amazing, the cooks, popcorn makers, coffee and tea maker, food wrappers and servers who prepared and served the food and beverages, the Villanueva family for their help with the piñatas, and everyone who stayed behind to help with clean up.
This event couldn’t have happened without you! A special thank you goes out to our anonymous donor who provided the delicious burgers for our event.

Blessings,
Susan

Our very special thanks as well to Susan, John and Thomas Momot, ensuring that this special event would be the successful reality that it was.
Msgr. Pat

 

 

June 22, 2024
Priesthood Ordination of Father Larry Kurec

 
 
                
   

 

 

 

 

June 15, 2024
Ordination of Deacons and Mandating of Ministers of Service
























    

Deacons Ordained:
Rick Geurts – Atikokan;
Dave Frank – St. Kateri;
Reino Pitkanen – Holy Family

Minister of Service Mandated:
Debbie Esquega – St. Kateri;
Linda Pitkanen – Holy Family

 

 

 

June 2, 2024
Corpus Christi Mass with the First Communion Children

Bishop Colli celebrated the 10:30 am Mass and invited the children who had received their First Communion last weekend to join him and the concelebrating priests at the Altar at the Lord’s Prayer.  Those who were present joined him and raised their arms in Prayer with him.

Then, at the end of Mass, led by the cross, candle bearers, thurifer and Father Marco Ladao, Msgr. Stilla processed through the Church with the Blessed Sacrament and celebrated Benediction for all at the end.  Similar processions and Rites took place at the other two weekend Masses on this Solemn Weekend.

Many thanks to Sean Murphy for these souvenir photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 26, 2024
Our First Holy Communion Mass


 
































Juliano captured in these memorable photos the thrill and excitement of these 18 children of our Parish who celebrated this very important event in their Faith lives.  Thanks to him, to Pam, Joleene and Theresa for preparing them and for providing them with special gifts and to their parents who led them to the Altar of the Lord!

 

 

 

May 25, 2024
Our Children’s First Confession Day

A very beautiful and meaningful celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in their lives, unfolded last Saturday for the children of our Parish.  Here, the children confess their sins. are absolved and given a short penance prayer card.  Then they proceeded to the kneelers in front of the altar to recite their prayer and to light their special votive candle of choice, helped by their parents.

 

 

 

May 12, 2024
Mother’s Day Mass at 10:30 am


The children all blessed their mothers and grandmothers at Mass, with Msgr. Pat.   After Holy Communion, the children had the necklaces blessed that they made for their mothers during the session downstairs.

 

 
Like every year on Mother’s Day, our Catholic Women’s League provides us with a beautiful floral arrangement for the Sanctuary and our Knights of Columbus collect donations for lapel Roses to support Right to Life Organizations in the City.

 

 

 

May 4, 2024
First Confession Media Lesson in the Church

     

The children were very attentive and happy to learn about the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) which they will receive for the first time on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:30 am in the Church.  The lesson consisted of a slide presentation about sin and forgiveness and the continuation of the tour of the Cathedral. In this final part of the tour, the children were shown our two Confessional Rooms, the Pieta’ Chapel and the Choir Loft.  Finally, the Rosaries that they had made and were wearing were blessed.  Thanks to their teachers, Pam, Theresa and Joleene and to our great photographer. 

 

 

 

 

 




The children are preparing for their First Communion by learning more about the Mass and about how to pray the Rosary.

 

 

 

April 28, 2024
Our Seniors’ Appreciation Luncheon

 

Thank-You Message from the Luncheon Coordinator

On behalf of the Parish Council, I wish to thank the more than 30 volunteers who helped to make last Sunday`s Seniors` Luncheon such a success. Many thanks as well to our Seniors who themselves have given countless volunteer hours for other events in past years. May we continue to work together to be a thriving and welcoming Parish Community.                        Martin Skillen

The Parish is grateful to Martin for organizing, overseeing and directing this luncheon to a successful completion and to the Parish Council for sponsoring the event.

 

 

April 27, 2024
Cleaning up the Vandalized Wall


The damaged wall before and … after all the hard work!

 

   

Unfortunately, the wall across the street from the Cathedral was vandalized over the last several weeks!  Deacon Derek West organized a cleaning up volunteer team with Knights of Columbus and students from St. Patrick’s High School and despite the rain and the inclement weather, the crew did a tremendous job, cleaning up and storing the salvageable stones!  We thank Deacon Derek, Mike Spivak, G.K. and the Knights who volunteered and Mr. Tom Joseph, V.P. of St. Patrick’s High School and the student volunteers.  A big thanks as well to Robin Rickards for collecting and disposing the scrap concrete that was  left.

As you can see from the before and after photos above, everything now looks awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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