St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community

06/13/2026

Find yourself in Toronto for festivities? ⚽️🏟️

Consider making our celebrations of Sunday Eucharist (and a visit to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community) part of your World Cup journey ⛪️

Did you know? Completed in 1967 and designed by Toronto architect William Saccoccio, St. Joan of Arc Church is a notable example of late modernist religious architecture here in the High Park area of our city! Our building employs a striking hexagonal form that reflects the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, emphasizing greater participation of the congregation in our shared worship. Fun fact - we are the first Catholic Church to be built in Canada following the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

The innovative layout of our worship space also brings parishioners and guests physically closer to the altar, fostering a stronger sense of community and engagement. The hexagonal baldacchino above the altar reinforces the unity of the design. Recognized with an Award of Merit from the Ontario Masons Council and the Ontario Association of Architects, St. Joan of Arc Church remains an important architectural landmark that demonstrates how modern design principles were adapted to express evolving religious and social values in postwar Toronto.

No matter who you are and what your place is in life, stop in for a moment of quiet prayer. Come, also, and be fed and/or blessed at our Eucharistic table: Saturdays at 5:30pm and Sundays at 10am and 12pm. Community time and fellowship will follow each Sunday liturgy in our hall.

06/08/2026

This past weekend, we celebrated the Real Presence of our Lord and Saviour in the Blessed Sacrament.

May we be reminded that Jesus in the is never to be considered a prize for the perfect, but important food, nourishment and medicine for those of us who need it.

Did you know? Every first Friday of the month, our community hosts a Holy Hour in the Church, where we’re invited to spend time in communion with the one who is One - no matter our condition or circumstance in life. Consider joining us!

06/07/2026

During the month of June, dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the parish family of St. Joan of Arc gathered for Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Consecration to the Sacred Heart.

In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, we reflected on Christ’s immense love for us and entrusted ourselves, our families, and our parish to His Sacred Heart. Through this act of consecration, we renewed our commitment to follow Jesus, seeking His guidance, protection, and peace in our daily lives.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to reign in our hearts, homes, and parish, leading us ever closer to Him.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in You.

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

Today's patronal feast day celebration here on campus was a great gift for our community!

The Planning Committee would like to thank the many people who supported the various activities which took place: Hospitality, Liturgical, members of the Parish Council, Fr. Anish and all of our parishioners. Everyone played an important role in contributing to the dynamism, that is, our family of faith right here on Bloor by the Park.

Here's to a bigger and better celebration next year! May St. Joan of Arc be our intercessor and protector today and always ✨💫

05/29/2026

We offer prayer and best wishes today for Bishop-elect Kenneth Thorson, a friend to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community and the nephew of our resident Sister of Sion, Lucy Thorson.

Yesterday, Pope Leo XIV formally appointed Fr. Kenneth Thorson, O.M.I. as Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Closer to home, Sister Lucy (his aunt) proudly serves as a Hospitality Minister for our Sunday 10am Eucharist and is an active member of our Development and Peace Ministry, amongst many other activities within the parish.

Are you aware? A Catholic bishop is a successor of the 12 Apostles and serves as the chief shepherd of a local Church, known as a diocese. In fulfilling his responsibilities of sanctifying, governing, and teaching, a bishop reflects the pastoral ministry of Jesus and serves as a visible source of unity within our Church.

Bishop-elect Thorson’s appointment is another reminder for us to pray in thanksgiving for our local bishops here within the Archdiocese of Toronto: Metropolitan Archbishop, Cardinal Leo and Bishop Bob Kasun of the Central Pastoral Region.

See below for more information on this announcement from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

On 28 May, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed the Rev. Fr. Kenneth Thorson, O.M.I. as Bishop of the Diocese of Prince Albert.

🔗 Read the full media release here: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/episcopal-appointment-for-the-diocese-of-prince-albert/

05/24/2026

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love 🔥💨

05/19/2026

Following a year of dedicated service to our family of faith, Fr. Anish Alex will be departing St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community on June 24.

We are deeply grateful for Fr. Anish’s spiritual care, guidance and kindness toward our parish, and assure him of our prayers and gratitude as he begins a new chapter in ministry at St. Leonard Parish in Brampton.

On that same day, we will welcome Fr. Robert O’Brien as our new Pastor and pray that his time among us be filled with God’s grace, joy and abundant blessing.

A diocesan priest for 37 years now, Fr. O’Brien has served previously as Director of the (former) Office of Lay Ministry and Chaplaincy for the Archdiocese of Toronto and Pastor of Precious Blood (Wexford), St. Francis Xavier Parish (Mississauga) and St. Gregory the Great Parish (Oshawa). Up until this latest appointment by Cardinal Leo, he has been ministering as Pastor of St. Paul’s Basilica, mother Church of our Archdiocese and Toronto’s oldest Catholic parish.

Over the years, Fr. O’Brien has undertaken further studies in Cross Cultural Theology at the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, Organizational Leadership in a Pastoral Context through the Catholic Leadership Institute and Sacred Architecture through Regis College (at the University of Toronto).

As we approach the end of June, there will be a more formal opportunity to thank Fr. Anish and to welcome Fr. Robert O’Brien.

May the Lord continue to guide and strengthen both priests in their ministry and vocation, as they make God’s love known in the world. Please keep both of them in your prayer.

05/10/2026

Participants in our Children's Liturgy of the Word program on Sundays gathered a number of messages for Fr. Anish Alex's birthday on May 9.

Join us in wishing Fr. Anish a heartfelt and joy-filled year ahead! May God continue to strengthen, guide, and bless him as he makes the love of God known in our world through his ministry.