Beyond our first mission, we offer a full English-speaking ministry for Willowdale. ONGOING PROGRAMS
Among the many programs offered to children and young people are the Altar Servers group, the Youth Club, the Saint Elizabeth Hungarian School, the scout troops, the Kodaly Ensemble and sport clubs. For adults, besides the spiritual, charity and cultural programs, there are film and book clubs, as well as a retiree group. For young families, there is a mother and baby club, cooking club and a sport club. Those wishing to sing, are welcome! Those wishing to immerse themselves deeper into faith, there are preparatory courses for First Communion and Confirmation. For adults, ALFA courses, bible circle, retreats and pilgrimages are offered. Also available, on an individual basis, are marriage and baptismal preparations, as well as visitation of the sick. OUR STORY
In 1926, eager lay people founded a Catholic Circle. Our parish that was formed two years later celebrated Hungarian language masses in the church of the Carmelite nuns. Beginning in 1929, the Catholic Circle rented a large room in a house on Beverley Street as a club venue and for teaching English. In 1930, instruction in Hungarian was also begun. After a difficult beginning, our parish secured a permanent minister in 1939 in the person of Fr. Leo Austin. It is due to his dedicated work that our first church became a reality in 1944, on the corner of Spadina and Dundas. In 1948, a Hungarian school and kindergarten were begun, which has remained the guardian of our language and culture to this day. One year later, with the appointment of Fr. Istvan Bekesi SJ as parish priest, the Jesuit priests and brothers undertook the spiritual service. The parish finally becomes a Hungarian-language parish. As during the time of previous conflict, after 1956 our parish became a center to provide aid and assistance to the refugees of the Revolution. A credit union is formed, which, until 2003, provided financial assistance to more than a thousand families in starting a new life. In 1978, a noviciate is begun in Toronto to train young Jesuits. The next outstanding milestone in the life of the parish was the building of our new church in 1984-1985 at the corner of Sheppard and Bayview.