St. Basil Catholic Church 

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Basil’s,

Pope Francis announced the establishment of a World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly in January this year. The day chosen for the celebration is the fourth Sunday of July and this year it appropriately  coincides with the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents.

Pope Francis says about grandparents: “Their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards the roots of peoples. They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young. Grandparents are often forgotten and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on.”

On this Sunday June 25th we will celebrate this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly as we pray for all Grandparents and the Elderly.

Please watch this beautiful video message above by the CCCB standing committee for family and life celebrating this day.

May God bless our Grandparents and the Elderly,
Father Kevin

The Church is now open for regularly scheduled Masses. Our capacity has been extended to 25 percent. All Covid-19 protocols are still in practice until further notice from the Province of Ontario, this means wearing masks while in the Church throughout Church service, using hand sanitizers once entering, and sitting 6 feet apart from each family.

The Sacrament of First Communion for our students (2020 - 2021 cohort) will be postponed for the time being until the Fall, once schools have reopened.

You may continue to kindly support the parish by dropping your weekly envelopes through the office mail slot or by clicking the Online (Canada Helps) Donate button on the right side of this page to make a donation.

In an Emergency, go to the Brant General Hospital and if admitted kindly request the hospital staff to contact the on-call Catholic priest to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This Sacrament is comprised of the Sacrament of Reconcilliation and the Last Rites and does not need to be administered at the very last moment of one's life. Don't wait! Request the staff to call the priest just after being admitted. If you have recieved the sacrament recently then we trust God that it is fully valid - it never expires.

Email Scam: Please be aware of a fake email being sent in Father Kevin's name. The subject line may say "Peace Unto You". This email or any such is Not From Father Kevin. Please Do Not Respond to such emails and delete them immediately. 


Our One Heart One Soul parish Campaign is doing very well and we are well on our way to success thanks to those who participated. Our participation level is currently at 25%. It will be a lot more effective if we have 100% participation. Kindly watch the Campaign videos below. Thank you. Take care.

Praying for you,

Fr. Kevin
 

Kindly Watch the OVERALL VIDEO here Below. The Campaign is now underway at St. Basil's Parish and Picking Up Momentum. Please Participate.

August, 2020

Face coverings are now compulsory in Church.

In accordance with the City of Brantford, Health Department's "Face Covering Bylaw," all parishioners and guests will be required to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces including places of worship. Kindly wear you face mask on entering St. Basil's Church.


Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Basil's,

Welcome to St. Basil's. Our church is now open and our Mass schedule is as usual. It is important to remember that Covid-19 is not over, and that everyone must continue to pay attention to the measures being put in place to limit the spread of the virus for the common good. Kindly take note of the requirements for entry into the Church:

• Face Masks are now mandatory.
• Entrance is not permitted to those who have an elevated temperature, or are suffering from cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, undue fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aching, runny nose, chills involving shakes, loss of sense or taste or smell. If you are sick, you are kindly asked to stay home.

• If you have travelled outside Canada within the past 14 days, you are not to enter the church until you have completed the period of self-isolation.
• Everyone is to use the hand sanitizer provided upon entry to the church.
• Maintain a two-metre (six foot) distance at all times in the church and on church property.

• Only 30% of the seating capacity is permitted by government regulations at this time. 

During the celebration of Mass, you will notice changes based on the recommendation of health authorities and the Bishop's directives to ensure everyone’s safety:

• The entrance procession has been simplified.

• There are no hymnals in the pews; Singing is prohibited by the City Health Dept. Instrumental Church music will be played by the organist.
• Only one lector will proclaim the Word and announce the Universal Prayers of the Faithful.
• Kindly drop your offerings in the red containers at the end of Mass as you leave the church.
• Just before Communion, the Priest will say once: "The Body of Christ." And all will respond together: "Amen." Communion will be received in silence.
• You will be directed by the ushers to come up for Communion row by row, while maintaining physical distancing. 
• Communion is mandated to be received only in the hand at this time. Carefully extend your hands, placing one palm upon the other and receive the Eucharist in silence.
• Following the dismissal, you will be directed to leave the church, row by row, from the back row first in order to maintain safety. Bulletins are now only online on the website.
• Please refrain from socializing in the Church following Mass.

There will be ushers and volunteers who will direct you while in the Church in keeping with the new directives. I know that these are anxious times but I am overwhelmed to see you back in Church to worship together with our Parish community. It is a time of learning for all of us as we improvise and adapt to the new normal. I want to assure you that God will never abandon us. As Christians we are children of the Light and of Hope, and our hope lies in Him alone. Be at peace and trust.

Praying for you,

Father Kevin D'Souza
Pastor, St Basil's, Brantford, ON.

Previous messages from Father Kevin D'Souza

Office Phone Number: (519) 752-0361
Email: stbasilbrantford@hamiltondiocese.com

Thank you for your current ongoing online donations in 2021. Once you are on the page, fill out the details and your donation will be sent directly to the parish. God Bless you for your support. Tax receipts will be issued instantly via email.