Prayer can transform our hearts with God’s love so that we may bear good fruit in our world as we draw closer to Christ. In addition to our regular weekly prayer schedule, we will be offering opportunities to encounter God.

Special Lenten Prayer opportunities include:

• Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life, Mondays, February 16 to March 16, 7 to 8:30pm

• Christian Meditation Retreat – Repent and Believe: Entering into the Mystery of Spiritual Transformation, Saturday, February 21, 9am to 4pm. Register: https://bit.ly/2026-Lenten

• Encounter: 24 Hours for the Lord, Friday, March 6 to Saturday March 7. Register & more info: https://www.stbasiltoronto.org/24hours

• St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum Concert, Monday, March 16, 7:30pm

• Musician-in-Residence Concert, Musical Meditations and Arvo Pärt’s Stabat Mater, Friday, March 27, 7:30pm

• Tenebrae Prayer Service, Wednesday of Holy Week, April 1, 8pm

• Stations of the Cross, Fridays of Lent, 5:30pm (after Evening Prayer)

• Extended hours for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Saturdays, from 4 to 5pm

Almsgiving is all about generous faith-filled action. Consider how your time, talent, and treasure can be a “seed of hope” by getting involved in one of our ministries of hope serving the vulnerable, like our Outreach Ministries, Ministry to the Sick and Homebound, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP). This Lent, our parish is raising funds for the Outreach Program to help stock our new permanent space, St. Basil’s Community Care Closet, with toiletries, clothing, and other non-perishable necessities. Your generosity will support our patrons’ needs year-round.

Special Weekend Collections in Lent:

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (February 21- 22) - supports neighbours in need

• John Ford Food Drive (February 28 - March 1) - food & rain gear drive & fundraiser

• ShareLife Collection (March 22-23) - funds Archdiocesan charitable efforts

Whether it’s at St. Basil’s, in your neighbourhood, or at work and school, each of us has something to contribute to the common good as we share love and hope.

Fasting personally, as a family, or a community can transform us as we act intentionally and embrace the values of the kingdom of God: that hoped-for vision for which Jesus lived and died. Fasting encourages spiritual discipline, reminds us of our reliance on God, and opens us to compassionate solidarity with those who suffer.

We even fast from certain music during the liturgy – no Alleluia, Gloria, or organ postlude and prelude – increasing our hunger for the kingdom of God and the joy of our Resurrection hope in Christ, as we prepare and wait for Easter. To fast together as a parish, we will serve simple fare at Sunday coffee hour.

We encourage each parishioner to adopt a personal Lenten fast. Consider a fast that draws you closer to those who suffer, makes you more attentive to God’s presence, and opens you to a transformation of heart. As we “give up” something, we might dedicate the time or money we “save” towards a good cause so that our fast brings us into deeper relationship with God and neighbour.

Lent is a season of spiritual preparation for Easter. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful way to prepare our hearts to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Reconciliation is offered on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to noon, on Saturdays from 4:30 to 5 p.m., and by appointment.  
Prepare for the Sacrament using this guide.