Outreach & Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is provided by the Cathedral Clergy, the Parish Nurse and the Pastoral Counsellor. Some volunteer lay persons also assist with the Pastoral Care ministries.

Professional Counselling Services
Professional Counselling Services are available free of charge for those in need. Victoria Pollock, Pastoral Counsellor, has been ministering at St. James' Cathedral since 2000.

Cathedral Parish Nursing/Health Ministry Program
The Parish Nurse works alongside the clergy in the ministry of caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit.

Lay Pastoral Visiting

Active members of the Cathedral Community provide a continuing association with those members who are unable to participate in the services and activities of the Cathedral. Each visitor is linked with someone they visit once a month and regular meetings are held for support and learning.

Jail Ministry
Some lay visitors visit weekly on the special needs unit of the Toronto Jail. These visitors are required to attend the orientation program for volunteers of the jail.

York Group Projects

Moorelands Community Services works with Toronto children and youth living in poverty to enhance their self esteem and life skills and to assist them in becoming responsible members of their communities. This service is supported by the Cathedral’s York Group. Visit Moorelands' site.

Visit the York Group Page

Community Outreach

Tuesday Afternoon Drop-In Centre
The Centre is open every Tuesday afternoon from 2:30-4:30pm in the Cathedral, providing a snack and companionship to guests. A priest is always available. Among the services available: health clinic, foot care, hygiene products, hair cuts, and counselling and medical referral. A Bible Study is also offered.

The Good Food Box Program
Boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables are provided for a minimal charge for low-income singles and families on a monthly basis. The Cathedral matches the contributions made by the programs clients. This program is available through Tuesday Drop In.

Annual Christmas Food Drive
Each year, volunteers coordinate a campaign to collect financial support and non-perishable food donations. Last year over $12,000 was collected in addition to many cartons of food. This enabled volunteers at St. Bartholomew's, Regent Park to keep their food bank open over Christmas and provided supplies to enable their food programs to continue.

Donations of Toiletries
We are able to make good use of hotel-size toiletries such as shampoo, soap, lotion, toothpaste, razors, and combs. Thank you to all who support this ministry.

You Can Help...

To finance the Cathedral's Outreach and Pastoral Care Ministries on a one-time basis or through regular donations.

To make a donation online click here

Affiliate Outreach Projects

The Primate's World Relief & Development Fund
PWRDF and their activities, which include overseas projects, disaster relief, work with Canadian Aboriginal peoples and refugee sponsorship, is supported by the Cathedral community. A member of the Outreach Committee is a representative for St. James.

Supportive Housing
Members of the cathedral community sit on the boards of two supportive housing projects which we originally helped to initiate.

FaithWorks
Through this annual campaign, the Cathedral supports the extensive outreach of the Diocese of Toronto.
Visit FaithWorks

Street to Trail helps people living on the streets of Toronto to rediscover their inner sense of worth, using the healing power of the natural world. This program is supported by the Cathedral’s Outreach Committee. Visit Street to Trail. Read article about Street-to-Trail which appeared in The Star on January 3, 2010.