We are from Toronto, but in 2023, we moved to Montreal so Daniel could do his Master in Architecture at McGill and Virginia could work as a Catholic military chaplain at the Canadian Armed Forces Leadership and Recruit School.
A couple of months before we moved to Montreal, we were visiting the city and decided to visit St. Ignatius after hearing so much about the parish from the Alpha and Divine Renovation Community. We attended the Saturday Vigil and we first noticed the family room at the back of the church and pamphlets for the Good Shepherd Atrium and thought that families must appreciate this place.
As we moved to Montreal in September 2023, we settled into our new place and new lines of work. We had no ties to any particular community except the military base chapel in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. When it came to Sunday Mass, if we weren't the base, we found ourselves at different catholic churches each weekend, often choosing churches based on the mass times that were the most convenient for us on that weekend.
With busy work and school schedules and the discovery that we were expecting a baby in this new city, we prioritized convenience over community and put off anything that seemed to require any new commitments.
As Easter approached, we weren’t sure what prompted us, but we decided to spend the Triddum at St. Ignatius, having a feeling it would be a good experience. On Holy Thursday, we arrived early and were so moved by how beautiful the music ministry sounded as they finished rehearsing one of the songs. Shortly after, when the Gloria with the bells was sung I (Virginia) remember feeling an overwhelming sense of joy, and to my surprise, moved to tears, as if I had just come home after being away for a long time.
I (have) have had some challenging experiences in the Church in the past few years so I tend to feel a bit gaurded when entering a new parish or community. However, I have found the whole culture of St. Ignaitus to be peaceful, joy-filled, but most of all, healing for me in just the one year we’ve been attending.
After the Easter Vigil, we both knew that we wanted to continue to come to St. Ignatius. One thing I (Daniel) noticed is how many children are present in the pews, and how it is hard to believe that the pews are not empty when the children leave for Catch the Wave and to pray the Our Father because there are so many of them. You can tell the young people of the Church feel welcomed and know they have a special place where they can be comfortable, and I think everyone is so happy to see them present and active throughout the Mass.
When our baby was born in August 2024, we found it even easier to connect with other people in the parish. We received so many kind comments of congratulations, encouragement, and support. All of our family is in Toronto so to have those encounters after having a baby when you’re so far from loved ones made a world of a difference.
As I (Virginia) began maternity leave, I found that Mass on Sunday at St. Ignatius was what I looked forward to every week. My co-workers at the base are like family to me so being on leave and away from them and the work we do together made me desire a place to feel connected but also a place to serve and be a part of something even if it is in some small way.
In October when there was an invitation to join the Emcee ministry, we both were interested to learn more about it because we haven’t seen it at any other parish. Daniel considered the Mcee ministry as not only a good opportunity to serve but to also improve and grow in presentation and public speaking skills. I (Daniel) love how doing something helpful for the community and my spiritual life can also be practical and beneficial for work. I think the church is a perfect place to grow while you serve. When you have a community that values compassion, kindness, and mercy, it feels easier to put yourself out there even if you aren’t an expert or are trying something for the first time.
We are grateful that there was a call for more volunteers for the Mcee ministry. Even though we were hesitant to to try a new ministry, especially while still feeling fairly new to the parish, we have gotten to know some of our fellow parishoners through the oppurtunity to serve. It makes a difference on Sunday for us to go to a church week after week and not just recognize, but know people in the pews around us. Joining St. Ignatius and the Emcee ministry has taken us out of our comfort zone, but we are so grateful for it.
Revised
We’re from Toronto, but in 2023 we moved to Montreal so Daniel could pursue his Master’s in Architecture at McGill, and Virginia could serve as a Catholic military chaplain at the Canadian Armed Forces Leadership and Recruit School.
A few months before our move, we were visiting Montreal and decided to check out St. Ignatius after hearing so much about the parish from the Alpha and Divine Renovation community. We attended the Saturday Vigil and immediately noticed the family room and the pamphlets for the Good Shepherd Atrium. We thought to ourselves that families must really appreciate this place.
When we moved in September 2023, we settled into our new home and work lives but had no real ties to any particular community apart from the military base chapel in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. On weekends when we weren’t at the base, we often chose churches based on whichever Mass time was most convenient. With busy schedules and the news that we were expecting a baby, we tended to prioritize ease over commitment.
As Easter approached, we felt drawn to spend the Triduum at St. Ignatius, sensing it would be a good experience. On Holy Thursday, we arrived early and were moved by the music ministry during rehearsal. When the Gloria was sung with bells, I (Virginia) remember feeling overwhelmed with joy and, unexpectedly, moved to tears—as if I had just come home after a long time away.
I’ve had some difficult experiences in the Church over the past few years, so I often enter new communities feeling guarded. But the culture at St. Ignatius has been peaceful, joy-filled, and most of all, healing—even in just one year of attending.
After the Easter Vigil, we both knew we wanted to keep coming back. I (Daniel) was struck by how many children filled the pews. Even when they left for Catch the Wave, the church still felt full. It was clear that young people felt welcomed and that the community was glad to have them actively involved in the Mass.
When our baby was born in August 2024, we found it even easier to connect with others. We received so many kind words of congratulations, encouragement and support. With all of our family in Toronto, those encounters meant so much—they made a real difference.
During my (Virginia’s) maternity leave, Sunday Mass at St. Ignatius became a highlight of my week. Being away from my co-workers—who are like family—left me longing for connection and a place to serve, even in a small way.
In October, when we heard the call for new volunteers in the Emcee ministry, we were curious. We hadn’t seen anything like it at other parishes. Daniel saw it as a way to serve while also growing in presentation and public speaking—skills that are helpful in both faith and professional life. The Church is a perfect place to grow while serving, especially in a community that values kindness, compassion, and mercy. It makes stepping out of your comfort zone feel a little easier.
We’re grateful we accepted the invitation to serve. Although we were hesitant to try something new, especially while still feeling new ourselves, we’ve gotten to know other parishioners through this ministry. It’s made a difference to go to church each week and not just recognize faces, but know the people around us.
Joining St. Ignatius and the Emcee ministry has taken us out of our comfort zone, and we’re so grateful for it.