St. Paschal Baylon Parish Welcomes the Scalabrinian Missionaries.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026- K. Emata

On Wednesday, April 22, St. Paschal Baylon Parish joyfully welcomed over one hundred Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians) for a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by the Very Reverend Leonir Mario Chiarello, C.S., Superior General of this religious Congregation. St. Paschal Baylon Parish has been staffed by the Scalabrinian Missionaries since its foundation in 1957.

The Scalabrinian missionaries were in Toronto for their Interprovincial Assembly, under the theme: “Intercultural Fraternity as a Scalabrinian Vocation.” The assembly brought together leaders and missionaries from across eleven countries to reflect on communion in diversity and the Church’s mission among migrants, refugees and people on the move.

Concelebrating the Mass were two provincial superiors of the Congregation. Present was Fr. Carlos Horecio Anklan, C.S., Provincial of the St. Charles Borromeo Province, which serves Eastern Canada, Eastern United States, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, and Venezuela. Also present was Fr. Giovanni Bizzotto, C.S., Provincial of the St. John the Baptist Province, which serves the United States, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

In his homily, Fr. Chiarello marked a significant moment in the life of the Religious Congregation as he officially opened the Year of Vocation in the Scalabrinian Family. He invited all present to renew their openness to God’s call and to deepen their missionary commitment, especially in service of migrants and refugees. He emphasized intercultural fraternity as a living expression of the Scalabrinian charism today.

During the celebration, the parish also joyfully recognized the Jubilarians, giving thanks for their years of faithful priestly ministry:

• Fr. Camillo Lando, C.S. – 60 years of priesthood (Ordained: September 3, 1966)
• Fr. Jairo Alfonso Avila, C.S. – 30 years of priesthood (Ordained: August 3, 1996)
• Fr. Giovanni Bizzotto, C.S. – 40 years of priesthood (Ordained: September 13, 1986)
• Fr. Hily Gonzales, C.S. – 30 years of priesthood (Ordained: December 28, 1996)

This moment highlighted decades of dedicated service to the Church and to migrant communities around the world.

Another special moment was the recognition of several lay people who have constantly supported the pastoral work of the missionaries with their donations and their constant sponsorships of life changing initiatives, especially in the field of education and job training for migrants and their families. The Mass was marked by a spirit of joy, gratitude, and fraternity among the concelebrating priests and the faithful.

Following the liturgy, the missionaries gathered in the parish hall for a fraternal dinner, sharing fellowship, stories, and strengthening bonds of brotherhood within the Congregation.

The visit served as a powerful reminder of the global mission of the Scalabrinians—an international congregation founded by St. John Baptist Scalabrini in 1887, dedicated to serving migrants and refugees and promoting human dignity across cultures.

To learn more about the Missionaries of St. Charles (Scalabrinians), visit: https://www.scalabrinisaintcharles.org/