Parish BBQ

We kick off the fall program season with our Community BBQ. We invite our neighbours to come by and enjoy a light meal and activities for children.

Generally held from noon until 2 pm on the first Sunday after Labour Day.

Blessing of the Animals

Every autumn, we host a time for people to bring their beloved pets to the church for a blessing.  Our priest is available for personal blessings for you and your pet.  This gathering also includes refreshments for humans and pets, a photobooth, and it is a time of social gathering for animal lovers.  We usually host the event outdoors on our west lawn and encourage drop ins.

This event usually takes place on a Sunday afternoon at the beginning of October.  St. Francis of Assisi was famous for his love of animals and so we choose a date for this event close to St. Francis’ feast day, which falls on October 4.

For the exact date and time, please refer to our calendar and events page.

For the comfort and safety of all animals and humans, it is helpful to bring a leash or carrier for your pet.

Halloween

On Halloween night, we welcome kids and their parents who are trick-or-treating in our neighbourhood. Leaside is famous for how it keeps this holiday, and we like to join in the fun. From 6 to 8 pm on October 31, we open the doors at the Broadway Avenue entrance and offer treats for kids and adults alike in our decorated space.

Pancake Supper – Shrove Tuesday

On the Tuesday evening before Ash Wednesday, we invite folks in for a lively pancake supper. This event draws on the Mardi Gras tradition. Shrove Tuesday was once the last day to celebrate and make merry before the beginning of Lent, a six-week solemn period of preparation in advance of Easter. In days when people kept a Lenten fast, this was an opportunity to use up fat, sugar, and other “luxurious” ingredients.

Held in February or March on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. See our calendar for the precise date each year.

Beginning 2024, we now hold this event jointly with the Swedish Lutheran congregation.

Easter Egg Hunt

On the Saturday morning of Easter Weekend, we offer our annual Easter Egg Hunt.  This is a free community event and it attracts many local families.  We encourage all to participate, regardless of one’s connection to the worship life of the church.  When the weather cooperates, eggs are hidden outdoors in our lawns and gardens.  In case of inclement weather, we offer the event indoors inside the church.  This event also includes a craft station and a photobooth.

To keep things fun and fair, we structure our egg hunt a little differently. All the hidden eggs are plastic and are empty.  Kids are given a list of eggs to find, kind of like a scavenger hunt.  Younger kids get an easier list than older kids. When a child has found all the eggs on their list, they can exchange the empty eggs for a goody bag.  We have bags that include peanut-free candy, as well as non-food options available. We find this method enhances the safety of the kids and allows for late arrivals to take part without missing out on all the treats.

Visit our calendar and events page for updates on the exact date and time.

Indigenous Service

Awareness, healing, and reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours is important at St. Augustine’s. We mark the Sunday closest to National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) with special prayers, music, and guest speakers and Indigenous leaders who can teach us about Indigenous spirituality.

Other Indigenous events are kept throughout the church year, including Orange Shirt Day (September 30), honouring those affected by the residential school experience; group outings to local powwows, and other learning opportunities. See our calendar for details.