St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish

Join us in celebrating our diverse and vibrant parish community at our International Parish Potluck on Sunday, May 10, immediately following the 10:00 AM Mass. We warmly invite everyone to bring a dish that represents your culture or a favorite family recipe to share. This joyful gathering is also a special opportunity to honor and celebrate all mothers on this Mother’s Day. Let us come together in gratitude for their love, sacrifice, and unwavering care. In a special way, this will also be our last opportunity as a parish family to bid farewell to our dear Pastor, Fr. Krys, as he leaves for his new appointment in London, Ontario. Let us take this time to thank him for his faithful service and wish him God’s abundant blessings in his new ministry. Come and enjoy a wonderful variety of foods, connect with one another, and celebrate the richness of our parish family. All are welcome—whether you bring a dish or simply come to share in the fellowship!

This ministry enables adults who are not Catholic and interested in learning more about the Catholic faith to attend weekly sessions. It is a time of faith-sharing and exploration with our priest and members of the St. Dunstan’s Basilica Parish community. Sessions will begin this fall with in person gatherings in Glastonbury Hall. For those who are interested, please contact Sandra at catecheticsstdunstan@gmail.com.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ferdinand Maramag and the Knights of Columbus of PEI, Our Lady of Fatima Council #824, for the Rosary beads given to those who received the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and to both adults and children who celebrated First Holy Communion and Confirmation. We are also deeply grateful to Gay Garvey and the Catholic Women’s League for their thoughtful handwritten and passport cards, and to our parishioners Steve and Barb Wonnacott for their generous gifts to each child.  Last Sunday’s First Holy Communion was a joyful and sacred celebration as our parish welcomed the children to the Table of the Lord for the first time.

We would like to thank members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for making a generous donation to help the children in our program as they raised money through their own efforts for the Holy Childhood Association, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. This is a collaborative effort with Sister Maria Margherita Ianni, SCGR, Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Society here in Prince Edward Island.

The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) invites all people of faith to join in a nationwide 12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care during National Hospice Palliative Care Week (May 3–9, 2026), as a witness to the sanctity of human life. At St. Dunstan’s Basilica, this will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Parishioners are invited to sign up for one hour of prayer, which may be offered in the church, adoration chapel, or at home. A Mass will be celebrated at 12:05 PM, followed by a talk at 1:00 PM in the KofC Room by Pat Weidemer, Executive Director of PEI Life Canada, on the theme “You are worth it.” The Rosary will follow at 3:30 PM. For more information, please contact Gay Garvey at 902-218-3003.

All men of the parish—especially fathers, grandfathers, and father figures—are warmly invited to our COR Gathering on Saturday, May 2 at 8:30 am in the Basilica (enter via the side entrance on Dorchester St.).Cor (meaning “heart”) is the men’s ministry of St. Dunstan’s Parish, focused on prayer, faith formation, and fraternity. This is a great opportunity to grow in faith, deepen your understanding of the Mass, and connect with other men in the community. For more information, contact Reg at regmccarvill@gmail.com.

Beginning April 29, St. Dunstan’s Basilica will once again welcome many tourists and guests from near and far. We invite you to be part of a special ministry of hospitality, offering a friendly smile, a warm greeting, and simple guidance to those who visit our beautiful church. No special skills required—just a welcoming heart! If you feel called to help create a meaningful and memorable experience for our visitors, please contact Gwen at the parish office 902-894-3486.

Included with the bulletin this week you will find the 2025 Financial Report from the Parish Property & Finance Committee. We had another strong financial year due to the generous support of parishioners. The Financial Report includes comments on certain items to address any questions parishioners might have. Next weekend a representative from the Property & Finance Committee will also present highlights from the Financial Report following each Mass.

My dear Sisters and Brothers,

Behind us are the important and beautiful celebrations of the Sacred Triduum and Easter.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone who took part and helped with the preparations. I extend my gratitude to the Altar Servers and to the choirs—both adults and children. Your dedication truly elevated these celebrations. Holy Saturday, with the baptism of adults and the confirmation of many of our sisters and brothers, was further enriched by the Brass band.

I would also like to thank all the readers, cantors, sacristans, ushers and collectors. These celebrations were truly filled with majesty and gave glory to God.

I would also like to offer special thanks to the SDU Board for their financial support in organizing OCIA.

I also encourage you to view the professional photos from these celebrations on our Facebook page.

May God reward you all with the graces you need.

-Fr. Krys

Available at the church entrance. We invite you to prayerfully consider giving and supporting our parish - every contribution truly makes a difference.

Parishioners who are able to donate non-perishable food items, please bring them to the weekend masses for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.  Donations may be left near the angel holy water fonts at the entrance to the church.   Thank you!

On Sunday, April 12 from 2PM to 3PM there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Hour of Mercy), the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and as well as time for private prayer. We invite you to join in prayer.

are available at the church entrance.  If you would like to begin to use envelopes, new sets are available.  Please provide the info requested on the sheet provided with your chosen envelope number. We invite you to prayerfully consider giving and supporting our parish - every contribution truly makes a difference.

Men, want to know more about the elements of The Mass? Then please accept our invitation to attend the next Cor gathering on Saturday April 11th (NOTE: NEW SATURDAY MORNING TIME) at 8:30 am in the Basilica (enter via side entrance on Dorchester St.). Cor (meaning “heart”) is the name of the St Dunstan’s Parish men’s ministry, and its focus is on prayer, faith formation and fraternity. All men of the community are most welcome. For more information contact Reg at regmccarvill@gmail.com

We are excited to share that we have 21 catechumens and candidates at St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish who will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church this weekend at the Easter Vigil. Catechumens receive all three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, and Candidates make a profession of faith and receive Confirmation and the Eucharist. This is the largest number we have had since the 1990's. Over the past year, they have faithfully dedicated themselves to growing in faith and deepening their relationship with Christ. Their presence is a sign of their response to God's call, and that response is an example for us all. The catechumens and candidates will be surrounded by family, godparents, and the wider faith community, and they will be embraced by the prayers of the Church - a reminder that faith is never walked alone. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they continue on their beautiful faith journey.

We have 11 children who celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation this past weekend. It was a blessing to see their joy at experiencing the love and mercy of Jesus. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for the first time in the Holy Eucharist on April 19. The reception of the Holy Eucharist is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us. Through the gift of Holy Communion, we are able to share a deep intimacy with Jesus. Let us commit to continue journeying with our young ones, and by our words and deeds, be examples for them to follow.  May this solemn occasion for them be a moment for us to remember our first encounter with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist; and for us to more deeply appreciate the gift Jesus extends to us every time we are gathered at the Sacred Banquet.