Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL AND FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN TORONTO COMMEMORATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINES-CANADA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH A THANKSGIVING MASS
2024-06-10
Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona with His Grace, Most Reverend Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, and Filipino and Filipino-Canadian priests and deacons assigned in various Catholic churches in Toronto (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilanica)
04 June 2024, Toronto – A thanksgiving mass was held at the St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations. The principal celebrant for the mass was the Most Reverend Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto. The mass was made more memorable with six Filipino and Filipino-Canadian priests and deacons concelebrating and assisting, namely Father Jeremias Inoc, Father Matthew McCarthy, Father Lorenzo Salandanan, Father Manuel Duterte, Deacon Norbert Aquino and Deacon Joel Bangalan.
The mass was attended by personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and more than 200 members of the Filipino community.
In his homily, Archbishop Leo highlighted the positive values of the Filipino community, particularly kindness, goodness of heart, faith and importance of family, which have enriched Canadian society. “How blessed we are to have such a multicultural community, where the Filipino community is in great numbers and have been a blessing,” said the Archbishop.
Noting the 75h anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada, the Archbishop also emphasized the importance of relationships between countries, communities and families to benefit moral, emotional, spiritual and religious growth.
In her message, Consul General Escalona highlighted the important role of the Catholic Church in the migration story of Filipinos in Canada, noting that the Church has served as an anchor for Filipinos from the time they arrive in Canada and even after they have settled in the country.
The mass was in time for the celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in Canada. The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto will be conducting a number of activities, some in collaboration with the Filipino community, in the coming months to mark the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations. END
Members of the Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community during the mass (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica)
The Filipino community with Consul General Escalona and the Most Reverend Archbishop Francis Leo (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica)
The Most Reverend Archbishop Francis Leo leading the celebration of the mass (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica)