Canada is home to a new office for Holy Cross Family Ministries, the ministry founded by sainthood candidate Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., to serve the spiritual well-being of families.

The new office, located at 120 First Avenue in Toronto, supports and fosters prayer, peace and unity within the family across Canada. The mission is headed by Father Wilson Andrade, C.S.C., National Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries – Canada.

“Holy Cross Family Ministries is committed to strengthening Canadian Catholic families through active ministry and prayer, with a special devotion to the Rosary,” Father Andrade said. “We believe in providing educational resources that will help families grow united through prayer groups, mission preaching and Rosary rallies, just like Father Peyton started here more than 70 years ago.”

Open since the summer, the national office includes a staff of five people with more than 160 volunteers. Under the direction of Father Andrade, the team has developed and organized numerous events to honor praying families, including the Feast of Blessed Basil Moreau, Easter and other holy celebrations, Festival of Families and more, as well as coordinating efforts by Rosary makers and leading pilgrimages to holy shrines in Quebec. In addition, the office has distributed 46,500 Rosaries to 21 mission countries. 

“We are pleased to have a presence in Canada to help families pray together, especially the Rosary,” said Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., new International Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries, which has its world headquarters in North Easton, Mass. “There is a proud heritage here of the faithful supporting Father Peyton in his mission of supporting the spiritual well-being of families. We are so excited to be sharing this journey of God’s love and faith with Canadian Catholics.”

Father Peyton’s messages, “The family that prays together stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace,” continue to be the focus of all the efforts of his continuing ministry. Families are served today through Family Rosary, Family Theater Productions, Catholic Mom and the Father Peyton Family Institutes. Each ministry’s unique charism provides impactful resources that strengthen families.

Meanwhile, Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., has been named the new International Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM) in North Easton, Massachusetts. In this position, he will lead the organization’s global programs and services at centers in 17 countries – including Canada – through its four ministries: Family Rosary, Family Theater Productions, Catholic Mom and the Father Peyton Family Institutes.

“We are excited to have Father Pinto directing our worldwide outreach to assist families in praying together daily, especially with the Rosary,” said Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., President of Holy Cross Family Ministries. “His international experience and understanding of what families need to improve their spiritual well-being are important assets in furthering our mission of service around the world, including in Canada.”

As International Director, Father Pinto will implement the HCFM strategic plan by visiting its 26 Ministry Centers in person and maintaining contact with personnel by communicating through social media, email and regular mail. He will focus on training team leaders, developing teams and offering them counsel. The teams will provide leadership for special ministries, such as family prayer guilds, retreats and faith formation and for services, such as counseling and support groups for couples and families. 

Before coming to Holy Cross Family Ministries, Father Pinto served as a campus minister at Stonehill College for six years, where he celebrated the sacraments and accompanied students on HOPE (Honoring neighbors, Organizing for justice, Practicing peace, Encountering God) trips. During this time, he also served as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters on campus, spiritual director for Moreau Ministers and liaison for students from India.

For seven years prior to coming to the United States in 2010, Father Pinto held administrative positions in Northeast India, including vice principal and administrator of Holy Cross School and vice principal of Holy Cross College. From his ordination in 1999 until 2003, he also served in parishes in Northeast India. A native of Kerala, India, Father Pinto speaks Malayalam, Hindi, English and Bengali.