The National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs
is delighted to invite you to our Inaugural Spring Gala.
Martyrs' Shrine, Canada's Early Church, has served millions of pilgrim visitors since its opening in 1926. The Jesuit Martyrs and the Wendat Martyrs of Huronia dedicated their lives to honour God and neighbour, and their legacy is a source of healing and hope for many. As its 100th anniversary approaches, Martyrs' Shrine is announcing the launch of a multi-million dollar campaign for the revitalization and renovation of the Shrine church and property. The Spring Gala is the first of several major events preparing for the centennial taking place in 2026.
“As Martyrs’ Shrine turns an important corner in its history, I invite all our dedicated friends and supporters to come and share this evening of fine food and inspiring music, and help us to protect and preserve this holy and historic site for another hundred years."
- Fr. John O’Brien, S.J.
Martyrs' Shrine Director
2024 Spring Gala Location
Bellvue Manor
8083 Jane Street Vaughan, ON
L4K 2M7
Ticket Window Now Closed
However, you can still participate!
With a special performance by:
The St. Michael's Choir School
Located at the beautiful
Bellvue Manor
Featuring a silent auction
Win tickets to
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Blue Jays Luxury Suite Tickets, and more
Please note that the Bellvue is not a nut-free facility. We ask that you advise us of any dietary accommodations you may have when you purchase your ticket.
Antipasto Table
5:30-6:45pm
- Assorted Charcuterie with Cold Cuts & Cheeses
- Caprese Salad (Bocconcini & Tomato)
- Warm Olives
- Grilled Vegetables
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Artisan Breads
Dinner
7:00pm
- Warm Artisan Bread Variety
- Mascarpone Butter
- Tuscan Pepper and Olive Tapenade
Prelude
- Casarecce Pasta in Tomato Sauce Garnished with Fresh Basil
Entrée
- Twin 4oz Seared Chicken Supreme and 4oz Salmon in Maple Glaze
- Vegan-Vegetarian Option: Gluten Free Pasta with Tomato Sauce and a Stuffed Bell Pepper with Quinoa & Vegetables in place of the Chicken and Salmon.
Accompaniment: Green Beans, Julienned Red & Yellow Bell Pepper tied with a Carrot, Roasted Mini Yukon Gold Potatoes
Mixed Green Salad: Romaine, Radicchio, Arugala with Cherry Tomatoes in Balsamic Gelee & Olive Oil
Dessert
- Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory with Fresh Berries
- Vegan-Vegetarian and Lactose-Free Option: Bowl of Fresh Berries
Drinks
- Red & White Wine on each table
- Plus One Alcoholic Drink Ticket per Person
- Signature Martyrs’ Shrine Drink
- Unlimited Sparkling and Flat Water, Juices, and Soft Drinks
- Tea, Coffee, and Espresso
- Deluxe Cash Bar
Easiest way to arrive at the event venue:
- To get to the event venue, the easiest way is to drive or take an Uber/Lyft to Bellvue Manor. Parking is free at the Bellvue Manor.
- The nearest TTC station is Vaughan Metropolitan Station. From there you can:
- Walk to Bellvue Manor (10-15min).
- Walk to the Smart Centres Bus Terminal, board the YRT 020 Teston - Northbound bus, stop at Jane Street/Macintosh Boulevard and walk towards the venue.
- Take a free executive shuttle service from the subway station to Bellvue Manor for Gala guests.
Shuttle details coming soon...
St. Michael’s Choir School provides sacred music of the highest calibre to St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica and the Archdiocese of Toronto, and maintains a high standard of music performance through concerts and touring. Its musical goal is to serve God, the Universal Church, the Archdiocese and the community with commitment and joy through sacred music.
The choral program at St. Michael’s Choir School is designed to foster a lifelong interest in music. Many graduates go on to serve the musical life of their own parishes, while some pursue professional careers in music. The course of study includes daily classroom instruction in music rudiments, singing and weekly individual lessons in piano.
Service to the cathedral remains the focus for all choral activities. Three of the school’s choirs sing weekly at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, as well as providing music for weddings and funeral liturgies and Cathedral events and services. At the same time, St. Michael’s Choir School has a long tradition of sharing its music with others by giving concerts in various communities, at churches and music festivals, and undertaking annual tours in Canada and abroad.
Visit their website: www.smcs.on.ca
We are happy to announce that we will be holding both an online silent auction as well as a live auction at the Gala.
We thank the generous donors who have provided these prizes.
Live Auction
We are offering three exciting experiences as a part of our Live Auction:
For the Music Lover…
Two tickets to the most coveted concert of the year… Taylor Swift's Eras Tour! Your VIP experience will include two tickets to a luxury suite experience at the Rogers Centre. Watch Taylor Swift in the comfort of a luxury suite, including food and drinks. This will be an unforgettable evening!
For the Sports Enthusiast…
Fourteen tickets to a see the Blue Jays play against the LA Angels on Sunday, August 25th, 2024 at the Rogers Center in Toronto. You and your friends, clients, or family will be hosted by our Shrine Director, Fr. John O’Brien at a luxury suite overlooking the field, including food and drinks (non-alcoholic). A cash bar will be available if you would like to purchase alcohol.
For the Toronto Food & Entertainment Connoisseur…
We offer you a memorable experience on the town! Leave your car at home as you and your guest will be picked up by a driver and taken to an unforgettable culinary experience at the 360 Restaurant inside the CN Tower. Don’t forget to take in the spectacular views from the observation level and don’t miss your opportunity to walk across their glass floor! After your fine dining experience, you will be invited to join Fr. John O’Brien at a luxury suite to see a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Center in Toronto. You will have early access to the field during warm-up/batting practice. After the game, unwind at an iconic downtown Toronto hotel for the night. In a once in a lifetime experience, enjoy a Lake Ontario cruise in a Metro Toronto Harbour Police boat. You and your guest will take in the Toronto skyline from a completely different vantage point. Dates to be determined based on your availability as well as weather conditions.
Silent Auction (Online)
Our Silent Auction will go live on May 29th online, two weeks prior to the Gala. The auction will conclude at 8:00pm on June 12th, 2024.
Throughout the course of the Gala, you will be able to bid on items using your cell phone. Our exciting auction items will be updated on a regular basis on this website as donations are made. If you or your company would like to donate a new item, service, or experience, please contact communications@martyrs-shrine.com.
This is a “Sealed Bid” auction
In a sealed auction each participant bids without anyone seeing or knowing each others bids. You have one chance to place your very best bid! You will be notified if your bid is successful at the auction conclusion. Please note- the bid amount on the main auction page does not change throughout the auction. To view and track the bids you have placed, please view your bidder profile. HST is applicable on Sealed Bid items
FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CANADA ON SEALED BID ITEMS (outside of Canada shipping is at bidders expense)
Bidding Closes June 12 at 10pm
Visit our Online Auction Page
Additional Prizes:
A person at each table will win an exciting door prize!
We are also gifting the person who buys the most tickets to the gala with two tickets to the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, Toronto in a luxury suite, including food and drinks. So please spread the word about our gala to your friends, associates, and family members!!!
Our 2024 Spring Gala is the official kick-off that will support the capital projects associated with the Martyrs’ Shrine Centennial, celebrated in 2026. We are looking to raise funds to protect the Shrine and pave the way for the next hundred years.
If you are interested in sponsoring a component of our Gala event, please see our Sponsorship Package.
How do I get a ticket?
You can register and purchase a ticket before June 2, 2024 by visiting our Event Registration Page. You will be asked to enter your contact information, seating preferences, and food allergies, if applicable.
Is there a dress code for the event?
Attire for the event is formal. Black tie is optional.
Is there a seating capacity?
Our tables will accommodate 10 people. If you are registering tickets for multiple people, we will automatically infer that you desire to sit together. We will do our best to keep groups together as much as possible, unless you communicate otherwise.
I am looking to purchase multiple tickets, but don't know yet who they will be given to:
If you are looking to purchase multiple tickets, and you do not have the full list of attendee names available, please include the purchaser's name or "TBD" in the name field of each attendee at the time of registration.
I cannot attend. How do I make a donation instead?
Instead of purchasing a ticket on the Event Registration Page, you will be prompted to enter an amount as a general donation towards the campaign. As with ticket purchases, you will need to be registered on the system.
Can I change my registration information?
Yes, you can change any of your contact or food allergy details at any point. Contact us at communications@martyrs-shrine.com.
Please note that due to event commitments we must make with the venue, June 2, 2024 is the deadline for all change requests.
What do I do if I want a ticket refund?
We understand that circumstances change. If you need to refund your ticket(s), please contact us at communications@martyrs-shrine.com.
Please note that due to event commitments we must make with the venue, June 2, 2024 is the deadline for all refunds.
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
For questions about the event, auction items, sponsorship or donations, please contact communications@martyrs-shrine.com.
Will I receive a tax receipt for this event
This event is partly eligible for charitable tax receipts. Tax receipts are processed by the Martyrs' Shrine team in January of each year for the previous year.
The taxable percentage will not be available until all Gala costs have been calculated.
Are there places to stay in the area?
NOVOTEL TORONTO VAUGHAN
200 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON L4K 0B9, Canada | 905-660-0212
This is where you can consider staying after the reception. It is a 5-minute drive from Bellvue Manor.
SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT TORONTO VAUGHAN
612 Applewood Crescent, Vaughan, ON L4K 4B4, Canada | 905-760-9960
This is another place to consider lodging in after the reception. It is a 5-minute drive from Bellvue Manor.
Event Poster
To download the event poster, Click Here.
Thank You to Our Gala Sponsors
Partner
Benefactor
Supporter
Fall Gala 2024
Can't make our June 12th Spring Gala? Join us on September 21st, 2024 for our Fall Gala in Midland, Ontario. Enter your email below to be notified when details are available.
Have we missed something on this page? Please let us know at communications@martyrs-shrine.com