Building connection. Strengthening community. Championing belonging.
The English Speaking Catholic Council (ESCC) brings people together, amplifies community voices, and supports the vitality of English‑speaking Catholics across Greater Montreal and beyond. We do this through four main areas of action:
Hosting & Promoting Community Events
We believe that when people gather, community grows.
That’s why we host, co‑host, and promote events that spark connection, celebrate our diversity, and strengthen our shared mission.
Rally / Conferences
- Yearly Rally/Conferences: to unite the English-speaking Catholic community to foster networking and collaboration.
- Webinars: Community webinars featuring experts on mission-driven topics to encourage dialogue, engagement and community vitality.
- Retreats: In-person retreats for Catholics (Leader to Lay persons) to encourage spiritual renewal, collaboration and discernment.
- Bishop Crowley Award: yearly award for Catholic community member(s) who made or are making a difference in the dynamic mission the Late Bishop Crowley envisioned in his ministry.
Our events create space for learning, dialogue, and the joy of being together.
Advocacy & Representation
We stand with and for English‑speaking Catholics, ensuring their voices are heard in conversations that shape Quebec’s future.
Our advocacy work includes:
- Participating in TALQ roundtables and pilot programs for clearer support on missions affecting English-speaking communities.
- Supporting the TALQ’s mobilization on language rights and endorsing its report on community priorities for the 2023–2028 Official Languages Strategy.
- Supporting government entities who promote a unified and collective movement for the greater good of English-speaking Catholic Community. Both Secular and Religious.
- Contributing actively to TALQ’s Representation and Data roundtables.
- Creating more opportunities for young adults, the homeless & vulnerable, and visible minority groups to be represented and heard.
We advocate with conviction, collaboration, and hope.
Seniors & Social Participation
Since 1981, seniors have been at the heart of our mission.
We work to enhance their wellness, visibility, and participation in community life.
Intention:
- Collaborating with Seniors Action Quebec, the One Voice Coalition, and CHSSN partners.
- Working with Montreal and region organizations to eliminate organizational silos and unifying the movement for the vitality of seniors.
- Focused on literacy, mental health and social isolation among seniors.
We honour the wisdom, experience, and ongoing contributions of older adults.
Homelessness & Vulnerable Populations
We are committed to supporting those who are most at risk of being overlooked.
As homelessness and vulnerability rise across Montreal, the ESCC works to strengthen networks of care, build partnerships, and encourage parish‑based responses rooted in dignity and compassion.
Our focus includes:
- Building bridges between parishes and frontline organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.
- Supporting initiatives that reduce isolation, increase access to services, and foster a sense of belonging for vulnerable individuals and families.
- Encouraging community‑driven solutions that reflect Catholic teaching and the lived realities of those on the margins.
- Identifying opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, training, and shared learning across the English‑speaking Catholic network.
We believe every person deserves safety, dignity, and a place to call home.