Celebrating 45 Years of Airport Chaplaincy

With more than 50 million passengers and 50,000 employees serving one of the world’s largest airports, Toronto’s Pearson Airport Catholic Chaplaincy is a very busy place. Amidst the comings and goings that unfold each day, for the last 45 years, a quiet and humble ministry has made a profound difference.

The Interfaith Centre at Toronto (now Pearson) International Airport officially opened its doors to the public in June 1979. However, the Centre’s origins lie in a tragic event of almost a decade earlier.

On July 5, 1970 a DC-8 crashed into a field just north of the Toronto Airport. It was the worst air disaster in the city’s history, killing 108 people. The first Catholic priest to arrive at the crash site in Malton was Msgr. Brad Massman, at the time a deacon at Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish in Etobicoke. The experience had a profound effect on him. In his efforts to minister to the families of the dead, he was troubled to learn of the lack of counselling or spiritual services available at the airport. Fr. Massman became an integral part of the drive to create a space for such services at Toronto’s International Airport.

Fr. Massman wrote of his hopes for the airport ministry: “In founding the Chapel, aside from the employees, one of my personal motivations was to have a sign of Christ’s presence in the midst of the Airport. This was not only for the benefit of employees but the millions of passengers as well. I feel that this is a great means of evangelization. This is where we can utilize the assistance of seminarians, lay people, etc., in making passengers and visitors welcome, that the Chapel is always conducive to prayer and meditation, scripture study, etc.”

In 2024, Aviation Interfaith Ministries (AIM) has chapels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, easily accessible pre-security to all passengers, employees and the general public – 24 hours every day of the week, while spiritual and pastoral care, and celebration of the sacraments, is offered by a team of qualified chaplains and volunteers.

Travelers and employees gather in prayer at Pearson Airport Chaplaincy

Nuala Connolly, a former Air Canada employee, has been involved with the Airport Chaplaincy since 1979 and has been serving as a board member for more than 40 years. “My first real connection to the chapel was in 1979. I had just returned to work at the airport after a visit to Ireland, when a priest approached me and said, ‘I heard you were in Ireland for Pope John Paul II’s visit.’ That priest was Fr. Paul Healy. Cardinal Carter had just appointed him the Airport Chaplain. My involvement began. Cardinal Carter was VERY committed to the Chapel.”

Nuala shares her own thoughts on the impact of the Airport Chaplaincy over the years:

“I could never stress how important it is. An airport is a little world unto itself with the Chapel right in the middle. From airport employees who may not be able to practice the sacraments at their own parish due to irregular shift work to passengers passing through, they find sanctuary in the Chapel.

The most special time, without a doubt, was when Fr. Healy won the battle through negotiations to have the Blessed Sacrament and Tabernacle permanently housed in the Chapel. There was enormous joy. Sometimes as you go by the Chapel you will see a member of the staff, a passenger or a pilot, between or after a flight, pausing in front of the Tabernacle and then you know all is where it's meant to be.”

Today, the Pearson Catholic Chaplaincy ministry is led by priest chaplain, Fr. John Mullins. Mass is celebrated each day at Terminal 1 on weekdays at 1:00 p.m., Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. At Terminal 3, you can attend Mass weekdays and Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Chaplains of other faith traditions also provide spiritual support to staff and visitors – the chapel is a place where all are welcome.

Chapel at Toronto Pearson Aiport

Fr. Mullins sums it up well when he says, “The Pearson Airport Catholic Chaplaincy is an important ministry that meets people where they are in a very busy and hectic environment. We provide a respite of prayer and peace for airport staff and travelers. It’s a joy to be part of this blessed ministry.”

As the Pearson Airport Chaplaincy celebrates its 45^th anniversary this month, we thank all those who have been involved since the beginning. Thank you for bringing a spirit of hope, prayer and presence to travelers and employees each and every day.