CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 46 - APR 16, 2005
“AAA” RATING v. “FFf ” RATING
Congratulations to the City of Mississauga for being awarded a Standard & Poor’s
“AAA” credit rating. Concurrently, St. Martin of Tours Parish appears to have
achieved a “Below-Standard and Poor” rating of “FFf”. The recent publication of
the Parish’s financial status has raised many concerns, not so much because of what
was revealed, but because of what has been hidden. In 1999, the Parish’s financial
growth declined seriously. 2000 was the last year that parish income exceeded
expenses. FOR FOUR YEARS expenses have consistently outstripped income. The
investment account (held in trust by the Chancery) which had been close to
$1,000,000 in 1999, has been funding the annual operating losses. This is not clearly
indicated in any statements. How much longer can we survive? Taking the average
losses of the past four years, our investment account will be depleted in four years.
That’s the good news. If the trend of the past four years continues at its current
rate of escalation, our Parish will be insolvent within two years.
Expenses for the past five years are out of line with the previous 25 years. Expenses
in our Parish are out of line with other similar parishes. Rectory expenses are
grossly out of line with comparable house expenses in the immediate vicinity.
Unless expenses are brought under control, it is futile to pump more money into the
Parish. It makes no more sense than backing a losing horse or gambling at the
casino. Who is accountable? As to Canon Law, Common Law and Common Sense,
there appears to be a dearth in the application of all three. Facing up to accountability
and responsibility is a Cardinal Law in the Church.
The first “F” must be awarded to Fr. Beltran, the pastor since 1999. He is the
manager and administrator of the parish. We have the right to know the state of the
Parish finances. Ask him for, and demand explanations. The Parish Office phone
number is 905 279 5742, fax number is 905 279 5743, and email address is
stmartinoftours@on.aibn.com
The second “F” is awarded to the Archdiocese of Toronto. Audits are conducted, or
ought to be conducted, by the Catholic Pastoral Centre Finance Department, 1155
Yonge Street, Suite 603, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W2. Tel: (416) 934-0606, ext.
615; Fax: (416) 934-3432. Mr. William C. Dunlop, Controller - ext. 614, email:
acct_fin@archtoronto.org Demand answers.
The third “f” (small “f”) goes to the Chair of the Finance Council. This is an
appointed (not elected) position. According to the segment “From the Bishop’s
Office” in parish bulletin of 06 March 2005, the chair of a Finance Council should be
“chosen with special care for the skills and knowledge that he can bring to this
responsibility." Demand an explanation from the Chair, Ed Beaudry.
His email address is edbeaudry@rogers.com
We are entitled to a full accounting of OUR MONEY. If we are in the red, we
demand to see it in black and white!
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For more information, contact: Aisling Egan 416 671-4710
Pat DeAngelis 416 809-1819 Duncan Walker 905 277-9825
Lucy Pires 905 273-6093 Dunstan Bazely 905 275-3946
Judy Byrnes 905 275-1536 Patricia Russell 905 279-9205
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Email: bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com Fax: 416 207-4984.
ambrozic@archtoronto.org Fax: 416 934-3452.
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Dear Reverend John Boissonneau,
I had simply given up on any action from your office for our parish, and simply went
somewhere else. I even directed my Share life contributions away from the parish.
In fact, I sent them to cottage country, where the parish priest is someone we care for
and respect.
The letter from a parishioner (who, as third generation in the parish, should be
respected) has moved me to write again to you and recommend action. This is
supported by the financial statement, showing the lack of, and the movement of,
funds from our accounts. If that financial statement is really a financial statement,
the parish has lost several thousands of dollars.
I trust that the efforts to save our parish does not keep falling on deaf ears. It has
been more than a year, and those who feel the right to speak up are still there, trying
very hard to SAVE THE PARISH.
It is not confrontation that is being sought, it is Peace and return to normality. Please
listen and act.
Charles Muscat
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The Greatest Evil in the World
“Many today are starving for ordinary bread.
But there is another kind of hunger –
the hunger to be wanted, to be loved, to be recognised.
Nakedness too is not just the want of clothes,
but also about loss of dignity, purity, and self-respect.
And homelessness is not just want of a house;
there is the homelessness of being rejected,
of being unwanted in a throwaway society.
The biggest disease in the world today
is the feeling of being unwanted and uncared for.
The greatest evil in the world is lack of love,
the terrible indifference towards one’s neighbour” (Mother Teresa)
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Caring and Sharing
We care about our Parish. We encourage parishioners to visit our church to spend
time in private prayer, to pray that God will return us to a loving unified community.
Stay focused on God’s will, and live the Gospel. We care too, about those in need.
Here are some charitable organizations worthy of our consideration:
1. Catholic Missions in Canada, 201-1155 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. M4T 1W2
2. St. Vincent de Paul Society, 240 Church St., Toronto, Ont. M5B 1Z2
3. Birthright Mississauga, 307-2600 Edenhurst, Mississauga, Ont. L5A 3Z8
4. Dr. Simone’s Canadian Food for Children, 40 King George Rd. Toronto, ON M8X 1L3
5. Ian Anderson House, 430 Winston Churchill Blvd. Oakville, Ont. L6J 7X2
6. Solidarite-Sud (Haiti), c/o Maison Alonzo Wright, 2425A St-Louis St., Gatineau QC J8V 1E7
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Quote of the week (from the pastor): "You are an evil spirit in the Church!"
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