We were delighted to read Bishop Boissonneau’s letter in last week’s bulletin. He says, “I’m
committed to dialogue and resolving of any problems in the parish.” As of today, we have not been
contacted regarding any dialogue and are left waiting.
The Parish Council, mentioned by Bishop Boissonneau “To facilitate the changes and assure the
fullest involvement under the directions of canon law” is a pivotal point for progress. It is with
urgency that we invite Bishop Boissonneau, Fr. Beltran and all the parishioners to an Open Forum
to pursue what the bishop has requested. Details regarding this Open Forum will be in our next
flyer and on our website.
Bishop Boissonneau has selected in his letter only a tiny excerpt from the Holy Father’s address to
the American bishops: "As in any family, the Church's internal harmony can at times be challenged
by a lack of charity and the presence of conflict among her members. This can lead to the formation
of factions within the Church which often become so concerned with their special interests that they
lose sight of the unity and solidarity which are the foundations of ecclesial life and the sources of
communion in the family of God".
However, it should be noted that the Pope continued: "To address this worrisome phenomenon
bishops are charged to act with fatherly solicitude as men of communion to ensure that their
particular Churches act as families, so that there may be no discord in the body, but that the
members may have the same care for one another".
"This requires that the bishop strive to remedy any division which can exist among his flock by
attempting to rebuild a level of trust, reconciliation and mutual understanding in the ecclesial family."
We look forward to Bishop Boissonneau rebuilding a level of trust, reconciliation and mutual
understanding in our Parish Family.
Write to the Bishop and the Cardinal to voice your concerns about the need for resolution.
His Eminence, Aloysius Cardinal Ambrosic, Fax: 416 934-3452.
Bishop John A. Boissonneau, Fax: 416 207-4984 Email: bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com.
For more information, contact:
Anna Jushkevich 905 279-7822 Tony Cucci 905 276-3728
Pat DeAngelis 416 809- 1819 Yvonne Zirnhelt 905 897-3452
Lucy Pires 905 273-6093 Dunstan Bazely 905 275-3946
Aisling Egan 416 671-4710
Money talks. Many parishioners are withholding their contributions and wearing black armbands
to mourn the loss of our voices.
____________________________________________________________________
A personal message to interested parishioners of St. Martin of Tours Parish:
My name is George Hurley, Sr. and my wife of 49 years is Maureen. We have lived in this area for
44 years. We have 5 children, all of whom have attended the Catholic schools in the area. We have
18 grandchildren, many of whom have been involved with the parish at some point. Maureen and I
are founding members of St. Martin of Tours. I was on the original finance committee that built this
Church. I was also the chairman of Share Life for 5 or 6 years, at a time when more than 100
people were organized to go door-to-door for donations! My son began playing the organ here
when he was 14 years old. That’s a brief history of our little family.
Let me make one thing clear: we do not have a vested interest in the music program at St. Martin of
Tours.
That said, we have a profound appreciation for the quality and dedication of those involved, not
only at St. Martin’s, but at other places in Ontario, for the past 28 years.
Despite many discussions with our Pastor and the Bishop, nothing has been resolved. My question
is: why not? If this involves an ongoing conflict between 1 or 2 people, why was it not addressed 2
or 3 years ago.
In my opinion (and everyone has their own opinion) this confrontation/conflict has been focused on
the music at the Church. If you want to create a sense of disruption that is what you would do. But
this is the farthest thing from the truth. There are many more issues in this situation. Through
various communications, you have become aware of what they are, and I am not going to raise
them here.
In his letter to the parishioners of St. Martin of Tours last Sunday, Bishop Boissonneau reminded us
that we, as a parish, needed to be open to change, and to new people in the parish. It has been my
experience that, since its very beginning, our parish has been very open and welcoming to anyone
who wanted to lend their talents to our community and its various organizations.
Given our history and our interest in this Church we are not leaving to drive 10 miles to another
Church. We are staying. We are not going to be driven out! This is not over by a long shot!
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
George Hurley, Sr.
Parishioner,
St. Martin of Tours
