CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 58 - JULY 9, 2005
FEEDING THE PROBLEM
It is not unusual for Ministers of the Eucharist to be dismissed without notice in St. Martin of Tours.
However, a recent dismissal was unusual in that it occurred DURING COMMUNION. The pastor while
presenting the host to a Eucharistic minister, told him that his services were no longer required. Seconds
later, when presenting the chalice, he told him to continue until the end of mass, but then he was terminated.
Fellow Eucharistic ministers were shocked and appalled at what they heard and witnessed. How can a priest
behave like this during the Eucharistic celebration?
Over the past number of weeks we have been deluged with appeals for money. The weekly bulletin contains
four to five references every week. But for as long as the pastor behaves in an inappropriate and unchristian
manner, many people are withholding financial support in the belief that continuing to give money only feeds
the problem.
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BIG NEWS WEEK
This past week has seen a lot of bad press for the Church hierarchy. There have been many major incidents
in Canada and elsewhere of grave consequence to the Church. The following are links to current news
reports:
www.votf-atlanta.org/news/default.asp
www.votf-atlanta.org/articlesessays/news_item.asp?NewsID=26
www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/07/04/1116178-sun.html
What has all this to do with St. Martin of Tours? Is there a pattern?
The 70’s and early 80’s were a time of sexual abuse and misconduct in our parish also. Our parish has
never received an apology from the Archdiocese. Now financial scandals are appearing in the Church.
(Read the Toronto Star July 9 - “Pension plan draws fire” - page A1 and A16). Is there is a pattern between
inappropriate behaviour and inappropriate use of funds? Financial misappropriation occurs when there
is a lack of accountability. At St. Martin of Tours, parishioners have been pressing for months now, for
answers and accountability regarding recent years’ finances. If a situation seems corrupt or inept, do not
feed it - demand change! What power do we have to effect change? MONEY!
If you close your eyes, you cannot see it. If you cannot see it, does it exist?
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“REFLECTION” from last week’s parish bulletin:
There are a lot of Pharisees in our religion. As one bishop said to a large gathering of priests: “These new
rules have more to do with authority exerting itself than anything remotely associated with God." The rules
of religion can turn us into legalistic neurotics instead of free children of God. The last thing people need to
hear from the pulpit is a road map for a guilt trip! Jesus tries to sweep away the rubble of such thinking.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest”. True religion empowers
us to live a life of joy through contemplation, a sense of awe, a feeling of God’s presence, all translated
into good works for others.
How can this be printed and yet so blatantly ignored?
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WE PRAY TO THE LORD
For the victims that died as a result of Thursday’s terrorist bombings in London; and for those injured; and
for all those who suffer injury and fear from terror, lawlessness and injustice - that they may find the peace
of God. We pray to the Lord…
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GIVING IS RECEIVING
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 about, and care for, those in need. Here are some charitable organizations worthy of our support:
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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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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