CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS No. 53 :YEAR 2, WEEK 1 - JUNE 04, 2005
SILENCE IS AQUIESCENCE
For more than a year, saveourparish.com has advocated for truth and justice, and for peace and harmony in
our parish. Numerous attempts to heal parish disunity, by many parishioners of goodwill, have been
thwarted. Where truth is needed, cover-up and double-speak are presented. When reconciliation is
attempted, it is resisted with statements such as “I cannot forgive!” and “I have nothing to apologise for!”
Currently, there is an attempt underway between some parishioners and
the bishop to start a process of healing. As we learn of any progress, we will keep you informed.
Meanwhile do we idly wait? No! Silence is acquiescence. It gives approval.
Do we have the right to protest injustice through disobedience? Many ethicists (including priests and
bishops) support the right, and the DUTY to act against injustice and bullying.
Do not feed injustice with financial support.
Do not support injustice with silence.
For the past three Sundays we have been introduced to “sacrificial giving”.
This has generated a lot of feedback from incensed parishioners. See below:
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Letter from a parishioner ::
In recent weeks Fr. Beltran has been hammering non-stop on the need for us to make sacrificial
contributions and make them to the parish. Well, it is widely believed that parishioners ARE making
sacrificial contributions, and possibly more, but to other organizations deserving of their donations.
These organizations are doing good charitable work to our brothers and sisters - all children of God.
So what's wrong with that? Nothing!
Should we make contributions to the parish as the pastor asks? The answer has been blowing in the wind
for well over a year now! Neither the pastor nor anyone in the hierarchy seems to want to open their eyes,
face the truth and reconcile the problems in the parish! They simply have a different viewpoint to that held
by the vast majority of parishioners, and quite frankly, they are entitled to
their views. We are entitled to ours!
Until this reconciliation is achieved, parishioners simply CANNOT be blamed for making their contributions
elsewhere. In fact, they are encouraged to continue contributing to other charities that help and assist God's
people. Aren't we all God's people: Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, male, female,
children, widows, single parents, etc.?
Unfortunately, it seems to be slowly becoming abundantly clear that the Catholic Church only appears to
understand "MONEY" and doesn't give a hoot about the true Christian values and virtues of love,
compassion, caring and human dignity. Very Sad!!!
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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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Letter from a parishioner to the bishop:
For the past three Sundays, Father Beltran has used his homily to put the message across to his parishioners
that we are all obligated to give 10 - 20% of our income. He has stressed that this sacrificial offering must
be channelled through the parish. Last Sunday, he stated that sacrificial giving must come before paying the
bills, and dealing with necessities. Somehow, the words: "Love one another as I love you", has been
translated to: "Thou must give 10 - 20% of your income to St. Martin of Tours Parish!
I have five points I would like to make:
1) How can a parish that refuses to give an accounting of income and expenditures to the people who
support it, make such a demand?
2) Many of the older, founding members of the parish, have left St. Martin's, and contribute their energies
and financial support to neighbouring parishes. These are the people who, with their families raised, and
financial obligations diminished, have the money they so generously gave to St. Martin's, prior to the present
situation. The "new" parishioners, i.e. those courted by Father Beltran, are young families, newly
established in this country. They have young children to nourish, educate and raise. Surely in God's eyes,
parental responsibility, when children are born to us, comes before filling the coffers of the established
church.
3) This year's diocesan theme: "For God loves a cheerful giver", to me, means giving from my heart -
giving freely. I cannot give freely from my heart, cheerfully, when I have an assessed taxation in order to
remain a member of my parish, partake of Holy Mass, and the Celebration of the Eucharist.
4) My ancestors tilled the land in service. Each harvest they were obligated to tithe a percentage of their
yield to the padrone. Many winters, their children went hungry, while the occupants of the Manor house
lived in luxury. The comfortable lifestyle of some of today's clergy mirrors this, with the never-ending
request for more.
5) I give of my time and resources to those in real need. I prefer to give directly, rather than have my
modest donations diluted by administration costs at several levels. I prefer to give where giving makes a
difference,
at a basic level. I believe that this is living the gospel. This is loving thy neighbour as thyself. This is
sharing the fruits of my labours with God's children, who are less fortunate. This is acknowledging my
gratitude to God for his many gifts to me.
"Jesus was the perfect gift". I can never match God's generosity. But, in giving from my heart, I can be a
cheerful giver.
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FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
If you feel the absence of financial accountability is intolerable, VOICE YOUR CONCERNS.
Demand answers from those that withold full disclosure:
Contact Ed Beaudry, chair of the Finance Council, at edbeaudry@rogers.com
The Parish Office phone 905 279 5742, fax 905 279 5743, and
email address stmartinoftours@on.aibn.com
Mr. William C. Dunlop, Controller - ext. 614, email: acct_fin@archtoronto.org
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ANNUAL PICNIC - TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Join us at Erindale Park from 2 pm to 4 pm, this Sunday, 5th June. The Knights are firing up the BBQ,
and a good time is assured for all. Last chance for picnic tickets and raffle tickets!
Only $5 per family for hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, and games for the kids.
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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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