CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 56 - JUNE 25, 2005
TO B. - OR NOT TO BE?
Many parishioners have attempted to restore our Parish to a meaningful Christian faith community. We are
aware of 19 attempts in the past 15 months. So far, all attempts have been ignored or rebuffed. On
Wednesday May 18, six concerned parishioners met with Auxiliary Bishop Boissonneau. Here is the group’s
response to the meeting. As you can see, it offers a significant step to a resolution. Will there be a
reciprocal complementary move on the part of our pastoral leaders? To date, the bishop has not
acknowledged receipt of this letter, much less responded to this peace initiative.
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June 6, 2005
The Most Reverend John A. Boissonneau, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Toronto.
Your Excellency,
We would like to thank you once again for meeting with the group of six parishioners from St. Martin of
Tours on Wednesday, May 18, 2005. The discussions are summarized in brief as follows:
THE GROUP reiterated the facts that:
- St. Martin of Tours parish was a harmonious, compassionate, loving and caring community prior to 1999;
- Behavioural attitudes and the "tone" of communication have changed since mid-1999 and that this has
caused/resulted in a lot of ill-will and disruption in the parish;
- Revenues have declined substantially - indicating that there are serious problems - and causing the parish to
dip into reserve funds held by the Chancery, to balance regular operating expenditures;
- Full financial disclosure is not made and that questions from parishioners are not answered. Instead,
critical comments are made about the personal character and financial contributions of those parishioners.
THE BISHOP STATED THAT:
- He has been receiving rude letters from, and "name calling" by, some parishioners;
- Every time he tries to initiate something, it gets into the weekly flyer, with a different slant;
- He believes that the weekly flyers are all lies and are a provocation;
- It is sinful for the group of dissidents to sit in the front row of the church, receive communion and then go
out and distribute flyers.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
- Parishioners want a parish that is unified, loving and caring of all its members;
- The Bishop wants the flyers "to cease" as this will end the provocation.
AGREEMENT REACHED: N O N E
A larger group of parishioners has since met in a genuine attempt to offer a solution to this long-standing
problem.
The PROPOSED ACTIONS to be taken by the group are:
1. Recommend the newsletter editorial committee give serious consideration to suspending the weekly flyers
if there is a clear indication of steps being taken towards a resolution;
2. Continue civil and courteous behaviour to all - pastor and all parishioners - and try to forgive injustices
done.
The EXPECTED ACTIONS from the pastor would be:
1. Civil and courteous behaviour towards ALL parishioners, recognizing the human dignity of all persons;
2. Show by open communication that he wants to join with the parishioners in putting this troubled period
behind us and restore peace and reconciliation to the parish.
3. Reply to, and clarify financial questions raised by parishioners;
4. Initiate reinstatement of the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and all other volunteers, since these
groups are so necessary to the harmonious running of the parish.
Your Excellency, in the interest of continued communication, we would sincerely appreciate hearing from
you at your earliest convenience.
Yours truly (signed by six parishioners)
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HONEST ACCOUNTING
It is almost six months since year-end, and still there is no full disclosure of the state of our parish accounts.
What message are we being given? Pay, pay, pay and obey? Here is one more example of parishioners’
reaction:
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……….….
Letter from a parishioner: June 17, 2005
To: Bishop John A. Boissonneau
Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic
TRUST: Our Pastor Fr. Beltran and the Finance Council have lost the Trust of the Parishioners for the huge
increase in Expenses in the 2004 Financial Statement without any Cost Figure for Each Expense. This is not
acceptable.
OTHER CHURCH EXPENSES: Most Major Expenses are dumped into one pile with one Total Figure.
SUNDRY EXPENSES: Year 2003 - $36,615, 2004 - $22,679. Not really Minor Expenses!
HOUSE EXPENSES: The past 5 years have averaged over $30.000 per year.
Another concern is: Why did our Church Office stop publishing Saturday and Sunday Weekly Collections?
Last year’s Share Life was 10% below target. This year’s could be a lot worse. Many Parishioners at St.
Martin’s have decided not to give their hard-earned money to be spent on things that are not needed – like
elaborate Church additions. Half the size could have served the same purpose. Prior to 5 years ago we never
had any problem with Church Support and Share Life. St. Martin’s was well managed and money spent
wisely.
Last but not least, is Fr. Beltran’s “Sacrificial Giving” Card an assessment, of what people should give,
without considering the size of the Family and their Expenses? Now, why should they accept this
“assessment” when our Pastor Fr. Beltran’s House Expenses are over $30,000 per year?
I suggest that Fr. Beltran and the Finance Council Cut Back on Needless spending, be accountable to the
Parishioners and, maybe they will regain their Trust and Support and keep from leaving the Parish.
Signed,
A Very Concerned Parishioner on a “Fixed” Income.
(Name provided, but withheld from publication for fear of harassment.)
________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVILS AND DOGS
Recently, the pastor has been harassing parishioners. Parishioners seeking quiet time for private prayer and
meditation in our church have been verbally assaulted with authoritative commands such as “Come here!”
and “Be quiet!” Alas, not all parishioners have graduated from obedience school. Many are not prepared to
“come to heel” at the irrational bidding of any authority. The pastor has denounced these parishioners as
“Devil” and “Evil Spirit”.
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2005 ANNUAL WINE TOUR
The Annual Wine Tour to Niagara will be held on Saturday, 17th September. This is the fifth year the tour
has taken place, and each year has been a sold-out success. Travel by deluxe motor coach and enjoy wine
tasting at four of Niagara’s wineries. A wonderful buffet lunch is included, in the spectacular Penthouse
Restaurant of Sheraton on the Falls, overlooking the Falls. This is followed by some free time to shop, walk
along by the Falls, or explore the downtown area. The total cost is $55 per person. There are just twenty
remaining spaces available, so get your tickets quickly.
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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
_____________________________________________________________
Email: bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com Fax: 416 207-4984.
ambrozic@archtoronto.org Fax: 416 934-3452.
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