CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 50 - MAY 14, 2005
“SUPPORT THE CHURCH!”
We are told to “support the Church!”
Does “Church”, in this context, refer to “The Communion of Saints” or just the Church here on earth?
Or is there a narrower definition? In our parish, there are a number of parishioners that have been excluded
from full participation in the life of the parish, yet, they are directed to “support the Church!”
How did this “support” become equated exclusively with “give money to the hierarchy”?
Let us look at how much monetary support flows into the Archdiocese of Toronto. For 2003, the ROMAN
CATHOLIC EPISCOPAL CORPORATION FOR THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO, IN CANADA,
BN/Registration Number107910259RR0001, reported to Revenue Canada:
Total revenues $109,449,066
Total Expenditures $ 91,353,090
Operating Surplus for the year $ 18,095.976
Lest you think that this was an unusual year, the reported operating surplus for 2002, and 2001 were
$18,131,977 and $21,361,770 respectively. Other archdioceses in Canada are struggling financially; e.g.
Kewatin-Le Pas reported an operating loss of $93,395, and Grouard-McLennan reported a loss of $714,824.
Many people support the Church financially by directing their money to where the need is greatest. By
donating to Catholic Missions in Canada, for example, funds are directed to the poorer regions of the
country (including the two archdioceses mentioned above). By by-passing ShareLife and donating directly,
the participating charities receive 10% more of your contributions. Many people are also doing just that.
People also contribute to agencies that operate exclusively in developing countries; examples are Dr. Simone’
s Canadian Food for Children and Solidarite-Sud. Yet these workers in the vineyard, good people in our
Parish that contribute to, and devote time and energy in support of agencies such as these, are accused of
failing to “support the Church”?
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BISHOP’S (EMPTY) CORNER
The “Bishop’s Corner” has been absent from the parish bulletin for the past few weeks. Do you remember
it?
It was the bishop’s contribution to our education in preparation for the establishment of a Parish Council.
So, are we to understand that we are now fully educated, and fully prepared?
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MEETING WITH THE BISHOP
The bishop has agreed to meet with a small group of parishioners on Wednesday morning, 18th May.
The bishop has two stipulations – viz. “the subjects of the employment of Fergus Egan and the appointment
of Fr. Beltran are not topics for discussion”. Nevertheless, the group is looking forward to a fruitful meeting.
If you wish to have your input or concerns voiced at this meeting, please telephone one of the undersigned,
or send an email to mail@saveourparish.com
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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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Parishioners have been fielding questions to the Parish and to the Chancery in an attempt to get clear answers
to the state of our parish finances. So far, the requests have been rejected.
Does anyone care about the financial state of the Parish of St. Martin of Tours, BN/registration number
107910259RR0158? Revenue Canada, perhaps? Apparently, Revenue Canada has more than a passing
interest in churches registered with charitable status.
Here is an extract from a recent communiqué of The Canada Revenue Agency:
Ottawa, March 5, 2005… The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is revoking the registered charitable status
of the Lord's Evangelical Church of Deliverance and Prayer of Toronto (the "Church"). The revocation
is effective March 5, 2005. The CRA determined that the Church was not complying with the rules as set
out in the Income Tax Act. In particular, it was found that the Church had provided inappropriate gifts
and improper benefits to members, and the Church did not keep adequate books and records.
In comparing the 2003 parish financial data, we notice this difference:
The statement presented to the parishioners shows a loss (revenue/expenses) of $28,701.
The statement filed with Revenue Canada shows a loss of $116,666.
Demand answers. 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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WE WISH YOU WELL!
Fr. Edward Graham is back to himself. Many parishioners were concerned for, and offered prayers for Fr.
Graham following his collapse at Sunday morning Mass last week. As of Monday morning, just 24 hours
later, he was determined to return to his usual routine with renewed vigour and determination. Many people
also expressed concern for the parishioner that required medical attention at that same Mass. Although we
enquired at the Parish office, we were unable to ascertain that person’s identity. Nevertheless, we pray that
you have recovered fully, and we look forward to having you both with us as usual this weekend. May God
bless you!
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL PICNIC
Last Sunday, the Parish Office called the police to complain about the “obstruction” caused by the Knights.
Despite two visits, the police determined that the presence of the Knights was wholly law-abiding. So, once
again, tickets are available as you exit the Church, for our Knights of Columbus Annual Picnic at Erindale
Park on Sunday June 05. Cost? Only $5 per family. Hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, games for the kids –
what a bargain! Let’s have an enjoyable afternoon with our parish family and friends. Get your tickets also
for the Picnic Draw - 1st Prize is Boat Cruise and Dinner for Two, 2nd Prize: Girl’s Bicycle, 3rd Prize: Boy’
s Bicycle. Proceeds of the draw will go towards repairs to an area of the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland.
Let’s give the Knights our full support!
Get your tickets today!
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CARING and SHARING
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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