CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 51 - MAY 21, 2005
MEETING WITH THE BISHOP
There was a meeting with the bishop on Wednesday 18th May.
In attendance were Bishop John Boissonneau and Suzanne Scorsone (Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Toronto), and six concerned parishioners. The meeting was requested by a parishioner in an
attempt to find resolution to our parish problem. The meeting lasted one hour.
The group reiterated the fact that St. Martin of Tours parish was a harmonious, compassionate, loving and
caring community prior to 1999. Behavioural attitudes and “tone” of communications have changed since
mid-1999, and this has caused/resulted in a lot of ill-will and disruption in the parish.
The group stated that revenues have declined substantially – indicating that there are serious financial
problems - causing the parish to dip into reserve funds held by the Chancery to balance regular operating
expenditures. Full financial disclosure is not made and questions from parishioners are not answered.
Instead, the answers received are critical comments about the personal character and financial contributions
of the parishioners requesting the answers.
The bishop stated that he has been receiving rude letters from, and name-calling by, some parishioners.
He said that every time he tries to institute something, it gets into the weekly newsletter with a different
slant. He believes that the weekly newsletters are misleading and are a provocation. He believes it is sinful
for a group of dissidents to sit in the front row, receive communion and then distribute flyers. He wants the
weekly flyers to stop.
The bishop intimated that those who contribute money, have no right to an accounting or demand an audit.
The rationale is that once you make a donation, it is no longer your money; it becomes the property of the
recipient.
The bishop gave graciously of his time, but unfortunately, it appears that nothing was resolved.
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"What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"
He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your
strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” Luke 10:26-28
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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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IMAGINARY NUMBERS
Parishioners have been unable to ascertain the true state of the parish finances. In answer to a recent request
from a parishioner, Ed Beaudry, the chair of the Finance Council, responded – “You have the audacity to
demand an answer to a financial question that is not even grounded in fact. Your question makes no sense
whatsoever, but then neither do your imaginary numbers.” The parishioner did not quote any numbers, but
asked for clarification of expenses published by the Parish (and presumably approved by Ed Beaudry
himself). If these numbers are indeed “imaginary”, our financial situation is worse that previously
suspected. Even if figures are produced at this late stage, nothing less that a full independent audit could
adequately provide a credible 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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FR. EDWARD GRAHAM
Fr. Edward Graham is progressing well. For the present he is refraining from driving. He is in everyone’s
prayers and we look forward to his early return to St. Martin of Tours.
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL PICNIC
Two weeks from today, the Knights of Columbus will hold their Annual Picnic at Erindale Park, on
Sunday June 05. Tickets are available as you exit the Church. For a cost of only $5 per family, they will
provide hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks; and games for the kids. What a deal! 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
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 (“him only, shall you
serve”) and live the Gospel. We care about, and care for, those in need.
Here are some charitable organizations worthy of our consideration:
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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