CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK TWENTY-FOUR NOV 13, 2004
WE ARE LISTENING…........
WHAT DO WE HEAR?
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Bishop Boissonneau visited St. Joseph’s Parish, Streetsville, on Sunday 7th November, and gave
a fine homily at all the Masses. It is a pity he could not visit St. Martin of Tours Parish, a parish
that has been pleading with him for a promised visit, a parish that desperately needs pastoral
guidance, a parish that is crying for help to heal the divisions that deeply trouble us.
His Excellency commented to one of our parishioners at St. Joseph’s: “I’ll pray for you, and you
pray for me.” And to another parishioner, when she remarked to him “…you are not listening,’ he
retorted “YOU are not listening to ME”.
If his Excellency reads this, then let him be assured that we ARE praying daily for our parish and
for our pastoral leaders. His Excellency should also be aware that we ARE listening to him.
We listened to his letter of 23 June 2004 in which he referred to “conflict incited over contract
services of the choir director”. He is aware that not only did the choir director find fault with the
service contract, so did Revenue Canada in a later ruling. Had the contract adhered to Canadian
Labour Laws in the first place, there would not have been a conflict. We are still listening…
We listened when he said “there have been some complaints against Fr. Beltran that after
careful review have for the most part not proven to be of grave substance”. Of the complaints
that were “of grave substance” what has been done? Why should any issues of grave
substance be tolerated? We are still listening…
We listened, and were insulted, when he told us that “we must all be open to new people in the
community…” If the bishop had made even one of his promised visits to our parish, he would
have seen the ethnic and age diversity of St. Martin’s and the high degree of harmony enjoyed
by the various groups (example: the choir was comprised of 13 nationalities, with 26% of the
membership Filipino). We are still listening…
We listened when we were told that “a Parish Council will soon be established to represent all the
members of the parish community…” 137 days have passed and we have not even seen
nomination forms. How soon is “soon”? We are still listening…
We listened when he told us “I (the bishop) am committed to dialogue and resolving of any
problems in the parish…” We are still waiting for the dialogue and the steps to resolution.
We are still listening…
We listened when his Excellency stated “you will see a lot of me in September.” Did anyone see
the bishop in September, or October, or since? Could he have meant September 2005?
We are still listening…
We listened when he said “…the Archdiocese of Toronto has been daily involved by listening,
investigating and advising so that the best course of action to resolve and reconcile
differences can be followed”. We are still listening…
What do we hear?
Do we hear a dysfunctional parish, headed by a seemingly inadequate pastor, overseen by a
seemingly uncaring bishop? We hear blame being attributed to those mistreated, because they
dare to be vocal and visible in their protesting cries for help.
Is it even possible to find a bishop as described in St. Paul’s letter to Titus1:1-9?
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Make a joyful noise unto The Lord!
DID YOU KNOW that our Choir was prohibited from singing in St. Martin of Tours Church? The
Bishop said that the Choir refused to sing. This is totally untrue. The pastor said in Parish
Bulletin 12 Sept. 2004 “We have hired a new choir director… Following this process, the new
choir will be formed.” An invitation was subsequently made to the new choir director to utilize
the resources and talents of the existing choir but the offer was not accepted.
The Choir continues to actively meet and practice and is enthusiastically preparing a Christmas
program.
Many of you have expressed regret that you may be unable to hear our Choir’s traditional
annual Christmas Concert. At the request of parishioners and friends, they will present a Benefit
Concert in December.
More details to follow.
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How can our voices be heard?
Money talks – let it be your voice!
Many of you are looking for alternate charities to support with your weekly contributions. You
may wish to direct your donations to a worthy cause. The following charities are very grateful for
your support. Please consider them and continue to send your contributions to them.
1. Catholic Missions of 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, Ont. M8X 1L3
5. Ian Anderson House, 430 Winston Churchill Blvd. Oakville, Ont. L6J 7X2
6. Vita Manor, P.O. Box 42183, 128 Queen St. S. Mississauga, Ont. L5M 4Z0.
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Email:bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com Fax: 416 207-4984.
His Eminence, Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, Fax: 416 934-3452.
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
