CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 77 - NOV 19, 2005
SED USQUE SEPTUAGIES SEPTIES - but seven and seventy (77)
Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I
forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said to him: “I say not to thee, till seven times; but till
seventy times and seven times”. (Matt 18:21, 22) This week is No. 77 in the distribution of
flyers. Has this some symbolic portent?
- The parish continues to beg for money, but withholds full accounting disclosure;
- The parish continues to accept new volunteers into ministries, but rejects willing volunteers of
proven ability; - The parish continues to “blacklist” selected parishioners, but pays lip service to the Christian
principle of “All are called through Baptism”; - The parish continues to stall on the formation of a Parish Council, notwithstanding the bishop’s
promise in June 2004 that one would be established “soon”.
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THE CHURCH IN NEED, or, THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH?
Is adequate appreciation and thanks given to those who contribute to the Church? For many this is a
sacrifice and a struggle; and sacrifice renders their contribution all the more valuable. And once given,
should not gratitude and accountability be furnished in return? For over a year, parishioners of St.
Martin of Tours have been asking for accountability regarding finances. So far this has been
denied. We have an administrator, a pastor, a bishop, a chancery office and a Finance Council, all of
which in aggregate still fail to produce straight answers regarding parish finances. So, what logically
happens? Many people having been ignored, thereby disrespected, have redirected their financial
contributions to the wider church in fulfillment of Jesus’ mandate: Come, ye blessed of my Father,
possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry,
and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took
me in. (Matt 25:35, 36)
Why do many well intentioned Catholics feel guilty about giving to worthy charities rather than to a
weekly “Sunday collection”? Which is more important - “The Church in Need” or the “Needs of
the Church”? The former is certainly deserving. We need to be more concerned for “The Church in
the World”, and less for “The World in the Church”. Yet, why are we made to feel guilty about
exercising the right choice? Giving to the needy is giving to the Church in the World. It is right – and it
is Jesus’ command - and it is never wrong to do right. Here are some organizations active in the
Church in Need. These are just a fraction of the many worthy groups labouring in the Vineyard of the
Lord:
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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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS DINNER DANCE
Our (exiled) Knights of Columbus are busy planning a December Dinner Dance for Saturday, 10th
December, at St. Martin’s High School. Dinner and dancing – all for $20 per person. Profits from this
event will go towards repairs of Martyrs Shrine at Midland. Do you have your tickets yet?
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PANETTONES – YOU CAN ORDER NOW!
You can order panettones by calling 905-272-0067. They will also be available at the Knights of
Columbus December Dinner Dance and on the weekends of Dec. 10/11, and Dec. 17/18 as you leave
the church. The cost? Just $15 each. Profits will benefit our Knights’ charities.
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REJOICE AND BE MERRY!
Deck the halls and fal-la-lah! Our (exiled) Choir is looking forward to welcoming you to their
upcoming Annual Christmas Concert. When? Sunday, 11th December, 7:30 pm. Where? St.
Gregory’s Church, Rathburn & Kipling. Concert tickets are now on sale!
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Give us your feedback by email or phone call: 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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