CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 78 - NOV 26, 2005
REJOICE AND BE MERRY!
Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without it! Two weeks to go before our (exiled) Choir’s Annual
Christmas Concert. Get your tickets now – you won’t be disappointed. Location is St. Gregory’s
Church, Rathburn & Kipling. Sunday, 11th December, 7.30 pm.
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PANETTONES ARE SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES!!
It’s a St. Martin’s Christmas tradition. 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. Order now!
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS DINNER DANCE
Our (exiled) Knights of Columbus will present a Dinner Dance on Saturday, 10th December, at St.
Martin’s High School. Tickets are $20 per person. Profits from this event will go towards repairs at
Martyrs Shrine in Midland. Do you have your tickets yet?
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JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED
We must thank Fr. Joel for his comments at the end of Mass last Sunday. He reiterated facets of our
parish problem:
1) There is a conflict in our parish for which he suggested a “ceasefire”. He stopped short,
however, of identifying the primary cause of this conflict. But, until the root problem is addressed, how
can there be any resolution?
2) He again reminded us that other priests had turned down the position of administrator at St.
Martin’s. Why would a priest turn down this assignment? Could it be that a sensible course of action
to restore the parish was prohibited them?
3) He again alluded to the helplessness of his situation. So what then, was his mandate? And
what was his motivation? How can there be “helplessness” without an abrogation of the will to
implement peace?
4) He said “Goodwill” is required. Goodwill is active, not passive.
A lot can be done without “breaking rules” if one has the will. Goodwill leads to action; and
constructive action leads to positive outcome. Why delay (deny) the implementation of a healing
process to effect the unity we profess? Every time we meet in worship we affirm this unity in prayer.
But words alone are not enough.
If I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians,
13:2)
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A SAFETY CONCERN - IF ONLY WE HAD A PARISH COUNCIL…
As we approach winter and hazardous driving situations, may we appeal for some consideration and
order with regard to the length of our Sunday masses? Many weekend Masses are so long that they
run into the next one. Last Sunday’s 9:00 am Mass ended late. This left insufficient time for people to
exit prior to the arrival of the 10.30 am parishioners. The situation was more chaotic when 10.30 Mass
ended at about 4 minutes to noon. People were still driving out of the parking lot at ten minutes past
noon. 12:00 noon parishioners had already arrived and had no available parking. Prudent
consideration is required to coordinate Masses that include Confirmation Rite of Enrolment,
announcements and pronouncements. This is a safety issue, especially in winter. A working Parish
Council could address and resolve such issues.
On several recent Sundays parishioners were unable to enter the church during the 9:00 am Mass. The
doors were still locked after the commencement of Mass, and could only be opened from the inside by
someone already in the vestibule. Can we request that the outer doors be actually unlocked before the
first Mass each Sunday? A working Parish Council could address and resolve such issues.
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NEED A REASON? ‘TIS THE SEASON!
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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Email: bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com Fax: 416 207-4984
ambrozic@archtoronto.org Fax: 416 934-3452
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