CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 69 - SEP. 24, 2005
THE PEOPLE SPEAK
The response to the question posed in flyer no. 67 - “Stop the Flyers!/Don’t Stop the Flyers!” -
was overwhelmingly in favour of continuing. Currently, 500 flyers are produced and distributed
weekly. The flyer also appears on our website which was accessed 2,700 times in the past 30 days.
For as long as there is a policy of “No Change”, there will be no change in our publishing the truth in
the interests of the Parish.
Thank you for your responses. The flyer may not be “official”, but it is popular and representative.
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RECONCILING WITH IRRECONCILABILITY?
The administration of the parish in the absence of the pastor gives us some relief, but also raises some
concern. The “No Change” policy, as per the Archbishop’s instructions for the Parish - “there are to
be no substantial changes in the pastoral policies and involvement in ministries and activities.
- produces some anomalies and contradictions. In absolute terms “no change” is not possible. In a
changing environment, change occurs whether we like it or not. The Archbishop refers to no
“substantial” change and only in the areas of “policies” and “ministries”. We do not know what
is meant by “substantial”. And “policies” were ever changing, if ever they existed in constructed
form. Who decides what “non-change” should be implemented in the face of inevitable changes? And
who decides which policy or non-policy to enforce? If the bishop and the administrator are unfamiliar
with the myriad of unwritten policies our parish has had up to now, how can either make a decision in
discerning or applying any policy?
Fr. Joel delivered a very compelling and spiritual homily three weeks a go. He invited all of us to
dispel our resentments and bitterness, and reconcile. He invited everyone to return to dedicating our
talents and time. Many of us are inspired to follow his directive but are stymied by a contradiction –
how do we respond to the invitation to “reconcile” while a policy of irreconcilability remains in force?
Remember, “no substantial changes” shackles everyone’s hands.
Today, in the midst of our tribulation, there is no denying that there is a sense of change. It is most
apparent in the language used. Those who were previously identified in derogatory terms suggesting
damnation are now regarded as being “inside the Church”, although not fully accepted. We have been
the guardians of St. Martin’s parishioners through troubled times; we have exposed the shameful
treatment of parishioners; we have fought for the implementation of the policies of Christ. We are all
called to express our God-given gifts in his praise; none are excluded; none are specially favoured. Let
us not underrate the current optimism and positive sense of change. This is a significant move from
exclusion to hope, from hell to purgatory, from the outside to the waiting-room. It is the most
significant change to occur in our parish in over a year.
If this HOPE is to be realised, there should be signs of welcome and open arms, from everyone to
everyone, in active preparation for its fulfillment. Feedback from the parishioners suggests that the
Parish wants reconciliation; Fr. Joel (judging from his homilies and interaction with parishioners) wants
reconciliation; God is calling us to reconciliation. So far, this is not being realised. Sadly, there is still
evidence to the contrary. Stumbling blocks still prevent its progress. Fr. Joel has been with us three
weeks now, and we trust that his good grace will inspire change in us and initiate the needed changes in
St. Martin of Tours.
At this critical juncture unfulfilled hope would be devastating.
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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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