• The official plan
• New apartments
• The bonding of several local institutions
  - Our Filipino brothers and sisters - vital role - raised funds
  - Choirs (U of O) and several Filipino choirs
• We are operating in the black with renovations to carry out.
• We were told by letter from Archbishop Gervais dated June 2005 that (with concerns) we could continue.
• Why are we given such short notice of such an ominous decision.

     The demographics of the Archbishop were challenged. The parish boundaries include Lowertown, New Edinbugh, Lindenlea, Rockcliffe and for Filipinos all over the city. New buildings are going up all around us, many students from the University of Ottawa, as well as new families moving into the older homes in the area and restoring them.

     The Finance Council Chair outlined the year's operation financially. Always on the line, but manageable. Increases in heating as well as electricity will make the budget harder to control.

     The total revised estimate for restoration is $1.8 million approximately. The roof replacement costs are approximately $140,000 for a metal roof.

     This meeting was also the opportunity for many to spill their feelings and express their emotions.

Many comments followed

• We need to address all levels of government, our local councillor, and local federal member.
• The school children are devastated and don't know what to make of it all. The school for many years have been completely supportive of Fr. Arana. He goes many times a month  to talk to children and give Mass. The Grade 2 class will take their first communion this Sunday.
• There are many churches in one line on St. Patrick St. There is St Charles, St. Anne's and St. Brigid's. Perhaps the Archdiocese should look at combining French churches that have a common language.
• Father Arana's appointment should be extended. Other parishes have priests who have stayed longer - e.g. St. Anthony's and St. Patrick's
• The entire bureaucracy of the Archdiocese should be reviewed for reduction and relevance.
• The newspaper on Monday reported some 36 Catholic Churches in Ontario being shut down.
• Send our concerns to the Pope, the PM and others of high level status.
• Public reations should be put on as news so it is free.
• The Archbishop should read the Ten Commandments and take them to heart.
• We need more money, particularly for professional help e.g. Public Relations, lawyer and a very clear strategic plan. It will require all parishioners pulling together.
• Many come to this church for the first time and are so impressed with the family welcoming atmosphere that they stay on.
• In Cuba, there are many crumbling churches but still the people come to pray and follow the mass. (By a Cuban parishioner)
• We need a clear strategic plan. What are our targets?
• Maybe it is necessary to seek legal action with a well written legal challenge.
• "I know what it is like  when you don't have a community and seek guidance and strength for dealing with the life experiences of a teenager. St. Brigid's and Father Arana has provided this strength of community to me and some of my friends. No one is going to take that away" (spoken by a teenager in the community).
• People who have been here for 25 years or more spoke eloquently about the strength of spirituality of St. Brigid's and the wonderful humanity of Fr. Pedro.
• Community cannot be forced to go somewhere.
• Father is very sad at this turn of events.
• This movement must be filled with love, not anger and we must pray for the Archbishop.
• Many came as strangers to one Mass or another and now are intrinsically involved in the church and the community. We must continue this humanity, this caring community.
• We have built an ecumenical communtiy with the Irish/English, Filipino, Spanish, the rich and poor, compassionate, meet and share their common humanity.We must not lose it.
• A letter where we must stand with one heart, in action and in peace and share our love and express these feelings and feelings to teh Archbishop. It is outrageously wrong that everything in society is determined by money. We must believe in divine providence.
• Ask for time. We have been around for 116 years. We want another month.
• Centre of faith. Speak/write to municipal,p rovincial and federal representatives.
• Assemble a team to put forward - what is unique to this parish, multiracial community, outstanding choir, great relationships. Letters to be written to the Archbishop (a flood of them) now and continuous into the future.
• Newspaper, radio and TV coverage, letters to the editor.
   - Madeleine Meilleur MPP 237 Montreal Road Vanier 744-4484 fax 744-0889
   - Hon. Mauril Belanger MP 504 168 Charlotte St. 947-7961
   - Bob Chiarelli, Mayor of the City of Ottawa 580-2496 Fax 580-2509
   - George Bedard, Councillor 580-2483 Fax 580-2522
   - Archdiocese of Otatwa 1247 Likkborn Place 738-5025 Fax 738-0130
• We have a large sign on the front lawn.

     Meeting closed at 9:00 pm with a prayer from Fr. Arana. Resolved that we will ask for time to absorb this and to take action to reverse the decision.

Marilyn Donoghue

Parish Council Chair