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SAVE ST BRIGID’S BULLETIN #7
June 9th , 2006
- Father opened the meeting with a prayer and blessing for the Archbishop, and blessings for a successful meeting.
- The meeting opened with remarks from the chair Marilyn Donoghue. The attendance was small tonight, as many of
the parishioners had put in a long week from last Thursday, due to the scheduled Doors Open, Garage sale, Bake goods, bbq,
and silent auction held on Saturday and Sunday, and the subsequent Benefit concert held on Wednesday June 7th of
this week. Thank you’s to all who supplied an endless supply of energy and help from Edie Carty’s team, Margaret
Meurant’s Hospitality group, the Bake Sale co-ordinator Rita McEachern, the BBQ men, Bridgit Guglich on the St. Brigid’s
goods table, the Cody family - new parishioners for their wonderful support, and the people behind the scenes who make the
event successful. The choirs and individuals from the St. Brigid’s talented stable of musicians created a memorable
concert under the conducting of Parv Eshghi’. Monies raised
- Doors Open, Garage sale and Silent Auction$5,643.40
- Benefit Concert - $974.55
- Reporting
Legal- Patrick Murray, was unable to come this evening, but reported work has almost been completed. He
requires a list of Filipino activities in the church to be supplied by Art Cuenco, and a sequence of activities on the closure
of the church which will be supplied by Marilyn Donoghue. Petitions Parishioners identified that the petition
on the web site was difficult to access, and in many instances was missed altogether. The two Cody youths have undertaken
to contact Edwin Acuna, who handles the web site to discuss possible simplification. The problem of attaching the hand signed
copies of the petition has been resolved and will be attached to the electronic one as an amendment. It was also suggested
that detailed "How to" be listed in the bulletin. A chain letter of sorts was discussed, requesting a parishioner to address
two others, who in turn would address two others to encourage participation on the web site petition.Prayers and Vigils
Sister Essie was unable to come, but phoned in to say that attendance at the vigils was very low. The vigils are
held ever Tuesday following the noon mass, and each Friday from 8:00 to 10:30. There is a need to encourage more parishioners
to take part in the prayer vigils.Communications and Public Relations
The video of testimonials was running during the Doors Open and attracted a lot of attention. However,
there is a need for more individuals to come forward and add to the present video. Arrangements to be made by Paul Mayer to
take more video testimonials, perhaps this could occur following the 10:00 mass on Sunday. Communications bulletins will also
be continued at each of the weekend masses on the progress and highlights of the Save St. Brigid’s campaign. Teresa
has sent faxes out again regarding the Doors Open, the garage sale and the bbq.
The number to call for Lowell Green’s phone in radio is 830 TALK. Arrangements have been made
for the cheques to be made out to ‘St Brigid’s Restoration in Trust’ and mailed or forwarded to St. Brigid’s
. 179 Murray Street K1N 5M7. Placing them in trust assures the donor, that if we do not stay/proceed with the restoration,
they can be returned to the donor. Arrangements have also been made to drop them off at the National Bank at 242 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 5Y3. Attention: Suzanne Sequin. Tax receipts will be given when it is known that we will stay and commence
the restoration. The first target is $200,000 for repair of the roof and a new furnace.
Mrs. Cody agreed along with Theresa Carty, to look into the possibility of a St. Brigid’s stop
on the Ottawa Valley Bus Tours for a guided tour..
It was also suggested that we provide links with other churches both in the city and outside the
province i.e. St. Brigid’s in NY and Boston, San Francisco who are also having similar problems.
HeritageAn article in the Globe and Mail newspaper regarding saving Quebec’s churches with a recommendation
for a moratorium on church sales until 2008 was discussed (attached) It was suggested that we approach the provincial, federal
and municipal authorities with a number of letters, and phone calls, and even a private members bill to see if this same legislation
cannot be introduced in Ontario. Parishioners will be requested to send letters and addresses and a simple suggested format
will be provided. Addresses to be provided.
- New Programs
- The picnic for St. Brigid’s is to be held on Saturday July 15th at Stanley Park in New Edinburgh.
Mrs. Cody and Theresa Carty to co-ordinate.
- The celebration for the first commemorative mass of August 3rd 1890 will be held on August 6th
this year.
- Philippine Day of Independence is June 12th, and a picnic will be held in Vncent Massey Park on June
18th with a mass from Father Arana. All are welcome.
5. New BusinessA motion was put on the floor and voted on to request that the Archbishop be invited to attend a
meeting to take questions and respond to the parishioners the reasons and rationale for closing St. Brigid’s. He owes
the parishioners to explain his actions. Discussion followed as to whether prepared questions be forwarded to him, whether
there should be a moderator in the format. The name of Rod Clipperton of CBC was suggested. However, it also was suggested
that we wait for a response and then plan the meeting accordingly. He needs to know the deep feelings of the parishioners.
The intangibles (Sister Eleanor’s spiritual wealth) need to be put across as well, and some rules established.
Michael Valiquette has been approached by a group of non-catholics from the Islamic mosque, and the Iman who wish
to hold a discussion and do a fund raiser for St. Brigid’s community.
Several members of Our Lady of Fatima were in attendance who wished to know more about the crisis.
It was also suggested that we consider developing an ecumenical church, which will be investigated in more depth
Several parishioners suggested that before we invite the Archbishop we need to get our house in order, more testimonials,
better team work, better petition signing, more communications dialog, as there is a perception out there that we cannot pay
our bills. This needs to be rectified. The meeting closed at 9:45 pm with a prayer from Father. Coffee and cookies
were available for further discussion.
The next meeting will be June 14th, at 7:30 pm in the Church Hall.
Letter to editor from the Sun Newspaper
"There is one sure way to save St. Brigid’s Church – fill the pews, worship regularly, and be as generous
as you can with your offerings. C. Abel
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