Parish Bulletin #23- Save St. Brigid's Meeting

1. The venue for the meeting on Wednesday October 18, was moved to the main body of the church to accommodate the disabled requests to be a part of the discussion with Msgr. Beach.

A short meeting for "Save St. Brigid's was held for 15 minutes. The evening commenced with a hymn from the St. Brigid's choir

The legal update was given by Patrick Murray. The application for Judicial Review is now scheduled for February 14, 2007.

The Ontario Heritage Trust and the Archdiocese have exchanged letters regarding the issues of the roof, the non ‑ compliance of the Easement, and the need to replace and repair it.

The lease proposal for the rectory was rejected by the Archdiocese. The long term lease of the church is under consideration by the lawyers, as is the grounds lease

The ceili night at Blessed Sacrament was announced as was the Pancake Breakfast for Sunday October 21 in the church hall.

Elizabeth Krug announced the ICOMOS conference to be held in Ottawa on November 2, 2006

2. Following a brief introduction of Msgr. Beach the meeting was turned the Chair over to Msgr. Beach.

Msgr. Beach opened the meeting stating he had come down not to talk about the "sale and future use" of St. Brigid's, but to listen to our concerns and presentations. In his previous visit on August 21st to install Fr. Amyot as Administrator he said that he would wait for a number of weeks for the new priest to settle in, and he would then come and , talk to us in his role as Advisor on the sale of St. Brigid's. The Archdiocese was aware of the emotions of the parishioners, both lived and expressed, and he was prepared to respond to the extend that he could. He thanked Fr. Tim for the organization and agreement to hold this meeting and speak to the parishioners. He also requested that the parishioners have an opportunity to speak prior to the media who were also present. , The media, particularly the talk show venues had been mischievous at times expressing the view that there was an anti ‑Irish, French English bias, which was simply NOT TRUE, and he called for honesty and transparency.

He had two statements to make. There was no truth in the statements that the Archdiocese was going to take from St. Brigid's the Restoration Funds raised for the roof, or the Restoration In Trust. The monies for both funds have been designated and could not be touched by others. The second comment was that the Archbishop's authority and Canon law, states that at all times the intention of the donor must be respected. In this case the Restoration In Trust was to be released back to the donor (letter of June 05) unless the donor so designated it could be used if the parishioners did not stay in the church.

There is a misunderstanding regarding the anti Irish element. The Irish history of the catholic church is strongly respected by the Archdiocese, particularly supporting the primary Irish church in Ottawa St. Patrick's and its multi million dollar restoration. No statements have been made forcing the parishioners of St Brigid's to go to the Basilica. The origins of the Irish in the Basilica were respected by two prominent statues ‑ St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick ‑ the two founding nations of Canada. He then opened the meeting for discussion.

Marilyn Donoghue ‑ opened the discussion by reading a letter from the Mayor Ottawa, addressed to Fr. Amyot outlining his support for the community of St. Brigid's and the struggle to continue the 116 year history of the parishioners in the church. She also stressed the need to commence the dialog and resolution of the replacement and repair of the roof. It was imperative that the concerns of St. Brigid's and the Ontario Heritage Trust be addressed before it becomes impossible to do this fall.

Steve Rose is a fourth generation parishioner at St. Brigid's. He stated that the church was not crumbling as had been stated by the Archbishop. The demographic boundaries had been extended and the church was growing rather than decreasing as indicated. The Archdiocese had alienated itself from St. Brigid's, and we wanted honesty and transparency. Parishioners will go where they want to go to worship.

Ken O'Callaghan raised the question as to why Marcel, the Archbishop did not come down to talk to us. He wrote in June 05 to express how pleased he was with our progress, enthusiasm and progress, and to discuss our intentions. His letter this spring was final, no discussion. There has been months of repeated requests, but he has refused to see us. It is an insult that he has chosen not to speak to us.

The rivalry of the French and Irish is part of history. The archives of St. Brigid's recommend in the minutes the decision

‑" Archbishop Duhamel recognized the cathedral was too small and the natural thing to do was to establish St. Brigid's."

Msgr. Beach stated that the Archbishop had in fact met with both duty elected councils, and that Archbishop Gervals can It be here all the time.

Ann Young stated St Brigid's is a parish community and the basilica is not. The Filipino community was in tears. The Chinese community was displaced, It is perceived as a hardnosed decision.

• Is there any possibility this decision can be changed, No.

• If that is the case what are we doing here? We came to listen to you. There is anger and disappointment, and you should reserve some time to deal with it.

• How much do you want for the Building'? There was a good offer for the rectory which was turned down. Msgr. stated The best option for the sale of the building would also include the rectory

• Who makes the decision? The Council of priests and the College of Consultors who are a group of priests who make nominations. There are very few lay people involved.

• Are there annual reports? The Archdiocese will be publishing a newsletter shortly and a complete financial report will be there. lf there are offers we will consider all offers for purchase.

• If this is the way the faithful are treated, it is no wonder the parishioners leave and don't come back. The Archbishop, in discussing with Father Pedro, wanted everyone at the cathedral but it could not force an amalgamation. Filipinos were very attached to St. Brigids and wounds are not healed easily Some of the Filipinos will probably return. In many cases they integrate where ever they are and they participate. The issue of the Chinese predates this move. With three linguistic communities there it was not fair to Pedro, and would involve considerable arm twisting.

Art Cuenco ‑ A large number of Filipinos are not happy at Assumption The only reason they are there is because of the Filipino mass. There was no democracy. The Filipinos were not consulted, and the move has divided the group among themselves. We were a community here, and a strong part of it. The issue. of a Chaplincy for Father was put forward as an incentive. With the large number of Filipinos and the larger church, if it was to happen why did it not happen here? Fr. Arana has been at St. Brigid's for 12 years. Why not then? The evening that the Archbishop came to meet the councils the question was asked regarding a Filipino mass at the cathedral. The response was no.

Msgr. stated that a front page article in the Filipino newspaper quoted that Yes there was concern when the decision was made, but as things were developing they were happy at Assumption.

Elie Buschuk ‑ When she was having a hard time coping with her life at school and in the larger part of life one of the things that helped me get through was this community. This is not about a building, it is through the ups and downs of life, it is really great to belong to something where people feel wanted. People want places that don't diminish them. And if they are not causing harm, and there is so much bad in the world, why not support something that makes it better.

Neil Wilson ‑ The founding director of the Ottawa Literary Festival. As the building will be decommissioned we should be thinking of the beautiful history linked with the building, and it seems clear that it will not be run as a church. Miracles however can happen. The heritage designation can be changed. He thinks that it can't sit idle, and suggests a partnership with the Parish Council using the church as a theatre, school of writing downstairs, with the community (Centre 454) and the proposal could grow with the community. They could raise money for the restoration. He met with the Archbishop twice and Fr. Arana once. Fr. Arana offered him a proposal to run the church for a portion of the revenue produced. He would do what was necessary to maintain both spiritual and heritage importance, and it could continue to operate as a church with a program for other days in the bulding to raise money for the centre. Any kind of proposal would not necessarily maintain it as a church. When queried if he had made an offer ‑No, and was an offer made to sell and the response was again No.

The meeting time was extended to 9:30

Shelia Copps ‑ As Heritage Minister in the Chretien government she had stepped up to the plate in a very meaningful financial way with the Archbishop when restoring the Basilica. It is troublesome to hear of one parish of Irish, French and English heritage because of diminishing finances and parishioners as factors to close the church. If the designation was in Quebec, one could not sell this church. As Heritage it could not be sold. One must immediately seek a solution with the Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty for a stop gap measure, and the council of Industry be put in place with a stop order until it could be discussed. This church carries the memory of the history of Ottawa. A court decision could be made Feb 14, following due process, but in the interim develop another discussion as to what might be done to follow the precedence of the Prov. Of Quebec. A strategy needs to be developed with all parties, and the Archdiocese could take the leadership on this initiative in a very positive way. It is not reasonable that this decision is made without community input. Madelaine Meilleur as a provincial MPP can assist in this dialog perhaps to obtain matching funds.

Msgr. Beach responded that then Minister Herb Gray was responsible for the federal contributions of less than $1million. Private donors who wished to remain anonymous contributed specffically to the basilica $10,000. Funds for specific grants were not available. The Basilica is a national historic site and funding was available. He is aware of the Quebec provincial program, but there is a political will in that province.

Ms. Copps ended by suggesting the discussion be opened on collaborating with the province of Ontario, and use it as a springboard to put money on the table for a longer term.

Francois Richer ‑ He had observed this evening that we must work together with the hearts that God has given us. Do God's will with our hearts and we can solve this problem together. The tone of the discussion must be shifted from defense to unity. It is significant that the legal hearing will be on St. Valentine's day and we must be guided by our hearts for a satisfactory solution.

A letter was read from Saad and Susie refugees from Iraq, on the welcoming help and family that had been extended to them by the St. Brigids community for over six years while they faced challenges in Canada. The community wrapped them with love and all their hearts and minds.. Please listen to our calls

The Valdez family also wrote a letter. They are refugees from Cuba, and are devastated by what they hear from a community that has done such important work through the support system they extend.

Bruce McConnville ‑ City Council candidate ‑ I believe in miracles. He was speaking as a past parishioner, a summer camp and altar boy, and in through his experience at St. Brigid's growing up came closer to God and became a caring and loving human being. St. Brigids has a long heritage for many generations all who have an attachment to the spirituality in the building. Twofold question ‑ With support, will the Archdiocese reconsider the decision and allow the church to continue as a Roman Catholic church, and can a priority option be put on this building. The Archdiocese will be open to any reasonable offer.

David Flemming ‑ Heritage Ottawa LACAC was successful to pass a resolution by City Council which is on its way to the Premier of Ontario to support the restoration and preservation of the community and the St. Brigid's church. They have produced two articles published on St. Brigids and will hold a series of lectures on conservation. They stressed the urgency of putting the roof on immediately.

Msgr. Beach also stated that they have concern for the root He received yesterday the request to discuss collaboration on the replacement of the root He will in consultation with the priest, (the normal process)attempt to move the project More than half the funds may not be used (Restoration In Trust). There may be monies in the parish loan fund.

Michael Valliquette stated that a parishioner has offered $100,000 in mortgage funds to do the roof, and he inquired why the roof is our project? We paid the $4,500 to have the tarpaulin put on to protect the roof. We went after the grant from the Heritage Foundation. The Trust has not been acknowledged by the diocese, due to the circumstances. You are the owner of this church. The roof would not be leaking today if there had been a response when you were advised a year ago that the roof was in need of repair. There was a suggested slur on Lowell Green. He said nothing in the negative regarding the Archbishop, or the diocese. He has sat in this church (he is not a catholic) he supports the cause and has offered to raise $3,million to support the community. But how can he go out and ask the citizens of Ottawa to contribute when the Archdiocese is locked in negativeness?

At the meeting in 2003 when Archbishop Gervais told us initially we had serious problems we had to overcome, he stated

As well, at another meeting held at a later date with Msgr Powers was to say "When I locate to the Basilica I will see you there"

This man is the spiritual Father of the faithful. He does not act and speak as such.

This church has looked after its people and the community since it was founded. Through Sister Eleanor who even went to the point of adopting children to bring them up.

This has been a meeting place, a house of prayer and hope for many people. We have been here for the work of God and the Archbishop. Why can't the Archbishop be here for us? Would you care to respond?

Msgr. Beach stated with respect to the roof we have common ground. We will assess and be a part of the consultative process. With reference to the radio program he had not heard it and could not comment. He had a great deal of respect for Sister Eleanor and her religious life, He knew here and worked with her. He would take all the comments back to the Archbishop, and as the meeting had run out of time, and it was agreeable with the parishioners, and Fr. Tim Amyot he would ask to convene another to carry forward the discussion.

The meeting terminated at 9:40 and many went down to the hall for coffee and further discussion.

THE NEXT MEETING 'SAVE ST. BRIGEDS' WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY October 25 2006 ‑ 7:30 PM IN THE CHUCH HALL.