Dear Friends of St. Thomas More Parish:
On December 16, 2023, after the 4:30 PM Mass, a general assembly of parishioners was held for the purpose of electing churchwardens. Although the parish consultation in October was marked by a majority of parishioners expressing a preference for the status quo, the board of wardens informed them that the finances were such that the parish was no longer financially viable, and that even without proceeding with the roughly $400,000 of necessary repairs, we would be expected to run out of funds by the end of 2024. As no other parishioners were willing to stand for election as wardens under the untenable financial situation, another vote was taken on the recommendation to request that the Archdiocese close St. Thomas More Parish and merge its territory with that of St. Willibrord. On this occasion, of the 24 people present, 11 voted for closure, 0 voted against, and 13 abstained. As a result, the currently serving wardens (Derek Mott, Louise Dorais, Paul Lafontaine, and Debbie Warden) agreed to continue their mandates until such time that the parishes be merged. We have informed the Archdiocese and St. Willibrord’s Parish of the results of this second consultation. As this can be quite a lengthy process, please note that for the foreseeable future, Mass will continue to be celebrated on Saturday afternoons at 4:30 PM. There will also be a Mass at 11:00 AM on Ash Wednesday, and we will announce the Holy Week schedule in due course. We extend special thanks to Fr. Jude Nixon for his regular commitment to the Saturday evening Mass, to Trish and Angela for their work in the parish, and to the wardens and volunteers for all they do to keep the parish operating.
Thank you for your continued support. Let us continue, wherever we worship, to build and live a vibrant Catholic presence in our Verdun neighbourhood. Yours in Christ, Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V. Parochial Administrator Financials - January 2024 Receipts: $5,877.25 Disbursements: $16.257.01 The deficit for the month was: $10,379.76
Envelope Expense Offering: $203.00
Income Tax Receipts Income Tax Receipts are available on the shelves at the back of the church. Receipts are distributed in alphabetical order.
Vigil Lights We remind parishioners the cost of the Vigil Lights are .50 cents for the small ones and $5.00 for the large. We ask you to please put your offering in the boxes. Parishioners may also put the offering in their collection envelope indicating the amount for candles.
Maintenance Collection This Saturday, February 3rd, we will be taking up a second collection for maintenance. Office Hours Regular Office Hours are Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm. The office is closed on Wednesday.
Sanctuary Lamp Every week, the candle above the tabernacle is lit, and can be lit in memory of a loved one or for special intentions for a suggested offering of $20. For more information and to book a specific week please contact the office.
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