SUPPORT CONTINUES TO GROW
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007BREAKING NEWS
FRONT PAGE OF FREE PRESS 11/03/07:
Flock gathers to support an embattled parish priest
Go to link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071103/NEWS02/711030335
It is wonderful to see the continuing and growing support to bring Father Don back to Saint Dunstan. As a parish community we are well blessed with so many caring, loving and talented people willing to share their time and ideas – these helping hands, willing hearts and generous souls ignite our passion and inspire us forward.
Most sincere thanks to those volunteering, praying, writing letters and supporting the work to return Father Don to our parish home. A few names that deserve special recognition are Trichia O’Keefe and Irene Tarjany who sacrificed their leadership position at the Religious Education Office to stand on principle and support Father Don; Frank Tofil for organizing the evening prayer vigils, Pat Babcock for being the website guru for our www.CatholicsForJustice.com, Pat Ashley and Jeff Walsh for the website, letter writing campaign and downtown prayer vigil; Judy Wisne and Betty Piotrowski for organizing the 1,500 letters to the Cardinal and Bishop; Dennis Murphy for organizing the Father Don brick-paver for the Church Garden, Jane Lockhart for organizing the T-Shirts, MaryLou Janiga and Joan Jakubczak for media relations; Jill Lezotte-Cox for the “Believe” pins, Shannon Laskowski for making sweatshirts, Neil and Vicky Lezotte for the yellow ribbons, evening prayer vigil and photos from the Meet and Greet; Irene Tarjany and Kristin Rockensuess for organizing and editing. Thanks, too, to Connie Piernick, Pat Kosmyna, Penny Lawyer, Pat O’Sullivan, Dan Morin and son; and Rob and Katelynn Sarna for distributing handouts; Rose Merrick for the photos and video at the Meet and Greet; Jacqui Kristy for the upcoming Father Don Heart Tribute project, and the efforts of Mary Bagwell, Lee Roberts, Darlene and Raymond Havlena; Susan Schmidt, Donna Lesperance, Tim Crunk, Dan Lobb, Marlene and Allan Davis; Jean Johnson, Marilyn Eddy, Alberta Schuler, Doris Rizzo, Christine Syjut, Vicki Brusinski, Gloria Cangelosi, Kathy and Jeff Pelto; Dave and Rose Black; Donna Becker, and Pat O’Reilly; and to those who choose to assist anonymously. Sincere thanks are in order to the Usher’s Club and Rosary Altar Sodality members for their active support. Finally, knowing we have probably forgotten a few names please forgive this oversight and know we appreciate your commitment. Every effort to help is valued and important. Thank you so very much for your active participation.
Every day more and more people ask for ways to be involved in this effort - so we are eager to report the formation of several new volunteer committees – Volunteer Coordination, Fundraising, Media Relations, Information and Prayer Vigil. There will be opportunities for all to share their talents and ideas. Stay tuned for more detailed information.
ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT
Communication from the AOD is not improving. They have not returned our calls since we honored the request of the Cardinal to cancel our downtown prayer vigil. There has been no response to our September 20, 2007 letter with 1,200 petition signatures attached. We have no response to the 400 plus postcards mailed in September or the recent 1,500 plus letters mailed to the AOD. A few Pastors from other parishes have chosen to speak about the situation at Saint Dunstan, while only representing the perspective of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The recent letter from the Bishop Reiss states that the town hall-like meeting promised in September will be delayed until the police complete their investigation and then delayed further until the AOD creates a final report and analysis of their (police) findings. The AOD appears to believe ignoring the Saint Dunstan situation will make it go away. It will not.
ACTION ITEM:
We must become more vocal in expressing our position regarding Father Don and the urgency of this matter being resolved. Please find important contact information below. We ask everyone to begin calling, faxing and/or emailing on a regular basis – each office, every day - so that we will begin to be heard. Please forward this information and share it with those without Internet access.
- Garden City Police: Ask for the embezzlement case to be prosecuted without delay and offer any helpful information which you possess. Chief Kimberly Scott 734-793-1600
- Communications Department: Ask for responses to our communications. Ned McGrath, Director 313-237-5943 phone, 313-237-4644 fax, and infodesk@aod.org
- Vocations: Express your concern about the AOD treatment of Father Don harming future efforts to attract men and women to the religious vocations. Father Timothy Birney and Sister Ellen Licavoli at 313-237-5875 phone, 313-237-5868 fax
- Finance Department: Ask for an independent audit of parish finances and ask for improved AOD cooperation with the Garden City Police investigation. Mr. Dan Oliver, Director, Finance and Administration and Mrs. Lori Rafferty, Auditing Services, Director 313-237-5834 phone, 313-237-5868 fax
- Moderator of the Curia: Msgr. John P. Zenz is responsible for clergy assignments. Ask to have Father Don perform his priestly duties at Saint Dunstan, rather than at Saint Colette since at both locations he is restricted in performing administrative duties until the investigation is complete. 313-237-5783 phone, 313-237-4643 fax
- Bishop Francis Reiss: Ask him about our promised town hall meeting. 313-237-5886 phone, 313-237-4643 fax
- Adam Cardinal Maida: Ask him to please intervene on behalf of Father Don and Saint Dunstan. 313-237-5816 phone, 313-237-4642 fax
(This list is available in a “print & clip” format by clicking this link.)
ACTION ITEM:
Please take time out this week to give a warm welcome to Father Tom Sutherland who on Thursday, November 1, 2007 becomes the temporary resident administrator for our parish. Please encourage him to meet as soon as possible with Trichia O’Keefe to discuss her return as the Saint Dunstan Director of Religious Education.
ACTION ITEM:
Please remember our neighbors in need. Be generous in your support of the Saint Dunstan Food Pantry, especially as the Holidays are approaching. Also please purchase your Thanksgiving Turkey Raffle tickets from the Saint Dunstan Usher’s Club as this also benefits the neediest.
ACTION ITEM:
Wear your Father Don T-shirts, Sweatshirts, yellow ribbons and Believe pins.
AUTUMN DINNER DANCE
The Meet and Greet committee is holding an Autumn Dinner Dance on Friday, November 16 and Friday, November 23, 2007 6pm - midnight at the Wayne AMVETS Post 171 Hall. Tickets for each evening are $40 per person and include dinner, open bar and live entertainment. Seating is limited. Buy your ticket this weekend after Mass or contact:
- Julie and Matt Hahn 734-427-8324 or
- Donna Hahn-Becker 734-545-7777.
Join the fun. Pre-sale only!
