OUR LADY OF SORROWS PARISH

Monday, April 8, 2019

Since there appears to be some confusion and misunderstanding about the requesting of various letters of recommendation, all are invited to note the following:

A Letter of Reference (Character Reference): The Parish Priest can only write a Letter of Reference attesting to an individual’s character if he knows the individual concerned. This is common sense, but apparently not.  Obviously, if a priest meets a person for the first time, he is not able to write anything since he does not know the person concerned.  Character reference letters are often easy to write when a parish priest has known someone for a considerable period – perhaps even years.  No priest (or any person for that matter) is obliged to ever write such a letter.  Various entities, including employers and other charities often follow-up with the priest by telephone for further information. A priest will never engage in ‘creative writing’ (lying) for someone who is not known to them.  Finally, it is also considered bad manners to use anyone’s name on an application form without asking their permission first.

A Pastoral Letter of Reference: on a scale of letters that may be requested, this is perhaps the most serious and one that is never to be taken lightly.  A Correctional Institution (Prison), High School, Trauma Centre, Hospice, Hospital searching for a Catholic Chaplain all seek Pastoral Letters of Reference for Roman Catholic candidates so that the individual hired is the best choice in serving the Catholic population (people) entrusted to their care.  Why is the letter important? It is important because the parish priest is being asked to attest to the fact that the candidate is: a practicing Roman Catholic, who takes seriously the obligation / invitation to worship with our Eucharistic Community and who has demonstrated their seriousness and maturity by growing in their faith, becoming a more prayerful and holy person, and by becoming involved in the life of the parish.  The priority is not in securing a lucrative paycheck.  The priority is in serving the Roman Catholic people entrusted to their care. They are entitled to that. What does this mean? A person must be registered in a parish, attending Sunday Mass regularly with the community, supporting the parish and sharing one’s gifts.  How can one share their gifts? By volunteering for ministry as a Reader, Greeter, Collector, Assistant in the Sacramental Preparation Programs, Vacation Bible School, C.W.L., Knights of Columbus etc.

With respect to a candidate for a teaching position in the Catholic School Board or one seeking potential promotion within the board, the expectation is no different and is as serious.  As the Ottawa Catholic School Board mentions in their writing: “The Catholic School Boards (and with them, Catholic parents and Catholics in general) expect from its teachers that they be Catholic Christians in more than a formal sense”. Visible expressions of faith within the parish community are never underestimated or discounted as mere formalities.  Instead they reflect an inner spiritual commitment, maturity and choice.  It should be obvious that any individual contemplating a career choice or vocation explore all the elements of the Academic Program before them, but also carefully review the Application Process in the field that they are contemplating.  If a student is away from home where they are studying, they would be well advised to become rooted in a local parish community, become involved, meet with this priest over the course of the years so that he can at some point write a Pastoral Letter of Reference if one is needed and if he is able to do so.  Obviously, a student that is hardly home at all cannot expect a local parish priest to know anything about them, let alone attest to their commitment to Christ and the Church. As the Halton Catholic District School Board material indicates to the priest: “Do you believe this applicant would influence and strengthen the spiritual growth of children within the Catholic Community”. The Wellington Catholic District School Board, Muskoka Catholic District School Board, the Diocese of Hamilton, Archdiocese of Toronto among many others all have similar questions in their resource materials for Pastoral Letters of Reference.  The decision to live a life of faith is a very personal one that is always respected.  However, employment that involves the Catholic community is no longer just a personal matter, but one that  involves the community where one hopes to serve. If a teacher places no value on a life of faith in our Parish Community, how likely are they to pass on its importance to the children in their classroom? 

All individuals concerned should ask questions first and review the above carefully.  The time to consider these matters is not on the day that you need a letter – but many months if not years before! Once again, no priest is obligated to write any letter, especially if the candidate has not demonstrated a strong commitment to the faith and to the life of the parish.  Did you know that in the past there were a few members of the clergy who would write a letter for anyone, regardless of whether they were qualified or not? Fortunately, this practice has mostly stopped.  Did you know that among many teachers, information was routinely shared as to what priest to seek out, in any location from here to the Far North(!) in order to get the letter that they needed for their application? This is very sad, dishonest, unethical and disappointing.  It is also very sad when an individual seems to ‘play the game’ and then abandons their parish once they have secured the employment that they wanted! It is they who will stand before God to give an account. In a perfect world any and all newly hired Catholic teachers would have a probationary period of hiring of no less than 1-5 years.  This would allow the entire Catholic Community the opportunity to assess the commitment of faith of the person hired.  Once again, no person is compelled to live a life of faith in any church.  If the expectations of the Catholic Church & School Community are seen to be too stringent, perhaps an individual should apply to the Public Board. Clearly, this is one of the top issues that the clergy will be speaking about with our new bishop when he is appointed. The way Pastoral Letters are both requested and given needs to be addressed and firmed up considerably. 

If you wish to register your name as a potential candidate for a Pastoral Letter of Reference from Father Steve in the years to come (note the word years, not days!), please speak to Father Steve.  Your candidacy for such a letter will be reviewed annually. No Pastoral Letter of Reference will be written for one who is not registered for one through this process and for one who has not had a proven record of worshipping, attending and supporting our parish over a minimum of one to two years.

Automatic Sunday Giving Registration

Diocese of Pembroke - Decree on the Code of Pastoral Conduct for all Priests, Deacons, Seminarians,
Employees & Volunteers
Final Document - February 1, 2019

Specific application of the policy at
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa

CODE OF PASTORAL CONDUCT: we recently received the above listed final document. The decree was promulgated and signed by Bishop Michael Mulhall and by the Chancellor, Father Michael Smith. The decree is directly applicable to priests, deacons, seminarians, employees and volunteers engaged in ministries and services in the Diocese of Pembroke. It’s intent is to assist all in upholding Christian values and conduct as they minister to, or work with the People of God. This final document is effective February 1, 2019 and has been distributed among our parish staff and will be disseminated among all those engaged in volunteer ministry in the parish.

In order that we may be in complete compliance with the letter and spirit of the ‘Code of Pastoral Conduct’, the following is important to note:
 
Effective Immediately:

The door of the Confessional Room (located in the main foyer of the church) has been adapted to include a large pane of glass.  Parents / Grandparents / Guardians are encouraged to stand at the door of the confessional room and observe when their children are celebrating the sacrament. In fact, anyone feeling the need for moral support can ask that a relative or friend stand at the door during the Celebration of Sacrament. Those desiring to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a more traditional confessional are invited to do so at one of the four Roman Catholic Churches in Pembroke.