Restore, Renew, Rejoice!

November 2012 Dear Parishioner: For over seventy years, as part of the Archdiocese of Toronto, Our Lady of Sorrows has been a beacon of hope and a spiritual home to faithful Catholic families in the area. Our parish is a beautiful place of worship, ministry and outreach, offering many diverse programs to our community. I am asking for your input today, as we continue with plans to renovate and restore our aging church for future generations. Some of you may have been contacted last spring; we have now expanded our plans to include support for Archdiocesan needs. The enclosed updated Planning Study Report outlines both the immediate, necessary renovations required as well as new construction plans to repair, enhance and enlarge our parish structures which includes improving accessibility. The time has come for our focused attention to the church premises the complete re-wiring of our electrical systems is but one critical component of the required renovations. We also know, too well, how the lack of sufficient meeting spaces has limited our potential ministries; so our plan includes new meeting rooms in the basement. Additional projects are slated to Restore and Renew our parish buildings for seventy more years of service to our community. The Archdiocese of Toronto is an essential partner with us in our ministry and fundraising plans. Cardinal Collins is exploring a diocesan-wide campaign to fund initiatives for: supporting our priests and vocations; reinforcing the faith foundation of our youth, replenishing our physical assets; fostering the new evangelization; and strengthening our social ministries. To accomplish the goals of the parish and the Archdiocese, we must first explore the feasibility of a fundraising campaign to determine the anticipated level of interest and commitment among parishioners. This planning study will compile information and opinions from a broad cross-section of parishioners. M & M International, a fundraising consulting firm with extensive expertise and experience in church fundraising, has been retained to conduct this study. I invite you to participate in this process through a forty-five minute interview with one of M & M Internationals staff. During your interview, you will be asked to comment on the enclosed Planning Study Report in preparation for a potential fundraising campaign. This is an information gathering session only and you will not be asked to make a financial contribution. We invite you to read the study and we welcome your input and opinions; all responses remain strictly confidential.

Please review the enclosed Planning Study Report and accept our invitation to participate in this important process. In the coming days and weeks Rosemary, a member of the feasibility committee, will call you from the parish office to arrange a confidential meeting at your convenience. With your help, we will gain a better understanding of the support for the needs of both Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and the Archdiocese of Toronto. We ask for your encouragement, support and prayers.

Yours in Christ, Father Nino Cavoto Pastor

Booking Your Confidential Interview

Interviews will take place at the parish rectory (or at a convenient place for you) between 8:30 am and 8:45 pm. M & M International will be available to conduct the interviews from November 19th to December 7th as required. Rosemary will arrange an appointment for your interview.

What you can do

Step #1 Let us know the two best times and days for your interview. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences. You can either: a) call Rosemary at the parish office 416 231 6016 x 34 b) email us at: renewalproject@sorrows.ca Step #2 Rosemary will call or email you to confirm your appointment. Step #3 Please read the OLS Planning Study Plan before your interview. or

Thank you and God bless you.