Written Monday From the Response Team and Fr. Robert
Here are a few clarifications from the Response Team and Fr. Robert regarding our tragedy. We have consistently tried to be as transparent as possible through this whole ordeal. Last week I received a number of questions after each Mass regarding Fr. Michael’s situation. In the interest of this transparency, here are the three questions most asked and the answers I gave.
The paper said Fr. Michael is living in Maryland. Is that true?
Fr. Michael has been in a treatment facility at an undisclosed location since he left the hospital last year. Even I am not sure exactly where it is. The Maryland address in the papers is our Provincial House where the friars responsible for Fr. Michael live. We forward all of his mail there and they receive any official communications regarding Fr. Michael. They then pass it on to Fr. Michael and, if necessary, his legal representation.
When did those new charges I read about happen ?
The new charges are a result of the continuing Berlin Police investigation and the forensic study of Fr. Michael’s computer. All of the new charges listed on the warrants are part of the original investigation from last year. Since the day Fr. Michael left St. Paul Church, he has been in the care of a treatment center and under the supervision of the staff of a treatment center. These are not new events. The Friars and the Archdiocese learned about the details of the new charges yesterday when we opened the newspaper.
Where does a Franciscan Friar get the money to pay all of these expenses? Are we paying?
The Franciscan Friars of St. Anthony Province are covering all (100%) of the costs of Fr. Michael’s treatment, legal representation, living expenses and court costs. No parish or Archdiocesan resources are being used in anyway to cover the expenses. Fr. Michael’s relationship with St. Paul Church ended on the day he was suspended from ministry a year ago in July.
Pastor’s Inbox...
What’s next with the Parking Fr. Robert?
I assure you we continue to study all of the options concerning our parking problem. While it seems for the moment that people are still parking in the KGS lot, this could change at any moment and the owners have hinted that it may. Many in the Parish have expressed their desire for us to find a permanent solution. Right now we are considering both the expansion of our parking lot to the North by purchasing some residences and we have just begun to look into the purchase of the KGS property.
Fr. Robert, I am so happy that our School did so well this year. I am paying for my Grandson to attend in Pre-K and I just love that school. He comes home so happy.
I am so happy to hear that. The Teachers, staff and Administration work very hard to make St. Paul School the great school that it is. Every parishioner should be proud of St. Paul School.
Fr. Robert, I was blocked in again after Mass and my daughter was waiting for me. It ruined my whole day. The person who was blocking me in just stood by the playground and talked with their friends. When they finally came over they didn’t even say they were sorry.
Oh boy, if I had a dollar for every time I heard a comment like this I would be rich. The person who is blocked needs to take a deep breath. The person who blocked someone in because there was no space needs to remember to come out of Church (after the final blessing) and move the car so the person they are blocking can move. We all know that a lot of people love to visit after Mass and catch up on the latest “news” going around town. If you are blocking someone in please move your car and then go back and catch up on the “news.”
Fr. Robert, come on, it’s too cold in Church. I can’t pray when I’m freezing.
When those questions start coming you know it is summer. I have asked Bill our maintenance man to check the thermostats. Sometimes, many times, people find a way to play with them even though they are covered. Last year the cover in the old wing was ripped from the wall on two occasions. The cover on the new wing thermostat is broken. Quite frankly, some tell me its too cold and others tell me it’s too hot and they are at the same Mass. My suggestion is that if you tend to be cold, bring a sweater or something. I think it is better for the people who are cold to put something on rather than the people who are hot to take something off.
I saw a window open in the school and I called the rectory and left you a message but you didn’t close it.
You are right. I remember that call. I was out most of the day and when I got home and heard my messages, I was just too tired to go over to the school and shut the window. I believe it was on the second floor. I’m sorry. I assure you our school is safe. Several years ago when the school was vandalized, the parish installed a rather sophisticated alarm system. Believe me it works. Sometimes it even goes off when the police do their nightly checks. Rest assured that no one can break in and our school alarm will sound before they go two feet.