ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO TRIZONE DIOCESAN CHARITABLE INTIATIVE

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• ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO TRI-ZONE DIOCESAN
  CHARITABLE INTIATIVE -
• THE MARTYRS SHRINE
• MIDLAND, ONTARIO

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About the Martyrs Shrine

• The Shrine was built to honor the extra-ordinary
  efforts of the eight Jesuit saints who lived,
  worked and died here over 350 years ago.
• It is located just east of Midland, on Highway
  12, and the twin spires rising above the tree
  line welcome visitors to the historic Martyrs'
  Shrine.
• The grounds include the famous Shrine Church with
  its 75 pleasantly landscaped acres that invite
  you into prayer and tranquility.
• The Church was completed in 1926.

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The Martyrs Shrine

• Close by on the Wye River lies the historic site
  of Ste. Marie built by the Jesuit missionaries in
  1639 as a centre for their work among the Huron
  Natives.
• Today the Shrine is a simple and un-pretentious
  place. But there is something on that hill no
  eye can see. It draws the lonely heart and gives
  it peace and courage.
• One leaves refreshed, ready to return again to
  the field of the world to work.

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Facilities

• The facilities consist of the Shrine Church, the
  Martyrs' Hall, Lookout, Picnic Tables, Gardens,
  Walkways, Restrooms, Souvenir Shop and Cafeteria.
  
• The Shrine Church and facilities are wheelchair
  accessible and there are a number of wheelchairs
  on site for those who may need them.

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HISTORY

• If one turns back the pages of Canadian history
  some 400 years when the Jesuit missionaries came
  to the country of the Huron Natives, one
  discovers they had a great, passionate dream in
  their souls and a strong courage to devote to
  that dream.
• At the beginning, this place was a mission field.
  The men who came believed so deeply in God they
  were willing to love and to serve in an
  unbelievably difficult mission.
• They loved God so much they were glad to offer
  their lives to make it known their Lord lived in
  his followers forever.
• Given this strong faith the missionaries believed
  that with an opportunity to teach a simple people
  from the beginning, they could build a Christian
  State where the people could live in equality and
  peace. Huronia was to be such a Christian State
  in North America.

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HISTORY

• For 10 years Ste. Marie was the centre of the
  Jesuit mission to the Huron. There the fathers
  taught the Natives
• how to treat the land so it would nourish them
• how to live so they could be healthy
• how to live according to a law which would bring
  the greatest good to the greatest number
• and how to sustain the inner life of the spirit
  so it might be strong enough to take the
  individual through lifes experiences.
• The Fathers learned the Huron tongue and lived
  among the Natives year in and year out,
  impressing upon them the sweetness of the
  Christian faith through their own examples of
  kindness, unselfishness and knowledge, not to
  mention the purity of their lives and conduct.

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HISTORY

• Their actions remain in our history as one of the
  noblest of all humanitarian efforts and one of
  the highest of all Christian actions. Today as
  one walks the grounds of the Martyrs Shrine one
  can still sense it all. One thinks of the story
  of Christianity that simple, pure story which
  has stayed with us these many centuries and which
  nothing can take from us, neither the failings of
  the Christians, nor their doubts and not even the
  cruelty to each other.

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HISTORY

• This site and the significant accomplishments of
  these eight Jesuit priests is important to our
  Catholic faith.
• As a result, in the late 1800s pilgrims from
  across Canada and other parts of the world began
  visiting the site to celebrate the lives and
  legacy of these eight priests.
• The Pilgrims wanted to hear their story in order
  to draw upon their faith.
• This faithful following continues today as
  pilgrims visit the Shrine by the thousands each
  year to pray where these eight priests prayed.
• They strengthen their faith by drawing on the
  courage and inspiration of these individuals and
  the miracles that have subsequently occurred at
  the Shrine.
• As many of these pilgrims are recent immigrants
  to Canada, they can easily identify with the
  challenges faced by the Jesuit Martyrs as they
  also were foreigners in a new land.

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Martyrs Shrine Knights of Columbus Tri-Zone
Diocesan Charitable Initiative

• During the 2004-2005 fraternal year the three
  Diocesan Zones in the Archdiocese of Toronto at a
  Tri-Zone meeting undertook to work together on a
  single charitable initiative for the Archdiocese
  of Toronto.
• This initiative included a commitment of the
  councils within the Archdiocese to endeavour to
  donate a minimum of 300 each year to the Shrine
  to fund renovations and other improvements to the
  Shrine to ensure its preservation.
• Based on there being 117 councils within the
  Archdiocese this would mean 35,000 would be
  raised annually for the Shrine.
• Factors influencing our decision to adopt the
  Shrine as our Diocesan Charitable Initiative
  included the knowledge our efforts would benefit
  not only the Knights of Columbus members and
  their families within the Archdiocese, but also,
  Catholics as a whole throughout Canada and the
  world.
• Recognizing the importance of the Martyrs Shrine
  was the easiest part of this undertaking. This
  is a National Shrine that is bathed in historical
  significance and is the only National Shrine
  built to honor the eight Jesuit priests who came
  to work among the Huron Native people.

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Tri-Zone Initiative

• Most importantly, we recognize the tremendous
  significance of the eight Jesuit Martyrs whose
  relics are venerated at this site.
• For these reasons all Knights in the Archdiocese
  of Toronto should be proud the Shrine is located
  in Midland and eagerly look forward to taking up
  the torch to do their part to ensure the
  historical significance of the roles the eight
  Jesuit Martyrs and the Shrine have played in
  expanding Catholicity throughout North America is
  not lost.
• By eagerly undertaking this challenge the Knights
  are doing their part to help ensure the Shrine
  remains as a viable religious symbol for future
  generations of Catholics throughout the Province,
  Canada, North America and the world.

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Tri-Zone Diocesan Charitable Initiative

• As a result, to date over 135,000 has been
  donated by various councils, assemblies and zones
  within the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Ontario
  State Council and a handful of councils within
  the Diocese of Hamilton and the Diocese of
  Peterborough.
• These funds have been used to assist with
  projects that included
• replacing picnic tables and benches located
  around the grounds and Church,
• replacing flood lights, wiring and light fixtures
  in the Church,
• replacing the concrete walls and flower beds in
  front of the Church,
• repairing and resurfacing the stairway leading up
  the hill to the main door of the church.
• The magnitude of the work completed can be seen
  in the following pictures.

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• Projects completed by the Northern Zone before
  the Martyrs Shrine was adopted as the
  Archdiocese of Toronto Diocesan Charitable
  Initiative.

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In 2002 replaced 30 picnic tables around grounds,
total cost 3,900

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In 2003 replaced 22 benches around the grounds,
total cost 6,857
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In 2004 replaced three flood lights around the
Church, total cost 8,267
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• Projects completed since the Shrine was adopted
  as the Archdiocese of Toronto Diocesan
  Charitable Initiative.
• It is important to note the following projects
  were funded by donations received from councils
  within the Eastern, Northern and Western Diocesan
  Zones of the Archdiocese of Toronto, Ontario
  State Council and a handful of councils within
  the Diocese of Hamilton and Diocese of
  Peterborough.

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In 2005 replaced retaining walls in front of
Church, total cost 55,325
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In 2006 renovated interior of cafeteria and
replaced chandeliers in Church, total cost
28,283
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Interior of cafeteria
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New chandeliers inside church
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In 2007 resurfaced the stairs and landing area in
front of Church, total cost 52,356
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Recognition Provided By Martyrs Shrine

• To recognize the commitment and donations made
  by the Knights, Father Kirsten, Director of
  Martyrs Shrine has
• installed plaques on the benches naming the
  councils that donated funds
• placed plaques inside the church to acknowledge
  the Knights as having replaced the wiring and
  lights
• and installed a plaque on a stand in front of the
  flower beds and stairway leading up to the main
  entrance, naming all of the councils that
  supported the renovations to the beds and
  retaining walls
• Other suitable plaques, etc. will be placed when
  appropriate on other major future projects.
• As well, special masses have been held by Father
  Kirsten to bless the major projects completed.

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Projects for 2008

• For the 2008 fraternal year the Knights of
  Columbus have, in consultation with Father Alex
  Kirsten, agreed to undertake the following two
  major projects and pictures of these projects
  will follow this slide
• a) Replacing the eight entrance doors to the
  church which have become badly weather-worn.
  Contract signed in late January 2008, cost
  14,000.
• b) Resurfacing the entrance way and walls leading
  into the Filion Centre, the stairs and/or
  wheelchair ramps at all of the entrances to the
  Church and the east retaining wall. Projected
  cost based on quotes on hand is 18,000.
• As a result, we must raise 32,000 this year to
  fund these projects.
• Expected completion date is prior to opening of
  the Shrine to the general public in early May.
• Consequently, we ask all councils, if they have
  not already done so, to send their annual
  donations to the Shrine immediately.

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The Filion Centre entrance to be resurfaced,
including walls and doors replaced
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Door at sacristy to be replaced
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Wheelchair ramp to be resurfaced
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Door at wheelchair ramp to be replaced
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Large side entrance doors to church to be replaced
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Main entrance doors to church to be replaced
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Rear entrance door to church to be replaced
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Door to rear entrance to be replaced
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Timing and Action Required

• As stated earlier, the objective is to have both
  of the 2008 projects fully completed prior to
  the Shrine opening to the public in early May.
• Therefore, it is important we do our part to have
  funds on deposit at the Shrine to pay the bills
  when they are received.
• Consequently, we ask all Knights of Columbus
  councils, assemblies and zones involved in
  supporting this project to ensure their donation
  is forwarded directly to the Shrine or your zone
  representative as soon as possible.
• The Shrines mailing address is
• Martyrs Shrine, P.O. Box 7, Highway 12,
  Midland, On, L4R 4K6.

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A Special Request

• As stated earlier if all the councils within the
  Archdiocese of Toronto donate just 300 annually,
  we would raise 35,000 each year.
• However, achieving this target can be challenging
  as there are a few, smaller councils that will
  have difficulty meeting this commitment. We ask
  these councils to donate as much as you can
  afford.
• To offset the shortfall of the smaller donations,
  we ask all of the other councils, assemblies,
  zones, Ontario State Council, etc. to continue
  their established practice of forwarding more
  than the agreed minimum amount to the Shrine each
  year.
• In each of the last two years the councils have
  donated in excess of 40,000 to the Shrine. As
  a result, you have proven it is possible to
  exceed our target for the year and we know with
  your strong support this will continue to be the
  case.

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Donation of Charitable Funds

• As the Shrine is a Registered Charity, donation
  of charitable funds is acceptable.
• This includes the charitable portion of funds
  each council receives from the sale of tickets
  for the Ontario State Council annual raffle.
• While some municipalities may object to councils
  forwarding bingo funds directly to the Shrine
  there are two possible solutions
• a) If there is a local Jesuit office in your
  area donate the funds to that office and ask
  them to send the funds on to the Martyrs
  Shrine.
• b) Donate the funds to your local parish and ask
  the pastor to forward these funds on to Martyrs
  Shrine in the name of his parish.
• In both cases ask them to include your council /
  assembly name and number with the donation to
  ensure you receive credit for the donation

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Martyrs Shrine Reps

• To ensure this project remains foremost in the
  minds of all Knights of Columbus members we
  encourage all Grand Knights, District Deputies,
  Zone Chairmen and Faithful Navigators to appoint
  a Martyrs Shrine representative.
• These representatives should provide updated
  reports at your general meetings on the projects
  undertaken for the current fraternal year, the
  progress of these projects and the success of our
  fund raising to date.
• As well, these individuals should encourage their
  councils, zones and assemblies to include in
  their annual budgets a donation of at least 300
  to Martyrs Shrine.
• In addition, our Provincial Chairman and Tri-Zone
  Chairman for the Archdiocese of Toronto Martyrs
  Shrine Diocesan Charitable Initiative will
  provide reports, etc. at your zone meetings, etc.

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THE MARTYRS SHRINE NEEDS OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

• The Knights of Columbus members within the
  Archdiocese of Toronto, Ontario State Council,
  the Diocese of Hamilton and Diocese of
  Peterborough are to be commended for the work
  they have done to date to support renovations and
  upgrades to our National Shrine.
• Everyone recognizes the important role the Shrine
  has and will continue to play in the lives of all
  Catholics. Therefore, we know you will continue
  to support the Shrine as our Tri-Zone Diocesan
  Charitable Initiative by making annual donations
  to the Shrine to ensure it remains a viable
  religious symbol for future generations of
  Catholics throughout the Province, Canada, North
  America and the world.
• Please Mail Your Donation Today.