Replies

Thank you for posting. Don't let "ancilla" and "omaha catholic" scare you away. You have friends here!

Dear Concerned Catholic:

Let us put these pieces of this puzzle together. The following are excerpts from your postings. Let’s look at the patterns. Please reply directly to these points as numbered:

1) 4-17-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“The Archdiocese own audit done March 2004 found many irregularities. The independent auditor refused to write an exoneration letter.”

My response: First of all, I am an accountant. As a matter of fact, have years of experience in fraud investigating for a fortune 100 company. I would not sign an exoneration letter either if I did not have all the bank statements.
Also, you failed to mention that the same accountant refused to incriminate Father Stravinskas. As you well know Father Stravinskas did not have possession of the missing bank statements because they are in the hands of 8 other parishioners. See point numbered 11.

2)4-17-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“During today's homily he called the concerned parishioners evil lunatics! My, how Christian!”

My response: I was at that homily and in fact I requested a copy of it from Father Stravinskas and he happily complied. No where in his homily does he call anyone names. In fact, he never even used the word evil nor lunatics! How Christian is it to lie? Which is exactly what this post is!

However in a public statement that Father Stravinskas gave to the KPTM News he stated, “The circus tent is closed for today. There are people who Dido’t want to accept a priest’s authority.”

3)4-17-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“How dare you call the church my parents worked so hard to build as a dump. You are as unchristian as Stravinskas!”

My response: The real unchristian thing was allowing God’s Holy church to be turned into a dump by not attending to much needed repairs.

4)4-18-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“We just may join the Jehovah's Witnesses if he gets away with this.....”

My response: Your local Kingdom Hall is located at 4928 S. 39th , Omaha, Nebraska.

5)4-29-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“All sins are an offense to God. There is no such thing as a big lie or a small lie. There is no such thing as a small theft or a big theft, it is theft.”

My response: CCC 2484, “The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms....If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin it becomes mortal when it does grave injury.” There has been no evidence that Father Stravinskas committed any sin. But your public false statements have caused scandal to Our Church and to Father Stravinskas. Confessions are heard a half an hour before Mass. (Unless you are already a JW.)

6)5-09-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“I'm absolutely dumb-founded by people who call themselves Christians but who go out of their way to be spiteful and mean-spirited.”

My response: This is certainly the pot calling the kettle black!

7)5-10-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“Where will your pastor be heading to in August?”

My response: According the most recent “Catholic Voice” (Diocesan newspaper), there was not any change to the assignment at St. Anthony’s. Do you have documentation to the contrary?

8)5-11-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“The “AD EXPERIMENTUM” is up in August. Bye, bye!”

My response: This comment would suggest that Father Stravinskas would be permitted to stay only if he were sub servant to the people. In case you have not heard, “Habemus Papam!” THE CAFETERIA IS NOW CLOSED! Bye, bye to you!

9)5-12-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“Sure he picked up the tab...with the parish money!”
My response: Perhaps you have a problem hearing. Father Stravinskas says, “St. Anthony, pray for us!” NOT St. Anthony pay for us!

10)5-13-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“I have nothing to hide.”

My response: Really? Then come forth with the missing bank statements ( you have already posted publicly that you know they exist and who has possession of them), mutual fund and trustee statements, and 1099’s from St. Anthony’s for parishioners that were drawing salaries prior to Father Stravinskas’ arrival at St. Anthony’s. By the way, are these some of the people accusing Father Stravinskas? Also, see point number 11.

11)5-13-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“guess what I know about 8 people who have copies of the bank statements right before and right after he showed his face.”

My response: So have you made arrangements for this evidenced to be turned over to the police? Also, refer to points numbered 1 and 10 above.

12)5-14-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
This was posted to Omaha Catholic: “Dear "midwest mom" (and Jennifer talks about hiding behind anonymous posts)! I am not consumed by hate. I just do not respect an arrogant liar who calls himself a priest.”

My response: Again you are blatantly wrong. I am not and never was “midwest mom”. However, she made some good points! The only lies I have heard are yours and the only arrogance that I have observed is yours. You have yet to provide one example of Father Stravinskas’ arrogance or lies.

13)5-14-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“You are not an accountant or on the parish Finance Council so you do not have any right to seeing the bank statements since the other parish council members didn't get to see them since Stravinskas arrived!”

My response: So, this is about people not accepting the authority of a priest as Father Stravinskas had publicly stated. See point number 2.

14)5-16-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,

“From Stravinskas's website and info about some of the associates: “

My response: You are trying to make a connection that simply does not exist!

“Open Letter of May 19, 2002”
“A Fourth Open Letter to Bishop James C. Timlin, Diocese of Scranton “

My response: This was in fact investigated by the Diocese of Scranton. Here is their statement:

"To Whom It May Concern:

"As the Bishop of Scranton, I continue to support the Society of St. John wholeheartedly during these very difficult times. I urge everyone not to come to any negative judgments regarding the allegations made against two of the Society's priests without verifying all the facts. It is confusing and difficult to arrive at the facts because of all the erroneous accusations being made by enemies of the Society. The Society at this point is alive and well and deserves the support of its friends.

"I should add that the so-called 'College of St. Justin Martyr' does not have ecclesiastical approval and, therefore, is not authorized to solicit funds as if it were a Catholic College."

My conclusions: The pattern is clear; name calling, repeated false statements, false accusations, and deception. You sure have gotten yourself into an “Icky” situation!

Thank you! I am sorry I was out of town for a few days.They sure like twisting words don't they? If you need anything I will be here, but I will not post here except for talking with you.

Their ears a hardened so they can not hear. But I was thinking of inviting them to a neighborhood party you know (with the thugs and drug dealers here in my neighborhood.)

Boy they get riled up don't they!Oh well I am sorry they put my words in your mouth.I will be inviting them to our neighborhood picnic.Maybe some good will come out of it.

As far as setting one foot at St. Anthony's as long as He is here NOT! He has treated me and others like dirt.There are to many Awesome priests here in Omaha to put up with a big headed control freak.(This is my opinion not anyone else's.)God Bless S. M.M.