Pastors Message Meet Fr. Carl E. Diederichs New Pastor of All Saints Catholic Church [ Mission ] [ Contact Us ] [ Events Calendar ] [ SiteMap ]

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 At the end of last year, Father Mike Barrett from Blessed Trinity Catholic Church was asked by our Archbishop to spend a short period of time overseeing financial matters at All Saints.  I requested this action because a few parishioners phoned and wrote to the

Archdiocese with allegations that I have not been a good steward of our finances.  Many of you read Archbishop Dolan’s letter addressing the parish and detailing the circumstances of the investigation into our parish finances.

 Anonymous charges are not Christian nor helpful.  When these phone calls were made and letters sent to the Archdiocese, the complainers names were not given to me.  They would tell of things that were completely untrue.  They felt hatred and malice in their hearts and were hoping for the Archdiocese to look into a negative situation that did not exist.  At my request, the Archdiocese conducted an investigation into our finances that lasted approximately six months.

Recently, Archbishop Timothy Dolan sent me a letter concluding the investigation.  In his letter to me, he has given his approval of our financial status and our direction as a parish.  He has further stated that any anonymous phone calls or letters will be given to me directly to find a resolution.  One of the most recent complaints was in the form of a letter.  Archbishop Dolan forwarded the letter to me and I was able to contact the parishioner to hopefully discuss their issues with me and our parish on a pastoral level.  After attempting to contact the parishioner several times with no response, I have prayed about it and let it go.

 My friends, yes, we are in need of financial assistance.  Look around you.  Is our parish not as beautiful as you hoped it would be?  Do you believe your dollars were spent appropriately to enhance the spiritual atmosphere of the inner-city of Milwaukee?  I believe that by working together as one unified church body, we will make an impact on our city that will be felt for many years to come.  And I will keep asking for financial support so that our mission and ministry will not be stifled by lack of money.

 With the blessing of Archbishop Timothy Dolan, I am glad to say that I am your pastor and will preside over All Saints Parish in its entirety, including all financial, liturgical and ministerial functions of the parish.  My intention is to finish my current six-year term and request a subsequent six-year term, should the parishioners of All Saints want me to stay.

 Faithfully,

 Father Carl Diederichs