Fencing bouts on the church lawn. Drug use in the parking lot. RisquĂŠ photo shoots near the shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. As the parish priest of St. Brigidâs, Father Carlos Augusto Sierra Tobon has been a sitem against misuse of the church property and the associated safety risks for many years now, and he is growing weary.So a month ago, he and the church put up a couple of new signs on the west wall of their historic stone building near Danforth and Woodbine Aves. Perhaps if they chose âPlease respect the church grounds,â nobody would have noticed. But they went with: âNOT A PUBLIC PLAYGROUND.â In a neighbourhood saturated with children â tucked inside strollers, riding bikes, on their parentsâ backs â people started to talk.Tobon believes it is the only way to get his message across. âI cannot be every time saying, âCome on!â You get fed up. I cannot be behind the windows.âDann Mitton has lived in the neighbourhood for 22 years, and saw the sign while walking his dog. He doesnât have children, but if he did, âI would feel completely forbidden to coexist on that little patch of lawn, and that didnât seem right.â He wanted to see what the neighbours thought so he posted about it in his community Facebook group.The thread exploded, 304 comments and counting. Some were sympathetic to the church: âWhy does everyone feel that their kids have a right to play everywhere??â A few said they might bring their dog over for a urinary protest, while many questioned the brusque tone. âMy husband and I grumble about that sign every time we walk by,â one person said. âThey should be happy kids feel welcome.â At the core of the discussion was a debate about what it means to be welcoming. âHow do you feel welcome in a spiritual community unless you walk in through the doors?â parishioner Marie Tela-Selvaggio said. âYou have ...
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