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To: Msgr. Slubecky, Bishop Crowd/IL 

From: Carol Kostyniak 

Date: Monday, Nov. 20l 1

Re: Phone conversation with Kristine Hider, Principal. St. Mary of the Lake School, Hamburg

 

Following a meeting with Bishop Grosz which included in my presence a phone conversation
between Kristine Hider and Bishop Grosz, Kristine Hider responded to me on the afternoon of
November 21, 2011with answers to questions posed by Bishop Grosz.

Kristine had contacted the mother, to request additional information regarding her son

Sand Rev. Art Smith. .

Kristine clearly indicated of greatest concern is keeping ?nd other children in the school
"safe.

 
    
   
 
  
 
 

?34: ?e asked about ?grooming?, indicated that she only knew of a situation of a poster
r? 1 .- Werblading? when r. Art Smith chose poster as the winner when it we
?1 many superior posters. is not aware of any gifts from Fr Art to

Smith does take ds and tells him to stop biting his nails.
am of any contact.

4. conscious about this issue and feels that ?everybody is
know. He feels that people would blame him if

want counseling at this time.

Lifelong Faith Formatlon Youth 8 Young
"6.80.5505 716.847.8789
Fax 716.647.5593 Fax 841 87?

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CatholkCenter 795 Main Street lufhquewYotk 142034250 716.80.5520 I Fax 716 8475593

Re: Phone conversation with Kristine Hider, Principal, St. Mary of the Lake School, Hamburg page 2

 

indicated that the other 8th graders call Fr. Art Smith, ?The Creeper? and believe that
is Fr. Art?s favorite. In fact they call ,7 ?Little Art?.

indicated that eitherl or (St. Mary of the Lake students who are Facebook
friends of Fr. Art) got an email from Fr. Art who asked them to say Hello to

 

 

- ?stated that both she and i are very uncomfortable and ask that Fr. Art not return to the
school. Mom stated ?he won?t be in the school will 

-Kristine concluded with her own concerns about Fr. Art?s reaction to being confronted with this
situation. She felt that Fr. Art would approach everyone, including i, to try to make things
right. She is very concerned about. ?8 reaction if this were to happen.

- Kristine also stated that Fr. Art will get up in the pulpit and will say there are people in the
parish who'are bullying him. He has done this in the past when confronted with an issue.

- Kristine also stated that Fr. Bill Bigelow is aware of r. Art?s depressed state as he thanked
Kristine and mentioned thanking Sr. Paula for their support of Fr. Art during this difficult time.

Fr. Bigelow is ?lling in while Fr. Art is on vacation.

- Kristine is very, very concerned about Fr. Art returning to the school. She feels would be
intimidated. She is concerned about her ability to monitor Fr. Art continuously while he is in the

school since she cannot breach con?dentiality and ask other teachers to assist.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2011 I reviewed the above statements for accuracy with Kristine
Hider via phone. At that time Kristine added the following:

- Kristine feels that if the Chancery cannot remove Fr Art from the parish or at least from the
school at this time then the Chancery should not talk to Fr. Art at all until legal counsel makes a
recommendation. Kristine fears if the Chancery talks to Fr. Art and he remains in the school it

would do more harm to All concerned.

- Kristine feels strongly that the only resolution is to remove Fr. Art from the parish and get him
the help he needs.

- She wants to be informed of the decision and what will happen on Monday so that she will
know what to expect.

mu: 3M 
7? 141.0,? Llfelonc Faith Pormatlon Youth 5 Young Adu
1? a; - . "6.5475505 "6.547 8789

 

Fax ?6.8475593 Fax 7l6 M7 8797

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