A Thanksgiving Prayer
By Gaile Pohlhaus
Good and Gracious God.
We praise you and we thank you for all the blessings of life and love you have bestowed on us We especially thank you for all those who are working so tirelessly to support and assist those who have been through the hell of sexual abuse, especially at the hands of those they were taught to trust: priests, religious, parents, relatives ...
We thank you for all the priests of integrity who are working so tirelessly to challenge and change the structures and laws that hide sexual abuse...
We thank you for those who love the Christian Church so deeply that they are willing to work tirelessly for structural change in the Church of Rome and all Churches and religions and states and the world so that the actions of Jesus, your incarnate Son, may serve as models for all.
We pray this through Christ and in union with the Holy Spirit.
And let all the people say Amen.
Nominations for Officers Close Soon!
Voice of the Faithful’s biannual election of officers will take place in February 2010. Preparations for the election are under way, and the Nominating Committee begins that work with its recent Call for Nominees. If you missed the recent email sent to all members, you can read a copy of that letter here. Please note that nominations close at midnight (Eastern time) Dec. 7, 2009, and must be sent by email to Bob Ott at halfback34@verizon.net.
National News
One of the highlights of VOTF’s 2009 National Conference was the acceptance speech by Father Donald Cozzens as he received his Priest of Integrity Award. He urged members of VOTF not to give up, “You can’t give up because the church, in spite of deafness in many quarters, needs your voice, your commitment, and your witness.”
Following is the complete text of his remarks.
National Catholic Reporter also had a great article about VOTF’s 2009 conference.
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/voice-faithful-hoping-begin-anew
News from Voices in Action
An Update from Universal Church Reform
Submitted by Nick Mazza
UCR team has recruited 12 new members with the Voices in Action Campaign. We are expanding our role with universal structural change efforts by expanding to very concrete plans to identify five dioceses by December 2010 to influence change from appointment of bishops to selection of bishops in these dioceses.
We also want to initiate a broader discussion on the problems in the priesthood, especially in the area of mandatory celibacy, and we hope to advance the inclusion of women in the governance of the church.
Voices in Action: Local Actions
The Local Action team is working to increase active participation of the lay faithful in the mission and ministries of each parish and diocese. They believe that Global Change Begins with Local Action.
They have put together some practical tools you can use to promote local change, including:
Continued
http://votf.org/vineyard/Nov24_2009/local.html
Help Wanted
A Call for Help from the SCG Team
The Team for the Spiritual and Communal Growth Team is working to facilitate spiritual development and foster community within Voice of the Faithful. We know that unless we are grounded in personal relation with Christ through the Holy Spirit, our efforts are in vain. Prayer and spirituality is the groundwork of all that we do. As Jesus insists: “Without me you can do nothing.” (John, 15:5), and as Paul reminds us: “We can do all things in Christ who strengthens us.” (Phil. 4:13)
Continued
http://votf.org/vineyard/Nov24_2009/scg.html
Christmas Shopping Already?
Thinking of starting on your Christmas shopping? Want to do it online? If so, please consider going to VOTF’s website and following the link to Amazon.com. A small percentage of each sale will go to support VOTF (although you will not pay any higher price). Last year, VOTF raised close to $800 dollars during the Christmas season in this way. Painless!
Site Seeing
Cardinal George questions the value of “independent” Catholic media and universities.
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/george-questions-role-independent-catholic-media
Looking to bring some thought provoking spirituality to your desktop? Boston College’s Church in the 21st century has a list of its top webcasts that you can download.
http://www.bc.edu/church21/c21news.html
More fallout from Bishop Olmstead’s $50,000 donation to Maine’s political anti-gay marriage act.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/
articles/2009/11/21/20091121Montinirhyme1122.html
The Providence Journal reports on the disagreement on Bishop Tobin and Patrick Kennedy.
http://www.projo.com/news/content/Kennedy_Tobin_Follow
_11-23-09_AJGI544_v14.3a63b8c.html
Letter to the Editor
I didn't see this article mentioned in the latest VOTF, so I thought I'd send a link. While I realize the Vatican is standing by their opposition to same sex marriage, the ultimatum to the District of Columbia is reprehensible in my opinion. They threaten to discontinue assisting the homeless, as well as removing themselves from assisting those in need with help for health care and adoption. In the comments from readers, many asked the questions, “Would Jesus give such an ultimatum?” Sometimes I think the Catholic Church and the Vatican are all about themselves and totally deviated from what Jesus preached.
Sorry for the rant, but I'm afraid, as one Catholic woman commented, “With the Vatican's ultimatum, today I am embarrassed to be a Catholic.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/11/AR2009111116943.html
J.L.
