June 2006 - The election of a new slate of officers, and the creation of a National Representative Council, has inaugurated a new phase for VOTF: no longer a Boston-centric organization, it now truly represents a chorus of voices from across the country. It is an appropriate time to acknowledge the hard work of those people who carried the torch for Goal 2 in the past four years, and to herald the advent of new leadership.

From its inception, “To Support Priests of Integrity” has been the “middle child” of our three goals: it has not always manifested tangible results, but it is an integral and essential component of the overall mission of VOTF. We extend our gratitude to the following people who have been part of our efforts at various times throughout the past four years: David Sanderson, Donna Crowley, Mike Fitzgerald, Jack Coakley, Judy Castaldi, Mary Hogan, Kit Maillett, Wendy and Frank Brophy, Janet Branch, Ruth Burns, Margaret Roylance, Bot Ott, Rose Walsh, Debra Tomaszewski, Bob Castagnola (may he rest in peace), Donna Gaspar, Ronnie Mitchell, Diana Draheim, Christina Hurley and Alice Campanella.

A special thanks goes to Pat McNulty and Jim Morrissey for their unending commitment to promoting priest/laity relations, and for their willingness to co-chair this goal during the past two years. Many hours went into contacting priests, organizing “sounding boards,” panel discussions, and individual meetings. They attended meetings, answered questions, listened and spoke on behalf of priests of integrity. Clare Keane, who devotes at least one day a week volunteering in the office (and at home) has come to our aid with technical support and keeping on top of relevant queries.

And so it is with great pleasure that we welcome John Ryan, from Bloomington, Illinois, as the new National Chairperson for Goal 2. He is eminently qualified for this position, having been a member of VOTF since 2003. He founded the Peoria (IL) affiliate, and has a background in education and business. His business background includes multiple directorships, participation on not-for-profit boards, and business operations in thirty-seven states. His compassionate and realistic understanding of the challenges of the priesthood is based on ten years in the priesthood (Oblates of Mary Immaculate). John is committed to getting to the underlying causes of the current crisis, and recognizes the need for delving into every aspect from seminary formation to better collaboration between priests and laity. He knows that only by working together can we hope to achieve our vision of a Church that is safe for children, models Vatican II's call for active participation of the laity, and is transparent and accountable to all. Send questions, suggestions and comments to John at j.ryan66@verizon.net.

BEST Practices: Please share your own experiences - 200 words or less - for inclusion on this page. Send to John Ryan at j.ryan66@verizon.net.

From Vince Grenough, VOTF Louisville, KY: During the past two years VOTF Louisville has been invited to the priests' Regional Council monthly meetings of ten of the twelve regions, one visit to each regional group. These have been good experiences and, I think, have created some good will toward VOTF by dispelling false notions and clarifying our true goals.

Also, for the past year or so, we have been mailing a specially designed greeting to each priest on the occasion of his 5th, 10th, etc., anniversary of ordination. Once in a great while we receive a "thank you" note.

We also send regular e-mails about VOTF-related activities and information to about a dozen priests, including our Archbishop, who have given me their e-addresses. Our goal is to try to add more names to that list in the near future. Our affiliate is convinced that our main job is to plant seeds. Harvesting may, or may not, come later. That is not our concern, even though we really would like to see some more tangible results.