Affiliate News

Boston, MA VOTF
Excerpted from John Hynes letter to Boston Area VOTF regarding the July 7 Parish Preservation Summit III

The preliminary agenda began as did the first two with a plenary session followed by an opening prayer, reports from the previous week's breakout sessions and time for brainstorming/recruiting

OUR CHURCH: A Prayerful Communion

OUR LAWS: Dealing with the Law

OUR PARTNERSHIPS: Matchmaking and More

OUR PUBLIC: Communications

OUR MONEY: Setting It Aside/Obtaining Leverage

These sessions are followed by a closing plenary, discussion of next steps and prayer.

Submitted by Margaret Roylance

Litany for the People of the Archdiocese of Boston

Response: Pray for Us
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Adalbert
St. Albert the Great
St. Alphonsus
St. Ann
St. Anselm
St. Augustine
St. Bernard
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Colman of Cloyne
St. Elizabeth
St. Florence
St. Francis and St. Philip
St. Francis Xavier Cabrini
St. George
St. Isidore
St. James
St. James the Great
St. Jeremiah
St. Jerome
St. Joachim
St. John and St. Hugh
St. Joseph
St. Lawrence
St. Margaret
St. Mary
St. Michael
St. Peter
St. Pius X
St. Rose of Lima
St. Susanna
St. Therese
St. Thomas the Apostle
St. William

St. Mary of the Angels, Intercede for us in heaven
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, Pray for our healing
Our Lady Help of Christians, Guide our Church and all who serve her
Our Lady of Mercy, Console us in this hour
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Bring peace to our troubled hearts
Our Lady of the Presentation, Ease our Sorrows
Our Lady of the Assumption, Restore our Hope
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Pray for our Towns and our Nation
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Protect us and guide us to your Son
Infant Jesus, Hear our prayer
Most Blessed Sacrament, Have mercy on us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Comfort us
Holy Trinity, Guide us

Let us Pray:
Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amidst our current sorrows, we must not lose our Way. Help us know your Truth. You have given us your Life, we give our lives to You. Show us the Way to love and light as we wander in our sorrows through the desert of loss and exile. Amen

VOTF Winchester Area, MA
Submitted by Bob Morris

Our activities this month were largely centered on the parish closings convulsing the Church in the greater Boston area. On June 7, we hosted one of the five regional listening sessions for those affected by parish closings. Ed Wade of the Boston VOTF Steering Committee described the activities of Boston VOTF on this issue for the approximately 60 persons in attendance. All felt the anguish of those from closing parishes. After the listening session, a brief prayer service was held. Special thanks are due to Regina Pontes for planning this service, and for contributing an original song regarding the closings.

About 85 people attended our meeting on June 14, at which Fr. Ron Coyne of St. Albert the Great Parish spoke. St Albert's is among the parishes to be closed. Fr. Ron talked openly about the parish closing process, and the need for the Church to ask why more men aren't becoming priests, and why people aren't going to church. Fr. Ron's dynamism and honesty earned him a standing ovation at the meeting's conclusion. Thanks to Alice Wadden of our group for writing an article about Fr Ron's talk, which appeared in several local newspapers. Nelson Bolen's pictures of this and other events are on our web-site (www.votfwinchester.org).

On June 28, our group held a prayer service for those affected by the closings. The prayers and music perfectly captured the mood of those present from parishes to be closed. Special thanks are due to Bonnie Rodgers and Pat Brandl for planning the service, to Christina Hurley and Joanne Smith for planning the music, and to Mary Lou Burke for presiding.

Taking a break from parish closings, we welcomed Professor Lisa Cahill of Boston College on June 23. About 65 persons attended. Professor Cahill is one of the nation's leading Catholic feminist theologians. Professor Cahill made us all feminist theologians for the evening, presenting a wide-ranging discussion on the Bible, the role of women in the Church, and related issues.

On June 19, we welcomed Dick Ryan, contributor to Newsday and National Catholic Reporter, and author of Holy Human: Stories of Extraordinary Catholics (Resurrection Press 2004)

Our group will be meeting every week over the summer. Events which may be of general interest are as follows:

Monday, July 26 - Jetta Bernier, Executive Director, Massachusetts Citizens for Children

Monday, August 2 - "It's No Coincidence" - a play on the abuse crisis written by Brandeis senior Marina Wangh

Monday, August 9 - William Gavin of Gavin Associates (conducted audits for John Jay Report)

Monday, August 23 - Patricia Hayes, administrator of numerous parishes in Vermont

Monday, August 30 - Panel discussion of married deacons and wives

PHOTO A - Fr. Ron Coyne speaking at Winchester VOTF - photo credit to Nelson Bolen

PHOTO B - Professor Lisa Cahill, Boston College, speaking at Winchester VOTF - photo credit to Nelson Bolen

VOTF Northshore, MA
Submitted by Vince Guerra

The VOTF- Northshore affiliate based at St. Rose of Lima parish, Topsfield, MA, completed its scheduled activities on June 18th with an "Appreciation Night for Priests." Regular members of the affiliate and a small group of priests from surrounding community parishes gathered for a warm, well-planned social interchange highlighted by welcoming remarks from Father Paul Sullivan, pastor of St. Rose of Lima, and Jolene Guerra, chairperson of the VOTF Parish Voice. This event was surely received as a gesture of support for pastoral clergy in keeping with VOTF's goal #2. Its success led to consideration of similar events in the future. Added recognition and publicity came from a front-page article accompanied by a photo about the VOTF reception published the following day in the Salem News, the Northshore region's leading newspaper. This is another of several cover stories appearing in the Salem paper about the Voice of the Faithful in the past two years indicating strong interest by the local press in our organization and movement.

VOTF Northshore will continue to participate and sponsor its program of Faith Formation presentations in collaboration with two other regional VOTF groups, Seacoast VOTF and Lynn Area VOTF and the Boston College department of Theology.

Altogether six lecture presentations were held divided among the three affiliates over the past nine months on a variety of spiritual topics given by eminent theologians. In the Fall, an expanded series of similar programs is planned, featuring both clerical and lay theologians, open to all interested Catholics in the region. The mission of the Faith Formation working group is to provide a stimulating and needed opportunity for broad Christian education on the Church commensurate with VOTF's third goal. Hopefully, the series can attract more persons who hunger for more enlightenment and direction within the Church. Details of the forthcoming program schedule are being finalized and will be announced by September.

VOTF New Jersey
Submitted by Maria Cleary

We have a new bishop in the Diocese of Paterson - Arthur Serratelli who comes to us from the Archdiocese of Newark. Two of our members have been invited to his installation, which is a positive sign, and we have written him a letter of welcome that we'll deliver next week. In the letter, we ask to meet with him and we outline the issues that we feel are most critical to discuss. We ask you all to join with us in prayer that our request will result in a meaningful dialogue with the bishop.

Dr. Kieran Scott, Fordham University; Fr. Kevin Downey, Pastor, St. Mary's Church, Pompton Lakes, NJ - Photo by Joe Barrett

At this time when we remember our sacred heritage as Americans, take a moment to read The American Catholic Church by Anthony Padovano, which is on our website at www.votfnj.org. It is a fitting piece for this time when we honor our roots as a country, steeped in participatory governance and freedom of expression.

We're looking forward to our July meeting which will be a bit of a departure for us. We're inviting our membership to come for "A Time of Discernment" where we can plan for the future. We're asking everyone to consider two things: What are the most critical issues that need attention in the future? What would a Church worthy of our grandchildren look like?"

Still waiting to hear if you'd like to get together for a 2005 Congress of the Laity and Clergy. I've got some very cool info on teleconferencing. Email me at clearymf@optonline.net if you'd like to chat about it. Many blessings from your VOTF/NJ Family

Ann Zouvelekis, VOTF/NJ, Dr. Kieran Scott, Fordham University) Photo by Joe Barrett

VOTF Montgomery County, MD Affiliate
Submitted by Judy Miller

History

Exploratory meetings were held in Oct/Nov. 2002 and we became an affiliate in Dec. 2002 meeting monthly September through June. Steering committee meets monthly throughout the year and standing committees meet regularly. We have approximately 100 members.

Committees
Committee to Support Survivors
Prayerful Voice Committee
Committee to Support Priests
Publicity/Membership Committee
Committee to Support Structural Change
Legislative Committee

Accomplishments and Activities
Goal 1 - Support survivors

• Held two listening session with five survivors between December 2002 and October 2003
• Held a healing prayer service - "A Time to Heal" in January 2004
• Participated in and helped execute the SNAP candlelight vigil for clergy abuse victims who committed suicide - Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - 2/27/04
• Co-sponsor with SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) a monthly support meeting for survivors (began May 2004) at the Gaithersburg Library

Goal 2- Support priests of integrity

• Gave citation to Fr. Duggan thanking him for his support of our affiliate - December 2003
• Contacted 13 area pastors providing them with VOTF information - December 2003
• Wrote letters offering our support and prayers to Fr. James Scahill (diocese of Springfield, MA) - March 2004 and Fr. Thomas Doyle - June 2004

Goal 3 - Shape structural change within the Church

• Wrote a letter to Cardinal McCarrick in collaboration with VOTF Holy Trinity informing him of the work of our affiliates and offering our support - January 2004. No response
• Wrote letter to Cardinal McCarrick urging his support of annual audits and the National Review Board - June, 2004. No response

Education - lectures and video presentations

• "Understanding and Supporting Adult Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse: Emotional and Spiritual Issues" - Mary Liz Austin from Healing Voices, October 2003
• "The Impact of Clergy Sexual Abuse on the Morale of Priests and the Laity" - Fr. Quinn Conners, O.Carm., PhD., December 2003
• "Laity and the Church" - video presentation of Rev. Richard O'Brien's presentation to VOTF Maine, January 2004
• "Who Can Fathom the Human Heart? Fr. Shanley and the Church Crisis" - video of New England Cable News documentary, February 2004
• "Loyalty to the Church in Time of Crisis" - Dr. Monika Hellwig, theologian, April 2004
• "Vatican II: A New Vision for the Church in the 21st Century" - Dr. Anthony Massimini, May 2004
• UPCOMING: "Authority and its Exercise in the Church: Some Sources of Non-Accountability" (tentative title) - Sr. Theresa Koernke, IHM, PhD, Nov. 16, 2004

Legislation

• Wrote, submitted and gave testimony before the Senate and House Judiciary Proceedings Committees on SB237 (clergy reporting) and HB1098 (clergy reporting) - March, 2004
• Solicited phone calls and emails in support of legislation - March 2004

VOTF CENTRAL

VOTF St. Christopher Parish Voice, OH
Submitted by Fred McGunagle

Two years ago, Andy Strada "didn't even know there was such a thing" as a Cleveland Diocesan Pastoral Council. Today is he vice chair of its Executive Committee - but his two-year term is about to end and nobody else from his parish will be allowed on the council for 10 years.

Strada, from St. Luke parish in Lakewood, met with the St. Christopher Parish Voice June 24 to talk about the DPC, which is the only canonical body relating to Voice of the Faithful's mission: "to be a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the faithful may actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church."

As the representative of the 16-parish Suburban West District, he is one of 13 district representatives and 26 council members. But he said he did not consider himself a spokesman for anyone but himself. "It would be presumptuous for me to say I'm representing St. Luke's or the 16 parishes," he said.

Canon 511 requires diocesan Pastoral Councils in each diocese, at least "in so far as pastoral circumstances suggest." Councils are governed by Canons 511-514, which leave major decisions to each bishop. (The VOTF website links to an unannotated Code of Canon Law at www.intratext.com/X/ENG0017.htm.)

Besides the 13 district representatives, the Cleveland DPC includes two representatives of priests, sisters and teens and one each for deacons, brothers, African-Americans, Asians, young adults, Hispanics and certified pastoral ministers. Their names and e-mail addresses are posted on the diocesan website. The term limits for individuals and parishes are intended to spread representation broadly.

Agendas are set by the bishop, but meetings include perhaps 45 minutes of open discussion. Strada said Bishop Anthony M. Pilla "sincerely listens" to the members and takes them seriously. "He is open to suggestions," he said. But he added, "He's the bishop. It's not a democracy."

Strada had been president of the St. Luke Parish Council for two years when his pastor told him the parish was eligible for a DPC seat and suggested Strada apply. "Since I was the only one who had taken the trouble to fill out the form," he was chosen. He said in some cases no one applies for a seat and the diocese has to recruit a volunteer. However, in this year's election for a new council there were several contested seats. The choice was made by the district's parish council presidents.

The Cleveland council meets six times a year, with parish council presidents invited to two of the meetings. Strada said the sex abuse scandal did come up: Council members were asked their opinions on the guidelines adopted by the diocese for receiving and acting on complaints.

As for reporting, he said, "If I was doing my job, I'd e-mail results to the 16 parish council presidents. What they would do with them would be up to them." Strada was asked if council meetings are open to non-members. He said he was not aware that anybody had ever asked, but he agreed to query the diocesan official involved. He later reported by e-mail:

"1) Although many Parish council meetings are described as open, it is in actuality, very unusual for anyone other than council members to attend; 2) There is a two-year process of formation for a particular DPC. Someone who attended only one meeting might be missing important context information; 3) DPC meetings are an opportunity for frank discussion, floating trial balloons, and good old-fashioned give and take, which might be inhibited if open to the public; and 4) Which is probably a long way of saying 'No.'"

However, he added that "any member of the diocese who thought that a certain topic needed to be addressed could contact his district representative to have the issue brought to the committee. One of the major themes likely to be discussed in detail in the next two years is the role of the laity in the Church. There is sometimes confusion as to the status of nonofficial groups of lay people in the Diocese. Establishing some form of contact with the DPC might help to clarify the situation."

The St. Christopher Parish Voice will consider that suggestion at a future meeting.

Otherwise, it was announced that Donna Albertone, director of the diocesan Virtus Program, will speak at the Sept. 9 meeting. Virtus is intended to train children and parents, parish and school staff and volunteers working with children in ways to prevent child sex abuse.

The PV also adopted a resolution calling on the Cleveland diocesan VOTF organization, which has more than 300 members, to resume holding membership meetings and to elect officers.

*** NOTES: We don't expect to have anything but executive committee meetings before September.

VOTF Peoria, IL
Submitted by John Ryan

Greetings to all. As most of you know, we were recently blessed here in the heartland with a visit from Svea Fraser, a VOTF Co-Founder, and Co-Chair of the national VOTF working group on Support of Priests of Integrity. During her visit, Svea moderated a panel of local Peoria diocesan priests. A report on that event, with photos, can be seen on the Peoria diocesan affiliate website, www.votfpeoria.org.

Voice of the Faithful, VOTF, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church,"
Voice of Compassion, VOTF logo(s), Parish Voice, and
Prayerful Voice are trademarks of Voice of the Faithful, Inc.

Voice of the Faithful is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization.