VOTF - In the Vineyard

Please send comments and inquiries to leaderpub@votf.org
Copy deadline for October 9 Vineyard is September 26

Our postal address is VOTF, Box 423, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464-0002 Donations can be sent to this address or through our Web site at https://app.agnisoftware.org/jsp/donation/donations.html
For an overview of press coverage of VOTF, click here.

In the Vineyard
September 2003

"He led them with a cloud by day, and all the night through with a glow of fire." Psalm 78:14

It may not always be clear to many of us what plan it is we are following, but most in VOTF share a profound understanding - we are navigators in a sea of Someone else's making. We only have each other and a sense of true north but, so far, as the gospels repeat, it is enough.

VOTF workers around the world recognize this gift when they see it, and this month is no exception. It is nothing short of inspirational to find month after month increasing energy for and participation in the goals of Voice of the Faithful.

One might wonder where all this drive and commitment come from, even while the general response to VOTF from Church leadership remains cool (but warming). What members have found, however, is the serendipity of the right voice at the right time - it might come in a letter to the editor, in a new prayer, from a total stranger or from your own inner voice.

One such voice comes to all of us from a recent National Catholic Reporter issue that featured a profile of the late Msgr. Philip J. Murnion who died August 19. Msgr. Murnion was a leading national figure in promoting Church dialogue and vitality in parish ministries and one of those celestial navigators we almost miss. The day before he died, he wrote a letter to all Catholic bishops. His voice joins many thousands of voices around the world asking for communion and healing in our Church. His advice will be familiar to VOTF supporters and we are graced to hear it:

"In the mind of the pope (see Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Inuente, n. 45), there is no contradiction between legitimate authority and careful consultation … Consultation, listening and dialogue only enhance true authority, because they issue from a lived trust and they serve to increase trust. It is imperative that we work together to restore the trust that has been eroded.

"If I were to sum up my final plea to you, it would be: 'dialogue, dialogue, dialogue!' I do not mean this as a facile or pious slogan, for I am only too aware of its cost and conditions. In his letter, the Holy Father advocates and advances a 'theology and spirituality of communion,' for they 'encourage a fruitful dialogue between pastors and faithful.' … Does not the living out of such a spirituality of communion require dialogue as its very life-breath: the dialogue of prayer with Jesus Christ, the dialogue of mutual building up on the part of the members of Christ?

"A spirituality of communion and dialogue is as demanding in its asceticism as a spirituality of the desert or the cloister. Like them, it also requires its own appropriate structures. The Catholic tradition knows well that spirituality and structure are not opposed. Here, as elsewhere, it affirms the 'both/and' of charism and institution, invisible grace and visible embodiment. Both are essential, though only one is eternal. We can ill afford to be less Catholic than the pope himself, who insists: 'The spirituality of communion, by prompting a trust and openness wholly in accord with the dignity and responsibility of every member of the people of God, supplies institutional reality with a soul.'"

Voice of the Faithful looks forward to such an institutional reality, inclusive of all of God's children.

Peggie L. Thorp, ed.

Statement from VOTF Regarding a Settlement between Survivors and the Archdiocese of Boston.
http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/settlement.html
Tri-State Conference - Being Catholic in the 21st Century - Crisis, Challenge, Opportunity - a peek at what the excitement is about. Plan ahead for this October 25 VOTF first. (http://www.votf.org/octconference/)
And don't forget your RSVPs to the October Pastoral Summit in Boston, MA as well as the gift of music on September 28. Check out other events in your region. http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/news.html
VOTF Dayton, Ohio - what exactly have they been doing? http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/voices.html#dayton
Survivor Support - in poetry and liturgy, VOTF continues to honor survivors. Steve Sheehan reflects on Summer 2003 for survivors.(http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/ssn.html)
More from Working Groups - Structural Change reports on last month's call for participants; Voice of Renewal has a new idea. http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/scwg.html
Letters to the Editor - Where's yours? Send to leaderpub@votf.org.
VOTF President Jim Post finds yet another model VOTF in the U.S. - but which one? http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/voices.html#jp
Want a VOTF Annual Report? Visit the VOTF home page at www.votf.org.
Have you found any "Best Practices" lately - as good as this one, or better? http://www.votf.org/vineyard/vineyard11/best.html
Want to know who is saying what about VOTF? Click here to view articles on VOTF in recent weeks
Education Corner - what's a Small Faith Community?
A VOTF Gathering Prayer - please share your own.

Survivors' Support News

David Cerulli, National Board of Directors and Co-Director, New York City Area Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) snapnyc@rcn.com, www.snapnetwork.org submits the following invitation. There is additional information on the VOTF Web site at www.votf.org.

****SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS.
SNAP Mid- Atlantic Meeting and Conference. THEME: BREAKING THE SILENCE. For all survivors and their supporters to share, listen, learn, support and plan. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) New York City, New York, 8th Avenue & 27th Street, "A" Building, David Dubinsky Student Center, Faculty Dining Room, 8th Floor. 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact snapoutreach@aol.com or call 718-492-2177. Indicate if attending all day, a.m. or p.m. $15.00 suggested donation (no one turned away). Breakfast included for morning arrivals. Lunch on your own. Be sure to visit our website at www.snapnetwork.org

Featuring these Speakers, a Panel Discussion and more: "

Professor Marci Hamilton: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law "
Marion White: Exec. Director Child Abuse Prevention Program "
David Clohessy: National Director of SNAP "
Sister Sally Butler, O.P.: Supporter of clergy abuse victims "
Panel Discussion on "Breaking the Silence"

****A Musical Tribute
Submitted by Steve Sheehan

On September 28, 20003 at 5:00 pm, a chamber music concert will be performed at the Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA.

Admission to the concert will be free. Concert attendees are asked to make a good will offering to support SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

The program will be presented by John Ferrillo, Elizabeth Ostling and Elita Kang of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Carol Rodland of the New England Conservatory, and Hugh Hinton of the Longy School of Music.

The program will consist of works by Bach, Schumann, DeBussy, Barber, Loefflre and Messiaen. PLEASE HELP TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS!

For further information please visit the survivor pages of the VOTF web site or contact Steve Sheehan at: sheehan1777@aol.com

****The St. Mary's VOTF is sponsoring a MOVIE NIGHT on Wednesday, October 22 at the West Newton Cinema to benefit The Lighthouse in Boston and will hold a raffle at the theater. Tickets can be purchased through the Lighthouse Web site at http://www.thelighthousefoundationinc.org.

**** I wrote this poem as a reflection on the sexual abuse scandal in the Church and a tribute to those survivors. Linda Bennett

Survivors I began as a mere seed Then roughly pushing my way through, I emerged young and green and new. The bright light shocked But had a compelling quality Which I could not resist And I reached eagerly toward it, Accepting its vibrancy and life. Usually life was quiet, But sometimes puzzling And meandering voices Accosted my reverie and contentment. I tried to ignore and dispel those images and sounds And I usually succeeded and grew stronger, More majestic, and surprisingly beautiful. But one of those voice things began to come too close, Even touching, fondling me. I wanted to shout, "Go away, leave me alone." But I was voiceless, silent. And no one cared or showed interest. My apprehension grew as that thing Continued to come close More and more often. Then one day the unthinkable happened: Hands came about my neck, twisted, and pulled. I, spent and puzzled and aching, Heard, "This will work for the arrangement." And I, a prisoner, became a dying ornamentation.

SURVIVOR SUMMER: A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
A reflection by Survivor Support Working Group member Steve Sheehan

The summer of 2003 has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for the survivors of clergy abuse. The ups and downs brought mixed emotions and varied responses across the survivor and advocate communities. Roller coasters, however, gradually diminish their vertical gyrations and come to an end. The survivor community hasn't had that luxury. They continue to experience emotional upheaval with no end in sight.

1. The arrival of Sean O'Malley

The permanent replacement for Cardinal Law arrived to mixed feelings and great expectations in the person of Bishop Sean O'Malley. While many survivors and supporters welcomed the Bishop, many felt that he had not gone as far as he should have and could have in the handling of abuse cases in the Fall River diocese. Nonetheless, it was almost universally acknowledged that Bishop O'Malley demonstrated a caring, open, compassionate and understanding presence that had been sorely lacking in the Archdiocese for a long time.

2. The Healing Tree

The "Healing Tree" was reported on in a previous issue of In the Vineyard and sought to bring some peace and comfort into an otherwise stressful and contentious atmosphere through the period of fast and meditation by Steve Lynch.

3. The Attorney General's Report

At long last, the report of The Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts "The Sexual Abuse of Children in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston," detailing the responsibilities and failures of the Archdiocese of Boston in the handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations and investigations by the chancery and its agents, was publicly released on July 23. Although it was clear from the investigation that crimes had been committed, charges would not be brought against members of the hierarchy due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and the lack of an applicable law governing accomplices after the fact. This failure to prosecute, although correct in light of applicable Massachusetts law, was felt as a re-victimization within the survivor community.

4. Art and meditation at The Lighthouse

An afternoon with Arthur Austin, Cathy Dwyer and Bob Hatch who displayed, read, and discussed their writings and art followed by a period of meditation led by Steven Lynch, was held at The Lighthouse on Saturday, July 19. This was the first in a series of planned events to bring more people to The Lighthouse and expand its sphere of activity in support of the survivor community.

4. Secrecy Institutionalized

The release of a document "Crimen Sollicitationis" issued by the Vatican on March 16, 1962 and signed by Pope John XXIII, detailing the level of secrecy to be maintained among the clergy in penitential cases of sexual crimes (including pedophilia) caused considerable upheaval in the survivor community. While further study indicates that this paper had no or little effect on the current situation as we have experienced it, the mere fact that the document exists and was released at this time has further alienated many survivors and their supporters from the hierarchy.

5. Musical Tribute to Survivors

To close on a brighter note, readers are reminded of the "Musical Tribute to Survivors" to be presented in Pickman Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts on the afternoon of Sunday, September 28. A program of classical music will be presented followed by a reception with light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the participating artists. The program is free. Donations will be accepted for the benefit of the Survivor's Network of those Abused by Priests (S.N.A.P.)

Structural Change Working Group Report
Submitted by Margaret Roylance

Members of the Structural Change Working Group are working to prepare the Structural Change Network (SCN) for its official launch on September 8th. We are adding the names of VOTF members who have asked to join. More than 50 people have now been invited to the SCN website, with a week left until the launch date.

The network will be launched with four focused topics for discussion - support for pastoral councils, finance councils and safety committees, and lay involvement in pastoral selection. We will also request that SCN members share information about dialogue with their bishops (whether successful or not). Although it is the right and responsibility of local VOTF affiliates to conduct dialogue with their own diocesan bishop, it is also important that VOTF stay aware of these contacts on a national basis, and share with each other what works and what doesn't.

In addition, when we announced the SCN launch, we invited suggestions for additional topics. We have had several very interesting topic ideas, including finding ways to enhance involvement of lay people in seminary education, identifying effective ways of counteracting the undue influence of wealthy lay groups in our faith communities, and examining the root causes of the scandal of clerical sexual abuse. We will add some of these topics as additional threads in the SCN, if there is interest in discussing them once the network is formally under way.

Thanks again to all VOTF members who have helped in the development of the SCN and to all those who have joined with us in the network. As we move into the future, the news of the current scandal will begin to pale, and there will be a great temptation to relax and fall back into our old habits of deference and passivity. We must persevere in our efforts to use our gifts for the good of our Church. Participation in the SCN is one way to keep the flame of renewal alive.

Voice of Renewal Working Group
Submitted by Anne Southwood and Jan Leary
"One of the VOR Goals is 'to empower one another to revitalize our collegial role in the Church, in the Spirit of Vatican II.'"

The VOTF Lay Education Working Group, Voice of Renewal (VOR), celebrated our year and a half anniversary in August with a Core Group potluck in Plymouth, MA and planned two pre-Fall gatherings, on August 28 and September 9. These meetings were planned to "kick off" VOR's participation in the "Second Tuesday" monthly meetings for Working Groups meeting at St. John's, Wellesley, MA.

Our VOR /Lay Education meetings are open to VOTF members interested in adult education for all laity and provide an opportunity to meet members who attended our workshops at the Boston-area June 7 Conference.

Those who attended the August 28 meeting have ties to the Paulist Center, Glastonbury Abbey, and parishes in Newburyport, Duxbury, Hingham, Dorchester, Wayland, and Dedham. We found much common ground in focusing on educational endeavors toward fostering active lay involvement in our Church.

Plans have emerged from workshops and meetings to develop a communication task force or "Central Information Network" (CIN). Those involved with this endeavor will focus on supplementing / developing a "Community Bulletin Board" on our VOR webpage providing resources for lay action.

Please contact JanVOTF@aol.com for more information and to join our Lay Education Group on the second Tuesday of each month. Also, interested readers from out of state should ask how they might "join us" via our ListServ.

VOICES, VOICES EVERYWHERE!

National Parish Voice has identified four U.S. regions for purposes of affiliate coordination, communication efforts and future regional definitions and representation:

WEST
Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, Alaska

CENTRAL
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

SOUTH
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida

EAST
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia

VOTF West

REPORT from VOTF president Jim Post on his visit to Seattle, WA August 3-4, 2003

I had the good fortune to visit the Pacific Northwest in early August, when the weather was splendid and the interest in VOTF running high.

Eileen Knoff, regional coordinator, and Catherine Smith, president of the Puget Sound VOTF, organized a wonderful two days of activities.

On Sunday, I spoke at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on the topic, "The Future of the Laity: Collaboration, Consultation, and Partnership." Nearly 200 people attended (forsaking a sunny Sunday afternoon!) The session also featured comments from a number of lay women and men whose experiences illustrated various aspects of local lay involvement.

The Archdiocese of Seattle has a rich history of active lay involvement in the governance and guidance of programs. Dennis O'Leary and Mary Santi, representatives from Archbishop Brunett's staff, participated in both Sunday's public conversation and in a special meeting on Monday to review local procedures for dealing with sexual abuse cases. VOTF representatives and archdiocesan staff discussed the mechanisms for addressing these issues as they arise, and implementing effective programs to prevent future cases.

The visit was capped off by a first year anniversary dinner on Monday night at the parish hall of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Nearly 40 VOTF leaders from Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho gathered with local leaders of SNAP and supporters to give thanks for the commitment of so many people to addressing the sexual abuse crisis and to renewing the Church.

Throughout the visit, the phrase "dialogue process" was used to describe our activities. In retrospect, we seemed to be engaged in one continuing conversation about the crisis, our response as Catholics and as human beings, and the good will that must be nurtured among laity, clergy, and bishops as we seek to repair the Church.

Voice of the Faithful has a purpose and a place at the table in the Pacific Northwest. The commitment of the laity, clergy, and Archbishop Brunett to active lay involvement, justice for survivors, and seeing the Church renewed, is a positive model for other dioceses.

We should all give thanks for the inspired work of the women and men of the Pacific Northwest for their leadership in this important mission.

VOTF Central
VOTF Northern Illinois
Submitted by Terry O'Connor Terry offers here what he calls a "60 second report on VOTF in Northern Illinois."

Winnetka group claims its voice on the North Shore as a new affiliate is announced at Faith, Hope and Charity in Winnetka. We are also please to announce that St. Francis Xavier parish is in the final stages of establishing their voice in the western suburb of La Grange. For those who have contacted us in the past for information on VOTF in the Winnetka or LaGrange area, please contact us at this time so we can introduce you to your neighborhood VOTF coordinator.
For the latest news in the growth of VOTF in Illinois, visit the affiliate web page and check us out. While your there PLEASE also sign up for VOTF, if you haven't done so under the new system.…we need your name to keep growing and to reach our goal of continuous dialogue in our Church.
Rumor has it that VOTF in the Joliet Diocese plans a major step in networking their local diocese. Their objective appears to be centered on better communications and dialogue with their bishop. More details to follow as they develop.
Rumor also has it that VOTF in the Archdiocese of Chicago is working on improved communications with their cardinal; however, there are no details to report at this time.
The Rockford Diocese continues to expand its membership as it begins to talk about the local issues in its diocese. Their membership drive remains focused in the Fox Valley region, and in the city of Rockford and its surrounding area, while local strategies are being worked out.
If you had a chance to visit the Irish Fest in Milwaukee, you also may have had the opportunity to attend Mass with the delightful Milwaukee Archbishop, Timothy M. Dolan at the Fest…. Having done so, you may have returned home and noted on the late news, the associated press release indicating -"More than 160 priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee have signed a letter arguing that married men should be allowed to enter the priesthood." I mention this not as an issue, but as a process to watch and support. Many believe this is the sign of how positive change will take place with support from priests of integrity. In a separate article from MSNBC, "The priests hope the letter will prompt a dialogue about the issue of optional celibacy because of the shortage of priests, said the Rev. Tom Suriano, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Whitewater." The Rev. Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils, said he would request that the letter be discussed by the Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, a subcommittee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Interestingly, the same Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will chair that committee, beginning in November, Siva said. Archdiocesan spokesman Jerry Topczewski said, " Dolan did not attempt to stop the priests from circulating the letter. Topczewski also did not expect any fallout for priests who signed the letter."

Isn't that what we all want, just to talk things over and be part of the process. I think the above is a step in the beginning phase and process of healing. The next step is to sit in on the meeting and help out in the discussion. Peace be with all of us.

VOTF Cleveland, Ohio
Submitted by Tom Byrne (too late for the August issue, but the details remain worthwhile.)

August 18, 2003 - The Cleveland affiliate of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) will sponsor a Mass of Healing at 12:00 noon on Sunday, August 24, 2003, at Padua Franciscan High School, 6740 State Road, Parma, Ohio. Reverend Walter Dolan, OFM, will be principal celebrant. A panel discussion featuring child sexual abuse experts and victim advocates will follow the Mass.

Thousands of people have come forward in the last two years to reveal that, as children, they were sexually abused by priests. "Many are still emotionally crippled by the shame that destroyed their childhood", according to Tom Byrne, coordinator of the Cleveland VOTF affiliate. "We want victims to know that their fellow Catholics are aware of their suffering and that we care".

The moderator of Sunday's discussion will be John Seryak, M. Ed., a teacher with Revere Schools in Summit County. Seryak, author of Dear Teacher If You Only Knew… has spoken on child sex abuse at universities and conferences around the country. Panelists will include Barbara Blaine, founder and national president of Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP); Dr. Maryhelen Kreidler, University of Akron nursing professor and child sex abuse therapist; Margaret Grant, director of the Victims Resource Center of Laurelwood Hospital, part of University Hospitals Health Services; Victoria A. Didato, director of the Child Sexual Abuse Institute of Ohio; and Fred and Kay Starr, parents of a victim.

VOTF Dayton, Ohio
Submitted by Kris Ward

Insistent on beginning the Dayton Ohio Affiliate of Voice of the Faithful with prayer in a sacred place, the co-founders of the affiliate, Kris Ward and Mike Knellinger, battled through resistance from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for six months before a launch event of VOTF on April 3.

The evening began with a prayer service "A Church Lamentation" in the Immaculate Conception Chapel of the University of Dayton, the 10th largest Catholic university in the country. Through its president, Daniel J. Curran, the university has become a collaborator with Dayton Affiliate Voice of the Faithful.

With a continued refusal to allow Church property to be used for the open conversation that immediately followed the prayer, the meeting was held at a nearby hotel.

Jim Post, president of Voice of the Faithful and David Clohessy, executive director of Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), were the guest speakers to for an audience of 170 people.

We held three meetings off Church property on April 24, May 8 and May 22 before the co-founders met on May 25th with Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk. At that meeting the Archbishop informed the co-founders he would announce on June 11 at an archdiocesan meeting of priests that he no longer opposed Voice of the Faithful meetings on Church property and he would allow individual parish pastors to make their own decisions. The Archbishop had given his permission in March 2003 for Voice of the Faithful to meet on parish property in Cincinnati, the seat of the 19-county diocese.

Dayton Affiliate Voice of the Faithful met June 13, June 27 and July 10 at St. Charles Borromeo with Monsignor Lawrence Breslin in attendance. Monsignor Breslin has been a strong supporter of VOTF. Also attending the June 27th was the pastor of two other parishes in the city.

At the July 10 meeting, the co-founders were elected co-chairs. Bill Wabler was elected Treasurer and Dottie Key was elected secretary. We voted to send a letter to the Archbishop asking him to name the "fewer than five priests" he acknowledged at a March 2002 press conference to have credible allegations made against them and who had been transferred to other assignments without any contact being made by the archdiocese with the civil authorities. The letter also asked for details on the archdiocese's financial support of priests who are removed from ministry, and the status of the canonical process of removal from the priesthood of an archdiocesan priest, Father Kenneth Schottmyer, who was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor. Dayton VOTF made a decision to stay together as a single group and hold meetings in a number of parishes until there was enough strength in a single parish or parishes to begin Parish Voices.

On August 14 Dayton VOTF met at Incarnation Parish, the largest parish in the city, with the pastor, Father Lawrence Mierenfeld, in attendance. The Archbishop responded to Dayton VOTF's letter advising he could not name the fewer than five priests "yet" because of legal considerations. He provided some details about financial arrangements but could not give details, he said, about the status of the canonical process of the removal of Father Schottmyer. The August 14 meeting was the largest to date.

Dayton VOTF meets September 11 at St. Charles Borromeo Parish 7 PM with a presentation on the "History of Structural Change in the Church" by Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Louise Akers, Ph.D.

Dayton VOTF has scheduled meetings in parishes through December and is working on the 2004 schedule. In November, the rector of the archdiocesan seminary will be the guest speaker at St. Albert the Great Parish. Father James Manning, pastor, is a member of the seminary's board.

Dayton VOTF co-founder and co-chair Mike Knellinger stood with the attorneys and David Clohessy on the steps of the archdiocesan cathedral on August 11 at a press conference announcing that six additional lawsuits were filed against Father Lawrence Strittmatter who was removed from active ministry last year. Four other victims had previously filed a suit. The priest was serving in Dayton at the time of his removal. The suit filed racketeering charges against the Archbishop, the second suit in the country to file these charges against a bishop on the basis of failure to supervise.

Dayton VOTF held a special meeting with Mr. Clohessy on August 11. On August 14 Dayton VOTF voted to send a letter to the county prosecutor requesting action on the investigation of a priest, Father Thomas Kuhn, removed from active ministry last year. Father Kuhn's removal was precipitated by the civil seizure of computers from St. Henry's Parish where he was serving as pastor having previously served 12 years at Incarnation.

Dayton VOTF participated in Dr. Jim Muller's visit to Cincinnati on August 8 and looks forward to the October 4 Cincinnati VOTF event with Dr. Donald Cozzens.

Dayton VOTF's Prayerful Voice is working on three additional prayer services. Our Support for Priests of Integrity group is working on a day in October when Catholics in the Dayton area will be called upon to show active support for their priests.

Dayton VOTF continues its media contacts and interviews with local television stations and the city's newspaper regarding the recent removal of three priests, Father Richard Unwin, Father Frank Massarella and Father David Kelley and another priest whom Dayton VOTF believes, based on information from a victim/survivor, is one of the fewer than five priests in the Archbishop's announcement.

VOTF SOUTH
VOTF Louisville, Kentucky
Submitted by Paula Radmacher

Our affiliate began meeting in a snowstorm last winter and we continue to weather events in Louisville.

Our meetings are structured around the three goals. Additionally, we are beginning each meeting with a short educational segment, to remind/inform us of how various aspects of Church governance have evolved over the centuries.

Members of VOTF-Louisville have had two meetings with the Archbishop and his Chancellor: one before the recently announced settlement and one since. The first meeting was to get acquainted, let them know what we are about and offer to work with them for healing in our community. While not closing the door, their responses were cool. The most recent meeting included information regarding new teacher training, which will be conducted by staff from the Center for Women and Families. New standards for ministerial behavior (priests, teachers, employees, volunteers) have been developed and will be in place for this school year. The Archbishop and Chancellor were non-committal about continuing to meet with us.

In June, a $25.7 million settlement of 243 lawsuits was announced. The settlement was in response to accusations against 34 priests and Church workers over a period of 60 years. The funds were to come from unrestricted assets of the Archdiocese and placed in escrow until decisions could be made about how money would be divided.

In July, a conference was presented by Carroll Craddock: Healing and Preventing Wounds of Sexual Abuse in Our Religious Organizations. It was attended by a number of VOTF members who also met privately with Dr. Craddock after the meeting.

In August, Link-Up sponsored a candlelight vigil during the meeting of the National Assembly of Male Catholic Religious Orders here in Louisville. Members of VOTF-Louisville also attended and were able to talk to some of the heads of the various orders and provide witness to our support for priests of integrity.

Catholics in the Archdiocese of Louisville received a letter from the Archbishop in late August outlining a 5-year plan to restore financial stability following the settlement announced in June. Among other things, parish assessments will increase.

Ongoing projects:

Organizing a healing mass for survivors of abuse
Conducting a listening forum with priests of the Archdiocese
Compiling a list of known abusive priests and their current locations

VOTF EAST
VOTF Winchester Area, MA
Reported by Bob Morris

We continued our schedule of weekly meetings this month, featuring four well-attended sessions. On August 4 and 11 we looked at the abuse crisis from two very different perspectives. On August 4, our meeting (attended by about 65 persons) focused on the removal of Rev. Ronald Bourgault of St. Zepherin's in Wayland after an allegation of abuse in 2002, and his reinstatement earlier this year. Attorney Tom Fay, who represented Fr. Bourgault, and Darrell Simpson, a Regional Coordinator for Voice of the Faithful and a member of St. Zepherin's Parish, explained how a rudimentary investigation, conducted many months after the allegation was raised, resulted in the victim acknowledging that the accused priest could not have committed the act in question.

On Monday, August 11, we welcomed Phil and Lauren deAlbuquerque, founders of the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is the nation's first resource center for victims of clergy abuse, located in East Boston. Phil explained how the idea of the Lighthouse came to him in a dream, and how he used his own assets to pursue that dream. While not himself a victim of abuse, Phil has truly walked the path taken by survivor-victims, and showed us all how the support of survivors is truly the work of God. Phil's warm and open spirit touched many of the 75 persons present that night.

On August 18, about 50 members gathered to discuss the report of Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly on "The Sexual Abuse of Children in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston". Members focused on the question of how we can ensure that such a calamity never occurs again. Ideas developed by members ranged from expanding the reach of the Archdiocese's Virtus training program on abuse prevention, to ensuring that something similar to education on the Holocaust be included in religious education, in order to ensure that this tragic period is never forgotten.

Finally, on August 25, over 100 persons gathered to hear Fr. David O'Leary, Tufts University Chaplain, discuss his book in progress on Boston-area priests. Fr. Dave has interviewed over 130 priests since the onset of the abuse crisis, and is in the process of compiling his wealth of data to compile his book. Fr. Dave fielded many questions about his research, and related issues.

Looking ahead, we want Boston-area VOTF members to be aware of a program we have planned for Monday, October 27. On that evening, four leaders of the Boston Priests' Forum -- Frs. Robert Bullock, John McGinty, John Mahoney, and Austin Fleming -- will be joining us. We will have more details about this program as the date approaches.

VOTF Northern New Jersey Affiliate
Submitted by Maria Cleary

The VOTF Northern NJ Affiliate marked its first anniversary this August and is proud to represent 500+ members from the Paterson, Newark, Trenton and Metuchen dioceses. We look forward to our second year, which will focus on "The Future of Ministry," and we already have a number of wonderful speakers lined up to address this urgent topic.

First on the list is Dr. Dean Hoge of Catholic University who's written two new books, Evolving Visions of the Priesthood and The Future of Catholic Leadership: Responses to the Priest Shortage. We'll also be visited by David Gibson whose book, The Coming Catholic Church has been very positively reviewed.

We have found that the subject of clergy shortages can be an interesting topic for a VOTF affiliate. Our Paterson Diocese, for instance, has projected that in fifteen years, there will be 32 priests to serve 99 parishes. This statistic seems to have caught the attention of the laity who are concerned about the Church for their children and grandchildren. Does your diocese have projections they would be willing to share? And if so, what kinds of plans are being made to accommodate those numbers? Perhaps this is an area where your VOTF affiliate might be able to offer some assistance.

We're also excited to be starting a more active prayer life as a community. A local retreat house has generously offered its facility so that we can plan a regular liturgy, and we're having our first one on Sept. 21. We hope to make this a Sunday practice one or two times a month, and we've been fortunate to have a number of priests offer to help.

And, of course, we've all been working feverishly on our convention. We've been getting together every few weeks at Fordham Prep in the Bronx, New York. Our committee of over 30 people hails from all over the NY, NJ and CT area. We're hoping this will be a real reunion for much of our VOTF family. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Fordham University on October 25!

VOTF Boston, MA - Paulist Center
Submitted by Ron DuBois

We will have our first Paulist Center Voice of the Faithful meeting of the "new year" on Sunday, September 14, after the noon Mass, in the library.

We will be discussing our vision for the coming year, i.e., "Healing the Body of Christ." We will also briefly describe our new organization and our intentions to work more closely with existing ministries at the Paulist Center, especially the Pastoral Council. We plan to have a table at the Community Festival on September 27/28. Ideas are welcome as well as volunteers to "person" the table at the festival.

I look forward to seeing many at our September meeting. This will be a very important year in the history of the Archdiocese, and Voice of the Faithful intends to play an important role in "Keeping the Faith and Changing the Church."

National Parish Voice has identified four U.S. regions for purposes of affiliate coordination, communication efforts and future regional definitions and representation:

WEST
Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, Alaska

CENTRAL
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

SOUTH
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida

EAST
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia

****Print Media Coverage - Be sure to check the website at www.votf.org for reprints and links to recent interviews with Jim Post and articles on VOTF in Newsweek, Commonweal, National Catholic Reporter and St. Anthony Messenger, AND the Herald Sun in Melbourne, to name but a few.

****Parish Voice News - Suzy Nauman and Mary Ann Keyes hit the road! In July, these two National Parish Voices visited the leadership in Albany and Syracuse, NY and then met with a core group in Rochester, NY, where an affiliate is finally getting off the ground under the leadership of Mary Ann Ribble-Brock and a supportive steering committee. September 11th they head for Chicago, IL where they hope to meet with leadership from the many affiliates formed and connect with some in WI and IN. Watch this space for updates on their progress.

VOTF East

****Tri-State VOTF Conference We are delighted to share information about the exciting October 25th VOTF conference sponsored by the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut affiliates. In fact, we hope everyone is planning (buses--planes, trains, automobiles and subways!) to join us for this event. Our website, with complete information about the conference is live! This is a must-be-there for all!
Maria Coffey, NY Chair, VOTF Conference

****Tuesday, September 30 at 6:30, Affinia Southgate Hotel (31st Street and 7th Avenue)."Repair My Church" was the theme newly installed Boston Archbishop, Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., adopted as he took over the helm of the Boston Archdiocese. Following this call for change in the Church originally given to St. Francis, the Capuchin Mission Development Office is sponsoring a lecture featuring another Capuchin Franciscan, Michael Crosby, OFM Cap. Author of thirteen books including his latest, "Rethinking Celibacy, Reclaiming the Church," Michael will discuss challenges and opportunities ahead for both clergy and the laity. For information/reservations call John Mattras at 212-564-9070 x 256. Suggested contribution is $20. However, all are encouraged to attend. Seating is limited. (Submitted by Mary Ann Keyes)

****GENERAL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS & PLENARY MEETINGS - THIS FALL, Wellesley, MA

A tentative plan is to have two general meetings each month, starting this October. The 2nd Tuesday of each month will be a general WORKING GROUP meeting. Leaders of each Working Group and members will meet, work on and share their plans and progress. Hopefully, each individual Working Group will have additional meetings at a time and place of their convenience. Only the general WORKING GROUP meeting on the 2nd Tuesday each month will be in Wellesley. First meeting is OCTOBER 14th, 7:30-9:30 pm, St. John Parish, Wellesley, Philbin Hall/Parish Center.

For the 4th week Tuesday meeting, we are recommending a general PLENARY MEETING in the model of the early formative plenary meetings at St. John's in the first 6 months of 2002.

We would hope this would be a meeting for all current members as well as an introductory opportunity for new affiliates and members and feature GUEST SPEAKERS. We want this meeting to include the FIVE REGIONS. In addition, would it be more effective if this general PLENARY MEETING were rotated through the FIVE REGIONS of our Boston Archdiocese?

To be successful, we need a steering committee to make decisions, to plan the Plenary Meetings and to promote and advertise and market each meeting. An additional thought; wouldn't it be important, in supporting our spiritual and evangelizing dimensions, to have a quarterly Plenary Meeting AND Liturgy? Reminder: First general WORKING GROUP MEETING - Oct. 14, 2003, 7:30-9:30pm - Philbin Hall - St. John's, Wellesley. OPEN ISSUES: 1. How is meeting information going to get to the leaders of each Working Group and members? 2. Location of monthly Plenary Meetings - in Wellesley or Five-Region Rotation? 3.Who will be part of this Steering & Implementation Committee - from the FIVE REGIONS? Please forward your comments to Frank and Julie McConville at jfmcconville@comcast.net.

****PASTORAL SUMMIT 2003 at the Marriot Copley Hotel on October 6-8, Boston, MA. PASTORAL SUMMIT CONFERENCE TO BRING DIVERSE GROUP OF PASTORS AND LAY LEADERS TO BOSTON

A groundbreaking, Lilly Endowment-funded national conference coming to Boston, October 6-8, brings together Catholics and Protestants from across the country to concentrate solely on local churches - how to help them fulfill their great potential and to help them confront inevitable issues of our time. Through its workshops and keynote speakers, Pastoral Summit Boston will provide answers and solutions for universal issues like how to increase lay involvement, reach into and transform entire communities, attract new members, reinvigorate worship, reach young people and Gen Xers -and much more.

Pastoral Summit Boston will also tackle many current and crucial issues facing churches today: how to deal with brokenness after a sexual, financial or emotional crisis; how to respond to congregants in the face of war and a depleting economy; how ancient contemplative and mystical spirituality is inspiring modern lives; how new grassroots lay initiatives are transforming both individual churches and church structures.

Jim Post, President of Voice of the Faithful, will lead a workshop on "The Flowering of Lay Initiatives." Other workshop speakers include: Tom Beaudoin from Boston College, who will lead a workshop on "Church in Postmodern Culture"; Fr. Walter Cuenin, Pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton, MA, who will lead workshops on reviving church and parish life; Br. Curtis Almquist, a monk from the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who will lead a workshop on integrating contemplative and mystical life into daily life; and Mike Ashcraft, whose Wilmington, NC, church meets in a middle-school gymnasium and attracts hundreds of Gen X'ers every Sunday. Ashcraft will lead a workshop about helping lay people discover their spiritual gifts and then applying them to a church ministry.

Keynote speakers are Huston Smith, the internationally renowned expert on world religions, who sees the local church as still the place where most people find and practice their faith, and Alice McDermott, the National Book Award-winning author, who will tell of the profound impact of the Catholic faith in her life and work.

Evening and morning liturgies offer a glimpse into both Catholic and Protestant styles of worship. Morning liturgies include Taize, a style of worship originating in France that combines singing, scripture reading and quiet mediation. Evening liturgies include an ecumenical gathering at Old South Church and a closing worship service conducted by the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble, a multimedia experience of music, dance and performance.

Pastoral Summit Boston will be the finale of three 2003 national gatherings that built upon the initial 2001 conference in New Orleans. In addition to Boston, two other conferences were held this year in San Antonio and Indianapolis.

"The Pastoral Summit's aim is simple and straightforward - to make churches the best they can possibly be," said Paul Wilkes, a writer and active Catholic layman who is founder and project director of the Pastoral Summit. "What our participants take home is not just theoretical, but actually reproducible. For both clergy and lay leaders, the Pastoral Summit might be looked upon as 'one-stop shopping' for models of local church excellence."

"We chose Boston as a Pastoral Summit site for many reasons," said Wilkes. "It has a rich religious tradition and, because the tragedy of clergy abuse still hangs heavy over its Catholic parishes, we felt it was a city in search of religious and spiritual healing. By providing fresh ideas and new ideas for parish and church reinvigoration, we hope to help in some small way in that healing. We hope to show that the local church has so much unrealized power, power just waiting to be unleashed."

Working in conjunction with the Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and New England area parishes, churches and denominational groups, the Pastoral Summit has been funded by various grants from the Lilly Endowment. The conferences grew out of another Lilly Endowment-funded project - a study of church excellence that led to the publication of two books written by Wilkes: Excellent Protestant Congregations: The Guide to Best Places and Practices and Excellent Catholic Parishes: The Guide to Best Places and Practices.

"It was quickly apparent, as our team was doing research, that Catholic and Protestant churches can learn from each other's excellence, even when their approaches are so different," Wilkes said. "Good ideas work across traditions. Churches want to sense a mission and feel an excitement in what they do, and as they are always looking for new ways to serve their people and to reach into the world, the Pastoral Summit was created to provide a meeting ground for ideas that should be shared."

Wilkes has written and spoken extensively about the role of religion in personal lives and public life for more than three decades. He is the author of eighteen books, the director and host of television documentaries, and has written for the New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine and many other publications.

Registration and brochures for the Pastoral Summit are available online at www.pastoralsummit.org. For more information contact: Svea Fraser at sveaandscott@comcast.net ; Miles Christian Daniels at staff@pastoralsummit.org or call 910-962-7225; FAX 910-962-7491; Pastoral Summit, 1413 Hawthorne Road, Wilmington NC 28403

Featuring these Speakers, a Panel Discussion and more: "

Professor Marci Hamilton: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law "
Marion White: Exec. Director Child Abuse Prevention Program "
David Clohessy: National Director of SNAP "
Sister Sally Butler, O.P.: Supporter of clergy abuse victims "
Panel Discussion on "Breaking the Silence"

****Nashua, New Hampshire hosts Paul Lakeland - For those unable to participate in the tri-state conference (see below), here's an opportunity to hear Paul Lakeland, the Fairfield University professor who inspired the June 7 Boston gathering in his keynote address. Come to Rivier College in Nashua on Saturday, October 25 for another opportunity to hear Professor Lakeland discuss "Vatican II: Back to the Future" at a 9-3 conference. The $30 cost includes lunch. There will be breakout sessions, one of which is expected to be on canon law as it relates to Church structures, laity, etc. Contact ariggs@rivier.edu for more information.

****A Musical Tribute - On September 28, 2003 at 5:00 pm, a chamber music concert will be performed at the Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA. Admission to the concert will be free. Concert attendees are asked to make a good will offering to support SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). The program will be presented by John Ferrillo, Elizabeth Ostling and Elita Kang of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Carol Rodland of the New England Conservatory, and Hugh Hinton of the Longy School of Music. Attendees will hear works by Bach, Schumann, DeBussy, Barber, Loefflre and Messiaen. PLEASE HELP TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS! For further information please visit the survivor pages of the VOTF Web site or contact Steve Sheehan at: sheehan1777@aol.com

VOTF Central
**** VOTF Cleveland, Ohio Affiliate of Voice of the Faithful sponsored a Mass of Healing on Sunday, August 24, 2003, at Padua Franciscan High School, Parma, Ohio. Reverend Walter Dolan, OFM, was the principal celebrant. A panel discussion featuring child sexual abuse experts and victim advocates followed the Mass. Kay Starr, mother of a victim, was the liturgist. (Details under Voices, Voices Everywhere!)VOTF Central)

Letters to the Editor

"PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep including the prayers in the VOTF newsletter - there is nothing more important that we can do than pray for our Church, our mission, ourselves that we may always be discerning our Creator's will for us." Virginia Doyle

"When Archbishop Sean O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston said in his homily last week that the behavior of Catholic churchmen was a crime, he in effect called Bishop John McCormack, along with Bishops Banks (Green Bay), Daily (Brooklyn), Murphy (Rockville Center), and Hughes (New Orleans) criminals. Does it make sense to think that those who do not demand and work for their removals are not themselves behaving in complicity with criminals? This appears to be the case for a large number of practicing Catholics who remain silent." John E. Carroll

"The Vatican is sending out many of its jewels and artwork on a tour of the United States. One of the first stops is in Ft. Lauderdale. I get so angry when I see ads for the "legacy of the Vatican," the tour name. My nephew was molested by a priest in the Worcester Diocese and that priest later committed suicide. To me this is the true legacy of the Vatican." Elizabeth, Miami, FL

"Keep up the great work! May God bless your sincere efforts to help bring about good changes in our Church. Our faith and beliefs are fine. It's the leadership and its clinging to its power that are the problem. Along with many antiquated ideas of whose Church this is." E. Richard Fortunato, Director, Parish Information & Communications Center, Saint Dominic Church, Southington, CT 06489

"Thanks for the VOTF Newsletter. It is always encouraging to me. I had considered 'checking out' other religious denominations, but because of your organization and CTA, I plan to stay with Catholicism -'I'd rather fight than switch.'" Sharon H. Mack, Grand Rapids, MI.

"Great idea (In the Vineyard Structural Change Report of August 2003) to join the parish council. However, I would say that the chances of that are about the same as a snowball in hell. Once VOTF ideas in any form come forward, that would be the end of that. Good luck. It will be a long way to respect for the faithful by the clergy, I fear. Thanks for your work." Pat Goddard

"I am active in VOTF both in Rochester, NY and Ft. Myers, Florida. It is interesting to note the contrast in acceptance in the two areas. In Ft. Myers (Venice Diocese) there is just one priest supporting VOTF, to the best of my knowledge. The support is encouraging and includes the use of the church hall for meetings. For this we are grateful. There are a few priests 'on the fence', but they haven't jumped in yet. The Bishop of Venice is silent.

In Rochester there are two priests who come to the meetings and are active members. I'm told that there are about 50 out of 160 in the entire Diocese of Rochester who support VOTF. I think that is tremendous. So far, the Bishop there has been silent.

VOTF is now a fact of life and the Bishops have to live with it. It's growing day by day and someday when all the abusers have been dealt with and the survivors have been helped as much as possible the Church will have survived. We will look back knowing how it got so far out of hand and be confident that with the help of VOTF and changes in the Church, it will never happen again." Lee J. Grills, Honeoye Falls, NY

Best Practices

From Kathy Mullaney, Wellesley, MA

Arriving at St Anthony's in the Field in Terrey Hills, Sydney, Australia, we parked behind the round parish building and strolled up to the Churchy initially viewing their kitchen through the full wall of sliding glass doors with its huge harvest dining table. It reminded me of Susan Troy (National Prayerful Voice chair) reminder that the Mass, the re-creation of the Last Supper, is basically sharing a meal together - this Church had it right. One of their Family Groups was about to have its "Christmas in July" celebration after the 5pm Mass. Children hopped and skipped around the grounds flowing in and out of all the open church and kitchen doors while the adults greeted each other and busily prepared to share their evening together. There was much community living everywhere!

One Small Faith Community
New Sea, New Ships
Submitted by Carolyn Wharton & Ray Classen

A Small Church Community (SCC) is a vessel rightly built for staying buoyantly afloat in the Catholic Church today. It is a group of perhaps 8-12 people who meet regularly to reflect on scripture, on paintings, literature or music that expresses spirituality, or on the news or whatever feeds the inner spirit and puts faith into action in the community.

Such a group is much more to the Saints Dymphna and Rocco Small Church Community in Portland, Oregon. Formed ten years ago, the group has ridden the tides of change within its membership and within the Church that called it to be. For this group, the SCC is a ship whose form and shape have morphed through the years.

At first, our group was a rowboat, launched from the mother ship of the Church during a cycle of parish revitalization through the Renew program. Renew provided us a plan, pre-scripted with agenda, ritual, and rubrics, with selected scripture, prayer and activities. It was guidance and education, a model that proved flexible. Our pastor joined our group for a few seasons. When a member dealt with breast cancer, the priest brought sacrament to the group, offering a healing ritual at one of our gatherings.

Later we navigated our own waters, customizing our boat into a crew scull. Canned programs felt more apt for groups in their first seasons, and so we chose our own, sometimes adrift at sea, sometimes confidently rowing forward, creating our own ritual and praying spontaneous prayers. We felt what it was like to move the boat with our unified, collaborative effort. It took each member, working with his/her unique strength and unified toward common goals. We shared responsibility for the direction of the group, for selecting programs/activities and presenting them; we became practiced dragon boat racers, rowing in unison and taking turns as coxswain. We moved outward beyond group and parish gatherings, to work with the Metropolitan East Portland Interfaith Hospitality Network, providing meals and overnight companionship for families in need.

As seasons passed, we invited speakers: lay spiritual directors, local Catholic clergy, women who served as deans of Catholic seminaries and as Episcopal priests. At times our sails luffed, losing wind when our rituals were lifeless or our examination of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey proved flat and a bit silly. At other times, our sails filled, billowing with the energy of what was true and challenging and vital. We were with each other through divorce and children marrying, through sickness and babies born, through struggles with faith and new beginnings of belief and social action. We became ready to act sacramentally within our group and at the local level. With songs, rituals of healing, of reconciliation, of new beginnings, of celebratory nourishment for body and soul, we grew able to naturally enact our spirituality. We had been trained well enough by the Church as children. We were ready to be adults in Church activity, no longer children.

Most recently, we have felt a new impetus. In the spring of 2002, we wrote a White Paper - A Response to the Multiple Incidence of Child Abuse by Priest-Pedophiles Within the Catholic Church. We shared it at the annual parish goal-setting gathering, with suggestions for Church action. Later, we drafted a letter, signed by over 300 parish members, asking our archbishop, John Vlazny, to take the concerns of the parish to the bishops' meeting in Dallas last summer. When the pastor of the parish was reassigned, we brought requests to the parish meeting that a lay committee be formed to interview candidates for pastoral leader and to send recommendations to the archbishop.

While not all of our suggestions came to fruition, there was a sense of a new role for our SCC, for Small Church Communities in general. If the mother ship of the Church seemed stilled and anchored to a structure and culture that contradicted the Christian message and mission that launched it, perhaps we could nudge it. Perhaps we could turn the ship around.

What follows is a list of recommendations for Small Church Communities:

Stay in touch with what's going on through books, newspapers, organizations (SNAP, Voice of the Faithful)
Listen to new ideas, even radical ones
Rock the boat: Let your parishioners, pastoral leadership, bishop know what is meaningful to you
Enlist ideas from many sources inside and outside the established Church: invite members and guests from other faiths
Take a stand: speak out on issues that concern you and are important to the group
Seek the support of other groups for worthwhile causes
Listen to the ideas of others, even those who may disagree with you
Don't just sit there; do something: make a difference with some social action
Include film, music, literature, poetry, art, essays, speakers in your programs
Question the status quo
Demand accountability of leaders
Break out of the box of dysfunctional rules and tradition
Foster what is good in the institutional Church
Tap resources within the group for shared responsibility to create stimulating, thought-provoking gatherings
Discover priestly mission in the group membership
Create sacrament within the group
- Support one another in illness, deaths, divorce
- Celebrate the joys of weddings, births
- Make eucharistic nourishment in group meals and treats
- Share human weaknesses and failings; enact reconciliation

A Gathering Prayer

This short prayer was written by a VOTF meeting attendee and became that group's opening prayer for each of their gatherings. It has since been adopted by several others.

Let's take a moment to center ourselves in the presence of our brother Jesus Christ. As two or more, we gather in His name. As He promised, so we believe in His presence among us. We ask our parent God to send His Spirit to guide our every word and action here today toward our Savior's vision for the community He left behind and continues to embrace as we embrace His Presence among us. Amen

In the Vineyard September 2003

In the Vineyard
September 2003