Events, Opportunities & News

VOTF National

National Parish Voice has identified four US regions for purposes of affiliate coordination, communication efforts and future regional definitions and representation. These are as follows:

• 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, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Rhode Island

Help Wanted - We are in need of reporters and photographers to cover various events in the ever-growing VOTF world: national news updates, such as bishop dialogue around the country; events/ talks coverage - upcoming and recaps; Council reporter. No meetings required.

VOTF National Meets with Orthodox Christian Laity
On June 4th, VOTF hosted a meeting with a delegation of board members of the Orthodox Christian Laity. OCL is a membership group dedicated to laity involvement in the life of the Church. VOTF president Jim Post had been working with George Matsoukas, OCL executive director, to shape the agenda for this meeting.

OCL was drawn to VOTF because of the VOTF commitment to justice for survivors and to the advancement of laity participation in the life of the Church. The OCL delegates were warm in their praise of VOTF achievements and encouraging in the feedback they brought from five states (DE, IL, CA, MD, OH, FL).

The theme of the meeting was "grassroots ecumenism." The goals were to explore how laity involvement can be nurtured in the Catholic Church and to draw from each other's experiences in this effort. VOTF and OCL agreed to continue the conversation.

VOTF National in St. Louis, Mo. for USCCB Conference, June 2003 - STEVE COPY

VOTF East

The Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College is offering several courses through its summer program, which might be of particular interest to the members of VOTF. For more information call 617 552-8440 or 800-487-1167, e-mail irepm@bc.edu or visit www.bc.edu/irepm.html. Among the courses being offered is "The Parish as Covenant: A Call to Pastoral Partnership."

Mass of Rededication and Reconsecration, Chestnut Hill, MA - Members and friends of Voice of the Faithful filled St. Ignatius Church in Newton, MA for a liturgy of re-dedication and re-commitment on Tuesday, May 23, 2003. As people entered the church, they were anointed with oil as a sign of their service and commitment to our God and to the healing of our Church. Following the gospel, Fr. Ken Loftus, our presider, opened up the homily to all members of the community inviting thoughts on the readings, the homily and/or the crisis we face as Church. The reflections shared were touching and profound. Adding to the joy and reverence of the liturgy were the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble. St. Ignatius' talented and generous musicians sang beautifully the songs carefully chosen for this service. Together we prayed a common prayer of re-dedication and re-committed ourselves to God and to each other in the great work of bringing about God's reign in our Church and in our world. Sr. Betsy Conway
(Ed. Read the moving reflection by the videographer at this Mass - LINK)

Well-known writer Paul Wilkes is directing "The Boston Pastoral Summit," October 6-8, 2003,at the Marriott Copley Place, Boston, MA. This summit will feature a workshop by Jim Post and Voice members on the organization and where it is going; another workshop on "Broken Pastors/Broken Congregations" that will feature Father Walter Cuenin and a Protestant counterpart, each talking about what churches can do to recover from the brokenness of clergy sexual abuse (and other abuse by clergy); a morning gathering, by interest group, that will be devoted to an open forum on VOTF. Additional information as well as preview audios and videos can be accessed through www.pastoralsummit.org.

VOTF Central

Chicago, IL VOTF Action for Renewal/Voice of the Faithful is supporting a series of discussions of interest to Catholics. The second meeting focused on the role of the bishops in the Church crisis. The program, "Journey to Integrity," is ongoing and informal. It is held at St. Thomas Becket Parish Hall, Mt. Prospect. For information about future gatherings, call 847-690-9970. Terry O'Connor

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