News from National

A Groundbreaking Interview with Pope Francis
On Thursday, September 19, 2013, America Magazine published a groundbreaking interview with Pope Francis. The Pope talked about the Church not being too turned in on itself or being “small-minded.” He said the Church must find a new balance between upholding rules and demonstrating mercy. "Otherwise even the moral edifice of the Church is likely to fall like a house of cards."  And, the  Pope said,"We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible.”

To read the entire interview, http://americamagazine.org/pope-interview .

"The Enigma of Pope Francis" -- An Evening with Dr. Paul Lakeland to Benefit VOTF

Voice of the Faithful® invites you to a fundraiser featuring Dr. Paul Lakeland, the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Chair in Catholic Studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut and a member of VOTF's Advisory Council.

 Dr. Lakeland's talk, "The Enigma of Pope Francis," will take place on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, at St. Eulalia Parish Hall, 50 Ridge Street, Winchester, Massachusetts. Click here for directions. A wine and cheese reception will begin at 5 p.m., immediately preceding the talk.

All proceeds will benefit Voice of the Faithful®.
To make your reservation(s) online at $25 per person, click here and choose the Donate to VOTF option, then place LAKELAND in the comment field as you complete the form.

To make your reservation(s) by mail at $25 per person, send your order to LAKELAND-VOTF, P.O. Box 423, Newton, MA 02464.

If you cannot attend, but would like to make a donation, you may contribute by clicking here, or by sending your donation to the mailing address above.

If you have any questions, you may contact jodonnell@votf.org or 860-561-0161.

Thank you. See you at St. Eulalia's on Oct. 25.

Travel to Rome: Celebrate Vatican II
Join other VOTF members and Father Walter Cuenin to explore our Catholic heritage. Fr. Cuenin, a long-time VOTF friend, chaplain at Brandeis University, and active participant and presenter at workshops and seminars across the country, will lead the trip. One feature: the canonization of Pope John XXIII, who convened Vatican II, without which reform organizations like VOTF may not exist. The group also will tour St. Peter's Basilica and other popular sites in Rome (especially those historically important to Vatican II), and take a day-trip to Assisi to see the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Our pilgrimage is scheduled for April 24-29, 2014, around the most likely date (April 27) for the scheduled canonizations. For a detailed itinerary and other vital information click here (a webpage of illume, experts in travel experiences, which is handling the tour in Rome). You also may call illume at 800-368-6757, ext. 128, if you have any questions.

Book your trip today and take part along with your friends and colleagues in what is sure to be a most memorable experience.

Update on Bishop Selection Project
At the end of August, Voice of the Faithful sent a letter and proposal to Pope Francis outlining a demonstration project for restoring wider lay participation in the selection of a diocesan bishop. The effort would have national bishop conferences conduct demonstrations, report on the results, and then submit them to the Vatican for development of "best practices." 
The VOTF proposal, prepared by our Bishop Selection Committee, details the mechanism for collecting lay input via projects the national bishop councils would conduct within their own countries.

The method retains papal assignment of local bishops (thus avoiding what could easily become a decades-long revision of canon law) and shows how broad, local lay and clergy input can be incorporated in the recommendations sent to the pope for such assignments.

Here are the documents VOTF mailed to Rome:
Letter to Pope Francis
Furthering the New Evangelization: Consulting the Laity on Candidates for the Episcopacy

FutureChurch Invites All to Join in Celebrating Priesthood Sunday

How will you celebrate Priesthood Sunday in 2013?

On the last Sunday in October, Catholics gather to honor those who are called to the priestly ministry.

Celebrations affirm priests who like St. Paul embrace the celibate charism in their service to God's people. They also bless those whose call to serve in ordained ministry is not yet recognized by the institutional Church.  FutureChurch encourages Catholics to ask Church leaders to welcome into the Latin rite those men who, like St. Peter, embrace their call to priestly service as married men, and women who, like St. Phoebe, wish to serve as deacons.

Priesthood Sunday celebrations are great for parishes, prayer groups, book groups, etc.

Click here for a  Priesthood Sunday organizing kit  which includes tips for planning a Priesthood Sunday celebration, sample press release, two sample op eds, fact sheets, reproducible artwork, and more.

Join Future Church in honoring our hard working parish priests and advocating for the day when they won't have to work so hard because we have all the priests we need.

Focus

Highlighting issues we face working together to Keep the Faith, Change the Church

TOP STORIES
Vatican Removes Its Envoy to Dominican Republic
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have said they would look into rumors of child sexual abuse involving the papal envoy there and the Vatican abruptly removed him from his post. The nation’s attorney general, Francisco Domínguez Brito, said Sept. 4 that his office had not received any accusations about the papal nuncio, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, and was aware only of rumors. Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed Archbishop Wesolowski had been removed from his post a few weeks ago and the church was conducting an investigation.
 -- The Dominican Catholic Church in Shock by Scandals of Pederasty
 -- Papal Nuncio Suspended Over Abuse Allegations
 -- Catholic Church Relieves Its Ambassador in Dominican Republic Amid Official Investigation
 -- Dominican Cardinal Confirms Reporting Ousted Envoy to the Vatican
 -- Vatican Willing to Hand Accused Nuncio Over to Authorities
 -- Vatican Says It’s Assisting Dominicans in Abuse Case

One Bishop Calls Another Bishop to Task
A Roman Catholic bishop recently called to task another bishop—a rare occurrence in the clerical world despite the claim of “fraternal corrections.” The new archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh has said he does not believe his disgraced predecessor should return to Scotland. Monsignor Leo Cushley will formally replace Cardinal Keith O'Brien in the role on Sept. 21. The cardinal resigned in February after admitting sexual misconduct, and was told by the Vatican to leave Scotland.

As Pope Meets Curia, New Secretary of State Says Priestly Celibacy Is Not Dogma
While Pope Francis presided over a meeting of Roman Curia department heads Sept. 10, his new pick for Secretary of State was making news on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Archbishop Pietro Parolin, in an interview with the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal, said among other things that the church’s tradition of priestly celibacy was not dogma and was therefore open to discussion.
-- Vatican’s New Top Diplomat Ready to Make Church Champion for Peace
-- Archbishop Pietro Parolin Priest Celibacy Is Open for Discussion
-- Debate on Celibacy for Catholic Priests Is Old But Welcome, Experts Say
-- Married Priests in Catholic Church’s Future
-- Poll: Should the Catholic Church Remove Clerical Celibacy Requirement
-- Vatican Open to Discussion of Priest Celibacy Rule
-- Priest Celibacy Is Open for Discussion, Says Vatican Number Two
-- Vatican’s Secretary of State Says Celibacy is an Open Question
-- New Secretary of State Parolin on Celibacy, Democracy

Missouri: Priest Gets 50 Years in Child Pornography Case
A Kansas City-area priest whose child pornography case led to a misdemeanor conviction against a Roman Catholic bishop was sentenced Sept. 12 to 50 years in federal prison. Prosecutors had asked that the priest, the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, be sentenced to 10 years for each of five young victims after he pleaded guilty last year to producing and trying to produce child pornography.
-- Ratigan’s Punishment for Lurid Photos of Young Girls: 50 Years

Arrested Prelate Tells Magistrates of Secret Accounts in the Vatican
The Vatican department in charge of paying salaries and managing real estate acted improperly as a parallel bank, providing accounts to outsiders, an arrested prelate who worked there for 22 years has told Italian prosecutors. The latest allegations come as Pope Francis tries to address years of financial scandals involving the Vatican bank, which has long been in the spotlight for failing to meet international standards against tax evasion and the disguising of illegal sources of income.

Catholic Lay Group Wants a Place at the Table with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Several hundred people are expected to converge on a Bloomington hotel this month for an assembly of Catholics seeking church change. The third event of its kind, the gathering is called the Synod of the Baptized.

Read the rest of this issue of Focus by clicking here …

Calendar

St. Catherine of Siena Award recipient Phyllis Zagano will be busy in Connecticut and Massachusetts this autumn as she speaks about women’s roles and deacons in the Church. Here are the dates to mark for your calendars:

• Phyllis Zagano,  “Exploring Catholic Culture: Women in Ministry", Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, 229 East Litchfield Road, Litchfield, CT 06759-3002, CT 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 20 through 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2013 Contact: 860-567-3163.

• Phyllis Zagano, “Mary Fields and Vincent DeP. Gouobeau Lecture on Women's Contributions to Church and Society", St. Thomas More Chapel, Yale University, 286 Park Street, New Haven, CT Sunday, October 13, 2013, 6:30 p.m.

• Phyllis Zagano, “Women Deacons: Future", Boston College, C-21, Cadigan Alumni Center Atrium, Brighton Campus, Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 6:00 p.m.

Reclaiming the Promise of Vatican II
In keeping with the 50th anniversary of Vatican II this year, VOTF North Shore-Seacoast has named its 2013-2014 Adult Education and Faith Formation Program "Reclaiming the Promise of Vatican II." The program, presented in collaboration with the School of Theology & Ministry at Boston College, kicked off Sept. 15 with a talk by noted BC theologian, author and educator Prof. Thomas Groome, Ed.D.

 North Shore-Seacoast's program of five lectures runs Sunday evenings, Sept. 15, 2013, through Apr. 6, 2014. Other topics will include women in the Church, the challenge of Catholicism in Latin America, the legacy of Vatican II, and Vatican II and a Biblical model of morality.

 Other speakers will include Francine Cardman, Ph.D.; Roberto Goizueta, Ph.D.; Richard Gaillardetz, Ph.D.; and Rev. Kenneth Himes, O.F.M., Ph.D.

For more information you may contact:
Elaine Nylander, 978-887-0882, eteach43@comcast.net
Eleanora Paciulan, 978-422-4882, emlpac@comcast.net
Mo Donovan, 978-518-0133, maujane@verizon.net
Carl Greenler, 781-690-1307, carl.greenler@gmail.com

Church in the 21st Century Center
Fall 2013 Events
Living Catholicism: Roles and Relationships for a Contemporary World
October 3, 2013 (Lecture)
Presenter: Fr. Michael Himes (professor, Theology Department)
Location/Time: Gasson Hall, Room 100, 5:30 p.m.
Sponsors: C21 Center and Theology Department
For more information
The Church in the 21st Century Center
Boston College
Heffernan House
110 College Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: 617-552-0470
Fax: 617-552-9141
Email: church21@bc.edu 
Scripture Study at St. Susanna in Dedham MA
Saint Susanna is also about to begin its Fall series, which meets Tuesdays to study Sacred Scripture.

SACRED SCRIPTURE - Back by popular demand – An encounter with The Book of Revelation. Some people were disappointed that they missed out on our look into that evocative part of our Scripture, so we are bringing it back one more time. Don't be left out again. We will meet for 8 Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 in the church library to discuss our progress and help one another use our eyes to see and ears to hear. Materials will be provided and each evening concludes with a 20 minute video of an expert on the topic. Our first session is Tuesday October 1st.  To ensure a place, please email Tim Sullivan at tim.sull@yahoo.com or call the rectory (781-329-9575). Please join us as we come together to share how we might incorporate its messages into our daily lives. No previous experience with Scripture study is needed.

Saint Susanna Adult Formation
All programs are from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, at the parish hall, 262 Needham Street, Dedham.  There is no pre-registration and no fee, although free will offerings are gratefully accepted to cover our costs.

September 30 –  Reporting from the Ground: Building Understanding of the Israel/Palestine Conflict.  Speaker: Dr. Alice Rothchild.  A joint presentation with Saint Susanna Peace and Justice Committee, Pat Ferrone, Chair.  Alice Rothchild is an obstetrician-gynecologist who has worked in the health care reform and women’s movements for many years.  Since 1997, she has focused much of her energy on understanding the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.  In 1997, through her involvement in the Boston Workmen’s Circle, a progressive secular Jewish organization, Alice turned much of her non-medical focus to understanding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and its relationship to US foreign policy and American Jewry.

October 7 –  The Pilgrimage as an Act of Worship, A Historical and Current-Day  View – Speaker: Michael Hartwig, Ph.D.  Dr. Hartwig looks forward to talking about the importance of pilgrimage, the history of pilgrimage, how pilgrimage has changed over the centuries, and examples of contemporary pilgrimage with photos and sites to share.  Dr. Hartwig collaborates with educational and pastoral leaders to create unique and thoughtful programs that advance continuing education and ongoing faith formation through pilgrimage travel to places such as Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy and other destinations. Michael is a religious studies professor – part-time – at Northeastern University and Emmanuel College.  His work in the area of pilgrimage travel developed out of his expertise in religious history and spirituality and his having lived and studied in Spain, Italy and Germany.    

October 21 –  Keeping the Faith: Why People Stay Catholic (First of Two sessions)  In the first week of our two-part “Keeping the Faith” series Father Joseph P. Marchese of Boston College’s First Year Experience Program will speak on  Why People Stay Catholic:  Does the drop in Church attendance represent a diminishing faith and secularization of society, or is the cause more complex, and what are its elements?  Father Marchese is the Director of Boston College First Year Experience.  Under Father Joe's direction, First Year Experience runs the university Orientation program each summer, and is home to First Year Academic Convocation, the urban service-immersion Freshman Leadership Project, and Boston College's largest retreat program, 48HOURS.

October 28 –  Raising Catholic Grand/Children: IS IT POSSIBLE?  In this second week of the "Keeping the Faith," series, Sister Nancy Corcoran, csj, will speak on the issue of children and grandchildren pulling away from their Catholic roots. She will address how parents and grandparents can help younger members cultivate faith and stay engaged with the Gospel message of Jesus.  Sister Nancy will touch on issues such as:

-How to navigate the challenges that arise when parents or grandparents themselves may be grappling with concerns over Church discipline or doctrine;

-Going beyond Mass or CCD to show children Catholicism in action and encourage meaningful engagement;

-How to leave a door open if children do choose to stop practicing.

Questioning religion as one grows and comes-of-age is not uncommon; this session will provide perspective and insight into how we can keep our multi-generational faith family strong and encourage children and teens to be active, questioning, free-thinking, passionate members of the Catholic community.

Sister Nancy is a favorite of Saint Susanna Adult Faith Formation, at the same time both highly informative and humorous.  As the Director of Newman Catholic Ministry at Wellesley College, Sister Nancy Corcoran, CSJ serves as a chaplain to the students, staff and faculty of the College supporting the spiritual practices of a diverse community.

Understanding the most precious teaching of the Catholic Church to be the honoring of one's conscience, Sister endeavors to provide opportunities for each person's spiritual growth.

Questions, Comments?

Please send them to Siobhan Carroll, Vineyard Editor, at Vineyard@votf.org. Unless otherwise indicated, I will assume comments can be published as Letters to the Editor.