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VOTF Fall Action for 2007 leading to the National Convention
CONSCIENCE + COURAGE = DISCIPLESHIP

July, 2007

Dear VOTF members,

In brainstorming a Fall Action for 2007, the Convocation Implementation Team (CIT) saw a connection between developing a moral conscience and becoming a true disciple of Christ. Conscience impels us to act as courageous disciples when we recognize injustice in the church or society. Sometimes correcting a wrong may be counter-cultural and take courage. (see Luke 14:25-35 (1) and 1 Timothy 1:18-19(2) )

As VOTF’s National Convention nears, we move from an internal grounding in conscience to the more active role of disciple. Conscience without action is hollow. (see Matthew 10:32-39 (3) ) A choice for discipleship is a moment of transformation. (see John 21:17-19 (4) ) We are now at that crossroads both as individuals and as an organization. See the background piece Profile of the 21st Century Catholic on the imperative to act at the end of this paper. Let us pray and let us act.

PRAYER:
O God, the source of all joy, you have nudged us together through the prodding of your Spirit. Lead us, this day.
Erase from us any fear and anger in our hearts
Instead, enthuse us, excite us to be open and honest in our feelings.
Help us to expect great things from you.
Enable us to see your miracles in little packages, and not just big.
Empower us, every today, to step out in faith toward the directions in which you call us.
We praise you, Lord Jesus. We love you, returning your greater Love.
Strengthen us to serve you as we move closer to you.
We ask this in Jesus’ name as we call upon the Father.
Amen

Source: Reconnecting Prayer MHR June 04 2005

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS (leading up to Fall VOTF convention)

  1. Write a Letter to your bishop/newspaper related to VOTF goals.
    Balance your letter by noting at least one positive and one change:
    A. Commend your bishop or diocese on something going right, AND
    B. State clearly one thing that needs improvement. Offer a solution.
    Inform your affiliate leadership and Regional Rep that you have sent the letter and respond to the “Bishop / Newspaper Letter”(alert editor & put link here) summary on the VOTF website.

  2. Be a VOTF Presence in Parish / Diocesan Leadership.
    VOTF asks members with the appropriate skills to serve their parishes and dioceses on finance councils, pastoral councils, and the like. We also encourage VOTF members to serve in these capacities in needy parishes that your parish may have a connection with. The goal is for each Affiliate is to have at least one member serving in a parish leadership role and each diocese to have at least one VOTF member in leadership. Let your NRC representative know that you have found a leadership niche for yourself and where/what that role is.

  3. Research the VOTF Accountability Campaign Surveys for your diocese.
    A true understanding of our baptismal call leads VOTF to find our voice and to act in the face of injustice in our Church. But, as we have learned, such actions of conscience must be informed. We now ask you to continue to form your conscience by collecting survey data on your local diocese.

Phase One, launched in Lent 2007, was a time to reflect inwardly on how we discern right actions based on conscience. With a foundation in Scripture, Church teachings, and introspective questions, we examined ourselves.

Phase Two is to discern how the Spirit calls us to act. Such discernment may call us to:

A. Look nationally at the Protecting Our Children (POC) and Financial Accountability Campaigns by joining efforts to change legislation in our society and to call for financial accountability in our church.

B. Look locally at how our own diocese and parishes are meeting VOTF goals. Toward this end, we ask all affiliates to focus in this final year (ending Pentecost 2008) on collecting data showing how your own diocese has met VOTF best practices in:

a. supporting sexual abuse victims and preventing future abuse
b. supporting priests of integrity
c. shaping structural change (through more authentic participation of the laity in church governance and financial affairs).

Use the three Surveys to assess the progress of your own diocese and document the achievements local VOTF members have contributed to that. We will celebrate our combined progress at the October 19-21, 2007 National Convention in Providence Rhode Island.

Please complete the surveys online or return the printable versions to Millie Seaborn at the National VOTF Office by SEPTEMBER 15, 2007.

VOTF member's embrace their Baptism. One way we work towards our goal of structural change is by helping Catholics to take their Baptismal responsibilities seriously. Consider using another VOTF implementation tool, Profile of the 21st Century Catholic in your Affiliate.

1. “No one who does not carry his cross and come after me can be my disciple…So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple without giving up all that he owns.” See also verse 35 on loss of enthusiasm in a disciple.
2.“These are the instructions I [Paul] am giving you…that you may fight like a good soldier with faith and a good conscience for your weapons. Some people have put conscience aside and wrecked their faith in consequence.”)
3. “If anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven…Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my safe will find it.”
4. Jesus said to [Peter], ‘Feed my sheep…When you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go…Follow me.’”
 
 
 
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