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Message from VOTF president Jim Post

The past month has been filled with exciting, exhausting activities.

One of the best things about being a VOTF officer is the opportunity to meet with members and friends across this country and beyond. On November 7th, I had the good fortune to speak at two masses at St. Joan of Arc RC Church in Minneapolis. The masses were well-attended - each drew more than 1,100 people. The congregation was wonderfully diverse: old and young; people of many colors and races; people of many economic circumstances. My reflection was entitled "Keeping the Faith: The Story of Voice of the Faithful." I discussed the journey of the laity from a passive, accepting group of people to a body that is more engaged, more focused, and more determined to bring our Church closer to the gospel values we treasure. St. Joan of Arc has a motto: "Meeting you wherever you are on your journey." It couldn't be a more appropriate challenge to VOTF today - to understand where we are on that journey of faith and action.

Six days later (November 13th), New England had its first snowfall of the season ... and another test for VOTF event planning. Weather notwithstanding, nearly 1,000 members and friends arrived at the Worcester Centrum to participate in the New England Conference, "It's Not History -- It's Time for Renewal." The program was filled with wonderful speakers and commentators. Of special significance to all, however, was the "Priest of Integrity" recognition given to Fr. James Scahill of Springfield, MA. The audience recognized Fr. Scahill's courage in challenging his bishop to stop improper payments to a convicted child molester in the Springfield diocese by placing donations from parishioners in an escrow fund. Fr. Scahill's remarks to the audience in Worcester were electrifying as he challenged bishops, priests, and the laity --each one of us-- to be the people of principle that Jesus calls us to be.

The next day (Sunday, November 14th) brought me to Chevy Chase, MD for a program sponsored by Metro-DC Voice of the Faithful affiliates. The timing was excellent for media coverage - the USCCB meeting drew media interest to issues related to the Charter, election of the USCCB's new president, and financial accountability in light of bankruptcies in Portland, OR, Tucson, AZ, and Spokane, WA. Professor David O'Brien was the keynote speaker, accompanied by Barbara Blaine of SNAP, Fr. Donald Cozzens, and myself. Several hundred people turned out for an excellent program coordinated by the area's VOTF leaders.

On November 15th, the formal business of the USCCB meeting began in Washington, DC. Kris Ward, VOTF vice president, and Suzanne Morse, VOTF communications manager, held an early morning press conference to share VOTF's key concerns, including the Charter review process, bishops' accountability, and looming financial crises in American dioceses. Kris and Suzanne made many media contacts over the next few days and shared the VOTF story.

In less than 10 days, we communicated directly to more than 3,500 people and with thousands more through our electronic, print, and Internet media contact efforts.

Does this communication effort make a difference? I certainly believe it does.

Voice of the Faithful is becoming well-known for the clear and reasoned voice it gives to issues in the Church today. This was evident in Minneapolis, Worcester, Chevy Chase, Washington and many other communities in the month of November.

Your efforts to speak about our mission, goals, and issues is a vital part of our communications. Your support and financial contributions directly assist our efforts to spread the word of faith and the hope for change.

Thanks to each and every one of you who helps to keep our voice - the voice of the faithful - alive in the wilderness of our times.

 

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.

 

In the Vineyard
December 2004
Volume 4, Issue 11

Page One

Working Groups News

National News

Meet the Office!

VOTF Regional News

Message from VOTF president Jim Post

Printer Friendly Version

In the Vineyard Archives

Our postal address is VOTF,
Box 423,
Newton, MA
02464-0002

Donations can be sent to this address or through our Web site

For an overview of press coverage of VOTF, click here.