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.
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