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EVENTS, ETC.

*****REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEW ENGLAND VOTF CONFERENCE IN WORCESTER, MA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13

“It's Not History - It's Time For Renewal" will be the theme of a full-day conference sponsored by the New England affiliates of Voice of the Faithful at the Worcester Centrum on Saturday, November 13, 2004. The Conference derives its name from a statement last February by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding the John Jay report, which documented over 4,000 ordained abusers and more than 10,000 victims. Bishop Gregory remarked, “The terrible history recorded here today is history.” As most of us realized at the time, that was a highly inappropriate characterization. At best the John Jay report was only one short chapter toward a full description of the still-unfolding first major Church crisis in the twenty-first century. There is much more to be experienced, much more to be told, much more to be repaired.

In the wake of this devastating betrayal of trust by religious leaders, the Conference asks, How can the Church renew itself? What must the bishops do? What part must priests play? What more will be required of the laity? We will conclude with a liturgy of hope, healing and renewal. Come join us.

Featured speakers include Fr. Thomas Doyle; authors and journalists Jason Berry, David France and David Gibson; leaders of survivor support organizations (Sue Archibald, President, Link-Up, David Clohessy, Executive Director, SNAP, Bill Gately, Co-Director, New England SNAP); former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tom O'Neill; Paul Lakeland, Eileen Flynn of St. Peter’s, Kathleen Kautzer of Regis College, Paul Lakeland of Fairfield of Fairfield University, David O'Brien and Fr. Bill Clark of Holy Cross, and Gaile Pohlhaus of Villanova; Fr. Robert Silva, President of the National Federation of Priests' Councils; and Catharine Henningsen, Publisher of SALT. A Priest of Integrity award will be conferred on a New England priest who has courageously stood up to the power of the institutional Church on behalf of survivors of clergy sexual abuse. This priest will celebrate our closing Mass.

For further information, and to register for the Conference, please visit the Web site. Seating is limited -- register soon! For further information, or if you'd like to help out in any way, contact Bob Morris at rmorrisvotf@aol.com.

***** Winchester area VOTF to host John Allen, Vatican Correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, author and CNN Vatican analyst in Rome on Sunday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge Street, Winchester

*****HEADS UP – The Boston College initiative The Church in the 21st Century will feature John Allen speaking Monday evening October 18 on "How Rome Views the American Church," 7:00 p.m., Gasson 100, Sponsor: The Church in the 21st Century Information: 617-552-0470.

***** OCTOBER 19 - PAULIST CENTER ADULT EDUCATION – “STRUGGLING TO STAY ALIVE IN THE CHURCH” presented by Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D. on Tuesday, October 19, 7-8:30 in the Paulist Center Library at 5 Park Street in Boston. The focus of the discussion will be the rich spiritual, sacramental and intellectual traditions of Catholicism that can provide insights into faith commitment.

Joseph T. Kelley is the author of Faith in Exile: Seeking Hope in Times of Doubt and Vice President for Mission at Merrimack College.

Freewill offering of $10 suggested to maintain high quality programming. The Program open to all, regardless of ability to pay. Copies of Faith in Exile will be available.

The Paulist Center is handicap accessible; parking validation is available. Paulist Center phone is 617-742-4460.

*****November 7 - A Faith Formation Program for Adult Christians: The Living Christ, and We His Disciples, sponsored by The Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of The North Shore, Lynn and Seacoast Areas in collaboration with Boston College, Department of Theology. Francine Cardman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, will speak on “Living Faith I: Christian Spirituality through the Centuries, “ 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. at St. Rose of Lima Church, Topsfield. Sunday, November 14 – “Living Faith II: Lay Spirituality: The Promise of Vatican II” 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. at St. Rose of Lima Church Hall, Topsfield.

***** Sunday, November 14, 2004 - “Are the Wounds Healing?” VOTF president Jim Post will be a panelist at a Symposium to Assess the Catholic Church’s Progress Towards Healing and Reconciliation within the Sexual Abuse Scandal sponsored by the Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of the Baltimore-Washington Region. Location: The National 4-H Conference Center, 7100 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. Speaker - Prof. David O’Brien, Loyola Professor of Roman Catholic Studies, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA; Panelists - Jim Post, President, Voice of the Faithful; Barbara Blaine, Founder & President, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP); Rev. Donald B. Cozzens, pastoral theologian, psychologist and author. All are Welcome – Reception to Follow. A donation of $10 will be requested at the door For further information: Judy Miller 301-330-4211 or Joe Maher 301 963-8165.

*****DISCOUNT FOR VOTF MEMBERS by the Mind/Body Medical Institute to participate in a unique opportunity. This year’s two-day program is “The Enhanced Importance of the Integration of Mind/Body Practices and Prayer.” It will be held on Saturday and Sunday December 11-12, 2004 at the Westin Copley in Boston, MA. Visit www.cme.hms.harvard.edu/spirituality for registration information and program details. The program is offered by Offered by: Harvard Medical School, Department of Continuing Education, The Mind/Body Medical Institute, The George Washington University Medical Center, The George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish). Course Directors are Herbert Benson, MD and Christina M. Puchalski, MD. Web site is www.mbmi.org The deadline for enrollment is December 1, 2004.

***** Sunday, December 12, 1-9:30. Come join Fr. Laurence Freeman, world renowned expert on the history and practice of contemplative prayer, for a day of quiet in the midst of a busy season! Location: Upper Noyes Hall, Andover Newton Theological School. The program will include a simple dinner. Fee: $40; $20 for students, seniors, and unemployed. Please register as early as possible so that we may plan for dinner. This retreat is co-sponsored by The Empty Bell, Andover Newton Theological School, and the RUAH Spirituality Institute. For additional information, go to http://www.ruahspirit.org/fall2004/meditation.html

 

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In the Vineyard
October 2004
Volume 3, Issue 9

Page One

Priests’ Support Working Group

Events, Opportunities & News

Site-Seeing

Something To Think About

Letters to the Editor

Printer Friendly Version

In the Vineyard Archives

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

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