“As
consent moves into surrender and trust takes hold,
remind me to expect Your image in the most unexpected
places.” Excerpt from “September
Prayer” written by Sheila Norris of Colorado Concerned
Catholics
VOTF
At Work in the World
VOTF’s
Prayerful Voices are heard along the Gulf Coast
The devastated lives of so many in the path of hurricane Katrina have brought
together a mosaic of prayers, funding, volunteers and housing offers. VOTF
members in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA have been communicating by e-mail
their own experiences including first-hand recognition of needs. At the heart
of all their words is a request for and profound thanks for our prayers; VOTF
vice-president Kris Ward’s prayer for the victims of Katrina touched all who
received it.
Spiritual
Director Susan Troy shares thoughts, a song and some
recommended reading. “Today, as the world watches the
devastation along America’s Gulf Coast, we are again
confronted with the reality and mystery of human suffering
in a world we believe was created out of love and for
love. How do we proceed?”
Also
note: SNAP has initiated a Hurricane Relief Fund. Click
here for tax-deductible donation information;
and our Baton Rouge members tell us there is a need
for shoes.
National
NEWS WATCH
- Archbishop
Levada was served a second subpoena as he prepares
to assume the leadership in Rome of the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith
- VOTF
San Francisco is preparing for an October 9 “day
of discernment” on their hopes for and expectations
of a new archbishop
- VOTF
president Jim Post comments on the implications
of a finding by the Vatican with regard to the
Boston
Archdiocese (the suppression decrees for eight
parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston were "defective,") and
by the federal bankruptcy court (parish properties
are part of diocesan assets) in Spokane, WA where
Bishop Skylstad plans to appeal that court’s
decision
- VOTF
Long Island, NY is hosting a discernment meeting
tonight on findings from a study of Rockville
Center’s
diocesan finances
- VOTF
Boston is preparing template post cards for use in
requesting members of the Mass. State Judiciary Committee
to move Senate Bill 1074 (An Act Relative to Charities
in Massachusetts) out of the Judiciary Committee
to the full Senate.
- Maine
VOTF responds to SNAP’s David Clohessy column, “Thanks
But, No Thanks” (See Commentary)
- Also:
Have you seen the VOTF Annual Report?; Bishop
accountability found missing in NH; National
Representative Council update; parish
closings continue and not just in
New England – from
OH “Our church is not closing because we failed the
diocese; it is closing because the diocese failed
our church.”; your Christmas cards are ready!;
and New England Area Calendar Watch
SITE-SEEING,
Etc.
Resurrection
Tapes is waiting for your order on audio and video
coverage of the Indianapolis Convocation; Catholic
News Service would like to hear from you – IF you would
like to hear from them; you can “log on and learn” at
Boston College; the National Pastoral Life Center has
published the Catholic Common Ground Initiative talk
delivered by Archbishop James Weisgerber as well as
the “Response” delivered by VOTF president Jim Post
What
Do You Think?
In
the diocese of La Crosse, WI, the National Catholic
Reporter (Sept. 2, 2005) reports that Bishop Jerome
E. Listecki has issued a new “policy of prudence” to
parishes such that any speaker on church property must
be approved by the chancery. This is the case in several
dioceses around the US. Correspondents, however, have
been unable to identify one diocese where such a decision
involved anyone other than the bishop and his confidantes. Is
there a place for lay involvement here? Write to pthorp.ed@votf.org
Next
issue: September 22. Please send comments and inquiries
to pthorp.ed@votf.org
