In
the Vineyard
November 2003
"Prayer
makes the heart large enough until it can contain
God's
gift of Himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will
grow big enough to receive Him and keep Him as your
own."
Blessed
Mother Teresa
The
record-breaking response from readers last month to
the "What Do You Think" section of this publication
underscored again the readiness among us. Coupled
with the remarkable success of tri-state conferences
(NY/NJ/CT and OH/KY/IND), and galvanized by the work
of 190 affiliates around the world, several observations
seem inarguable: Catholics want to be asked and are
ready to answer the challenging questions of our time;
VOTF is here to stay; bishop accountability matters;
and prayer heals. As Mother Teresa hoped in the above
quote, Catholics are asking and seeking.
Several
attendees at the NY conference asked what might be done
about what often appears to be rampant passivity among
our fellow Catholics. The answer has always been the
same in VOTF's work - engage with as many people as
possible, encourage listening to survivors and, as one
correspondent told VOTF last month, "Keep on keeping
on!"
For
all the acquiescence so easily evidenced among American
Catholics, for all the declining attendance at Mass
around the world, for all the frustrations inherent
in change, it has always been clear to VOTF that as
a People of God we are profoundly touched by ongoing
events. As of the current crisis, Catholics are committed
to our faith in ways yet unfolding and not as quantifiable
as meeting attendance and affiliate growth. Affiliates
from coast to coast as well as Catholics in many other
reform movements are nourishing themselves and our shared
faith by way of the spate of new and thought-provoking
books that face squarely the crisis that is far from
over. Theologians and universities, many parishes and
small faith and contemplative communities are seeing
a new day in their audiences, congregations and gatherings.
VOTF conferences continue to draw Catholics who are
first-time visitors to a VOTF gathering - they come
for community and for shared liturgy with others who
feel as they do. Even where VOTF is banned from the
use of Church property, Catholics show up. http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/laityto20.htm
Responses
to the VOTF experience vary but each experience
is grounded
in community. Paul Kendrick of Maine may be the best
example to date of growing into this moment in his
own
way. His
letter reminds us that Christ was banned,
too, but it didn't stop Him or those who heard Him
from
being in each other's company, from "going out." This
leave-taking of our places is our common calling -
we
invite you to tell us about your own journey as we
continue to "keep the faith and change the Church." Together,
we will continue to honor Mother Teresa's wise vision
- "Seek and ask." Please continue to write to VOTF
at
leaderpub@votf.org.
Peggie L. Thorp, ed. "
- Survivor
Community Notes
- Christian Science Monitor; Lighthouse update
- National
News - National Working Groups; Council elections;
National Policy Forum - Who's Talking?; Bishops' semiannual
meeting in Washington, DC
- Parish
Voices -
"If it is to be, it's up to me!" Who said it and why?
- Events,
Etc.; Tri-state Conference Highlights including
Jim Post's address; attendees' vignettes; New York
Archdiocesan Synod opportunity; and don't miss out
on the Boston College, MA ongoing study of "The Church
in the 21st Century. Besides events and lectures,
the program offers occasional papers that might jump
start many a conversation. See a synopsis of paper
#4 and/or visit www.bc.edu/church21;
AND don't forget your VOTF Christmas cards
- Letters
to the Editor;
responses to October's "What Do You Think?"
- Prayer
of the month
- November's
"What Do You Think?"
- Books
for your review
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.
|