EVENTS, ETC.

NATIONAL
February 27, 2004 - the NRB will release the results of the survey commissioned by the USCCB to catalogue sexual abuse cases. The survey is being conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Another report by the NRB, on the causes and context of the crisis, is also anticipated in February. There will coverage of the VOTF response in the March issue of this publication as well as on the VOTF Web site at www.votf.org.

REGIONAL
Parish closings in Boston area to have broad consequences. Executive Director Steve Krueger calls for "…serious, meaningful lay and clergy involvement in all decision-making, as well as full financial disclosure at every point in the process." Read the VOTF Statement on Planned Parish Closings by the Archdiocese of Boston in this issue. David Castaldi has prepared "A Boston Overview" of the financial implications of church closings and diocesan finances.

MA - Northshore Area VOTF Affiliates - The Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of the North Shore, Lynn and Seacoast Areas are sponsoring a faith formation program for adult Catholics, "The Living Christ, and We His Disciples." This is a collaborative effort with the Boston College Department of Theology. The speaker is Rev. John F. Baldovin, S.J., Professor of Historical and Liturgical Theology, Weston Jesuit School of Theology.

The Lynn Area VOTF affiliate will sponsor the next in the series of two-part lectures. On January 25, 6:30 pm, at St. Mary's Church, Lynn, Fr. John Baldovin, S.J. of Weston Jesuit School of Theology will speak on "Incorporation into Christ through Baptism, Confirmation and the Community of Faith." On February 8, in the Lower Church Hall of St. Pius V Church on Maple St. in Lynn, Fr. Baldovin will address our "Incorporation into Christ through the Eucharist and the Community of Faith."

The third two-part presentation will focus on "Life Lived in Christ; Reading and Praying the Scriptures," sponsored by the Seacoast VOTF and will take place at Immaculate Conception Church, Newburyport. On Sunday, March 28, Fr. Tom Leclerc, Professor of Scripture, author on Liturgical topics and member of the La Salette Order, will present "Life Lived in Christ, The Theology of the Gospels." On Sunday, April 4, 6:30 PM, Fr. Leclerc will address "Life Lived in Christ, The Theology of St. Paul's Epistles."

Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 - VOTF president Jim Post will be a panelist at the Boston College conference "Toward an Ecclesial Professional Ethic." This is part of the ongoing BC initiative, "The Church in the 21st Century." Note: this conference is limited to invited speakers and participants; the proceedings will be published. Also this month, there will be a lecture on Tuesday, February 24, 2004, "Restorative Justice as A Model of Healing A Wounded Church Community," with Rodney L. Petersen from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., location TBA, Sponsor: Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, Continuing Education Information: http://www.bc.edu/irepm or 617-552-8057. Registration Required

Heads up for April 16-17 - A conference with global implications, "Envisioning the Church Women Want: A Conference on Women in the Church," will be held at Boston College. See more information in the December 2003 In the Vineyard, visit www.bc.edu/church21, or call 617-552-3489.

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