Voices in Action: Local Actions

VOTF in action on the parish and diocesan levels

Our team is working to increase active participation of the lay faithful in the mission and ministries of each parish and diocese. We believe that Global Change Begins with Local Action.

Our focus is on creating practical tools you can use to promote local change, including:

Supporting parish-based programs for renewal:

  • The Local Action team is building a program to promote “best practices” in parish life, including governance, financial management, and ministries. If you would like to “take the temperature” of your parish, you can complete an online assessment by clicking here.
  • Our Parish Best Practices team will analyze all surveys and contact you with results and suggestions on next steps for your parish.

Supporting financial transparency and accountability at the local level:

  • The Local Action team is building a program to promote “best practices” in parish financial management. If you would like to assess the financial transparency in your parish, you can complete an online assessment by clicking here.
  • Our Finance Best Practices team will analyze all surveys and contact you with results and suggestions on next steps for your parish.
  • You can help us break through clericalism and promote transparency and accountability with one simple step: send a Catholic Certification of Accountability to your diocese the next time you return a donation envelope. The certificate prints out on your home computer, and there are extras to pass to friends. Change in the Church begins with us. Today.

Establishing Parish-based safe environment committee:

  • We are working to build “Safe Environment” child safety committees in parishes. If you are interested in establishing a “Safe Environment” committee in your parish, or if you would like to strengthen an existing committee, you can complete our brief online assessment survey by clicking here.
  • Our Safe Environment specialists will evaluate all assessment surveys and contact you with suggestions on next steps for your parish.

Helping local VOTF affiliate groups raise their effectiveness:

  • Strong local action depends on the presence of strong local VOTF affiliates. If you would like to assess the operations of your affiliate, you can complete an online assessment survey by clicking here.
  • Our Local Action team will analyze all surveys and contact you with results and suggestions on next steps for your VOTF affiliate.

Team Leaders

Pat Gomez

Julie McConville

Sean O’Conaill (Ireland)

Francis Piderit

Brad Pritts

Margaret Roylance

Anne Wilson

To volunteer, or for more information, email Francis Piderit or Brad Pritts at votf-local-action@googlegroups.com.