 We are a group of Catholics who are concerned about our Church, and who meet regularly to learn about our past and discuss our future. We rejoice and give thanks for all the gifts we have, and strive for truth and integrity in holding everyone, including ourselves, accountable for the way we live our Christianity.
 VOTF Local News and Upcoming Events |
Upcoming Events
 CULTIVATING A PRAYERFUL VOICE
Educating Future Generations in the New Story
Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 PM
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
100 Harter Road
Morristown, NJ
Speaker:
Michael Morwood
"May the faithful live in very close union with the people of their time. Let them strive to understand perfectly their way of thinking and feeling, as expressed in their culture. Let them blend modern science and its theories and the understanding of the most recent discoveries with Christian morality and doctrine. Thus their religious practice and morality can keep pace with their scientific knowledge and with an ever-advancing technology." (Lumen Gentium) Michael Morwood, an adult faith formation expert, has carried out this charge from Vatican II in a most concrete and dramatic way through his work. In his New Story approach to the good news, he answers this challenge to "blend modern science and its theories" with Christian doctrine, so that contemporary Christians can feel perfectly at home with the people of our times and our culture. Because of his work, we can "live in very close union with the people of our time." (Lumen Gentium)
A description of Morwood's newest book is available here. Join us and Michael Morwood on Wednesday, July 29 and explore an adult theology that speaks to the people of our time.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER!
The Uniqueness of Jesus
Tuesday, Septembrer 22, 7:30 PM
Speaker:
Roger Haight, S.J.
 The phrase, "the Uniqueness of Jesus," contains a variety of meanings all of which are contested. Father Haight will discuss two of them as a way of introducing some of the most challenging questions in Christian theology today.
First, uniqueness can refer to the particular historical identity that Jesus displayed in his public ministry. What did Jesus say and do in the course of his brief life, represented especially in the gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke?
Second, uniqueness can also refer to the status of Jesus' relationship to God compared with that of other religions and paths to salvation. Is Jesus the absolute and only way to salvation?
There is no single agreed upon answer among Christian churches. But they all fit under the umbrella of what Paul says holds all Christians together: "there is one body and one Spirit, &one hope, & one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all."
Father Haight's book, The Future of Christology (Continuum Books, 2007), will be available after his talk. It will be the topic for two VOTF book discussions in October.
SUPPORTING PRIESTS
Conscience & Consequences
Held on Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 PM
 
Speakers:
Richard Rento, 'Retired Priest", Diocese of Paterson
Bob Call, Married Priest, Member, Pax Christi
Click 'Upcoming Events' above for speaker biographies. Click on this program found in our 'Audio Library' above right to hear it.
VOTFNJ Membership
We invite you to become a VOTFNJ Member. Help us meet VOTF's mission and goals. Join us today! ALL ARE WELCOME.
VOTF Union County Updates
A Brief History: The Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches
Thursday, June 4, 2009
First Methodist Church
Westfield, NJ
Directions
Speaker:
Father David Stout of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashbury Park will give a brief history of the Episcopal Church and its relations with the Roman Catholic Church with a candid view of Catholicism. Father David's parish is known for its diversity, with outreach to the gay community as well as disaffected Catholics, and with an active program serving the social needs of the economically disadvantaged of Asbury Park.
Announcing May Book Discussion
Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr, Facilitated by Mary Ryan and Medeleine Korfmacher. Date to be announced. Click VOTF/Union County above to learn more.
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Articles, Presentations and Talks of Interest |
In The News
Sussex woman a maverick priest
Monday, April 27, 2009
By Jeff Diamant
Star-Ledger Staff
Video
By Jeff Diamant
Star-Ledger
Photos
By Aristide Economopoulos
Star-Ledger
Newton resident 'on a high' after being ordained
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
By Bruce A. Scruton
NJ Herald
Woman priest isn't a 'maverick'
Friday, May 1, 2009
Letter to the Editor
By Theresa Padovano
Star Ledger
Click 'In the News' for past news articles.
Setting the Record Straight
A report written for VOTFNJ by members Mary Ann Schoettly and Carole Rogers, both holding M.A. in Theology degrees from the College of Saint Elizabeth.
A Reflection - Mary Ann Schoettly's Ordination
Midwives of a New Story - A Reflection on Mary Ann Schoettly's Ordination to the Priesthood, April 26, 2009 written by Christina (Tina) M. Genest.
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Streaming Audio |
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 Audio Library - listen to selected speakers from our VOTFnj meetings.
 New Additions: Fr. Dick Rento and Bob Call: "Conscience & Consequences", April 21, 2009 meeting
Click Here...
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You Can Help! |
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BECOME A MEMBER or DONATE: Send donations to:
Fran Malloy
3302 Appleton Way,
Whippany, NJ 07981
checks payable to "VOTFNJ" |
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Next Meeting |
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VOTFNNJ - Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 PM, Michael Morwood
Click Here for Details and Directions
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Our Next Liturgy |
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 Sunday, June 21 , 5 pm, Rev. Kevin Downey or Rev. Emmit Murphy presiding, Loyola Retreat House, Morristown, NJ, . Click here for directions.
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NJ VOTF is a 501(c)3 organization, and all donations from 2003 to the present are tax deductible. We are very grateful for your generosity.