A group of some 15 people met on July12, 2004 at the Scotch Plains Library to discern the level of interest in working to reform our Church in the light of the sexual abuse scandal.  Tom Quinn facilitated the meeting and it was clear that those in attendance were eager to try and make some changes in line with the Purpose and Goals of the National VOTF organization. Using these goals three groups were established to begin to work:

• Support for Priests of Integrity - Cy Massar            
• Support for the Abused - Eileen McMahon
• Structural Change - Mary Ryan, Ken Riley, Mary Ellen Fagan, Kay DeWeever

From the start we were rebuffed by Archbishop Myers who declared that no parish or institution in the Archdiocese was to cooperate in any way with VOTF.  Our numerous letters, personal contacts met with no success in changing this policy.  Notwithstanding, we have managed with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring forth an ongoing Speaker Education Series - beginning in the Fall of 2004 until the present -meeting almost monthly in the United Methodist Church of Westfield. In addition, we have maintained an ongoing relationship with the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (SNAP) and been vocal in our public support of our good priests. We look for opportunities to convince our Bishop that we are a force for positive change and seek to involve as many of the faithful laity of our diocese in that effort

 For more information contact Madeleine & Walter Korfmacher at  info@votfnj.org 

      

FIRST SUNDAY MASSES 2007 - 2008

Join VOTF Union County at the following First Saturday Masses to pray for priest of the Newark Diocese:

October 6 - St. Theresa's, Kenilworth
November 3 - Holy Spirit, Union
December 1 - St. Joseph's, Roselle
January 5 - St. Anne's, Garwood
February 2 - Our Lady of Lourdes, Mountainside

UPCOMING SPEAKER NIGHTS - 2007 - 2008

 

Goal: To provide opportunities for growth in the knowledge of our faith and to explore structural change in our beloved Church.  Except where otherwise indicated Union County holds it's speaker nights at the First United Methodist Church, 1 East Broad St. in Westfield at 7:30 PM. -- For more information call Madeleine Korfmacher at 908-789-8477.

 Thursday, October 4, 7:30 PM
Spirituality of Protest
Rev. Kenneth Lasch

Father Lasch context will be based on the book, Midwives of an Unnamed Future by Mary Ruth Broz, RSM and Barbara Flynn. It is in the genre of Edwina Gately's A Warm, Moist, Salty God. Lasch will speak about those who have "midwifed" him as priest, pastor and advocate for victim/survivors of abuse. He will offer it as a paradigm for all in the reform movement.

Father Keneth Lasch retired on August 1, 2004 as the pastor of St. Joseph Church, Mendham, NJ.  He continues to pastor in a church without walls and in a parish without boundaries but well within the tradition and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on Father Lasch and his ministry visit, http://www.fatherlasch.com.

 Thursday, April 3, 2008
How Gay People View the Church
Rev. Edwards

 Lenten Book Discussion (4 nights/ dates TBA)

 Thursday, May 22, 2008
Picking Popes - Details and Trivia
Christopher Bellito

ALL ARE WELCOME!