Maria Cleary welcomed the audience of about 75 and expressed our gratitude for success of the past year's programs.  She introduced Action Committee leaders to give brief reports on upcoming activities.

Joan Barrett, Goal #2, asked if members would offer Masses, prayers and good works during the month of February as a spiritual bouquet for our priests to be delivered on 2/14/04.

Bob Calafiore announced that VOTF gathers to celebrate Liturgies together every first and third Sunday of the month at 4 PM at Loyola Retreat House, 161 James Street, Morristown, NJ.  We would love to have you join us.  The next Liturgy will be on January 18, 2004.  Directions to Loyola are on the VOTF website at www.votfnj.org.

Tom McCloskey and Leo Rogers of the Structural Renewal Committee distributed a written paper, "Statement of Purpose" which provides a summary of our past actions and our hopes for the future.  A plan for developing small faith communities is being offered.  Details are on the VOTF website www.votfnj.org.  Your feedback is welcome.

Treasurer, Fran Malloy, thanked members for their generous donations and explained how money is used.  All donations made during 2003 can be filed as a tax deduction on your Federal Income Tax return.  Your contributions may be mailed to Fran Malloy, 3302 Appleton Way, Whippany, NJ 07981.

Ann Zouvelekis announced upcoming dates and activities related to Goal #1 - to support survivors.  See www.usccb.org for the full text of the audit report which measures dioceses compliance with the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth.

SNAP issued a press release on results of this audit report.  See www.snapnetwork.org for details.

You can become a "Ten Minute Activist" from your home by checking www.bishop-accountability.org.  This website provides information to help you to assess your diocese's response to the Dallas Charter.

Maria Cleary announced the exciting news that beginning in February you'll be able to see VOTF NJ on Channel 21 in Morris County.  If you or someone you know would like to be a camera operator, sound or lighting technician or director, contact Maria at clearymf@optonline.net.

Linda Quinn, a survivor of clerical sex abuse, told her riveting story of how at the age of 15, she was sexually abused by a priest who was stationed at Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish.  Her parents allowed Linda to accompany this priest alone because he was a trusted friend.  Linda did not tell her parents what was happening because she felt ashamed and confused.  For years Linda suffered in silence and became very depressed.  When the clerical sex abuse scandal broke into the headlines, she sought help from SNAP.  Linda now understands that she did not cross the line, the priest did.  She is telling her story to help others who may have been abused by the same priest.  Linda is recovering and doing well.  She told her story with strength and conviction.

Our two main speakers were Revs. Walter Murphy and Jim Sullivan, long-time priests from the Brooklyn Diocese.  Each presented his point of view regarding "Priestly Celibacy".  Father Murphy defended celibacy by briefly mentioning some of the theological and scriptural reasons that led to mandatory celibacy being the rule in the Western Rite of the Roman Catholic Church.  He stated his beliefs that celibacy is intended to enable the priest to minister with total surrender to the work of Christ and His Church.  Celibacy is an act of faith in the Holy Spirit and prayer.  The priest's maturity, family background and spiritual formation are all very important in strengthening him to live this life.  The celibate priest also sets a good example of a chaste life in our sex-saturated culture.  Father Murphy believes that it is also a gift.  It is a sacrifice made for the good of the Church.  Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders do so freely after years of preparation and prayer.  All must follow chastity according to our state in life.  Priests must avoid anything harmful to their vocation.  Father Walter believes that his childhood family life, spiritual formation and maturity at ordination contributed to his ability to live a celibate life.  He acknowledged that we do have a crisis in vocations and asked who knows what the next Pope will do?

Father Sullivan expressed his point of view that celibacy is a beautiful gift to the Church but it should be freely given.  As director of a Religious Consultation Center from 1966-1992, he counseled hundreds of priests.  He was touched by the pain and loneliness of many who found the celibate life extremely difficult.  Thousands of good priests have left to marry.  Father Jim believes that some are called to the priesthood and to marriage.  He stated that a greater good is served by allowing a priest to marry and remain in the ministry rather than forcing celibacy on one who is unhappy in that life.  Father Jim believes that optional celibacy will lead to an increase in vocations to Holy Orders.  He is deeply concerned that the shortage of priests will lead to a loss of the Mass and Eucharist for many Catholics.  Father Jim expressed his deep conviction that highest priority of bishops and priests is to save souls.  He believes that allowing married men to be priests would help to save souls.  He stated, "When two duties conflict, we must choose the higher duty."

Videotapes of the presentations are available from VOTF.

A lively Q&A period followed until the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, January 31^st at 10:30 AM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 43 Massachusetts Avenue and Grant Street, Haworth, NJ.

Speaker: Paul Dinter, author of "The Other Side of the Altar" will present his reflections on how the Church can get out from under its self-imposed priesthood crisis.

Minutes submitted by Joan & Joe Barrett