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Northern New Jersey Affiliate
Special Pages
Monthly Updates
Click here to read THE VOICE - News from VOTF Northern NJ
Focus
VOTF Local News and Events
The first news from our NEW METUCHEN AFFILIATE! Click on the left for details.
Articles of Interest
VOTF/Union County
Coordinating Team Minutes
Supporting Priests of Integrity
Audio Library - Selected Audio Files
About VOTF/NJ
Support Victims/Survivors
Monitoring compliance of The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms.
Clergy Support
VOTF goal No. 2 is to support priests of integrity. We are trying to let the bishop, pastors and priests of our diocese know what this promise of support implies by these actions.
Structural Change
This committee is dedicated to educating our members about the institutional church - its history, its evolution, and its organizational structure. By becoming knowledgeable about our church, we will be better equipped to make a useful and positive contribution to the dialogue about its future.
If you are interested in helping with this important task, please contact Joe Lynaugh at m.lynaugh@verizon.net.
Click for Meeting Minutes, 10/21/03.
Prayerful Voice
We are always in need of help with planning prayer events, prayers at events, general suggestions and most of all prayer participation. If you can help please contact Bob Calafiore ( bobc4700@netzero.net)
Communications
Finances
Prayer Suggestions
Prayer Intentions
Suggested Readings
Links
In The News 2007
News stories of interest to VOTF members and to the general Catholic Population.
Minutes: July 14, 2004
Featured speaker Dr. Eileen Flynn, whose talk was entitled "What Went Wrong?"
Minutes: June 17, 2003
Featured Dr. Gloria Thomas who spoke on an intriguing subject: The Trinity: A Model for Dialogue.
Minutes: May 13, 2003
Kathleen McChesney, Executive Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Child and Youth Protection spoke about her new appointment and what it entails.
Minutes: March 20, 2003
A panel discussion exploring "What it means to be a Catholic priest in the U.S. today."
Minutes: February 20, 2003
Featured Deal Hudson, editor and publisher of Crisis magazine, and an oft-quoted critic of VOTF. His topic : "The Root Causes of the Problems in the Catholic Church."
Minutes: January 15, 2003
Fr. John Bambrick, pastor in Manalapan, NJ, a survivor of priestly abuseshares his story.
=> Read NY Times Article
Membership Form - VOTFNNJ
Press Release: November 20, 2002
Minutes: November 20, 2002
Anthony Massimini, Ph.D. discusses restructuring and renewing the Chruch.
Minutes: October 24, 2002
Fr. Raymond Schroth, SJ, educator, writer and professor at St. Peter's College presented his topic of understanding church structure by citing Hans Kung's description of the church as a dynamic organism in the process of being built.
Minutes: September 22, 2002
Rev. Kenneth Lasch and Rev. Richard Rento speak to the current crisis in the Church and their hopes for the future.
Minutes: August 20, 2002
VOTF-NJ holds it's first meeting.
In The News 2005
Membership Form Submitted
Main Content
Additional Reading Material
About VOTF/NNJ
Minutes: November 20, 2003
Anthony Padovano topic is "The American Catholic Church: Assessing the Past, Discerning the Future."
Statement of Purpose
Based on VOTF's mision statement and goals, VOTF-NNJ has developed a strategic vision for its work. Read our Statement of Purpose. Let us know your suggestions or opinions. Contact us at
info@votfnj.com.
Minutes: January 10, 2004
Fr. Jim Sullivan and Fr. Walter Murphy discuss "Priestly Celibacy."
REBUILD MY CHURCH
We are pleased to share
REBUILD MY CHURCH
an online booklet of Lenten Reflections, combining the traditional Lenten meditation/scripture practice with the goals of VOTF.
We have a group meeting for an hour each week for the next five weeks at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Whippany. Click on heading for dates.
Our Next Eucharistic Liturgy
Next Eucharistic Liturgy Sunday, June 15, 5 pm, Loyola Retreat House, Morristown, NJ, Father Dennis Crowley, presiding. Click here for directions.
VOTF Welcomes Bishop Arthur Serratelli to the Paterson Diocese
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We extend a warm welcome to our new bishop, Arthur Serratelli, who has taken the helm of the Diocese of Paterson. Joe and Joan Barrett, our Priests Support Coordinators, attended his installation on July 6 as VOTF/NJ representatives. We have also delivered a letter to the bishop signed by over 150 of our members who join in wishing him well and hoping that we will be able to meet and dialogue in the near future. Click on heading for full text of letter.
Minutes: May 11, 2004
Dr. Kathleen McChesney, Justice Anne Burke, David Clohessey and Larry Nagle discuss "What Now? Update on the Work of the National Review Board (NRB). How Can Laity's Confidence in Bishops be Restored."
Minutes: June 23, 2004
Dr. Kieran Scott of Fordham University, presented an intelligent, creative and positive plan to restructure the Church.
Union County Launches a New Affiliate
Welcome to VOTF Union County which held its first meeting in Scotch Plains. Click on the heading for minutes.
A Pastor at Large
Fr. Ken Lasch, recently "retired" from St. Joseph's in Mendham, has begun a new and exciting ministry. His new website,
www.fatherlasch.com, is a treasure trove of information and yet another resource for our continuing education. Be sure to check it out and send him your comments!
VOTF Union County Updates
Thursday, June 13, 2008
The Hidden Child
Claude Dahme
Former president of the NJ Board of Education, Claude Dahme and her sister were among 100,000 (out of 1,600,000) Jewish children who were saved from the Nazi death camps because they were hidden by a Christian family. Ms. Dahme will present her gripping tale of survival and speak about tolerance and the need for Christinas and Jews to take stands in the face of evil.
Click VOTF Union County Updates for information
on upcoming events
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Our Next Meeting
We have a new Pope! What do *you* think?
Join our round table discussion on 
"The New Papacy:
Hopes and Expectations"
JUNE 2, 2005, 7-9pm
Parsippany Public Library
292 Parsippany Rd., Parsippany
www.parsippanylibrary.org973-887-5150
Our conversation will be introduced by
Dr. Anthony Padovano, noted scholar and theologian, who was present in Rome during the conclave.
Minutes: September 10, 2005
Click here for streaming audio of the seven talks
Reform groups present their history, missions, and activities at September 10th meeting. Panelists were: Mary Ann Hain - Call to Action, Leonard Swidler -Association for Rights of Catholics in the Church, Russ Ditzel - CORPUS, Rea Haworth - Catholics Speak Out, Florence Giammarino - Pax Christi, Gaile Pohlhaus - Women's Ordination Conference, and Mary Ann McCarthy - FutureChurch.
Team Minutes: April 26, 2008
The meeting was held at the home of Theresa Padovano, VOTF-NJ Coordinator.
Activities & Lessons Learned
Upcoming Events
LISTEN TO...
Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church:
Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus
with Bishop Geoffrey Robinson
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson joined us to discuss his book Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spririt of Jesus.
Through the story of sexual abuse and the church's response, I came to the unshakable belief that within the Catholic Church there absolutely must be profound and enduring change. In particular, there must be change on the two subjects of power and sex." ( from the book's introduction.) - Bishop Geoffrey Robinson.
His publisher's website says: In his book, he offers nothing less than a vision for a church of the thrid millennium--a church that wants to see in its members the reponsibility appropirate to adults rather than the obedience appropriate to children, and wants to help all people to grow to become all they are capable of being. Readers will love or hate this book, but will not be able to be neutral.
Click HERE to listen to the audio of Bishop Robinson's talk, May 21, 2008.
Click HERE to learn more about Bishop Robinson.
Listen to ...
Theology to Set Us Free Vs. Theology to
Keep Us Under Control
with Michael Morwood
Michael Morwood led us on April 2 for an evening of sharing and reflection. With 30 years of experience in retreat, education, parish and yourth ministers in Australia, he has worked in adult faith formation in almost every diocese there. He is auther of Tomorrow's Catholic, Understanding God and Jesus in a New Millennium, Is Jesus God? Finding Our Faith, Goad is Near, Trusting Our Faith, and Praying a New Story. His latest book is From Sand to Solid Ground.
Click on Audio Library in right hand corner of this page.
More information on Michael Morwood:
http://morwoodm.homestead.com
Click on Upcoming Events above to learn more about Michael Morwood and his work
Read a wealth of information on our faith and Church!
Click here to enjoy our many past speakers.
Minutes: May 5, 2005
Angela Bonavoglia, nationally known, award-winning journalist and author, discusses her new book
Good Catholic Girls: How Women are Leading the Fight to Change the Church.
Minutes: April 5, 2005
Rev. Jeff Mickler, S.S.P., Ph.D. presented "The Making of a Naive Priest: Healing and Hope."
Minutes: January 17, 2005
David France discusses his book Our Fathers.
Minutes: November 22, 2004
Rev. Eugene Lauer, a priest from the Pittsburgh diocese who is currently Director of the National Pastoral Life Center in New York City discusses "Women and Minorities: Their Impact on the Development of Theology."
VOTF New Jersey Coordinating Team
VOTF-NJ is managed by a Coordinating Team that is assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers committed to the VOTF's mission and goals. This team also provides the coordination for VOTF-NNJ affiliate events and supports other VOTF-NJ affiliates in meeting their objectives.
Facilatator
Theresa Padovano
Treasurer
Fran Malloy
Prayerful Voice
Charlie & Juanita Saco and Maureen Mahoney
Educational Outreach
Maria Cleary and Joe Lynaugh
Communications
Carol Achord, Tina Genest, Dick Johnston, Mary Murphy, Maria Cleary, Louise & Chuck Schaefer, Theresa Padovano, and Joe Cece
Flier Distribution Team: Paul and Dot Hennessey, Mary Murphy, Charles & Gerri Mulligan, Carole Rogers, Ed Sullivan, Norbert Langer
Speakers/Education
Theresa Padovano, Carole Rogers and Janet Bonar
Regional Liaisons
Union County:
Madeline and Walter Korfmacher
VOTF National Liaison and National Representative Council Region 3
Ed Sullivan
To learn more about the work of the Coordinating Committee and to consider your involvement click
Metuchen VOTF-NJ Affiliate
Minutes: March 15, 2004
Michael Morwood presents his thoughts on creation and our perspective of the universe. Where is God in all this?
In The News
Father Kenneth Lasch Recipient of Priest of Integrity Award
To read press reports of Father Lash's "Priest of Integrity Award" click on In the News above.
Minutes: October 17, 2005
Rev. Eugene F. Laurer, S.T.D., Director, National Pastoral Life Center, New York City discussed The Evolution of Holy Orders.
Minutes: June 2, 2005
Dr. Anthony Padovano - author, international speaker and professor at Ramapo College who was in Rome during the recent conclave and election of Pope Benedict XVI explored A New Papacy - Hopes and Expectations.
November 19, 2005 Meeting
Approximately 100 people attended this VOTF-NJ, SNAP, and Rescue & Recovery International, Inc. exploring Sex, Power and Surviving. Dr. Anthony Padovano, theologian, writer and Professor of Literature & Religious Studies at Ramapo College, insightfully discussed Sex and Power in the Church. Rev. Robert Hoatson, Ph.D., priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, founder of Rescue and Recovery International, Inc. and survivor, movingly recounted his personal story of Surviving the Impact of Abuse and Power.
Click here to hear both presenters' presentations.
January 12, 2006 Meeting
Rev. Thomas P. Doyle, O.P, J.C.D., an outspoken advocate for survivors of abuse, shared his experience and concerns concerning children's safety, clericalism and other issues currently confronting the Catholic Church. Nearly 200 attended the program held in Westfield, NJ and sponsored by VOTF-Union County in association with VOTF-NNJ.
Father Doyle, a canon lawyer and Dominican priest, was winner of VOTF's first Priest of Integrity Award in Boston. It was an honor for VOTF-NJ to welcome Fr. Doyle to our state thanks to the efforts of the Union County Affiliate.
Click here to hear streaming video of Rev. Doyle's talk.
The VOICE - May 2008
Setting the Record Straight
A report written for VOTF-NNJ by members Mary Ann Schoettly and Carole Rogers, both holding M.A. in Theology degrees from the College of Saint Elizabeth.
February 15, 2006 Meeting
Marci A. Hamilton, J.D., Paul R. Verkuil Chair of Public Law at the Cardoza School of Law, Yeshiva University joined us at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Morristown for a spirited and enlightening discussion of the strategies behind the diocesan decisions in Tuscon, Spokane, and Portland to pursue federal bankrupcy protection. She also discussed the results of the three-year-long Philadelphia grand jury investigation into the sexual exploitation of children as it related to that Archdiocese and updated us on interest for potential action in New Jersey. Attorney Hamilton is an internationally recognized constitutional scholar, specializing in church/state relations, and is the First Amendment advisor for victims in many abuse cases. Among her credits was clerking for Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court. Her most recent book is God vs. The Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law (Cambridge 2005).
Click here to hear streaming video of Attorney Hamilton's talk.
March 2, 2006 Meeting
Whose Money Is It? Financial Accountability in the Church was the topic of March's meeting. Joining us were George M. Perkins, Visiting Professor of Economics, Bates College, Lewistin Maine; John-Campbell Barmmer, Founder and President, One Catholic Voice for Action, Miami, Florida; and Dan Bartley, CPA, Founder and Co-Chair, Voice of the Faithul of Long Island. Peter Mahoney from St. Joseph Parish, Mendman, NJ, gave a local view of his experience serving on that parish's Finance Council.
April 20, 2006 Meeting
Dean R. Hoge, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Catholic University of America, joined us at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Morristown to discuss options facing the American Roman Catholic Church as it faces a priest shortage and the need to import priests from Latin America, Asia, and Africa to meet the need. In his newest work, International Priest in America: Current Challenges and Opportunities, Dr. Hoge with co-author, Aniedi Okure, studied the perspectives of parishioners, lay ministers, diocesan leaders, and priests as they relate to ministry in the Church of the future.
Click here to hear streaming video of Dr. Hoge's talk.
Imagining New Ways of Being Catholic
November 15, 2006 Meeting
A Church in Search of Itself was the topic of VOTFNNJ's November 15 meeting featuring former Jesuit, Robert Blair Kaiser held at St. Mary's Parish in Pompoton Lakes, NJ. Kaiser was a religion reporter for The New York Times, Time, and CBS, and is now contributing editor in Rome for Newsweek. He has written several books. Audio of this program will be available shortly in our Audio Library (this page, top right column). To read more about Robert Blair Kaiser visit http://www.robertblairkaiser.com.
October 28, 2006 Meeting
Imagining New Ways of Being Catholic was the theme of a panel discussion held on October 28 at Birchwood Manor, Whippany, NJ. Panelists included: Rev. James Callan & Rev. Mary Rameran, Spiritus Christi Church, Rochester, NY (Old Catholic Church); Frank Dingle, Catholic Community at Relay, MD; Dr. Kathleen Kautzer, Regis College, Weston, MA; and Rev. Wayne & Rebecca Ortelli, Inclusive Community at Nutley, NJ. This was a spirited and Spirit-full discussion.
Click here to hear streaming audio of this program.
Download the PowerPoint Presentation
Thomas Doyle On Church Reform
VOTF and Reform of the Governmental Structure of the Catholic Church
Comments by Thomas Doyle, January 2008
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.