Dear VOTFNJ brothers and sisters,
The self-inflicted wound of the clerical sexual abuse crisis has brought our beloved Church to the point of implosion--at least the hierarchical clerical culture of our Church. It is, in one way, a good thing! This means that the wound has been exposed and now the healing may begin; the rebuilding of the Church can commence. What is good can be retained and what has gone off course can be rooted out and left behind.
As members of the laity, committed to our baptismal promises, we can - and must - participate in the rebuilding of our beloved local New Jersey church. In this packet of materials you will find helpful resources, appropriate contact information, and informative background articles. May we suggest a few things that we all can do to move the healing forward?
VOTFNJ has developed an Action Packet of practical steps you can take to confront the abuse crisis in our Church.
Refugee Assistance Update
At VOTFNJ's invitation, a steering committee for refugee assistance held its first organizational meeting on May 23, 2016 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The result: a coalition of 14 member organizations which have named themselves, Refugee Assistance Morris Partners (RAMP). Their stated purpose: "...to assist vetted Middle Eastern and other refugee families to transiton to productive lives of dignity, safety, and hope in the Morris County area of New Jersey." The group has partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and with the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ).
Learn more about RAMP here.
Learn more about RAMP's partnership with CFNJ here.
Donate to RAMP here.
If you would like to join this multi-faith and civic effort, check for the opportunities available here. Contact RAMP This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information and to receive updates.
Stay in touch and informed!
Read In the Vineyard and stay abreast of VOTF national activities and views here.
Confronting the Systemic Dysfunction of Clericalism
Produced by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests in collaboration with Voice of the Faithful and lay people and clergy across the nation; endorsed by FutureChurch.
Preface
When we were asked to prepare a document about clericalism within the Church, we quickly realized that our challenges would be two-fold. One was the sheer volume of books, articles,
editorials, and pronouncements on the topic. What could we say that would help advance the literature already available? What new perspectives or visions could we offer to move forward
on efforts to confront and root out clericalism?
Our other challenge was to produce a document that would “ring true” with both clergy and laity. Could we help us all to see the problem clearly and begin to recognize its manifestations? Could we frame the discussion so as to encourage clergy and laity together to confront actions and attitudes that contribute to clericalism?
Click above for more.
VOTFNJ is pleased to support ...
Road to Recovery, a non-profit organization that offers compassionate counseling and referral services to survivors of sexual abuse. Launched in 2005 to provide direct assistance to victims of clergy sexual abuse, R2R has expanded its mission to include survivors of all sexual abuse. Learn more.
We are resuming our gatherings on Zoom. If you are on our mailing list for liturgies, an announcement will be emailed to you before the following dates. If you would like to join us please register as the email will requests.
It will be wonderful to greet you all again through technology and celebrate together.
Sunday, September 20, 4:30 PM: Mike Corso, celebrant
Sunday, October 4, 4:30 PM: Community
Sunday, November 1, 4:30 PM: Dick Rento, celebrant
Sunday, November 15, 4:30 PM: Mike Corso, celebrant
You can also join Sophia Inclusive Catholic Community, the "sister" community of VOTFNJ, via Zoom for liturgies. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
THE VOICE - VOTFNJ's Monthly Newsletter
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Intentional Eucharistic Communities (IECs) are those small faith communities, rooted in the 
Catholic tradition, which gather to celebrate Eucharist on a regular basis. Born in the enthusiasm flowing from Vatican II for a church of the people, some IECs were instituted in parishes, some were created as alternatives to the parish, some retain close ties with the institutional church, and some function independently. VOTFNJ considers itself to be an Intentional Eucharistic Community.
Sophia Inclusive Catholic Community is the "Sister Community" of VOTFNJ. Their Morristown Liturgy meets the 2nd Sunday of each month at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 100 Harter Rd. Morristown, NJ at 4:30 p.m. Follow Sophia on Facebook. During ths pandemic, you can join Sophia's Zoom liturgies on Sundays at 10:50 AM. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
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