Register as usual for April 18. Join the meeting direclty on May 2 by clicking the buttom above. If you have any problems registering or joining VOTFNJ Zoom Meetings please email or call 862-377-9914.

Please email if you would like to be a reader for VOTFNJ Zoom Liturgies.

Mary Murphy suggests the Center for Catholic Studies at Sacred Heart University Annual Bergoglio Lecture: "You Save Humans and Animals Alike, O Lord (Ps 36:6): Reshaping Our Imagination of Salvation" with Sr. Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J., Distinguished Professor Emerita of Theology, Fordham University.on April 14.

Mary Aktay recommends REBEL HEARTS profiles the pioneering nuns of The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who challenged the Catholic patriarchy to advocate for themselves and the community they served.

Please email if you wish to include prayers or share news events.

The VOTFNJ Coordinating Team has compiled a resource list on the subject of systemic racism, offering theological readings as well as historical and political perspectives. Download it here.

Voices for Racial Justice welcomes you to a six-week, in-depth reading and discussion of White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. Even if you have already read the book, Father John Judie, a Black Catholic priest, serving as a discussion leader, will offer us new insights into the challenges racism presents. Discussions run weekly from Monday, April 12 through Monday May 17. Join as many as you can; say as little or as much as you choose. Email for more information plus a syllabus and related materials.VRJ is also pursuing mentoring opportunities for Black students at Bloomfield College. Pleas email if you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity.

From Mary and Gerry Gannon: "...[E]ach part is well done and very meaningful in realizing what Sisters of Color went through to serve God's people." View the video here.

For Catholics interested in learning about Black American history, whether to confront the sin of racism or lift the voices of those long ignored, Four Hundred Souls illustrates how the present is shaped and informed by the past and provides endless jumping-off points for further reading. Catholics who care about US Black history must read 'Four Hundred Souls.' Learn more.

VOTFNJ is a founding member and supporter of Refugee Assistance Morris Partners. RAMP is proud of its work sponsoring refugee families from the Middle East since its founding in 2016 thanks to the ongoing support of its deeply dedicated volunteers, faith-based organizations, and generous donors. The first two families are now independent, and are no longer relying on RAMP for their support. Click here for the latest update. Click here for a Migrant and Refugee Fact Sheet from "Education for Justice." Ramp partners with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). IRC showcases the top 10 crises the world should be watching in 2021 RAMP continues to work with IRC in its current mission of refugee resettlement.

The RAMP Coordinating Committee annouces new committees to work on housing and employment for refugees and welcomes Rev. Anne Thatcher, Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Morristown, as RAMP's new Clergy Convener. It is hoped that the Biden Administration's new proposals for accepting refugees into the US will soon be inacted and RAMP will be able to help more families.

If you would like to join this multi-faith and civic effort, go to the RAMP website and check for all the opportunities available. Contact: [email protected] for more information and updates.

RAMP is a Special Project Fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey. CFNJ manages and administers RAMP funds, and donations made to RAMP through CFNJ qualify for 501(c)3 status. Donations can be made here.

April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Access resources here.

"Faith and Flourishing: Strategies for Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse" took place from 8-10 April, and featured 73 speakers from 23 countries around the world. Learn more.

Surviving abuse in all its forms. Keep up with coverage in VOTF National, America, NCR, Commonweal, and Crux.

We recommend reading Fr. Ken Lasch's posts on his website; keeping up with all the news and events at Road to Recovery and Catholic Whistleblowers; and visiting the Catholics4Change website, the Bishop Accountability website; and the Catholic Church Reform International website.

 Active Investigations and Information Hotlines

NY Victims and Anyone with Information are Encouraged to Call Hotline at 1-800-771-7755 or File Complaint Online at ag.ny.gov/ClergyAbuse

Keep up with the activities and outreach of Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) and Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Obituary of Kevin Paul Waldrip – February 1, 1951 – March 30, 2021 by Robert Hoatson

In Loving Memory of Cecilia "Grace" Springer by Robert Hoatson

 Vatican and International News

VOTFNJ has developed an Action Packet of useful steps you can take to confront the abuse crisis in our Church.

by and through the Diocesan Finance Council" from Voice of the Faithful National

"Hans Küng has been the strongest voice for reform in the Catholic Church during the last 60 years. It was in 1961, a year before Vatican II began, that he published The Council, Reform and Reunion in a number of different languages. The book called for a broad-based reform of the Catholic Church and pointed toward the goal of the reunion of all Christians... In later years, his writings extended to many topics outside of traditional theological concerns, including dialogue with other religions and his work on global ethics." Read more.

Fmr. Priest James Carroll: How the Catholic Church Lost Its Soul -- Amanpour and Company

NJ priests divided as Catholic Church says it 'cannot bless sin' of same-sex marriage Fr. Richard Rento is quoted in the article.

The cultural disarmament of progressive Catholic bishops by Massimo Faggioli

The Church's demagogues: Can synodality rebalance the charismatic celebrities? by Massimo Faggioli

Visitation of Vatican liturgy office could lead to liturgical reform by Thomas Reese

Pope Struggles to Contain Conservative-Liberal Tensions in Catholic Church WSJ has a pay wall.

Women Erased: Catholic Women, Feminism, and a New Paradigm for Being Church, Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 8pm ET with Sr. Sandra Schneiders, IHM

What Jesus' resurrection teaches us about how to live after the pandemic from "Young Voices" in NCR

Why do so many Catholics support marriage equality? Blame the Catholic imagination by Jamie Manson

“Restore Our Common Home” addresses how as people of faith we must urgently act to not only protect but restore God’s beautiful gift of creation. The one-hour educational and prayer program is the perfect way for our families, parishes, schools, and religious communities to prepare for the Vatican’s launch of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in May 2021 (during Laudato Si' Week) The program contains prayers, readings, discussion questions, a short video, and suggested activities.