Holy One, you are shelter and strength for those in distress.

When loved ones experience pain and suffering…

When illness, aging, or chronic pain diminish our joy…

When doubts arise and confusion fills our minds…

When others fail us or refuse to forgive us for our failings…

When we stumble and stray from the path of goodness…

When death separates us from those we love dearly…

When financial problems threaten our security…

When things do not go the way we planned…

When depression or loneliness return again and again…

When broken relationships have not been mended…

When our faith strengthens and gives us courage…

When the precious gift of life is recognized and appreciated…

When unexpected kindness and caring comes our way…

When optimism stirs in our heart and springtime returns…

When the peace of Christ calms our anxiety and softens our sadness…

When we realize that our loving presence can make a difference…

When the joy of Easter quietly permeates our heart…


© From the revised edition of Out of the Ordinary, Joyce Rupp. (Ave Maria Press)

Upcoming Liturgies

5th Sunday of Lent

March 17, 2024

4:30 PM

on Zoom


Community Liturgy


Second Sunday of Easter

April 7, 2024

4:30 PM

on Zoom


Presider: Mike Corso

Upcoming Presentations


Synodality:

The "In Between Year"


Sunday, March 10, 2024

4:30 PM EDT

on Zoom


Bishop John Stowe OFM, Conv., President of Pax Christi USA

Download the flyer.

Focus on Migration

April 14, 2024

 Rev. Daniel Groody, CSC, author of A Theology of Migration: The Bodies of Refugees and the Body of Christ

Download Chapter 7 from the book. 

Sept. 22, 2024

SADNESS AND SERVICE AT THE BORDER with Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ, Exec. Dir. of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

An Excerpt from Rev. Groody's book: "...As we continue to examine migration issues under the light of the liturgy of the Eucharist, then we also explore some of the dimensions of passing over from the lies of this world into the liberating truths of God's reign namely 1) passing over from migrant to person; 2) passing over from injustice to justice; 3) passing over from otherness to neighborliness; and 4) passing over from nationalism to the reign of God. The conversion process helps us to discern issues of dignity, community, solidarity, and salvation at work in migration issues..."


Catholics must have religious liberty to 'meet migrants' basic human needs,' bishops say

Catholics rally around Annunciation House after lawsuit

Download the detailed description of VOTFNJ 2024 programs.

Recording of the January 28, 2024 Panel Presentation:

The Journey to Citizenship

Zoom details will be provided in the invitations to the liturgies and presentations that are emailed on the Thursday before the event.


We invite everyone not only to join our liturgies but to actively participate! Please let us know if you would like to be a reader or present the Eucharistic prayer.

Donate to VOTFNJ!

Our Donation Basket Enables Our Free Programs


Your contributions allow VOTFNJ to provide free online presentations for all to join and still give honorariums to our presenters. We can now accept donations online.

Thank you for your generosity!

Other Virtual Liturgies
You can join Sophia Inclusive Catholic Community, the "sister" community of VOTFNJ, via Zoom for liturgies. Contact Mike Corso for more information.
Call to Action's Alternative Liturgies Directory provides a space to share information about spiritual communities that meet outside a traditional parish setting. These gatherings include online prayer services, Intentional Eucharistic Communities, churches presided over by women priests, Call To Action chapter liturgies, and more.
VOTFNJ Family on the Web

"Beyond Boundaries," Dick Rento's Blog

"Mike Corso's Religious Views," Mike Corso's Blog

"Faith Seeking Understanding," Ken Lasch's Website

"Considerable Thoughts," Sal Umana's Blog

VOTFNJ Family News
Journeying together as family through sadness and joy...

Praying Together...


We pray for Dick Rento as he recovers from pneumonia. We pray for Mary Murphy as she recovers from a concussion from a serious fall. We send healing energy to David Kearns, Tina Genst's husband, as he recovers from vascular surgery. We continue to pray for Tish's son, Paul, as he proceeds with his cancer treatments. We hold Theresa and Anthony Padovano in our hearts as Anthony remains in hospice and journeys to his transition to eternal life.


We pray for members of the Sophia Inclusive Community and the Christian Community in Convent Station and their family members with medical concerns.

Sharing Together...

Charlie Saco recommends reading Joyce Rupp's Prayer Seeds.

Bernice Anglin recommends reading Elia Delio's The Not Yet God.

Carole Rogers recommends reading Elizabeth Johnson's Come, Have Breakfast..

Bernice Anglin supports Africa Surgery. Read Ton Johnson's latest newsletter here.

Mary Aktay recommends viewing the movie, "Cabrini," which will be in theaters on March 8, International Women's Day. "To quote a famous lyric from the musical Hamilton, immigrants get the job done. That message seems to be getting lost in the current wave of anti-immigrant sentiment sweeping the nation if not the world. But it receives a timely reminder in Cabrini, the new drama about Francesca Cabrini, the Catholic missionary who arrived on our shores in 1889 and eventually established enough schools, orphanages, and hospitals to form a veritable charitable empire..." Learn more.

Please email if you have news or thoughts to share or need prayers and community support.

Membership renewal letters have been mailed. Please renew your membership early in the year and give us your feedback about VOTFNJ's proposed new Mission Statement.


If you are not yet a VOTFNJ member you can join by filling out this form and mailing it in.


VOTFNJ is FAMILY! If you need anything at all: groceries, a ride somewhere, or simply someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here for each other!

The Synod

To reform Catholic Church, honor Christ's authority


Synod YouTube Channel


Vatican Synthesis Report


FutureChurch Synod Resources


How to begin your own synodal gathering


CCRI's Staying Involved in the Synodal Process

VOTFNJ member and liaison to VOTF National, Mary Murphy, recommends we visit "Listening to the Faithful: Synod 2021-2024"

A Synodal Church in Mission, A Synthesis Report
For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission
Download the VOTF National Synod Report.
Confronting Systemic Racism

Faith, confidence and the Black struggle in America


Maryland attorney general expands Catholic Church abuse investigation


Black Catholic Messenger

VOTFNJ RESOURCE

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.

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. RAMP partners with the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

RAMP earned status as an independent New Jersey 501 (c)(3) non-profit in 2022. The organization operated initially as a special project of the Community Foundation of New Jersey. Since its founding, RAMP has welcomed and supported 11 families from Syria, Afghanistan and El Salvador.

Read the latest newsletter here.
Register for Virtual Volunteer Information sessions.
Supporting Survivors

Sara Larson – Waking up to Abuse in the Church


Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented


Has Pope Francis failed to root out clergy sexual abuse?


The Roots of Abuse from Bishop Accountability


The Summit on Abuse, Five Years Later by Massimo Faggioli


‘A Church that seeks the truth’: The making of the 1st global report on child protection



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 Catholics4Change, Bishop Accountability; Awake, and Catholic Church Reform International.


Road to Recovery conducts support groups for survivors of clergy abuse. Contact Bob Hoatson for information.


 Active Investigations and Information Hotlines


NJ Clergy Abuse Hotline 855-363-6548


NY Victims and Anyone with Information are Encouraged to Call the Hotline at 

1-800-771-7755 or File Complaint Online at ag.ny.gov/ClergyAbuse


National Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors and their Loved Ones


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

Road to Recovery, Catholic Whistleblowers, and US News

Catholic group asks Maryland attorney general to end investigation of Catholic Church abuse


Letters: Clergy abuse scandals need a final reckoning


New Orleans man alleges he was trapped in a sex ring run by Catholic church


A Catholic priest accused of misconduct was suspended in Texas. Why did New Orleans let him preach?


Expanding probe, Md. AG seeks testimony from child sex abuse victims in D.C., Delaware Catholic dioceses


Groomed and abused: Woman pushes for law making sex acts with teens by clergy a felony


Franklin priest indicted by Williamson County Jury on charges of sexual abuse of a child


New Washington Bill Would Make Clergy Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse

Vatican and International News

Pope Francis accused of opposing reforms to tackle clerical sexual abuse


The Vatican’s problematic process to address clergy sex abuse cases, explained


Victims ask pope for independent inquiry into abuse by prominent priest


African cardinal reinstates lay charismatic leader who admitted abuse La Croix has a paywall.


Outrage in Poland prompts Vatican to give reason for Catholic bishop's resignation


Pope accepts resignation of Polish cleric accused of ignoring abuse


Woman who says she was abused spiritually and sexually by a once-famous Jesuit demands transparency


France, the Vatican, and the Pan-Asian Sexual Abuse Scandals of MEP Missionaries


Amid scandal, Strasbourg auxiliary bishop resigns for 'health reasons'


Vatican asks Belgian Church for new dossier on abuser bishop


Ireland's Jesuits 'ashamed' of order's failure to act on abuse


Petition demands investigation into sex abuse in Czech Catholic Church


Pressure on Vatican to decide former Bishop Saunders' future after police raid Broome home again


High Court rejects Catholic Church abuse challenge

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

Supporting Priests of Integrity


‘Trinity’s Triumph’ film, written by New Jersey priest, humanizes Catholic clergy


Bergen priest's movie, filmed in NJ, is now streaming. How to watch 'Trinity's Triumph'

Financial Accountability

Vatican's new whistleblower procedure is a good start, but needs adjustment (Concerns financial accountability, not clergy abuse)


Parishioners mourn as historic St. Michael's Church closes in Paterson. Can it be saved?


Two dozen Buffalo Diocese properties could be listed for sale


Diocese's $200M offer to abuse victims 'chump change,' says attorney


Catholic Bankruptcies Benefit Catholic Officials


Mass. lawmakers to consider bill ending cap on damages for sexual abuse cases against nonprofits

Structural Change in the Church

For better liturgy the synod calls for, revisit English translations for Mass


Inside the Vatican's synod office: 'New style of leadership' for Catholic Church


Vatican synod chief reflects on how to be a 'synodal bishop' in Notre Dame talk


German bishops to head to Rome after Vatican demands they scrap a vote on contentious lay council


The Catholic Church needs married priests now

Women in the Church

Anglican woman bishop: Pope took 'risk' inviting her to address cardinal advisers


Does the Catholic Church really believe women are people? by Phyllis Zagano


U.S. expert on Catholic women, parish life and young people named as synod consultor


Are church leaders really listening to women?

LGBTQ+ Rights

Catholic Mother of Queer Child Finds Hope in Maryknoll Priest’s Inclusive Work


Both the Joy and the Uproar over the Pope's Blessings for LGBTQ Catholics are Small Potatoes Compared to This Age-Old Church Problem

Young People

At Catholic Youth Climate Summit, cardinal recognizes importance of student leadership

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Paschal Blessings!

29 Woodcrest Drive,
Morristown, NJ 07960-4528
Call +1 862-377-9914
Contact VOTFNJ Today.
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