March 16, 2025

4:30 PM

on Zoom

Presider: Michael Corso

April 6, 2025

4:30 PM

on Zoom

Presider: Michael Corso

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.

Lenten Reflection

"Hope-Making in Christ"

March 23, 2025

4:30 PM

On Zoom

Leader: Rev. Anthony Randazzo

"Fear and Faith"

April 27, 2025

4:30 PM

On Zoom

Speaker: Daniel Horan, Ph.D.

Your Donations Enable Our Free Programs

All of our presentations are free so everyone can join. However, as a non-profit VOTFNJ is entirely supported by membership and donations. If you can afford to do so, please make a tax-deductible contribution to VOTFNJ to help with the cost of honorariums. Click on the button below to donate online, or mail a check to:

Robert Pipchick, VOTFNJ Treasurer

3508 Park Place

Springfield NJ, 07081



Thank you for your generosity!

"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

Praying Together...

We pray for Theresa Padovano who is recovering from fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

We pray for Tish Dickinson who recovering from knee surgery

We continue to pray for the physical and emotional health of Mike and Teri Corso's son, Michael, and for Mike's mother who may be entering hospice. Mike states, "As Mom transitions from this life to the next, please send your positive energy and healing love to her and our family."

We continue to hold Mary Gannon's daughter, Emilie Jane Gannon, in our hearts.

We continue to pray that Louise Mancinelli's health improves.

We pray for the families and volunteers of RAMP, members of the Sophia Inclusive Community, Pathways to Prosperity, and the Christian Community in Convent Station, and their families.

We join the worldwide chorus of prayers for the health of Pope Francis.

Sharing Together...

Kudos to Mike and Teri Corso who participated in the March on Washington on President's Day, February 17, 2025. "In Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, thousands of people gathered at the Capitol Reflecting Pool chanting "Where is Congress?" and urging members of Congress to "do your job!" despite nearly 40-degree temperatures and 20-mile-per-hour wind gusts."

Mike Corso shares a blog post provided by Maryann Crilly, "Hang in there. Small Things Matter."

Today my post is about another kind of love - love of justice, dignity and our longing for a better, kinder world. Every day I feel like I’m facing a tsunami of disturbing, dangerous and distressing news. The world seems to be facing another wall of water, before we get through the aftershocks and assess the damage of the last one. When so many things I love are at risk, it becomes hard to even know where to start. 

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

Our VOTFNJ membership drive and renewal will be taking place soon. Please check your mailboxes and renew your membership or join for the first time. Thank you for being a part of our VOTFNJ family!

Country’s 1st Black cardinal preaches hope at Black History Month Mass in Newark

How a Black Catholic school choir reminded me about the joy of prayer

Racism and abuse have devastated U.S. Catholicism. Is there a way forward?

Danielle Brown resigns as director of U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism

GOP Budget Reconciliation Plan —Cutting Essential Programs To Supercharge Deportations 

Communities Continue to Stand by Immigrants Amidst Fear, Heightened Enforcement

Cardinal McElroy decries White House 'war of fear and terror' on migrants

Pope decries 'major crisis' of Trump's mass deportation plans, rejects Vance's theology

'Load the muskets': An emergent Catholic right's hopes for the White House to the Vatican

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 helps people bridge to a new life for a better future. RAMP assists vetted and documented refugee families and individuals who fled their homes under threat of war or violence. Since its founding in 2016, RAMP has supported 22 adults and 21 children from Syria, Afghanistan, and El Salvador. Thirteen are now U.S. citizens and two are serving in the military. 

RAMP earned status as an independent New Jersey 501 (c)(3) non-profit in 2022.

Catholic refugee contracts canceled, risking life-saving aid in US and abroad

Trump administration terminates US bishops’ refugee resettlement contract

U.S. bishops sue Trump administration over funding freeze

Nationwide Outcry Over Refugee Suspension & Funding Freeze: Over One Thousand Faith leaders and Faith Organizations Speak Out

Add your name at Interfaith Letter Supporting Refugee Resettlement: PERSON OF FAITH OR FAITH LEADERS

Trump's foreign aid pause hits Jesuit Refugee Service hard

Vatican charity head blasts Trump's USAID cuts as 'reckless' decision that will 'kill millions'

Editorial: Silence in the face of Trump's cruelty is complicity

Also, see all of the links to stories on migrants and refugees in the "Confronting Systemic Racism" section because the new Administration's policies are just that: Systemic Racism!

Church risks further crisis if it doesn't act, says ex-child abuse inquiry chair

Vatican condemns publication of ‘credibly accused’ clergy lists — again

A History of Modern Catholicism Puts Sex Abuse Front and Center

From Washington to Mexico: War on the victims of sexual abuse

New Jersey church leader promises transparency — again — in the face of crisis

Tobin commissions independent investigation into independent investigation report

NJ Catholic diocese's moves to quash sex abuse investigations stir new pain | Opinion

Former Newark priest protests against sexual abuse outside campus gates Bob Hoatson is profiled

Students express concern, frustration over Msgr. Reilly allegations

Controversy surrounding Msgr. Reilly continues as archbishop orders a new investigation

Rockville Centre Case Offers a Framework for Settling Mass Tort Bankruptcy Claims Post-Purdue

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Scores A Victory In Court Against Clergy Abuse Victim

Maryland Supreme Court upholds law ending statute of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits

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).

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

US Catholics support progressive policies on 'culture war' issues, new study finds [yet] "Twice as many US Catholics identify as conservative than do as liberal, finds a new Religious Landscape Study by the Pew Research Center"

Three forgotten truths about ordaining women

Theologian: Church Must Take a Human Rights Approach to LGBTQ+ People

Catholic Women Strike! This global witness for equality during Lent is an invitation to withdraw from systems of oppression and prepare the way for renewal and transformation.

Silence of the Nuns — Oscar Darling ‘Conclave’ Contains Subtle Indictment of Catholic Church’s Views on Women

This is non-negotiable as a Christian: Help the poor, vulnerable By Fr. Ron Rolheiser

The fruits of American bishops’ failure

Cardinal Czerny: Integrate migrant ministry in pastoral programmes

Suggestions for Lent from Pope Francis:

Say "Hi!" (always and everywhere)

Give *thanks* (even though you don't think you "should" do it).

Remind others how much you *love them.

*Cheers* to those people you see every day.

Listen to each other's *story*, without prejudice, *with love*.

Stop to *help* others. Pay *attention to who needs you.*

*Lifts the spirits up* of somebody.

*Celebrate* another's *qualities* or *achievements*.

*Select* what you don't use and *gift* it to someone who needs it.

*Help when needed* so another can rest.

*Correct with love,* do not shut up out of fear.

*Have a good report with people

*Clean out clutter*

*Help others overcome obstacles.*

*Call your parents on the phone* if you’re lucky enough to have them.

Online Resources:

Pope Francis: Lent calls us to journey together in hope

Maryknoll Lenten Reflection Guide 2025: Jubilee of Hope

This Lent, compare your life to a migrant's, pope says

Laudato Si’ Lent

FutureChurch: Lent 2025: What Is Mine To Do?