Upcoming Liturgies


November 19, 2023

4:30 PM

on Zoom


Presider: Mike Corso

Thanksgiving

November 23, 2023

10:00 AM

on Zoom


Presider: Mike Corso

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December 3, 2023

4:30 PM

on Zoom


Community Celebration

Upcoming Presentations

Advent Retreat with Fr. Dennis Crowley

Reflections on Thomas Merton

December 10, 2023

4:30 PM

On Zoom

Download the Retreat Description.

Reflecting on Thomas Merton's 'The Root of War Is Fear' today

SAVE THE DATE

Theology of Migration:

A panel of professionals will present actual experiences with migrants and asylum seekers

Sunday, January 28, 2024

4:30 PM

via Zoom. 

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.

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

Praying Together...


We journey with Theresa and Anthony Padovano during this sacred time as Anthony enters hospice.


We pray for a complete recovery for Mary Gannon.


We hold Thomas Doyle in our prayers as he recovers from aortic aneurism surgery.

All Souls Prayer from Mike Corso


In the Divine Presence.


We are inspired by those who lived before us, those ancient ones who have lived here in faith and opened up and gave away Divine love to all those who needed it.


May we continue here as a constant presence for those who travel through life, a community of welcome that cares for all, believing in what is still yet to be.


May we discern the teachings of Jesus as those before us have discerned his teachings, guided by its call and feeding on its promise of life and hope and belonging.


May we hear the word: a comforting word in its familiar sound, yet a disturbing word in what it speaks anew and longs for us to become.


May we hold within the faith of our forebears, those who chose to meet the Divine here in this faith. 


May we be moved by that grace into all the places that make up our community,

sharing what you have given abundantly like an ever-flowing stream.


May we be called from our past, through the voices of our ancestors, in the songs they have sung and the prayers they have spoken that have shaped peace within this community,


And may we join our voice with their voice, in the one great song of love that will be lived and celebrated yet, throughout this community.


We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen


We remember those who have gone before us in Sophia and Voice of the Faithful. All the good they have done will live on in our lives!


Peace,

Mike


Sharing Together...

Peg Pipchick recommends this great video about Fr. Greg Boyle and his outreach to gang members in Los Angeles. Scroll down to learn more about Fr. Greg in the "Priests of Integrity" block.

Mary Gannon loves this video which is perfect for the Synod and Thanksgiving:

"For everyone born, a place at the table,

for everyone born, clean water and bread,

a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,

for everyone born, a star overhead..."

Carol Jenkins recommends reading, "These devout young Catholics are embracing the old ways."

Please email if you have news to share or need community support and prayers. We are here for each other!

VOTFNJ Needs Your Help!

Our Donation Basket needs filling to enable our free programs.


VOTFNJ's online presentations are free for all to join, but we still give honorariums to our presenters. When we met in person, we had collection baskets to help defray our costs. Please consider sending donations to help VOTFNJ continue to provide excellent programs for all. We are working on adding a "Donate Button" to our website. In the meantime, please send your contributions to:


VOTFNJ c/o Robert Pipchick, Treasurer

103 Chestnut Street, Apt 201

Cranford NJ 07016


Thank you for your generosity!

A huge "Thank You" to everyone who renewed their Voice of the Faithful New Jersey membership and a special "Welcome" to our new members!


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

The Synod

FutureChurch Synod Resources


SynodWatch – Reviewing the Final Synthesis


CCRI's Staying Involved in the Synodal Process


We will continue to be heard: Progressive Catholics react to synod report

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 VOTF National's Letter to the General Secretariat for Synod of Bishops
Download the VOTF National Synod Report
Confronting Systemic Racism

Black Catholic History Month

Preparing for Black Catholic History Month: A personal perspective

Where to find a Black Catholic History Month event (2023 edition)

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) and welcomed a new family from Afghanistan to New Jersey this past March and is welcoming another family this month.
Read the RAMP November Newsletter here.

RAMP WELCOMES NEW FAMILY!


Our next family is arriving at the end of the month. We still need a few more items! Take a look at our list.

Supporting Survivors

Work still needed to bring justice to sexual abuse survivors, say advocates


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

Deerfield Academy reaches six-figure settlement with sexual abuse victim


Former North Attleboro altar boy receives settlement after disclosing abuse by Father Porter


Man who says he is victim of James Porter abuse settles claim with Diocese of Fall River


Man who says he survived James Porter's abuse speaks out


70-year-old man reaches settlement with Roman Catholic diocese over sex abuse suffered at age 8


Decades-old sex assault claims may soon see their day in Michigan courts


Survivors challenge Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone's need to resort to bankruptcy


FBI interviewed individuals who accuse Amy Coney Barrett faith group of abuse

Vatican and International News

Spain's Catholic Bishops Apologise After Report Of 200,000 Abused


Abuse allegations against Communion and Liberation leader deemed credible


Slovenian bishops distance themselves from incardination of Rupnik


Cardinal Nichols praises new National Tribunal for managing clerical sex abuse cases

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

Supporting Priest of Integrity

Tom Doyle is a priest, canon lawyer, addictions therapist and long-time supporter of justice and compassion for clergy sex abuse victims. Learn more.


Gregory Joseph Boyle, SJ, is an American Catholic priest of the Jesuit order. He is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program, and former pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles. Learn more.

Financial Accountability

Archdiocese of Baltimore Files for Bankruptcy to Evade Sexual Abuse Cases


New Orleans Archdiocese to close 10% of parishes, merge others


Catholic Church-owned insurer says 'high volume' of abuse claims is putting it out of business (Australia)


Structural Change in the Church

Synod Retreat Meditation: 'Hoping Against Hope'

15 hidden gems in the synod on synodality report


Synod is a milestone in the reception of Vatican II


Pope Francis closes synod with 'dream' of a church with open doors


The synod meeting in Rome is done. What now?


Father James Martin: The good (and bad) spirits I experienced at the synod



Father James Martin: What happened at the Synod on Synodality


Synod on synodality report is disappointing but not surprising


Pope presses theologians to be in tune with challenges of daily life and talk with non-believers


Exclusive: Cardinals Cupich, McElroy say 'impossible to go back' to synods without lay voters


Vatican Conference Draws All Stripes to Rome, Welcome or Not


Pope signals openness to blessings for gay couples, study of women's ordination

Women in the Church

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE EMERGING CATHOLIC CHURCH


Pope's major Vatican summit ends without action on women deacons, mention of LGBTQ Catholics


Women’s Ordination Conference responds to final document of Pope Francis’ October 2023 Synod on Synodality


There's the synod. And then there's the dream of Synodality by Phyllis Zagano


‘Medieval misogyny’: Women’s ordination group hopes something ‘tangible’ will come from Synod


At events inside and outside Vatican's synod hall, focus on women's equality


Feminist scholar Donna Haraway reacts to inclusion in Pope Francis' climate letter


The Vatican Briefing podcast: A key bishop considers women deacons


Women's voices being heard at Vatican's big meeting on church's future, nun says


Synod's focus on listening may signal power shift in Catholic Church, says sister

LGBTQ+ Rights


As a Queer Catholic Woman, I Had HIGH Hopes Before the 2023 Catholic Synod on Synodality


Cleveland Diocese LGBTQ policy a 'slap in the face' to God's creation


Story of LGBTQ youth's suicide led synod delegates to cry, Radcliffe reveals

Exclusive: Jeannine Gramick, LGBTQ advocate, reveals details of meeting with Pope Francis


New Iowa guidelines praised as a 'milestone' by LGBTQ Catholics and advocates


Vatican: Trans persons can be baptized as Catholics, serve as godparents

Living Laudato Si'

Pope Francis to travel to Dubai to address UN climate summit


In US, 'Laudate Deum' won't make it into many homilies or prompt any marches


Theologians and scientists praise, critique Pope Francis' climate exhortation

Thanksgiving

BUILDING POWER FOR NATIVE PEOPLES

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A Thanksgiving Prayer by Diana Butler Bass 


God, this Thanksgiving, we do not give thanks. We choose it.

We will make thanks with courageous hearts. When we see your sacred generosity, we become aware that we live in an infinite circle of gratitude. We all are guests at a hospitable table around which gifts are passed and received. We will not let anything opposed to love take over this table. Instead, we choose to open our eyes to see grace and the gifts of life everywhere. In this choosing, we will share gratitude in the world...

Pray more!

Peace in Our World

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