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.

Kathleen Deignan CND Ph.D., is an Irish-American theologian, author, and songwriter of contemporary liturgical music and is on the faculty of Iona University. She founded the Deignan Institute for Earth and Spirit at Iona University. One of her books is Thomas Merton: A BOOK OF HOURS.

The pandemic has taken its toll during these past two years and frankly, WE MISS YOU! Letters and emails have been sent to let you know how much!

We offer prayers of gratitude for Juanita Saco's brother's continued remission from cancer. We pray for Charlie and Juanita's cousin's daughter who is fighting a difficult battle with cancer.

We are so thankful that Mike and Teri Corso's son Michael's surgeon is pleased with his recovery. Michael is scheduled for same-day surgery on Sept. 26, to continue his healing.

We hold Mary Gannon in our hearts and prayers as she undergoes an MRI to address a recent fall.

We pray for Bernice Anglin's recovery from an infection associated with her recent surgery.

We pray for Leo Roger's sister, Barbara Sandler, who is in hospice; and Mary and Gerry Gannon's friend who also is in hospice.

We hold Eleanor Flanigan in our hearts and prayers as she recovers from heart surgery.

We knowledge the entering into eternal life of Ralph Mondare on August 18, 2022, the husband of our deceased VOTFNJ member, Bunny Mondare.

We pray for Sophia members Janet and Joe Pilewski's great niece, Lottie, who has thrived despite 3 holes in her tiny heart. Surgery will take place when she turns 3 and gains more weight. Lottie is the poster child for Erie PA Heart Walk. We also pray for Sophia member Ann who is going through a difficult time physically.

VOTFNJ Coordinating Team member, Bob Hoatson, a former priest turned Whistleblower, tells his private experience of Clergy Abuse and Cover-Up, what he witnessed on the inside, and what he's doing about it now. Learn more and purchase here.

Carol Jenkins, VOTFNJ Coordinating Team member, has won second place in the mixed media category for the Essex County Senior Art Contest. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 15 at the Robert J. O'Toole Center in Cedar Grove at 10 AM.  Carol is pictured with her artwork that was purchased by VOTFNJ members. Her winning entry is on the left.

Sharing Together...

Carol Jenkins shares this wonderful News.

Visit the African Caribbean Apostolate page on the Archdiocese of Newark website. Contact Rev. Emeka Okwuosa, SDV for more information.

VOTFNJ Coordinating Team member, Peg Pipchick recommends the following presentation:

Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, internationally famous writer, and speaker, will share her prophetic insights and wisdom into how we who are ordinary people can help to transform our world. Recognizing the existence of rampant violence, greed, sexism, racism, and divisiveness within and around us, she will inspire us to develop the “heart of a prophet” in order to face these challenges with truth and compassion. Click on the image to register.

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

VOTFNJ Coordinating Team member, Tish Dickinson, shares the Dioceses of Syracuse Summary of the Synod Listening sessions here, and her diocesan newspaper coverage here.

VOTFNJ Coordinating Team member, Bernice Anglin, shares the Diocese of Paterson "Synthesis" here, and the Beacon coverage here.

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 has welcomed a new family from Afghanistan to New Jersey.

"[T]he new financial system installed by Community Fund of NJ is up and running, and the Donate button on the RAMP website for online donations is running smoothly." ~ David Sullivan

Lona T., of RAMP’s first refugee family, is now entering eighth grade and she is both a promising student and an artist. Last semester she participated in an after-school entrepreneurship class at her Middle School. She designed and made a collection of bookmarks and she is selling them to start earning to save for college. The bookmarks are lovely and of excellent quality, a perfect gift for all the readers you know.

Dr. Ali Chaudry of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge offers a message of hope on Diversity Day 2022. Video by Bill Lescohier for MorristownGreen.com.

Read about this year's Diversity Day here.

Our mission is to awaken our community to the full reality of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and work for transformation and healing in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and beyond.

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).

Acushnet Man Accuses Former New Bedford Priest of Sexual Abuse

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

The Sins of the High Court’s Supreme Catholics by James Carroll

As Francis Reforms the Curia: What Catholics Need to Know Webinar with Massimo Faggioli on Sept. 15

Non-diocesan Catholic groups submit their own synod reports to the US bishops (including VOTF National)

Which way towards a Synodal Church? from Catholics for Renewal

The #SeasonOfCreation is here! Go to their website to download the Celebration Guide where you can find ideas for organizing events, the calendar of activities, prayers, and much more.

Twenty years! Join VOTF National on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at the Boston Marriott Hotel Newton, when our friends and supporters will gather (in person again!) to pray, learn, plan, and socialize — as a community — when we honor our commitment, 20 years and continuing, to Keep the Faith, Change the Church.