Minutes of Twin Cities VOTF Steering Council Meeting, August 7, 2007, Pax Christi Catholic Community parish, Eden Prairie, MN
Present: Tim P, Shari S, Tom G, Suzanne S (minutes)
Absent: Jim A, Colin L
1. Opening Prayer:
Quote from Fulton Sheen on the responsibility of the laity in saving the Church
2. Discussion of meeting times and places for the coming season:
Discussion centered on the impact of the loss of the 35W bridge and ensuing accessibility of St Joan of Arc. Concluded that by taking the back roads, that location should still be accessible to all. Set Sept meeting for the 27th at 5 pm. Thursdays at 5 were thought to be best for all present. Colin and Jim will need to advise Suzanne if they have any standing Thursday commitments.
3. Review of Top 2008 Goals:
• Will review again in November following the Apology Service
• Tom called the Basilica and discovered that Kerri Kemp is involved in only the RCIA prgm. As a result, Apology Service responsibility will shift to Shari and Goal 1 Grp
• Shari reported that there is a viable possibility of holding this year’s Apology Service during/ in conjunction with this year’s NAPSAC conference, on either Nov 2, 3 or 4. Greater possibility of the 2nd or 3rd. Goal One will discuss at their meeting next week and work details out with both NAPSAC organizers and Jeff Anderson’s office (who is funding this year’s conference). Shari and Goal 1 will be in communication with NAPSAC and Jeff Anderson’s office regarding this opportunity. All felt that the unique opportunity of having survivors gathering in our midst presents a powerful pastoral ministry opportunity. Shari will contact Tom Krenik ASAP as to his availability that weekend regarding his charism as an apologizer. Jack Manley has the connection with Sr Mary Francis at the Visitation Convent. Tim pointed out that we need to be prepared with ample staff of apologizers( clergy, vowed religious, and lay) in case there is the need and response for this, and that even staffing a quiet room where VOTF members are available just to talk after the apology service would be beneficial.
• Membership outreach regarding such an Apology Service would include:
1) Letter& email to members asking them to pray for this effort and publicising the conference
2) Announcement on website with details( conference date already posted)
3) Communication with Tribune, Press, and Spirit regarding VOTF’s involvement
4) Engaging participation of the Winona VOTF affiliate alongside us
4. Events Scheduling
• Apology Service as discussed above
• Talk by Justice Burke: Shari has placed a call to her office with no response as yet.
• Other speaker suggested is the current head of the Lay Review Board, Judge Michael Mertz, who is speaking at the Oct National VOTF conference in RI.
5. Sharing of letters from Archbishops Flynn and Nienstedt thanking our affiliate for our public contradictory stance with national VOTF regarding the link between mandatory celibacy & clergy sexual abuse due to the focus it takes away from survivors.
Next meeting set for Sept 27, 5 -6:30 pm at St Joan’s. Please reserve November 2 and 3 (possibly the 4th) for the apology service in conjunction with the NAPSAC conference and attendance at the conference itself.