Happy Thanksgiving! For What Are You Thankful?

Happy Thanksgiving to all Bondings 2.0 readers!   We hope that you have much to be thankful for this year.

Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast has this to say about thankfulness, in his book, Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer:

“Everything is gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is the measure of our gratefulness. And gratefulness is the measure of our aliveness. Are we not dead to whatever we take for granted?”

At New Ways Ministry, we are very thankful for many things this year.  Our main staff members each offered their top three items for which they are thankful, and they are printed below.

What are you thankful for this year, especially items that may pertain to Catholic LGBT issues?  We invite you to share your items in the “Comments” section of this post.

At New Ways Ministry, we are very thankful for many things this year.  Our main staff members each offered their top three items for which they are thankful.  Here they are:

Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director:

1.  All of New Ways Ministry’s friends and supporters, who by their prayers and financial donations keep our ministry strong and vibrant.

2. Catholics in the pews who continually speak out for equality and justice for LGBT people, particularly in the areas of marriage equality and employment non-discrimination.

3.  Pope Francis, who renews our hope by stretching out his hands to those who society and the church have harmed by their words, decisions, actions.

Sister Jeannine Gramick, Co-Founder:

1.  I am thankful for three wonderful co-workers who make it a joy to advocate for LGBT inclusion in the church.

2.  I am thankful that Pope Francis placed questions about same-sex unions on the Vatican survey in preparation for the 2014 Synod on the Family.

3.  I am thankful that a high school President in New York welcomed a gay couple to attend their junior prom together and hopeful that this will encourage other Catholic administrators to practice just policies in their institutions.

Matt Myers, Associate Director:

1.  Openly gay priests and lesbian women religious who faithfully serve the People of God with integrity and compassion.

2.  LGBT Catholics who remain active members of their parishes and dioceses, despite sometimes feeling marginalized or overlooked.

3. Pope Francis and his ongoing ministry of healing, reconciliation, and welcome.

Bob Shine,  Social Media Coordinator:

1.  Pope Francis, who’s preaching about open doors and a Church that is home for all is made real by his acts of love and inclusion.

 2. Emerging education and advocacy by Catholics for transgender justice and equality, especially in higher education.
3.  A sense of excitement and joy at being Catholic for the first time,  as lay people respond to Pope Francis’ call at World Youth Day to “make a mess” in our dioceses.
2 replies
  1. Gene Hornof
    Gene Hornof says:

    And a Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Thank you for keeping the fires of the Holy Spirit burning with all the work you do advocating for the marginalized. Results of what you have doing for the last several years seems to be coming alive in the Church. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. lsdiscenza
    lsdiscenza says:

    I am thankful for New Ways Ministry’s Bondings 2.0 which I look forward to reading every day and which lifts up the work of all those involvef in Catholic LGBT ministry. I am thankful for men and women religious who are open and welcoming of all people but who go out of their way to include LGBT folks. I am thankful for my parish community LGBT support group, our leaders and all those who help and encourage this ministry through their participation and prayers, both my LGBT brothers and sisters and our straight allies. God Bless us all.

    Reply

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