Fall 2017 Features Many Exciting LGBT Catholic Events–and You’re Invited!
There are many exciting Catholic LGBT events happening this fall. Today’s post highlights a few of them, and provides links for more information if you would like to attend and/or spread the word about them.
If you have other Catholic LGBT events of which Bondings 2.0’s editors should be made aware, please leave a comment below or email [email protected]. We will try to let folks know about them via our social media.
Following Jesus in Holy Honesty
New Ways Ministry is sponsoring a retreat for gay priests, brothers, deacons, and all diocesan clergy personnel, congregational leadership, and formation personnel. The title of the program is “Following Jesus in Holy Honesty.” The retreat facilitator is Fr. Steve Wolf, pastor of Immaculate Conception parish, Nashville, Tennessee.
Fr. Wolf describes the program:
“For gay priests, brothers and deacons, the retreat is designed to develop better self-understanding, spirituality, friendships, and relationship with the institutional Church.
“For diocesan clergy personnel, congregational leaders and formation ministers, the retreat will develop better understandings of the personal and spiritual journeys of gay men in clerical and religious life.
“Retreatants will explore ways gay clergy and religious answer the call to beloved celibacy, keeps searching for God in good will, ministers to anger, resentment, and fear as did Jesus, and accepts the grace of a kind of symbiosis of the incarnation and resurrection as an apostle in the world.”
Monday-Wednesday, November 13 – 15, 2017
Siena Retreat Center
Racine, WI (near Milwaukee Airport)
If you are a gay priest, brother, or deacon, please consider attending the retreat to gain support and insights from the facilitator and others. . If you know anyone who fits this description, please let them know about it.
Similarly, if you are diocesan clergy personnel, a congregational leader, or a vocation/formation minister of any sexual orientation, please consider attending to learn more about the gifts and needs of gay clergy and religious. If you know of men who are involved in these kinds of ministry, please let them know about the program and encourage them to attend.
For more information, click here.
Justice and Mercy Under the Trump Administration
The East Coast chapters of Call To Action USA have joined together to prepare a conference around the theme “Justice and Mercy Under the Trump Administration.” In addition to keynote speakers Sister Simone Campbell, Dr. Greer Gordon, and Sister Patty Chappell, there will be two workshops on LGBT topics entitled “LGBTQ and the Welcoming Church” and “Transgender, Intersex Identities, and the Family.”
Friday-Saturday, October 20-21, 2017
DoubleTree by Hilton – BWI Airport (near Baltimore, Maryland)
For more information, click here.
All Are Welcome: The Way You Are
The LGBT Initiative Team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative is hosting a faith-filled and affirming retreat weekend entitled “All Are Welcome: The Way You Are.” The program is for LGBT persons, allies, friends, family members and those who minister with the LGBT Catholic community. Presenters will speak on topics such as finding your true self, creating welcoming spaces, and recognizing your call.
The LGBT Initiative Team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative describes itself as responding “to the Church’s call to be welcoming and compassionate by offering effective
pastoral care and spiritual support for LGBT Catholics and their families. We foster dialogue, education and understanding among the diverse communities and institutions affiliated with the Marianist family. Our goal is to fully welcome our Marianist LGBT members into all aspects of our communities.”
Friday-Sunday, October 27-29, 2017
Sisters of Charity Retreat Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
For more information, click here.
Rolling the Stone Away
An ecumenical team is bringing together an unprecedented array of elders, saints, and prophets of the interfaith community’s work for LGBT justice and equality. The purpose of the gathering is to preserve history, share stories, and dialogue on issues today. Many Catholics will be participating, as well as attending. Sister Jeannine Gramick, New Ways Ministry’s co-founder, will be one of the speakers. You can read about Catholic participation by clicking here.
Tuesday-Thursday,l October 31 – November 2, 2017
Saint Louis, MO
For more information, click here.
“Hear a Just Cause” Assembly
The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC), a growing international coalition of organizations and individuals who work for LGBTQI justice and equality in church and society, will be hosting their Second Assembly under the theme “Hear a Just Cause” (Psalm 7:1). New Ways Ministry will be represented there.
Thursday – Sunday, November 30 – December 3, 2017
Dachau, Germany (near Munich)
For more information, click here.
—Robert Shine, New Ways Ministry, August 23, 2017
Dear New Ways Ministry, Do you EVER have any events in New York City? Lots of people live here and might like to attend — but, there doesn’t seem to be any events here? Thanks, Jim & Will
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It’s true that New Ways Ministry hasn’t had a program in NYC in a long time. We usually go where we have been invited, so if you belong to a parish or Catholic organization that would like to host one of our programs, please contact me at [email protected]. In the meantime, we will also look for other opportunities that may present themselves for a New Ways Ministry program in New York City (my hometown!). –Francis DeBernardo