Deacon Ray Dever Archives - New Ways Ministry

LGBTQ+ Advocates Celebrate New Pastoral Accompaniment Guidelines

October 20, 2023/0 Comments/in Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Parish Life & Pastoral Care /by Sarah Cassidy

LGBTQ+ Catholics and supporters are celebrating a new set of guidelines that aims to treat LGBTQ+ individuals with “welcome, love, and respect.” Read More

Catholic Parents Seek to “Put a Human Face” on Transgender Conversations in Church

January 14, 2022/4 Comments/in Gender Identity, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Personal Stories, Uncategorized /by Grace Doerfler

For Deacon Ray Dever and his family, supporting a transgender family member is deeply consonant with their Catholic faith. Read More

Deacon: How Would You Explain Opposing Non-Discrimination Laws to Your LGBTQ Child?

July 23, 2019/6 Comments/in Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Politics & Human Rights, Religious Liberty, Uncategorized /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A deacon with a transgender child has called for Catholics to work actively for non-discrimination protections that cover LGBTQ workers. Read More

Home for the Holidays?

November 11, 2018/4 Comments/in Marriage & Family /by Guest Contributor

Though we are surrounded by images of perfect family celebrations for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is impossible to ignore the pain so many of us hold inside, as we go about our business, doing our best to maintain the positive outward appearance that the season seems to demand. My heart goes out to those families who struggle through the holidays. Read More

BREAKING NEWS from WMF: Family With LGBT Members Brings Offertory Gifts to Pope Francis

August 26, 2018/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

At the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families here in Dublin's Phoenix Park, it has been announced that among the handful of families who will be in the offertory procession will be " a family involved in the “All Are Welcome” Mass in Avila, in Donnybrook, Dublin." Read More

BREAKING NEWS from WMF: Deacon Who Is Father of Transgender and Bisexual Daughters Assists Liturgically at Closing Mass

August 24, 2018/8 Comments/in Marriage & Family, Uncategorized /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

Deacon Ray Dever, who is the father of a transgender daughter and a bisexual daughter, and who has written eloquently here on Bondings 2.0 about his special family and ministerial roles, is currently serving liturgically at the closing Mass of of the Pastoral Congress portion of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin. Read More