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✅ From the Editor
As we begin the month dedicated to Pride and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it's important to remember that our mission is born from a belief that "the Sacred Heart of Jesus ... is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol" of unconditional love for "all human beings without exception" (CCC 478). This is the beginning and the end.
Lifting up Pride is neither advancing an anti-Catholic, secular agenda nor is it celebrating the deadly sin of arrogance, vanity, and self-conceit. Instead, a sacramental understanding of Pride acknowledges the "ontological dignity" of every person. This kind of Pride empowers self-worth and provides a counter-narrative to what this US Catholic high school student said to me: "I was told multiple times by peers and teachers that because of my orientation I could not be proud of who I am."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently released statistics on the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in schools (see graphic). Similarly, the US Department of State issued a "Worldwide Caution" about the potential for increased violence against LGBTQ+ persons during Pride month. I saw a post recently that said, "If you can't understand why your trans friend is scared right now, then you don't have a trans friend; you know a trans person." With this in mind, take the time to tell LGBTQ+ students and colleagues (this month and every month!) that they are noticed and valued in your community.
On a different note, I published a reflection on Mother's Day a few weeks ago. I'm starting to think about doing the same for Father's Day (this year or next year). If anybody has thoughts or stories to share on the role of fathers, then I'm all ears.
And if you have not read this report by Katie Collins Scott at NCR, then please make it a priority. This story reveals a great deal about the influences behind diocesan policies on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- The LGBTQ+ Initiative of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative is hosting a summer conference from Thursday June 27 to Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the Bergamo Center in Dayton, OH. “Imago Dei: Embracing the Dignity of LGBTQ+ Persons” aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a 1974 groundbreaking conference centered on LGBTQ+ inclusion and ministry which was held in Dayton at the Bergamo Center. The conference hopes to honor those who foresaw the importance of developing pastoral care and outreach, and to envision how we can continue to respond to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community within our Church and world.
- Regent College (Vancouver, CAN) is offering a course titled "Being Human in God's World: How the Old Testament Helps Us Understand Our Humanity in a Complex & Broken World." This course will explore how the Old Testament speaks of humanity through story and poetry. The portrait of humanity it presents is realistic, engaging many of today's biggest questions and issues: identity, ethnicity, gender, family breakdown, violence in all its forms, economic justice, political wranglings, relating to creation, and living with vulnerability, pain, and death. Yet, through it all, the human person’s call remains clear: to walk in the world as God’s cherished covenantal partner. The course will run July 15 to July 19, 8:30 - 11:30 AM Pacific Time. More information is available here.
The Naming Project Summer Camp will run this summer from July 28 - August 2 in Minnesota. The theme this year is Abundant Life! Sometimes, especially these days, it can be hard to believe in abundant life. Everywhere we look, we see limitations on who we are, on our relationships, and the future ahead of us. God’s promise, over and over again, for all of us, is that we will have abundant life, not limited in any way. This summer, claim that promise of abundant life with The Naming Project, and discover how to ensure others have abundant life as well. Campers will experience large and small group conversation, personal quiet time as well as campfires, crafts, swimming, games, and summer camp fun in the beauty of God’s creation! More information is available here.
- The schedule and registration link are available for the 2024 Outreach LGBTQ Catholic ministry conference. The event will be at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from August 2-4.
- The USCCB Youth and Young Adult Ministries is holding webinars in May, June, and July to assist in diocesan, parish, and school plans for the Annual Global Celebration of Youth and Young Adults, the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King Sunday), and the upcoming Listen, Teach, Send Framework. Please share this webinar flyer with anyone who is serving in ministry with young people and who would be interested in joining for one or more of these sessions.
Without Exception is a global network of Catholic secondary educators dedicated to discerning the art of accompaniment for LGBTQ+ students in Catholic schools. Through a commitment to faithful dialogue and peer collaboration, we seek to understand what it means to share the love of Jesus Christ with every person, without exception.
Email: info@withoutexception.net
Website: www.withoutexception.net