Without Exception Newsletter

As Catholic school teachers in an era of "modern education," we are sometimes distracted by the peripheral nonsense that accompanies our profession. It's important to remind ourselves that the goal of this work is not to deliver content but to invite students to meet the living God through how we be and what we do in this relationship of teaching and learning. Through this partnership, content becomes a vehicle that takes us on a journey to know, to love, and to grow. The "sacramental imagination" needs to be cultivated in this kind of relationship, so it's important for us to become good storytellers – not through words alone, but also through movement, sound, and images ("preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words"). This "Way of Beauty" touches hearts and minds, reveals the mystery of God and the human person, and helps students experience the gospel of Jesus Christ. To honor this "Way of Beauty," I am introducing a newsletter spotlight called "Featured Artwork." In partnership with professional and hobby artists, this will provide an occasional opportunity for us to see our ministry through the eyes of faith. Please feel welcome to send anything of interest to me. And I'm also looking for connections to benefactors who can help support commissioned artwork.

Jory Mertens (ArtByJory) is a Carthage, Missouri-based artist. He works in digital fine art and illustration, often using cubist, geometric, and fauvist elements. Many of his works are based on his view of Jesus as being radically inclusive. He enjoys creating works based on his family, theology, nature, and portraits of heroes of humanity. As a special gift for our community Jory is offering a 30% discount on his artwork with discount code WITHOUTEXCEPTION30. Please do not scan, copy, or otherwise reproduce Jory's artwork. He retains the copyright on all images even after purchase. The picture below of "The Open Table" was shared personally by Jory and it is used with his permission.

This section is an open forum for members to share reflections or responses connected to our mission.

🚩Please respect the privacy of the authors. These reflections are intended only for the private forum of our network. Public sharing or reprinting is not permitted.

• Springtide Research Institute released a report in August on Gen Alpha. The data was collected from a sample of 1112 thirteen year olds across the United States. Most interesting to me were the gender identity numbers (see right), which show that only 1% of the sample pool identified as something other than male or female. This research-based data continues to refute the narrative that we are experiencing a "transgender tsunami." There are approximately 12.7 million 12-14-year-olds in the United States. Among that population, a random sample size of only 385 is needed to achieve 95% confidence with a 5% margin of error. This sample was three times that size, so the evidence can speak for itself. Regardless of the numbers, the counsel of Mother Teresa echoes loudly: "just respond to people's needs."

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report for 2013-2023. As in previous reports, disparities persist among students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or another nonheterosexual identity. LGBTQ+ students were more likely than their peers to have used or misused all substances included in this report. They were also more likely to experience all forms of violence, signs of poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. More than 3 in 5 LGBTQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year, and 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ students attempted suicide during the past year.

• The National Catholic Mental Health Campaign is year-round initiative started by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in response to the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States. This project falls under the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, which focuses on the policy issues of economic justice and domestic poverty, criminal and restorative justice, health care, the environment, and racism. Let's pray that someday our church will include care for sexual and gender minorities, who suffer mental health effects (anxiety, depression, suicidality) at rates that far outpace other groups - not because LGBTQ+ identity is a disease or disability but because of how victimization and family/social rejection compromise physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Guidance from the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says, "Include LGBT young people and families when describing populations served in agency literature, brochures, outreach activities, and websites to ensure that LGBT youth and families know that your agency welcomes them and will provide services for them."

• As we embark on a new school year, please remember there are a number of helpful network resources listed below. These resources are updated regularly and include a School Guide, a Case Studies document, a Family Guide, and a guide for inclusive Catholic prayers. Additionally, I think it is essential for educators to review this statement written by a mental health professional on why we should not out students without their permission.

So when he had washed their feet … he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you ? You call me teacher and master, and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do … if you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” (John 13:12-16,17)

If you asked me to create an image that symbolically defines Pope Francis’ papacy, I’d immediately answer, "The foot washing."

When Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, asked me to create an image for LGBTQ+ people, and the Outreach Conference, I thought first of Jesus washing their feet, and then another idea emerged of Jesus sitting with them and Pope Francis washing Jesus’ feet and those of his outcast followers. After I began, I sent the drawing to my friend and brilliant Theologian, Fr. James Alison. I had never intended the LGBTQ+ people to be couples; just be there together. James said to me, “Make sure they are touching, that’s very important.” So I decided he’s right and had them touching. But they are not necessarily couples unless the viewer wants them to be.

Jesus is dressed in contemporary clothing and Pope Francis begins by washing His feet first. In his scholarly and prayerful commentary on the Gospel of Luke, the late George Bradford Caird calls this Gospel "the Gospel of the outcast." He also says something like, “The only requirement to get into the kingdom of God is an emptiness only God can fill.” That applies to us all.

This painting is set into the Cosmos, because the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people remains still in the present and into the future as something to come. I got this idea while in a Penance Service at our Church here in Albuquerque. Word images were going up on this giant screen about how and what to confess, and then this glorious image of the Cosmos came up. I knew then how to set the scene for this painting.

The Spirit and the Bride say, come.

And let everyone who hears say, come.

And let anyone who is thirsty say, come.

Let everyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

(The Apocalypse 22:17)

Thanks especially to Mr. Robert Lively, KMOb and family for sponsoring this painting, and to All, I say again, and again: The Spirit and the Bride, the Church, say come.

Fr. William Hart McNichols

August 2024

*NOTE: This reflection was shared by Fr. Bill and the image is used with his permission. Please check out his new book, All My Eyes See, and see his collection of poetry inspired by HIV-AIDS ministry in Fire Above / Water Below.

Being transgender has dramatically impacted my relationship with the world around me. The gap between my true self and the expectations around who I should be causes a constant struggle in my life. This highlights a sense of not belonging and a knowledge that the school environment I am in is not designed for me.

• An August 2024 report from the Williams Institute finds that LGBTQ employees who are out to at least a few coworkers or their supervisor are three times more likely to report experiencing discrimination and more than twice as likely to report harassment at some point in their lives than those who are not out to anyone at work. Over 8 million LGBTQ workers in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ. Nearly half (46%) of them are not open about being LGBTQ to their current supervisor, and one-fifth (21%) are not out to any of their coworkers. The April newsletter shared this document with three examples of LGBTQ+ faculty protection policies being used in Catholic schools. In the months ahead, I would like to explore this practice more deeply and make a case that it is "truly right and just." Please send me any thoughts on this question: Why/How should Catholic schools have nondiscrimination policies that protect LGBTQ+ employees?

• A new book is available this month by Dr. Ish Ruiz. LGBTQ+ Educators in Catholic Schools: Embracing Synodality, Inclusivity, and Justice responds to the controversy of employee terminations with a new theological framework, based on Pope Francis’s vision for a synodal Church. Ish's framework offers a multifaceted approach to this issue by examining the fields of pastoral ministry, sexual morality, ecclesiology, and Catholic social teaching to craft an inclusive synodal vision for Catholic education. More importantly, Ish answers Pope Francis’s calls for a Church that listens by lifting up the stories of LGBTQ+ educators and their invaluable contributions to Catholic schools.

• Making Room, is a memoir by pioneering LGBTQ youth advocate Carl Siciliano, telling the story of how an unhoused nonbinary youth's murder compelled him to create the Ali Forney Center, and grow it to become the nation's largest organization for homeless LGBTQ youth. The book is a gripping mix of homeless advocacy, modern queer history, and spiritual memoir. The crisis of LGBTQ youth homelessness is substantially a crisis of religion, in that many religious parents are unable to accept their queer children. Siciliano, a Roman Catholic who was a Benedictine novice and member of the Catholic Worker movement, wrestles with the anguish of witnessing the spiritual tradition that nurtured his life of service simultaneously endanger the children in his care. Finally the book celebrates the worth and human dignity of LGBTQ youths, and the beauty of service.

• Fortunate and Faithful Families of Atlanta, GA will have a four-week book study and Zoom discussion on Becoming Nicole, the story of a family's journey with their transgender daughter (and twin). The group will meet online on Thursdays, September 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern Time. Interested participants may register here.

• You're invited to New Ways Ministry's upcoming webinar about LGBTQ+ church workers, "Cornerstones: A Conversation with Editors and Contributors," which will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time. The webinar features editors and contributors from Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions, an anthology published by New Ways Ministry earlier this summer. The book features twelve stories of faith, sacrifice, joy, and pain by LGBTQ+ people who have been employed by Catholic parishes and schools, including those who have been fired by and those who have remained at such institutions. The upcoming webinar will include Ish Ruiz and Mark Guevarra, who are the editors of the book, alongside three of the book's contributors: Kristen Ostendorf, Margie Winters, and Miguel Ochoa. Each panelist will offer their experiences of faith and employment, and the webinar includes a time for questions and answers.

• Fortunate Families Inc, of Lexington, KY, is launching additional ministry formation sessions using a series of 15 videos on the lives of transgender and non-binary persons. The Ministry Formation track is designed for the formation of pastoral ministers to enable the participants to better accompany transgender and non-binary persons as they embrace their lived reality in the context of their Christian faith. It combines facilitated cohort meetings with practical experience accompanying a transgender/non-binary person. The Group Education track is designed for dioceses, schools, parishes, medical associations, parish LGBTQ+ ministries, and similar organizations to help them understand the many issues that affect the personal and spiritual well-being of transgender and non-binary persons and their families. These groups should have their own facilitators. Recorded in 2021/22 and 2024, the videos are facilitated by Sister Luisa Derouen, OP and Fortunate Families. Additional information can be found on the Fortunate Families website. Individuals for the Ministry track should apply on-line by September 27th. Sessions will begin in October. Groups for the educational track can apply year-round. To apply as a group please contact Fortunate Families directly.

• On the weekend of November 1-3, 2024, Fr. Buddy Noel, Sr. Rochelle Perrier, MSC, and Dr. Brad Leger will be hosting an Interfaith Weekend Retreat for LGBTQ+ Persons, Their Families, and Allies. The theme is, “Companions on the Journey” and it will be held in the beautiful, restful setting of the Feliciana Retreat and Conference Center located in Norwood, Louisiana. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and out of high school to attend. Complete registration information is available here. The deadline for registration is October 16. If you have any questions about the registration process, please don’t hesitate to contact Brad at brad@balconsulting.org.

• Mental Health America is running an awareness campaign on the premise that "stigma stops when we start talking." The initiative centers around a simple yet powerful accessory: a bracelet with dual-sided messages, "Today feels hard" and "I count today as a good day." Designed to serve as both a personal check-in tool and a visible symbol to others, this bracelet encourages wearers to reflect on their mental well-being daily and promotes open conversations about mental health. It sends the message that it is okay to feel what you feel. The goal of this campaign is to help spark conversations about mental health and contribute to a larger movement of acceptance, empathy, understanding, and support for mental health challenges.
  

• September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope. During September, and throughout the year, we can care about suicide prevention; connect to community, culture, data, and research; and collaborate with others to address this public health problem that has impacted millions of Americans. Please see the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website for resources to support suicide awareness and prevention.

Albano, Sam. God’s Works Revealed: Spirituality, Theology, and Social Justice for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Catholics. Paulist Press, 2022.

Barone, Camillo. Outreach conference underscores progress and challenges for LGBTQ Catholics. National Catholic Reporter, August 5, 2024.

Barone, Camillo. With papal blessing, Outreach conference works to build community for LGBTQ Catholics. National Catholic Reporter, August 1, 2024.

Blain, Brenna. Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real God. Thomas Nelson, 2024.

Boswell, John. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century [35th Anniversary Edition]. University of Chicago Press, 2015.

Boyd, Malcom. Are You Running With Me, Jesus? Cowley Publications, 2006.

Brewer, Jerry. The Panic Over Trans Sports Inclusion. Washington Post, June 6, 2024.

Byron, William J. The 10 Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching. America, October 31, 1998.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2024.

Devron, Christopher J. A Catholic alternative to diversity, equity and inclusion in education. America, March 14, 2024.

Fortunato, John. Embracing the Exile - Healing Journeys of Gay Christians. HarperSanFrancisco, 1984.

Fowler, James. Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning. HarperOne, 1995.

Fraga, Brian. No challenge to ruling upholding Catholic school's firing of gay teacher. National Catholic Reporter, August 21, 2024.

Gramick, Jeannine, ed. Homosexuality in the Priesthood and the Religious Life. Crossroad Publishing Company, 1989.

Gregory, Wilton. Cardinal Wilton Gregory to LGBTQ Catholics: We must strive for unity. Outreach, August 5, 2024.

Harris, Brett R., Katie Gallant, Hildie Cohen, Alex Karydi, and Tracy L. McPherson. Communication and Support as Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S + Youth: Perspectives of Professionals, Parents, and Youth. Journal of LGBT Youth, July 2024.

Heger, Heinze. The Men With the Pink Triangle: The True, Life-and-Death Story of Homosexuals in the Nazi Death Camps. Haymarket Books, 2023.

Jiménez, Carlos, Amanda Montez, and Deena Sellers. The Jesuit case for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in Catholic schools. America, August 15, 2024.

Kuzma, Max. Holy scars and divine welcome: A transgender Catholic flourishes at Outreach 2024. National Catholic Reporter, August 9, 2024.

Mertens, Jory. The Open Table [painting]. ArtByJory, 2024.

Martin, James. How can Jesus help us when we struggle with the church? Outreach, August 3, 2024.

McHugh, Adam. The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction. InterVarsity Press, 2015.

McNeill, John. The Church and the Homosexual (Fourth Edition). Beacon Press, 1993.

McNichols, William Hart. Fire Above / Water Below: Poetry for the Spiritual Children of St. Francis and St. Clare. William Hart McNichols, 2007.

McNichols, William Hart. The Foot Washing [painting]. Fine Art America, 2024.

Nagassar, Rohadi. When We Belong: Reclaiming Christianity on the Margins. Herald Press, 2022.

Nutt, Amy Ellis. Becoming Nicole: The inspiring story of transgender actor-activist Nicole Maines and her extraordinary family. Random House, 2016.

O'Laughlin, Michael. At Outreach gathering, celebrating LGBTQ Catholic joy was "life changing". Outreach, August 15, 2024.

Palmieri, David. Synodal documents reveal a shift in how the church describes LGBTQ people. Outreach, October 7, 2023.

Polgreen, Lydia. The Strange Report Fueling the War on Trans Kids. New York Times, August, 13, 2024.

Pramuk, Christopher and William Hart McNichols. All My Eyes See: The Artistic Vocation of Father William Hart. Orbis Books, 2024.

Reardon, Michael. The Real Back-to-School Essential. The Pilot, August 23, 2024.

Ruiz, Ish. Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions. New Ways Ministry, 2024.

Ruiz, Ish. LGBTQ+ Educators in Catholic Schools: Embracing Synodality, Inclusivity, and Justice. Rowman & Littlefield, 2024.

Trujillo, Yunuen. LGBTQ Catholics: A Guide to Inclusive Ministry. Paulist Press, 2022.

St. Amand, Colt and Luisa Derouen. Responding responsibly as parents of transgender children. National Catholic Reporter, July 7, 2020.

Sears, Brad, Neko Michelle Castleberry, Andy Lin, and Christy Mallory. LGBTQ People's Experiences of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment 2023. Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, August 2024.

Shadyac, Tom, director. I Am [documentary]. Flying Eye Productions, 2010.

Siciliano, Carl. Making Room: Three Decades of Fighting for Beds, Belonging, and a Safe Place for LGBTQ Youth. Convergent Books, 2024.

Springtide Research Institute. Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha. Springtide Research Institute, 2024.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A Practitioner’s Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014.

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Summa, Christopher, director. The Boy Who Found Gold [documentary]. Dramaticus Films LLC, 2016.

Uhl, Tim. Innovation Spotlight: St. John's Prep, Danvers, MA [podcast]. Catholic School Matters, 2024.

Vines, Matthew. God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. Convergent Books, 2015.

White, George. Outreach Conference 2024. Trans Catholic Teacher, August 5, 2024.

• The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) is developing evidence-based materials for Catholic parents and caregivers with LGBTQ children. The FAP Director, Dr. Caitlin Ryan, is inviting families with LGBTQ young people to share family photos that might be used – with their permission – in these resources. As you may know, Dr. Ryan is a Catholic social worker and researcher who has worked on LGBTQ health and mental health for nearly 50 years and has done the first research on LGBTQ youth and families and developed the first evidence-based family support model that helps racially, culturally and religiously diverse families to learn to support their LGBTQ children. The Family Acceptance Project has previously disseminated more than 600,000 copies of their multilingual family education materials to diverse families with LGBTQ children and youth. For more info, contact Dr. Ryan at: fap@sfsu.edu. Thank You!

• LGBTQ+ communities are disproportionately at risk for suicide and other mental health struggles. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website has information and resources for those looking for help and support for yourself or loved ones who identify within the vast, diverse, and thriving LGBTQ+ communities.

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a new website for ordering print materials to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also access print materials in the 988 Partner Toolkit.

• Calling LGBTQIA+ Catholics. Diane Walsh and Stephanie Durnford are researchers interested in the experiences of individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community who are Catholic. The researchers hope that the results of this study will help mental health professionals support members of this community in culturally appropriate and responsive ways. Participants will share their experiences in a 30 to 90 minute interview, and they will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. You are eligible to participate in this study if you are: Over the age of 18, Identify as a LGBTQIA+ or SSA (same-sex attracted), and Identify as Catholic. Please reach out to the researchers if you have questions or would like to participate in the study. You are also welcome to share this invitation with other potential participants. For questions or to participate in the study, please contact Diane Walsh at dwalsh@mcdaniel.edu or Stephanie Durnford at sdurnford@loyola.edu

August 2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

April 2024

March 2024

Without Exception is a no-cost ministry network for people in Catholic secondary education and related fields of ministry. The goal is to offer helpful networking and resources to accompany our LGBTQ+ students and colleagues with the love of Jesus Christ and his church. Please respect privacy and confidentiality concerning the persons and schools connected to our network. The strength of this work is sustained by the trust among members.

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