This section is an open forum to share reflections or responses connected to our mission. If you have something to say, then send me your thoughts to post them here—even anonymously. There is no format. 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.
- Do you know a student or colleague whose voice you'd like to lift up in our monthly newsletter? The testimonies that begin each newsletter are a powerful means of crossing the divide between ideas and realities. Our church must allow room for the "art of storytelling" as a form of evangelization. This is the way of Jesus. Please know the invitation to write remains open. (Students will always remain anonymous; adults may choose to remain anonymous or not.)
- The Boston College School of Theology and Ministry is holding a webinar titled "LGBTQ Catholics: Inclusive Ministry 101" on Thursday, April 4 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Hosted by Yunuen Trujillo, Religious Formation Coordinator (Spanish) with the Catholic Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Persons of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Attorney, this webinar will begin a process of discernment for those who wish to know how to better serve LGBTQ persons as part of the Body of Christ. Please click here to register.
- New Ways Ministry Executive Director, Frank DeBernardo, will host an interactive webinar on Sunday April 14 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Titled “New Ways and Next Steps: Developing Parish LGBTQ+ Ministry," Frank will share insights from his more than 30 years helping Catholic parishes, schools, and other institutions introduce and develop LGBTQ+ topics in their communities. This interactive webinar will allow participants brainstorm some ideas for how they can explore this ministry journey in their home communities. Click here to register.
- Registration is open and presenters have been announced! The LGBTQ+ Initiative of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative will host 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.
Sr. Julia Wash is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and a blogger/podcaster at Messy Jesus Business. Sr. Julia, a former high school teacher, just released a new book titled For Love of the Broken Body, a story of pain, questioning, recovery, and discovery. The number of women choosing to enter religious life across the U.S. is shrinking rapidly, so Sr. Julia encountered a lot of curiosity about her choice. In this memoir, she writes honestly about feeling drawn to men and to sex, as well as what it means, in this age of self-discovery and hook-ups, for a young woman—physically broken and still very much attracted to the world—to join a celibate, religious community. There is also a discussion and reflection guide to accompany the book.
- "Creating a Spirit of Welcome: LGBTQ+ Issues and Catholic Schools" is a workshop offered by New Ways Ministry to help Catholic educators plan what types of LGBTQ+ initiatives would be appropriate for their schools. For the spring semester of 2024, New Ways Ministry has received a grant to offer this workshop to school leaders free of charge. The workshop topics can be adapted to local needs and situations, and the program can be scheduled as a one-day, half-day, or two-part program. The general program description can be found here. For more information, please contact Frank DeBernardo at New Ways Ministry: director@NewWaysMinistry.org or call 301-277-5674.
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.
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