Without Exception Newsletter

Devotion to Christ's heart is essential for our Christian life to the extent that it expresses our openness in faith and adoration to the mystery of the Lord's divine and human love. In this sense, we can once more affirm that the Sacred Heart is a synthesis of the Gospel (Francis, Dilexit Nos, no. 83).

For LGBTQ+ young persons an affirming symbol can be a lifeline. It communicates "you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you" (Isaiah 43:4). The gesture is small, but it increases a young person's sense of value and supports their physical, mental, and spiritual health.

In some places rainbow colors are controversial and beyond the threshold for administrators. That is why the Without Exception logo is designed to be an integrated Catholic symbol. The circle represents the universal (catholic) call to be witnesses to the gospel (1) in all places, “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8); in all times, as symbolized by the colors of the liturgical year; and to all people, as we “look upon our neighbor (without any exception) as another self” (CCC 1931). The heart at the center of the logo is an interpretation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the colors of the liturgical year symbolize glory (gold); Mary and water (blue); blood and fire (red); penance and preparation (purple); life and hope (green); and joy (rose).

These items are available at cost (shipping included). Payment can be made by Venmo.

• Ten-pack of stickers = $4.00 USD.
• Keychain = $7.00 USD.
• Five-pack of lapel pins = $10.00 USD.
• NOTE: international shipping may add $2.00-$5.00 USD depending on destination.

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.

I don't know. Is this political? I think it's more basic than that. This is about common courtesy and incarnating the gospel values we see modeled by Jesus Christ: patience, humility, joy, generosity, mercy, understanding, kindness, gentleness, peace.

Since the election I have received many requests for counsel and support. The anticipatory dread is measurable. Research from The Trevor Project shows that 90% of LGBTQ+ young have been negatively affected by recent politics, and 45% of transgender and nonbinary youth are considering moving to a different state with their families due to anti-LGBTQ+ politics and laws. If you just listen to the stories from within our communities, then you know people are experiencing deep concern.

As we continue to assess what the future holds, here is what I suggest:

LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT.

Let's deal with what we know in front of us. Like Jesus in the gospels, every encounter offers us an opportunity to discern what God is asking from us in the moment. Who needs my help? What does this persons need from me right now? How does Christ Jesus live through me today?

The future is full of uncertainties. Until those ideas become realities, we do harm to the virtue of hope by giving in to dread and despair. Those feelings are from the Evil One. Instead, Pope Francis has said many times that realities are greater than ideas, so let's stand ready to answer God's call to be present in the NOW.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?

Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?

Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil (Matthew 6:25-34).

• I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! (Psalm 139:14).

• Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you (Isaiah 43:4).

• Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you (Isaiah 49:15-16).

• Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, My love shall never fall away from you nor my covenant of peace be shaken (Isaiah 54:10).

• With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you (Jeremiah 31:3).

• The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, Who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, Who will sing joyfully because of you (Zephaniah 3:17).

• Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40).

• For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Galatians 5:14).

• We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death (1 John 3:14).

• If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

• Cleaning the mailing list was more labor intensive than I expected, and still we lost 192 contacts from no response after three notifications. I am profoundly thankful for the encouragement and support of the 347 contacts who remain active on this list. Please continue to spread the word and share our newsletter. And feel welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn if you would like to follow my writing and presenting.

• Please check the materials listed under the heading Network Resources. Both the School Case Studies and the Prayer Guide were updated during the month of November. All of these materials are free and available to help communities increase hospitality and support for LGBTQ+ persons.

• The World Community for Christian Meditation is hosting a special four-part series with James Alison from January 23 - April 24, 2025. Titled "No More Special Pleading," these sessions will include "Recovering Basic Christianity" (Thursday, January 23); "Christianity, Creation, and Approaching Reality" (Thursday, February 20); "How Did We Get Here on LGBT Matters" (Thursday, March 20); and "Detoxifying the Clobber Texts" (Thursday, April 24). These events will run from 7:30-9:30pm FRENCH time (1:30-3:30pm Eastern US time). The cost is £70 for all sessions (~$90 USD) or £20 for each single session (~$25 USD). More information is available here.

• Join DignityUSA for Nativity in the Darkness: Advent Reflections on Trans and Queer Hope. These reflections on the themes of hope, marginalization, and the power of the Nativity story, draw parallels between the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ people and the journey of Jesus’ birth in a world marked by darkness and oppression. Join Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT. On December 4, Maxwell Kuzma, a transgender man and lifelong Catholic who advocates for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the Catholic Church, will lead a special Advent reflection and discussion. On December 11, Maddie Marlett, co-coordinator of the Dignity Young Adults, will share her wisdom and experiences as a transgender woman in the Catholic Church. On December 18, join us for a contemplative lesson and carols that speak to the heart of hope during this season of emergence. These events provide space for reflection, solidarity, and spiritual renewal, highlighting how queer and trans hope can be found even in times of difficulty, and emphasizing the inclusive, transformative potential of the Advent season for those on the margins. Registration is required. There is a $10 suggested donation for this event.

American Psychological Association. Policy Statement on Affirming Evidence-Based Inclusive Care for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Nonbinary Individuals, Addressing Misinformation, and the Role of Psychological Practice and Science. American Psychological Association, 2024.

American Psychological Association. Resolution on Gender Identity Change Efforts. American Psychological Association, 2021.

American Psychological Association. Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts. American Psychological Association, 2021.

American Psychological Association. Resolution on Supporting Sexual/Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in Schools. American Psychological Association, 2020.

American Psychological Association Task Force on Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons. Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons. American Psychological Association, 2021.

Barba, A., Mooney, M., Giovanni, K., Clarke, M., Grady, J.B., and Cohen, J. A. Identifying the Intersection of Trauma and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Part I: Key Considerations. National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, 2021.

Blake, John. After their son came out, this conservative Christian couple went into a closet of their own. CNN, November 5, 2024.

Boyle, Gregory. Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times. Avid Reader Press, 2024.

Brooks, David. How America Got Mean. The Atlantic, August 14, 2023.

Francis. Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the Renewal of the Study of Church History. The Holy See, November 21, 2024.

Hall, Cassidy. How queer perspectives can open prayer to everyone. US Catholic, October 8, 2024.

Hayward, David. The Rainbow Sheep. Beaming Books, 2025.

Hicks, Donna. Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict. Yale University Press, 2021.

Johnson, Greg. Still Time to Care: What We Can Learn from the Church’s Failed Attempt to Cure Homosexuality. Zondervan, 2021.

Lifshitz, Sébastien. Casa Susanna [documentary]. The American Experience, BBC Storyville, 2023.

Packard, Josh and Megan Bissell. Research-Based Practices to Engage Youth in a Vibrant Catholic Church: The Case for Implementing Sacred Listening Practices. Journal of Moral Theology, Volume 13, Special Issue 2, October 28, 2024.

Peters, Jeremy. Transgender Activists Question the Movement’s Confrontational Approach. New York Times, November 26, 2024.

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

Shine, Robert. Bishop John Stowe Receives New Ways Ministry Award Offering Message of Resilience. Bondings 2.0, New Ways Ministry, November 18, 2024.

Shine, Robert. Despite shortcomings on LGBTQ+ people, synod report holds pockets of faith. National Catholic Reporter, November 1, 2024.

Talusan, Liza. The Identity-Conscious Educator: Building Habits and Skills for a More Inclusive School. Solution Tree Press, 2022.

Talusan, Liza. Identity-Conscious Practice in Action: Shaping Equitable Schools and Classrooms. Routledge, 2024.

Tinner-Williams. Nate. Catholic with neo-Nazi ties sentenced to life in prison for murder of gay Jewish teen. Black Catholic Messenger, November 16, 2024.

Wehner, Peter. The Theologian Who Changed His Mind About Gay Marriage. New York Times, November 24, 2024.

Weinert-Kendt, Rob. In ‘Communion,’ a gay teacher wrestles with losing his job and finding his faith. Outreach, November 22, 2024.

Wiseman, Rosalind and Elizabeth Rapoport. Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads: Dealing with the Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Counselors Who Can Make--or Break--Your Child's Future. Crown, 2006.

• 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 ALL 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.

• Father William Hart McNichols is a friend to our network and is widely known as one of the world’s most gifted living religious artists and iconographers. A former Jesuit and student of the famed Franciscan iconographer Robert Lentz, Fr. Bill’s icons have been honored with exhibitions in major US cities and the subject of a full-length documentary. Recently his years of ministry to the dying during the AIDS crisis in New York City were the focus of a podcast, and later a book, by journalist Michael O’Laughlin. Through interviews with writer and theologian Chris Pramuk, Fr. Bill shares the moving story of his early loneliness and sense of being set apart for some purpose―a purpose realized in his twin vocations as priest and artist. From early childhood, his art expressed his inner life, with special attention to the beauty of the world, the vulnerability of children, and God’s compassionate solidarity with those who suffer. During his AIDS ministry, this took new focus with such works as his “AIDS Crucifixion.” Later, after apprenticeship with iconographer Robert Lentz, he began a new life, producing hundreds of icons of Christ, Mary, the saints, and many holy people of our time. More than a catalog of an artist’s work All My Eyes See is a deep journey into the heart of a great spiritual teacher.

November 2024

October 2024

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August 2024

July 2024

June 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