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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Oct112013
The work of DignityUSA on October 11, 2013 is proudly sponsored by Gene Corpuz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Celebrating Gene's birthday and National Coming Out Day"
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0
Dignity/Arizona Ministry of Pastoral Care Formed
By Steve Stencil, Dignity/Arizona Board member
Dignity/Arizona has experienced an increase in membership during the past couple of years. With a growing faith community comes increasing pastoral needs.
Early in 2012, a need arose when two new members of Dignity/ Arizona experienced serious illness, includ- ing hospitalization, and no one from Dignity/Arizona reached out to them during their time of need. Although community leadership was not aware of their need for pastoral outreach, the Board also realized there was no organizational structure in which members could request sensitive pastoral outreach during times of sickness, personal loss, incidents of possible or actual violence, or the harsher effects of aging. The two new members of Dignity/Arizona sent a pointed and heart wrenching letter to the chapter president expressing their disappointment and concern about this seeming lack of sensitivity.
Since then, the Board has addressed the con- cern and realized our need for a Ministry of Pastoral Care. “Suffering wears a thousand faces, and every face is Christ’s!” Dignity/Arizona must mean more than a Saturday evening Vigil Mass and a potluck gathering once a month. We must reach out to our members whenever anyone is suffering. A brochure has been prepared to encourage members to invite the community to be with them at those times.
Although the formation of this new ministry for our local chapter continues to evolve, Catholic clergy and lay members are available upon request for the Sacraments of Healing, visitations to the sick and homebound, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, holy unions, and providing transportation to Mass and other chapter events.
One of the deepest causes of suffering is a sense of isolation. We want our members to be assured that they are very much a part of our community of faith as we embrace one another as sisters and brothers in Christ.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
User menu
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Upcoming QCF Programs
QCF with World Youth Day Participants
Oct 22, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is thrilled to host three pilgrims on it’s premier webshow of Queer Catholic Faith's 3rd season. Click to learn more, register and hear of amazing encounters between young Catholics in Rio this past summer. They give us hope!
QCF with Dr. Richard Gaillardetz
Nov 26, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is honored to host the President of the Theological Society of America, and Professor of Theology at Boston College to our November 26th QCF, Dr. Richard Gaillardetz. Engaging and honest, Dr. Gaillardetz also has a gay son. He speaks as Catholic theologian and as a parent. Don't miss this.
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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
Leadership Team
•National Board of Directors
•Staff
•Media Contacts
•National Office
RSS Feeds
RSS Feeds for this site are:
Featured Articles
Breath of the Spirit
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Quarterly Voice
Everything
Copyright ©1998-2013, DignityUSA. Permission is granted for use and alteration by any DignityUSA affiliated chapter without permission.
For further use contact DignityUSA for permission.
Skip to main content
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DignityUSA
DignityUSA
Celebrating the wholeness and holiness of LGBTQ Catholics
Main menu
Home
What is Dignity?»Position & Purpose
Membership
Starting a Chapter
Our History
Archives
Leadership Team»National Board of Directors
Staff
Media Contacts
National Office
Bylaws
News»Press Release
News Service
Women's Discussion
Transgendered Discussion
Bisexual Discussion
Yahoo Group
Ministries»Couples Ministry
Leather Ministry
National AIDS Project
Worship & Liturgy
Solidarity Sunday
Transgender Issues
Bisexual Issues
Young Adult Caucus
Publications»Breath of the Spirit
Dateline
Quarterly Voice
Videos
Resources»Links
Recommended Reading
Couples
Youth
Archives
Sexual Ethics
Chapter Services
Friends and Family
Contact Us»DignityUSA Information
Media Contacts
Webministry
Young Adult Caucus
Site Index
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Oct112013
The work of DignityUSA on October 11, 2013 is proudly sponsored by Gene Corpuz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Celebrating Gene's birthday and National Coming Out Day"
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0
Dignity/Chicago Community Service Experience
By Mike Hogan, Dignity/Chicago
Dignity/Chicago chapter members who attended the recent national Convention in Minneapolis were inspired by the justice theme that permeated every aspect of the Convention experience. We asked ourselves what we could do to put that message into action.
One of the chapter members volunteers at the Lakeview Food Pantry, which has been operating for many years. It offers a variety of services, in addition to distributing food to needy folks in the area. It operates six days a week with two locations, one of which includes the “Boystown” neighborhood where the chapter meets for weekly worship and community-building. This Chicago neighborhood is considered “upscale” and affluent by many, yet we witnessed first-hand the extent of the need of those who rely on this food assistance on a regular basis, people whom we may not know, but who are our neighbors.
We decided that preparing the baskets of food for home delivery would be a good project. We met at the pantry the second Saturday of September, ready to offer our service. In addition to the obvious direct help we provided, two unexpected benefits occurred.
First, we were present as members of Dignity/Chicago, and the people who were with us learned more about who we are, and saw us as contributing members to the local community. The second benefit as a chapter was that those who volunteered enjoyed a meal following our service. It provided time for us to get to know one another better. This whole experience served as a meaningful way to build community.
An activity like this is something that any chapter, large or small, can do. The chapter doesn’t have to sponsor a program or run it. We were able to connect with an existing activity that supported needs present in our community. While we continue to look at other opportunities for outreach and service, our group agreed to commit to staff this activity the sec- ond Saturday of every month as our ongoing commitment to community service.
We believe one experience of service like this leads to another. We are currently planning how the chapter will be supporting efforts to secure marriage equality in the state of Illinois, by helping with phone banking and participating in a Rally Day for Marriage Equality in Springfield on October 22.
Justice flowed like a river from Minneapolis to Chicago, and our chapter and the surrounding community is the better for it.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
User menu
Create content
Upcoming QCF Programs
QCF with World Youth Day Participants
Oct 22, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is thrilled to host three pilgrims on it’s premier webshow of Queer Catholic Faith's 3rd season. Click to learn more, register and hear of amazing encounters between young Catholics in Rio this past summer. They give us hope!
QCF with Dr. Richard Gaillardetz
Nov 26, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is honored to host the President of the Theological Society of America, and Professor of Theology at Boston College to our November 26th QCF, Dr. Richard Gaillardetz. Engaging and honest, Dr. Gaillardetz also has a gay son. He speaks as Catholic theologian and as a parent. Don't miss this.
Search form
Search
Join Our DignityUSA News List
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
Leadership Team
•National Board of Directors
•Staff
•Media Contacts
•National Office
RSS Feeds
RSS Feeds for this site are:
Featured Articles
Breath of the Spirit
Dateline
Quarterly Voice
Everything
Copyright ©1998-2013, DignityUSA. Permission is granted for use and alteration by any DignityUSA affiliated chapter without permission.
For further use contact DignityUSA for permission.
Skip to main content
Join | Renew | Donate
Find a Chapter
Username
Password
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DignityUSA
DignityUSA
Celebrating the wholeness and holiness of LGBTQ Catholics
Main menu
Home
What is Dignity?»Position & Purpose
Membership
Starting a Chapter
Our History
Archives
Leadership Team»National Board of Directors
Staff
Media Contacts
National Office
Bylaws
News»Press Release
News Service
Women's Discussion
Transgendered Discussion
Bisexual Discussion
Yahoo Group
Ministries»Couples Ministry
Leather Ministry
National AIDS Project
Worship & Liturgy
Solidarity Sunday
Transgender Issues
Bisexual Issues
Young Adult Caucus
Publications»Breath of the Spirit
Dateline
Quarterly Voice
Videos
Resources»Links
Recommended Reading
Couples
Youth
Archives
Sexual Ethics
Chapter Services
Friends and Family
Contact Us»DignityUSA Information
Media Contacts
Webministry
Young Adult Caucus
Site Index
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Oct112013
The work of DignityUSA on October 11, 2013 is proudly sponsored by Gene Corpuz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Celebrating Gene's birthday and National Coming Out Day"
Share This
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0
Equally Blessed Coalition Gains Public Attention
By Jim Smith, DignityUSA Program Manager
As you know, Dignity actively participates in the Equally Blessed (EB) coalition with our partners at New Ways Ministry, Call To Action, and Fortunate Families. We meet once a month in teleconference, and twice a year face to face. All of us are actively invested in EB. While many coalitions become mere window dressings for participating organizations, EB enjoys a shared, focused, and invested effort. Our recent face to face meeting was another reflection of that.
We have planned a proactive effort in anticipation of the USCCB meeting in November, as well as an effort to reach out to Catholic military chaplains. We also surfaced some exciting ideas for the longer term.
We continue to find our shared voice while the public is finding ours, evident in the fact that major news outlets are calling on EB when the Pope opens his mouth these days.
We ask your prayers for each of our sister organizations, and for our Equally Blessed coalition, that we may continue to be an effective voice for LGBT dignity and justice. And may each of our chapters and caucuses continue to find ways to reach beyond ourselves in prophetic witness!
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
User menu
Create content
Upcoming QCF Programs
QCF with World Youth Day Participants
Oct 22, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is thrilled to host three pilgrims on it’s premier webshow of Queer Catholic Faith's 3rd season. Click to learn more, register and hear of amazing encounters between young Catholics in Rio this past summer. They give us hope!
QCF with Dr. Richard Gaillardetz
Nov 26, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is honored to host the President of the Theological Society of America, and Professor of Theology at Boston College to our November 26th QCF, Dr. Richard Gaillardetz. Engaging and honest, Dr. Gaillardetz also has a gay son. He speaks as Catholic theologian and as a parent. Don't miss this.
Search form
Search
Join Our DignityUSA News List
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
Leadership Team
•National Board of Directors
•Staff
•Media Contacts
•National Office
RSS Feeds
RSS Feeds for this site are:
Featured Articles
Breath of the Spirit
Dateline
Quarterly Voice
Everything
Copyright ©1998-2013, DignityUSA. Permission is granted for use and alteration by any DignityUSA affiliated chapter without permission.
For further use contact DignityUSA for permission.
Skip to main content
Join | Renew | Donate
Find a Chapter
Username
Password
•Request new password
DignityUSA
DignityUSA
Celebrating the wholeness and holiness of LGBTQ Catholics
Main menu
Home
What is Dignity?»Position & Purpose
Membership
Starting a Chapter
Our History
Archives
Leadership Team»National Board of Directors
Staff
Media Contacts
National Office
Bylaws
News»Press Release
News Service
Women's Discussion
Transgendered Discussion
Bisexual Discussion
Yahoo Group
Ministries»Couples Ministry
Leather Ministry
National AIDS Project
Worship & Liturgy
Solidarity Sunday
Transgender Issues
Bisexual Issues
Young Adult Caucus
Publications»Breath of the Spirit
Dateline
Quarterly Voice
Videos
Resources»Links
Recommended Reading
Couples
Youth
Archives
Sexual Ethics
Chapter Services
Friends and Family
Contact Us»DignityUSA Information
Media Contacts
Webministry
Young Adult Caucus
Site Index
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Oct112013
The work of DignityUSA on October 11, 2013 is proudly sponsored by Gene Corpuz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Celebrating Gene's birthday and National Coming Out Day"
Share This
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Facebook icon
Google icon
StumbleUpon icon
Del.icio.us icon
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0
Moving into a New Season
By Lewis Speaks-Tanner, Dignity USA Vice President
On September 20, 2013, America magazine published a lengthy interview with Pope Francis. In reading the article, there were many points that LGBT Catholics will find hopeful. It is the second time the Pope has made gay-friendly or gay-affirming comments. Yes, his tone is a sharp contrast from the rhetoric of Benedict. Unfortunately, we have not seen any change in tone from our own bishops. In fact, just this August, Minneapolis Archbishop Nienstedt claimed Satan is to blame for gay marriage and condoms. Cardinal Dolan, being interviewed extensively after the America article, reminded us at every opportunity that the hierarchy has not softened its teaching on homosexuality using the same good old phrase, “love the sinner but hate the sin.”
Cardinal Dolan’s message does not match what Pope Francis has been saying. What is the message? Will the Pope be able to change the conversation away from gays, abortion, and contraception, and focus on the poor, marginalized, and those who have been disenfranchised?
As we move into a new season and greet the coming autumn, I am hoping our Church will move into a new season as well. I am hoping that Francis is serious about change and that there is a profound change throughout the hierarchy. I am hoping that there is a renewed focus on the poor and disenfranchised, and that lesbian women and gay men can marry without interference of the Church. And I am hoping that Church leaders will speak out when there is violence against LGBT persons.
Now that summer is behind us, life returns to normal. Days get shorter and colder. Another school year has begun. Routines are re-established. As DignityUSA saw the fiscal year end in September, there was a change in Board leadership. We thank outgoing Board members, Paula Lavallee, Mark Matson, and Linda Pieczynski, for their many years of service. We welcome newly elected Board members Mary Kaye Radtke and Ray Panas as they join the Board of Directors at our in-person meeting in Ft. Lauderdale.
This autumn will keep our Executive Director busy! Recently, Marianne and Jim Smith met with our Equally Blessed partners in Philadelphia. Then within a few days of that meeting, Marianne represented DignityUSA at the Women-Church Convergence, which celebrated its 30th anniversary. The DignityUSA Board of Directors will be meeting the following weekend.
DignityUSA’s work proudly continues as it has for the last 44 years. It will be quite a while before the more positive words of Francis are put into concrete action throughout the United States and the rest of the world, but until then we will continue to march forward.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
User menu
Create content
Upcoming QCF Programs
QCF with World Youth Day Participants
Oct 22, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is thrilled to host three pilgrims on it’s premier webshow of Queer Catholic Faith's 3rd season. Click to learn more, register and hear of amazing encounters between young Catholics in Rio this past summer. They give us hope!
QCF with Dr. Richard Gaillardetz
Nov 26, 2013 9:00 PM Eastern
Dignity is honored to host the President of the Theological Society of America, and Professor of Theology at Boston College to our November 26th QCF, Dr. Richard Gaillardetz. Engaging and honest, Dr. Gaillardetz also has a gay son. He speaks as Catholic theologian and as a parent. Don't miss this.
Search form
Search
Join Our DignityUSA News List
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
Leadership Team
•National Board of Directors
•Staff
•Media Contacts
•National Office
RSS Feeds
RSS Feeds for this site are:
Featured Articles
Breath of the Spirit
Dateline
Quarterly Voice
Everything
Copyright ©1998-2013, DignityUSA. Permission is granted for use and alteration by any DignityUSA affiliated chapter without permission.
For further use contact DignityUSA for permission.
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