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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
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email:
info@dignityusa.org
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DignityUSA DATELINE
Volume 11, No. 10
October 2002
Solidarity Sunday™: October 6, 2002
Visit
the DignityUSA website for all of the details regarding our annual
faith-based anti-violence initiative. Every Chapter is encouraged to take
part and do something in their community no matter how small an effort.
Every effort matters. See us on the World Wide Web at our Web page http://www.DignityUSA.org/solidarity/
or contact us by e-mail, solidaritysunday@dignityusa.org.
At the website you will also find links to:
- A Guide for Small Faith-Sharing Communities (Liturgy)
- Take the Solidarity Pledge
- Pray the Solidarity Prayer
- Wear the Solidarity Ribbon
Last Call – San Diego Regional Conference, Sat., October 12, 2002
By Bill Welch, Editor
"We Shall Not Be Silent", regional conference #3, cosponsored by DignityUSA, DignitySan Diego and Call to Action San Diego, will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2002, at The First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA.
This special event will be a day of reflection and renewal featuring
keynote speaker Marianne Duddy, Executive Director and past President
of DignityUSA, and three focus
sessions:
- Turning our Voices into deeds of love & kindness – Jane Hatheway & Tina di Stefano
- Speaking the truth of our lives to family & friends – Olivia Dorman & son Benton
- Submissive and obedient or bold and prophetic? The truth about women saints – Oliva M. Espin, PhD.
There will be a special multi-media presentation "Speaking Our Truth" – History of Dignity, followed by dialogue with leaders of DignityUSA during which all present are welcome to discuss current issues.
The conference will close with a Mass and optional Dutch treat dinner at a fine San Diego restaurant.
Registration forms, in MS Word format, may be downloaded from the DignityUSA website at http://www.DignityUSA.org/docs/sandiego-registration.doc.
DignityUSA Documents Catholic Commitment Ceremonies
By Marianne Duddy, Executive Director, DignityUSA
DignityUSA has launched an effort to document the experiences of Catholics participating in or witnessing same-sex union ceremonies, by whatever name.
If you have had or been to such a ceremony, please take some time to write out your reflections on your experience. Then email them to Families@DignityUSA.org, or send them by mail to DignityUSA, 1500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 11, Washington, DC 20005.
We will be making these reflections available to theologians and others interested in studying same-sex relationships within a Catholic context. (There’s already been interest from two well-known authors!)
Please send your reflections by October 31, 2002!
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Cuts Ministry to Gay & Lesbian Catholics
By Bill Welch, Editor
A September 20, 2002, article in the Los Angeles Times discloses the closure of the offices of seven Los Angeles Archdiocesan ministries, including outreach programs to college students, women, gay men and lesbians, ethnic groups, and those with physical and mental disabilities by mid-October.
Others, including family life, prison and religious education ministries work forces, are being cut by as much as 50%. 60 positions had been cut by September 20th.
The loss or reductions in the ministries are associated with cutbacks amounting to $4.3 million of the church’s $42-million headquarters operating budget.
In a news release of September 20, 2002, DignityUSA expressed profound sadness at the closure of the Los Angeles Archdiocese Ministry to Lesbian and Gay Catholics.
"This is tremendously sad news for us, and for all who have been a part of this outreach," said Patrick McArron of San Diego, President of DignityUSA. "It’s even sadder news for the larger Church. This was truly an attempt to reach out to the marginalized and the outcast, as Jesus did in his ministry. To shut down such a ministry is a shame."
Marianne Duddy, DignityUSA Executive Director, added, "Gay and lesbian Catholics and our families get hurt by the Church over and over. Gay Catholics really do have special spiritual needs. We don’t always trust that we are welcome in a local parish. Our parents are often afraid to tell their local priest they have a lesbian daughter or gay son. The Archdiocesan Ministry to Lesbian and Gay Catholics helped people feel welcome. Now, those who dared to venture back into the Church will feel cast out again."
McArron and Duddy added that Dignity Chapters in the Los Angeles area, as well as the national organization, reach out to those affected by the closure of the Archdiocesan Ministry. "We welcome all who want the support of fellow Catholics to come and join us," said McArron.
"Dignity has been serving the Gay and Lesbian community for 33 years – more than twice as long as the Archdiocesan program. In fact, Dignity took root in Los Angeles and from there grew into an international organization with chapters throughout North America – later to become DignityUSA and Dignity/Canada/Dignite. We will be doing this work for as long as people need us."
Dignity offers affirming worship for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics and their supporters in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and San Diego, as well as many other locations around the country.
DignityUSA Vision StatementDignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered 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. |
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
September Anniversary
Tampa Bay (FL) – 27 Years
October Anniversaries
Buffalo (NY) – 26 Years
Greater Lansing (MI) – 14 Years
Indianapolis (IN) – 21 Years
Los Angeles (CA) – 33 Years
Maine – 22 Years
New Brunswick (NJ) – 18 Years
New Mexico – 18 Years
New York (NY) – 30 Years
Pittsburgh (PA) – 28 Years
Seattle (WA) – 29 Years
Toledo (OH) – 25 Years
Triangle – 23 Years
Twin Cities (MN) – 28 Years
Washington (DC) – 30 Years
Announcements
Tour with Sr. Jeannine Gramick
Sister Jeannine Gramick will be leading a pilgrimage to Poland, Prague, and Budapest for friends and advocates of lesbian and gay Catholics, March 25-April 3, 2003. The 10-day journey to Catholic holy sites will be interwoven with daily Mass, historical and spiritual talks, personal prayer, and evenings of reflection and discussion. Due in no small measure to the political acumen of Pope John Paul II, the spiritual treasures of Eastern Europe are more accessible to the world. If you have ever wanted to experience these Catholic cultures, consider making this pilgrimage.
For further information, phone Sister Jeannine Gramick at 301-864-3604 or e-mail gramick@juno.com. See http://www.Unitours.com/client/srgramick.html
DignityUSA Membership Meeting During Call to Action Conference – Nov 2, 2002
DignityUSA will hold a membership meeting on Saturday, November 2, 2002, during the (Milwaukee, WI) Call to Action Conference lunch break. The meeting will be open to everyone. There is no charge for the meeting, or for the box lunch which will be served. Donations greatly appreciated.
To register for the meeting, or for more information, email info@dignityusa.org
DignityUSA Polo-Shirts
DignityUSA polo shirts are now available for purchase. They are 50/50 Jersey sportshirts, with fashion knit collar, ribbed cuffs and hemmed bottom. The DignityUSA logo will be embroidered on the left side of the shirt. Shirts will be available in light blue, white and sport gray.
Sizes come in M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL. The cost will be $20.00 plus shipping. All proceeds will go to Dignity USA. ($21.25 for 2XL, $22.00 for 3XL)
We hope all will take advantage of this opportunity to purchase your shirt and wear it proudly as a member or friend of DignityUSA.
Visit: http://www.dignityusa.org/shirts.html for a downloadable order form.
