<p>by Marianne Duddy-Burke DignityUSA Executive Director</p> <p>Have you heard? Pope Francis will be in the U.S. this month! During his historic trip to Washington D.C. New York City and Philadelphia the Pope will meet with President Obama address a joint session of Congress speak to the United Nations General Assembly and lead Mass following the World Meeting of Families. This visit has already sparked electric anticipation among many intensive media interest in all things Catholic and a scramble to develop effective responses among people hoping the papal visit helps to move their agenda forward.</p> <p>DignityUSA has been planning for this visit for nearly a year. While the Popes plane doesnt touch down for weeks yet we are ready for his arrival! Heres what we have done and will be doing during the Popes time in our country:</p> <ul> <li> We authored and spearheaded along with GLAAD a <a href=https://www.dignityusa.org/article/dear-pope-francis>letter to the Pope</a> signed by 32 Catholic Latino and LGBT organizations outlining why it is so critical that he meet with LGBT Catholics and families. This effort was featured in the <em>New York Times</em>. As of this writing no response has been received.</li> <li> We are partnering with our Equally Blessed colleagues to <a href=http://wmf.equallyblessed.org>sponsor a Pilgrimage</a> of 12 families to make LGBT families visible at the World Meeting of Families. Half of these families have Dignity ties. They will be present throughout the meeting to bear witness to the realities of our lives. You may have seen stories about <a href=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-catholic-group-has-an-important-message-for-pope-francis_55d3c1c1e4b055a6dab1f428?kvcommref=mostpopular>our programming being kicked out of the parish</a> that had offered to host us and our relocation to a Methodist Church. Ironically our hospitality/program center is now closer to the convention center and official World Meeting of Families activities!</li> <li> We have helped to develop<em> The Papal Visit: A journalists guide to reporting on Pope Francis and the LGBT community </em>and<em> Good Catholic Answers to Conservative Questions</em> to help shape how the media covers the Popes impact on the LGBT community and to empower progressive Catholics with effective public messages.</li> <li> We have provided two sessions of media training for Dignity leaders from around the country with the assistance of GLAAD.</li> <li> We are helping to sponsor the <a href=http://www.church-4-all.org>Church 4 All campaign</a> along with other members of Catholic Organizations for Renewal. This initiative helps to shape the local focus on the Popes Visit providing resources for everyone involved in issues of importance to Catholics hoping for a more just and inclusive Church.</li> <li> We cosponsored and sent speakers to the late July <em><a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoEiv_vhMfk>Forum on Women in the Catholic Church: What Pope Francis Needs to Know</a></em>. (DignityUSA is featured in hour 6 of the video!)</li> <li> Even this far in advance we have conducted dozens of media interviews getting our message out to tens of thousands of people all across the country and around the world.</li> </ul> <p>Many of our Chapters Caucuses and members will be doing intensive media outreach coordinating local prayer services and vigils and participating in events connected with the Popes trips. Dignity/Washington members will be standing along the Popes route to St. Matthews Cathedral with signs made just for this occasion.Look for photos on social media and in the October Dateline. Follow the Pilgrims blogs and support our outreach with prayer and messages on the <a href=http://wmf.equallyblessed.org>Pilgrimage website</a> and Facebook page. And if the Pope answers our letter with an agreement to meet we will surely let you know!</p>