We invite you to pray and reflect with us each day during Advent, on the season of preparation and anticipation, on the new life to be born into the world. Each day in our calendar reveals a quote connected to this theme. We invite you to contemplate how Advent and Christmas can change us. View Calendar Here

DignityUSA, like organizations everywhere, faced new challenges this year – challenges to the wellbeing of our members and communities and challenges to our mission to work for justice. Through it all, we were fortunate to have the dedicated staff, volunteers and members of DignityUSA finding creative ways to carry on our work for a more just and equitable church and society for all.  

We have also been blessed by your support. Your generosity has been a hopeful sign of new life being born in a trying time. We're so grateful for your support.  

As we near the end of the year, will you make a special gift during the Advent season? Our Advent campaign is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year, and your contribution of any amount will help make it a success. 

For the fiscal year (FY) ended September 30, 2021 the DignityUSA (DUSA) Operating Fund reported a net operating income (before investment gains) of $76,798 compared to a budgeted loss of $50,900. Total income of $389,608 was $112,158 over budget. Specifically, recorded income from the Leadership Stabilization Fund (LSF) amounted to $98,038. This fund was not budgeted. The multi-year fund-raising campaign was initiated by the Board of Directors in October 2020 to address the budgeted deficit driven, in large part, by significantly reduced grant income in recent years. The income results were also boosted by bequests totaling $40,000 compared to the budgeted amount of $10,000. On the negative side targeted grant income of $20,000 was not achieved as grant-funding opportunities did not arise in this pandemic dominated period.  

Last Chance to Register for the 2021 Membership meeting on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

It will begin at:

2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM CT/12:00 PM MT/11:00 AM PT/9:00 AM HT.

This will be an online meeting, and we expect the meeting to last 90 minutes. The meeting will include an update on programmatic and financial status, as well as the opportunity for members to pose questions to the leadership team.

Registration is now open, and you can submit a comment when you register, or send your question to secretary@dignityusa.org.

We'll be hosting a live discussion of Michael O’Loughlin's book "Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear,” January 26, at 8 PM ET (Register Here)

His book explores the response of the Catholic Church during the height of the HIV and AIDS crisis. It shares the stories of those who worked on the frontlines, those whose lives were upended by the AIDs crisis, and who believe there are lessons from that time going unheeded.

DignityUSA members are featured, including James Cappleman's Catholic Worker House here in Chicago and Father Bill McNichols's involvement with Dignity New York.

A great read to enjoy this holiday season.  

You can pre-register for the National Conference July 8-10, 2022, in San Diego, California. With a deposit of $100, you will get a discount on the regular conference registration rate.

As a special incentive, we have a gift certificate for a two-night stay at the Westin Gaslamp Hotel, our conference site, that can be used before or after the conference. Pre-registering by January 31, 2022 gives you two entries into this drawing.

We remain committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our members and friends. We are closely monitoring the level of viral transmission in the San Diego area and nationally and will be making decisions about the conference accordingly. Learn More about the precautions we're taking here.

DignityUSA remembers those of us who have completed their travel on earth and have passed into a new life.

Thomas Wade “Tom” Popeny of  Dignity/San Diego, May 2, 1928 – September 2, 2021

Christopher Schneider of  Dignity/San Diego,  November 28, 1953- July 27, 2021

DignityUSA is seeking a member to serve as Treasurer for the organization. This is a critical role as an Officer and member of the Board of Directors. The term begins as soon as possible, and will last through September 2023.

The Treasurer is a member of the Executive Committee and serves as Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees. Among the most critical responsibilities of this position include developing the annual budget, preparing monthly financial reports, and liaising with DignityUSA's broker, auditor, and bank officials. Our current incumbent, Linda Roberts, has agreed to remain in the position through December, and will provide excellent training and support.

For a full job description and more information, please contact execdir@dignityusa.org. We need your skills and time!

Breath of the Spirit is our weekly reflection newsletter bringing pastoral, liturgical, and social justice moments to your inbox every Wednesday. Each week we hear from different voices from Dignity communities across the country. Subscribe today.

Miss a week? Check out the Breath of the Spirit archive to look back at previous reflections.