Last weekend was wonderful ...

Almost Too Much Fun....

I’m still tired from all the fun, travel and excitement. I cannot explain to you how much fun the pride parade was. There were folks on Beale Street who were there specifically for Pride. There were folks who were from out of town and surprised to see us, and then the locals who were enjoying the beautiful weather by hanging out on Beale. We began the parade route with my firm intention to be queenly- wave and smile. The response we got was so fabulous that I found myself WILDLY waving and grinning from ear to ear, and occasionally shouting HI to the folks in the crowd. NOT VERY QUEENLY!!! At the end of the route, when I had been assured that I could not keep the carriage OR the horse, I got out and headed back up Beale on the sidewalk with hubby. He was stopping to take photos, so I lost him repeatedly. I had almost made it back up to 2nd street when our Catholic group started around the corner.

My intent was to dump my hat and jacket and walk with the group. Unfortunately my ‘hustling’ back up the street was too much, and instead I chose the last empty seat in our group convertible. So, if you are looking at pride pics, you might notice me having so much fun that I ‘did it again’. Oh, hubby noticed me as he was taking photos…and I was riding by… in the convertible. That will teach him to keep up!

After the parade we went back to the park to finish the afternoon visiting with folks, sharing potluck invitations and sharing stories. Even folks who are ‘catholic skittish’ seemed to be at ease once the conversation began. And, about 5:30 we took down the tent and packed up the boxes to be ready for the next event…or Pride 2012, whichever comes first.

Getting home, meant finishing the cake for the grandchild, and I was done with the ‘army cake’ and soccer cupcakes by 9. (Again, not my best work, but LOVED by the child.) We were packed up the next morning and on the road before 8am. The birthday celebration included visiting, lunch, a pickup soccer game (Nanny and Pop’s gift was a full size soccer goal) and of course CAKE and ice cream. We were back on the road at 3, and crashed before 8. LONG LONG WEEKEND!!!

Next chance I get to post, I’ll tell you about my new interaction with the USCCB! There’s always something going on….

Good Morning...

What a weekend!

On Saturday our ministry was part of the Pride Festival, Our group walked in the Pride Parade behind a Fortunate Families Banner, and I was given the honor of Grand Marshal of the parade. There were three gms this year, Lisa Kurtz Crume Pflag president, and Dr. Marissa Richmon were the other two.  WONDERFUL time.  We again had a chance to visit with folks about our potluck, to talk to those who 'used to be' Catholic, and to invite folks to come and potluck with us.  Pride was in a new location and we were very spread out in the park.  Because of that, we didn't have as much traffic as we did last year, but we had the chance for more intimate conversation. And I'm pretty sure quality beats quantity in this case. 

After Pride, we rushed home so that I could finish my grandson's birthday cakes. And early Sunday we headed to Starkville (3 hour drive) and enjoyed a wonderful birthday party.  Both the kids were thrilled with Josh's present, a soccer goal.  And our last minute cake change "Nanny can you make my cake (soccer ball planned) in army colors, and can you make it in the shape of a tank!!" LOL two days before the party of course went well.  Not my best cake work, but the kid loved it!!! Mission accomplished!!

Happy Birthday Baby!!! Nanny loves you!!!

We are mentioned in America Magazine...

http://www.americamagazine.org/content/signs.cfm?signid=822

I wonder, how much of this is about theology.... and how much of this is about the laity.  Many of our priests don't want WOMEN anywhere near the altar. And many believe the laity need to 'pay pray and obey.'  It will be sad to see yet another instance where 'clergy' are part of 'do this in memory of Me' and the laity are again relegated to the gallery.

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/phoenix-diocese-restrict-communion-wine

They want us to simply say- You can't do it.

Recently the CALGM board has been prodded by the bishop of the diocese in which we are chartered, to put on the website some specific wording about sexuality.  We run the risk of not being considered a authentically Catholic if we choose different wording. Our website says clearly that we are called to chastity. The bishop wants us to say celibacy.  The debate goes on with the board and the bishop, but I put my two cents in the mail today.  I wonder if every outreach in the diocese speaks clearly about the 'you can't do it's.' Young singles I suppose are told not to 'do it'... marriage prep, maybe so. But do we mention it in all the websites? If so, someone is way to interested in who is 'doing it'....



Dear Bishop Cordileone:



I want to share with you the wonderful time we had at our CALGM conference last week. I always leave these conferences feeling refreshed in spirit and blessed with wonderful friends. This last week was no different. We discussed at length your request for our website. I understand that my idea of pastoral outreach differs from yours and regret that. With so much church energy being spent on DOMA, so many public statements that our kids are ‘the other’ we (as church) have given yet more ammunition to those who would wish harm to our LGBTQ sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. I find that very sad.

We heard a presentation at this conference from Dr. Catlin Ryan on the health (and too frequently suicide) of youth who face rejection from family, church and school. Young people become an ‘at risk’ group as they come out; share their personal truth, with family and friends. I had the chance to present a session on ‘discarded’ lgbt youth later that day. My husband and I have shared our home with a dozen of these kids in the last two years. These are youth whose parents threw them out when learning of their orientation, or made the home a place the child could not live in. One of my kids’ moms threw him out 4 times during his senior year in high school. Counselors intervened and he found himself in the foster system. Aging out, his grandmother took him in. She thought on day 3 he was kidding about being gay. Day 4 he awoke to her pouring oil on him to anoint the gay away. Day 5 he was in my home. Our primary job with these kids, after giving them food and shelter, is to remind them that they are God’s children. And they are loved. This is not an easy message to convey to kids who have been shunned because they tell the truth about how they are made. They aren’t hearing a lot about being made in God’s image only that should they find someone who can love and cherish them- it will be the end of the world as God made it. When we take in these kids, I think it would be a mistake to begin with telling them they have to be celibate for eternity. I would never reach them with that message. I do begin by talking about promiscuity: about the fact that they can listen to the Spirit, and realize that this kind of behavior is not good for them, body or soul. Celibacy as a calling assumes that there is a great commitment in faith. Like the kids in my house, many find our website while looking for a way to survive as a Catholic, and as a way to grow, and without a pastoral approach we would lose them on the first read.

I realize your discussion with our board will go on… and I prayerfully ask you to take time to look at the material Dr. Ryan has produced and understand that as church we are ‘part of the problem’ and CALGM as church attempts to be part of the solution.

The Family Acceptance Project can be found at http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/ .

Dr Ryan shared with us that she is doing an educational session with the Mormon bishops this month. She has information that OUR BISHOPS should hear as well.



In His Peace,



Deb

More than a Monologue... video is available.

http://digital.library.fordham.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/VIDEO&CISOPTR=189

Fordham has posted the More than a Monologue conference held on their campus a few weeks ago.  I was humbled to be a part of this wonderful day of sharing, listening...learning. I was one of the few straight voices, sharing my experience as the parent of a gay child and an advocate.  You can click on and listen to the entire day of panel presentations...(go to morethanamonologue.org and click on Fordham. In the first paragraph you will find links to each panel)
The conference recording was done well, pop some popcorn and sit back and enjoy. (warning- Our panel recording runs 2 hours and 15 minutes by itself)  I found several speakers had a wonderfully compelling stories.
Kate Henley Averett shared her faith journey beginning with a wonderful quote about the stories we hear that limit our 'possibilities' or personal expectations. Kate considers herself 'post catholic'... and as many other non practicing voices we heard later in the day goes on to explain how she was shaped and formed in Catholic theology.   Visiting later at dinner, I found her to be just a wonderful kid... someone I would like to know better.
Michael Campos is a person I had met at a CALGM meeting. A gentle soul and a wonderful spokesman for issues of hospitality. Hilary Howes shared her experience as a transexual woman. She is still married to her spouse of 30+ years, and can speak to trans issues in a way most of us haven't even contemplated.  Then there was Eve...
Eve Tushnet was, in early emails, listed as a 'celibate lesbian.' She is a blogger and writer and a delightful person. A recent convert to Catholicism, she was the lone voice speaking for celibacy in the day. Her experience of choosing our church, after already understanding her sexual orientation... while probably not unique, is at least rare.  Listening to her speak, I felt that she has also chosen a life of service in church as well.  I would not be surprised if someday she chooses convent life as well.

My presentation begins at the 77minute mark on the video.  If you are going to go to it ... you'll need to let the video load for at least 10 minutes to be able to fast forward to it. (and I have high speed LOL).

The video has reminded me I need to lose weight. And so... beginning Monday (don't life changing events always begin on Monday- lol) I will go back to my "no white stuff" diet. I've decided it is time to stop 'treating myself' to the diet killer foods that I love and thought I 'deserved' cuz after all I had canceeerrrrr.  Well, I don't have cancer now (please Lord) and I need to get back in fighting shape to continue my work. 

Headed to church ... Have a good Sunday y'all.