For What Are You Thankful at Thanksgiving?
Happy Thanksgiving to all Bondings 2.0 readers! We hope that this day of rest and remembrance is filled with blessings for you and those you love.
Sometimes the news in the Catholic LGBT world can be discouraging. So, we at New Ways Ministry took a few moments this week to remind ourselves of what we are grateful for this year in the world of Catholic LGBT topics. Here are some of our musings:
Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL, Co-founder:
1) Triumphs for marriage equality in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State, and the defeat of a constitutional ban against marriage equality in Minnesota.
2) Heterosexual Catholic allies speaking out in support of LGBT equality.
3) The enthusiasm generated at New Ways Ministry’s Seventh National Symposium when Australia’s Bishop Geoffrey Robinson called for a re-thinking of church teaching on sexual ethics.
Bob Shine, Young Adult and Social Media Coordinator:
1) The inspiring stories of Catholics making local change in their parishes and communities.
2) The celebrations this year for Sister Jeannine’s 50th Jubilee and New Ways Ministry’s 35th year.
3) The near universal acceptance of LGBT students on Catholic campuses by their peers, and, increasingly by their institutions, too.
Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director:
1) All of New Ways Ministry supporters, volunteers, and board members whose prayers, generosity, and talent keep us going. All Bondings 2.0 readers who make the work of maintaining this blog a daily joy.
2) Priests who spoke out for marriage equality this past year.
3) The Leadership Conference of Women Religious and all the nuns who support LGBT issues.
Matthew Myers, Chair, Board of Directors:
1. Catholic parents who advocate on behalf of their LGBT children
2. The gift of our Church which, while imperfect and sometimes broken, is my spiritual home
3. Gay priests and lesbian nuns who choose to “come out” and provide positive role models for their parishes and communities
Please be sure to add what you are thankful for in the “Comments” section of this blog post.
–Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry
Thankful for the people and work of this ministry and the wonderful blessings my son has received in his life because of it. Happy Thanksgiving!
We are blessed by his presence and contributions to New Ways Ministry.
–Francis DeBernardo