LGBT Catholics and Friends
Third Thursday of the month, in the Parish Lounge, Parish House
COVID via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2123669619
Moderator: Ellen Stillwell: [email protected]
Moderator: Bruce Rameker: [email protected]
We are a group of LGBT parishioners and family and friends (and parents) of LGBT persons. We are a parish ministry of, by, and for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender sisters and brothers in Christ and those who love and support them. Our ministry extends to, and embraces, the mission of the entire parish, our home.
During the first two months of lockdown, LGBT Catholics and Friends continued to meet, initially over Zoom, then once the lockdown eased, at picnics in Central Park. These enabled our members to support each other.
Each year our ministry hosts events that aim to foster mutual respect, compassion, and sensitivity between our parish and the wider community on LGBT issues through education and dialogue. We jointly host events with other ministries at St. Ignatius Loyola that aim to bring together the parish community including retreats and the Amazing Race.
What We Are About
Our ministry is inspired by the words of St. Ignatius: “God loves us, creates us, and wants to share life with us forever.”
We are creating a home at St. Ignatius Loyola where all LGBT persons and those who love and support them are welcome, and where LGBT persons are fully affirmed and celebrated.
More specifically, we follow the Ignatian Way with its three essential components:
Prayer: We provide opportunities for spiritual enrichment—prayer groups, retreats, spiritual direction— with a focus on the needs and challenges of LGBT persons and their families and friends.
Community: We build community with regular meetings and special events—lectures, cultural and social gatherings; we provide a safe and open space for fellowship, sharing, and support for LGBT persons and their friends and families.
Service: Striving to be “men and women for others,” we provide volunteer opportunities, alone or in collaboration with other groups, focused on supporting LBGT persons and their needs and concerns.
Finally, we seek to be agents of change, combating personal and structural homophobia, and standing with LBGT persons, their families, friends, and supporters.
Learn More About Our Ministry
- Our Stories: Being LGBT and Catholic: A collection of stories of what it means and feels like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community within the St. Ignatius Loyola parish today
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sil.lgbt.caf/
- Google groups: https://groups.google.com/d/forum/lgbt-catholics-and-friends/join