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(Please do not reproduce nor use without expressed permission )
Mother, the rainbow is the lasting sign of God's covenant; as God's love wrapped you in grace, may it also wrap your LGBTQ+ children and assure them of God's love.
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Historic St. Paul's commitment to accompany one another stems from our baptism and requires us to honor diversity and work to protect, defend, and celebrate every person - especially those marginalized by society or the Church. In our diverse faith community, we are proud to proclaim that 'all are welcome.' And we not only proclaim it, we live it intentionally!
Our LGBTQ+ family and friends have a unique ministry here. We gather to affirm our faith, place ourselves under the protection of Our Lady, celebrate each other, work to defend and protect the dignity of every person, and we serve joyfully - in the sacred liturgy, on the Parish Council (one of our members is Chair), in various ministries, and in service to the common good beyond the doors of our parish church.
Whether you are new to the Church, returning home, or interested in learning more, we invite you to be a part of our ministry. We gather monthly, at least, for Mass, Rosary, dinner, faith sharing, fellowship and support. Bring a friend, bring an ally, bring a family member back home, where they will have their dignity renewed and celebrated exactly as they are: a beautiful child of God!
JR Zerkowski leads our parish ministry and our diocesan LGBT Outreach Commission which affirms and embraces individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer and their families and friends.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Church is called to recognize in each person their God-given dignity; Pope Francis has called the Church to create a "culture of encounter;" we provide a sacred and safe space for LGBTQ+ Catholics to share their life and faith. By sharing their unique gifts in communities where they are treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity, their dignity defended, preserved, and celebrated, LGBTQ+ Catholics- their families and friends, too - are brought back HOME to take their rightful place in their Church, accepted and loved for exactly who they are, just as God made them.
NEWS
31 December 2021
Dear Friends,
In 2016 LGBTQ+ Ministry was born at Historic Saint Paul parish. In the years that have come and gone we have brought new members into the church through profession of faith and baptism, and by offering apologies and the promise to accompany and love LGBTQ+ siblings without judgement in a safe place that is our parish church and our parish community.
In 2021 we were particularly blessed to have what began at our parish become part of the structure of the Diocese of Lexington's known as the Diocesan LGBT Outreach Commission. While our parish ministry still continues to evolve, the mission begun here has become more robust and now reaches to the 50 counties of our diocese and far, far beyond. We have become a model for parishes, dioceses, and educational institutions throughout the country.
While the pandemic has prevented us from gathering safely and doing so much of what we would like to do, it has offered us the opportunity to reassess our mission and find new ways to minister. We are still finding our way hoping the pandemic will end soon and we can begin our "typical" ministry activities again in earnest.
On the Feast of Christ the King at the Cathedral of Christ the King in November of 2021 Bishop John commissioned Anita Capillo, Deacon Chris Cecil, Angel Michael Cobb, Michael Dahl, JT Hulan, Fr. Carlos Martinez, Dr. Melinda Moore, Nick Ralston, and JR Zerkowski (chair) to serve in the name of the bishop providing outreach and pastoral accompaniment to LGBTQ+ persons and their families and friends as well as providing educational opportunities so that instutions throughout our diocese and the People of God who comprise the Diocese of Lexington might grow in their understanding and pastoral care for LGBTQ+ persons and those who love them and those they love.
While Sister Clara, Anita, Fr. John Curtis, Nick and I have been involved since the beginning, Fr. Richard Watson joined us two years ago as pastor and has jumped into the ministry with dedication and Christ's unconditional love, just as Fr. Carlos Martinez had when he ministered at our parish among Spanish-speaking siblings.
As the year ends we sing a mighty "TE DEUM" - a hymn of thanksgiving for the wonders God has brought forth from all of us, often despite ourselves.
JR Zerkowski
Chair, Diocese of Lexington LGBT Commission
Director, LGBTQ+ Ministry Lexington31 December 2021
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRIEST'S STATMENT REGARDING LGBTQ+ YOUTH -
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Bishop John Stowe wrote this message to the LGBTQ+ community which was distributed at the 2019 Lexington Pride Festival:"Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I greet you warmly and offer you my prayers on your behalf during this celebration of Pride.
Psalm 139, a prayer attributed to King David,
celebrates God's intimate knowledge and deep love
of each son and daughter
he has made in his image and likeness.
In part, the psalm reads, "you formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb.
I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works!"
(Psalm 139: 13-14 New American Bible)
My prayer is that each of us can celebrate that glorious discovery
of how we are made and loved by a God who knows us intimately
and who calls us to a deeper relationship with Himself.
When we acknowledge this in ourselves, we have to be able to see this beauty in each other.
There are so many things which can divide us,
let's all come together in recognition that we are wonderfully made
and we are made to reflect the glory of God.
Peace and all good,
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.
Catholic Diocese of Lexington" -
Prayer to Our Mother of Pride
Mother,
accompany your daughters and sons
who are on the peripheries:
exiled and banished children.
Comfort those whose hearts are broken
because they have been rejected
and dwell in the Valley of Tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us
and all who wait
to be included, accepted, loved,
and treated with
respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
Wrap us in the mantle
of your love and maternal pride,
and lead us to Jesus.
Amen.
Mother of Fortunate Families, pray for us!
(Prayer composed by Stan “JR” Zerkowski)Resources
Articles
Pope's latest affirmation of same-sex civil unions hailed as progress by LGBT community| National Catholic Reporter | Oct 21, 2020
Forming inclusive and welcoming parish communities | Diocese of Lexington Pastoral Plan | June 9, 2019
Peace and Justice Announcement | Diocese of Lexington | July 20, 2020
traducción en español
Videos
Message to Catholic LGBT Ministry from the Bishop of Lexington, John Stowe, OFM Conv.
Podcasts
Questions?Contact our LGBTQ+ Ministry Director:
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jrfflexgmail.comDirector of LGBTQ+ Ministry, Music, Communications, Chair of Diocese of Lexington LGBTQ Outreach Commission
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