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Historic St. Paul Catholic Church


Building Justice
Embracing Inclusiveness
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  • Home
  • About
      • Parish Registration
      • Our Stories
  • Serve
      • Schedule
      • Social Justice Ministries
      • LGBTQ+ Ministry
      • The Little Mountain School
      • Laudato Si - Care for Creation
      • Youth Ministry
  • Learn
      • Sacramental Registration and Religious Education
  • Donate
      • Sr. Clara's Steeplechase
  • News
      • All News
      • Weekly Newsletters
  • Events
  • Bulletin
    • LGBTQ+ MINISTRY  &  FORTUNATE FAMILIES

      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 Discernment & Visioning Ministry (one of our members is Co-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 fellowship. 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 LGBTQ Outreach Commission which affirms and embraces individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer and their families and friends.

      Historic Saint Paul LGBTQ+ Ministry Leadership Team

      Angel Michael Cobb
      J T Hulan
      Megan Naylor
      Nick Ralston
      Melody Turpin
      Brad ​Yelvington

      Stan "JR" Zerkowski, Director

    • Summary Catholic LGBTQ+ Ministry Lexington Overview The Diocese of Lexington promotes belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health 41% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in 2023, as per the Trevor Project Survey. Crisis Support Resources Suicide and Crisis Line: 988 Crisis Text Line: 741741 The Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386 Contact Information Fortunate Families Executive Director: Stan

    • Questions? Contact our LGBTQ+ Ministry Director:

      • Stan "JR" Zerkowski
        Pastoral Associate & Director of LGBTQ+ Ministries
        (859) 327-1047
        jrfflexgmail.com
    • SAME SEX COUPLES SEEKING A BLESSING 

      Same-sex couples seeking a blessing should contact Father Richard at 859.420.4182 or [email protected]    
      Click here to read the Declaration from the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

    • Diocese of Lexington Statement regarding LGBT Youth

      The Church is called to recognize in each person their God-given dignity. We provide a sacred and safe space for LGBTQ+ Catholics to share their life and faith. By sharing their unique gifts in community with us they are treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity, their dignity is 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.


      CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STATEMENT REGARDING LGBTQ+ YOUTH

  • News/updates

      • Fortunate Families Facilitator Update
        June 10
        Fortunate Families Facilitator Update
        I am delighted to announce that Dru Stanley Moon has accepted the invitation to be co-facilitator of Historic Saint Paul Fortunate Families Ministry.
        Read More
      • Leadership Team Updates
        May 12
        CONGRATULATIONS to Nick Ralston who has accepted the invitation to be part of the LGBTQ+ Leadership Team at our parish. This month, Mary Lou White leaves the Leadership Team. We thank her and her husband, Homer, for their support and tireless work on behalf of justice, equality, equity, and welcome. We wish them the best as they relocate to Eastern Kentucky.
        Read More
      • Response to Protests
        August 29
        - JR, Director of LGBTQ+ Ministry
        It is necessary for me to clear up a lie that the protesters told the media; they were not simply protesting an image of Mary that they did not like. Here is their rationale for the protest and for a petition, taken from their own website. As you can see, their agenda goes far beyond an image they don't like.
        Read More
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    • Director of LGBTQ+ Ministry receives handwritten note from Pope Francis

      On October 13, 2023, Stan "JR" Zerkowski, Director of LGBTQ+ Ministry, received a handwritten note from Pope Francis. The English translation: “Dear brother, thank you very much for your email. Thank you for your ministry. I pray for you, please continue to do so for me. May the Lord bless you and the Madonna watch over you. Fraternally, Francis”

    • LGBTQ+ PRide month

    • Events

      • Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social
        Monday, June 30, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
        YOU ARE INVITED - WHAT: Our Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social | Bring a bottle of wine to share. Bring a finger food to share. Bring a friend, your spouse, your significant other. Or, just bring yourself! WHERE: Brossart House, 501 West Short Street Park in the lot behind the church building. Enter the side door on the walkway adjacent to the church.
        Read More
      • Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social
        Wednesday, August 20, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
        YOU ARE INVITED - WHAT: Our Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social | Bring a bottle of wine to share. Bring a finger food to share. Bring a friend, your spouse, your significant other. Or, just bring yourself! WHERE: Brossart House, 501 West Short Street Park in the lot behind the church building. Enter the side door on the walkway adjacent to the church.
        Read More
      • Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social
        Wednesday, September 17, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
        YOU ARE INVITED - WHAT: Our Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social | Bring a bottle of wine to share. Bring a finger food to share. Bring a friend, your spouse, your significant other. Or, just bring yourself! WHERE: Brossart House, 501 West Short Street Park in the lot behind the church building. Enter the side door on the walkway adjacent to the church.
        Read More
      • Annual Christmas Social (LGBTQ+ Ministry)
        Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
        Annual Christmas Social (LGBTQ+ Ministry) Read More
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    • Articles

      Pope's latest affirmation of same-sex civil unions hailed as progress by LGBT community| National Catholic Reporter | Oct 21, 2020
      Peace and Justice Announcement | Diocese of Lexington | July 20, 2020 
      traducción en español 

      Forming inclusive and welcoming parish communities | Diocese of Lexington Pastoral Plan | June 9, 2019

      Message to Catholic LGBT Ministry from the Bishop of Lexington, John Stowe, OFM Conv. 

    • 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


    • (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.

    • 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)

Historic St. Paul Roman Catholic Church

Lexington, Kentucky

Saint Paul Parish is a place of belonging for all.
We celebrate and honor the dignity of every person.
Our church was built in 1865.
For over 160 years, we have been a diverse community serving downtown Lexington and beyond.

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