The bishops have continued their conversation on family issues; they are midway in their two-week meeting. While the doors are closed, seems some minds have opened. A document summarizing their discussions has been released.

“The bishops said gays had ‘gifts and qualities’ to offer and asked rhetorically if the church was ready to provide them a welcoming place, “accepting and valuing their sexual orientation without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony.”

Meanwhile…

Saturday was National Coming Out Day and our wonderful parish acknowledged the day, encouraging parishioners to wear a parish t-shirt with the parish logo, LGBT on the front and Pope Francis’ quote - “Who am I to judge?” - on the back. A man, his wife –both wearing the shirts -brought the gifts of bread and wine up to the altar.

We are not waiting for a document from Rome to direct our parish life. We are a loving, joyful community with many gifted people worshipping here. All are welcome – we sing it, we pray it, we live it.

(S-R photo: Pope Francis, top center, celebrates  Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014 )

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