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Members of the St. Francis Gay and Lesbian Ministry — clockwise from top, Gladys Whitehouse, Chuck Small, Jean Byrne, Jay Moore and Jane Paris — take part in the annual convention of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. |
In accordance with our parish mission statement, we reach out to provide spiritual nourishment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and their families and friends. We seek to affirm the intrinsic value and self-worth of all people and to welcome them into full participation in the faith community.
Click here for the ministry brochure.
All gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are welcome. We also welcome friends and family of GLBT people, and anyone who might be questioning what it means to be a supportive Catholic for GLBT parishioners.
As always at St. Francis, all are welcome. Whatever your religious tradition, please know you are welcome to pray and worship with us.
Ministry history and activities
Click here for our schedule of 2006/2007 activities.
The ministry was established by eight gay, lesbian and straight parishioners in 1999. Since then, it has sponsored many events, including an annual dessert social after Taize prayer on a Friday in Lent, the Evening With Friends fund-raiser (in conjunction with the AIDS Care Team), occasional workshops and speakers, and a booth annually at both N.C. Pride and the Gay Film Festival. Once a year we offer Reclaim, a six-week series for LGBT Catholics interested in re-entering a Catholic community.
Throughout Lent, we sponsor “Out of the Tomb,” a series of Lenten reflections based on the Gospel readings during the season. This is followed by on-going Scripture reflection on the Sunday liturgical reading each Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. Our annual retreat is held on the last full weekend in October. This fall, Oct. 27-29, we're sponsoring a retreat of prayer and spirituality at The Summit Retreat Center near Greensboro. Contact us soon as spaces fill up quickly. Please join us: ALL ARE WELCOME!
For more information about the ministry, e-mail us or call Chuck at (919) 859-4889.
Use this form to contact us and send a question or comment.
JULY 2006
Movie and discussion: Trembling before G-d, Sunday, July 23 from 2-5 p.m.
AUGUST 2006
Ministry Booth at the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, August 10-13
SEPTEMBER 2006
OCTOBER RETREAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 10
Ministry Social and Game Night, Saturday, September 9th 6 p.m., Durham Armory
Evening With Friends, TBA
OCTOBER 2006
Ministry Booth at Gay Pride, Duke East Campus
Hiking at Umstead, Saturday, October 14, 9 a.m.
Ministry Retreat at Brown Summit, October 27-29
NOVEMBER 2006
Ministry Social and Bowling, Saturday November 11, 7:30 p.m., Pleasant Valley Bowling
Retreat Reunion Potluck, Saturday, November 18th, 7 p.m. Anthony Hall Gathering Room
DECEMBER 2006
Holiday Social at Robert and Jay’s, Sunday, December 3, 7 p.m.
JANUARY 2007
Reclaim, Sundays, January 8th – February 19th, 3 – 5 p.m., Room 404
Ministry Social and Bowling, Saturday, January 20, 7:30 p.m., Pleasant Valley Bowling
FEBRUARY 2007
Reclaim continues until February 19th
OUT of the Tomb, Lenten Scriptural Reflection, Saturdays of Lent, 4 – 5 p.m., February 24 until April 1st, Anthony Hall
MARCH 2007
OUT of the Tomb continues each Saturday
TAIZE Dessert Social, Friday, March 23, after 7 p.m. Taize prayer
APRIL 2007
OUT of the Tomb ends on April 1
Holy Week Triduum: Holy Thursday, April 5, Good Friday, April 6, Easter Vigil, Saturday April 7 and Easter Sunday April 8
MAY 2007
AIDS Walk and Ride, Saturday, May 5, downtown Raleigh
Ministry Social and Movie, Saturday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. Brier Creek
Ministry Pentecost Display, Saturday, May 26 through Sunday May 27, Clare Hall