Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I was dismayed last week to read an article in the Hartford Courant which began thus: “Police in Middletown [CT] are investigating to determine if a number of recent vandalism cases in which feces were found smeared on several homes and vehicles could be related to the fact each resident displayed a Pride flag.”
I realize that this is a somewhat distasteful way to begin my letter, but this weekend, as thousands of members of the LGBT community gather in New York City to celebrate Pride, we are witnessing growing numbers of anti-LGBT incidents around our nation, as well as hundreds of new anti-LGBT legislative bills, including many targeting transgender persons, especially trans youth.
Here at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, we take these events very seriously because they represent further attempts to denigrate the dignity that should be accorded all persons, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Furthermore, LGBT persons are being targeted within the church.
This is an excerpt from a recent essay by Robert Shine of New Ways Ministry: “Real victims are LGBTQ+ church workers fired from their jobs. Real victims are LGBTQ+ people criminalized by governments around the world. Real victims are trans people who are beaten and often killed for trying to live their lives. Real victims are queer couples who are denied communion for themselves or baptism for their children. Real victims are LGBTQ+ youth who practice self-harm or die by suicide because of the negative messages they hear from church leaders.”
Part of the problem is basic ignorance of who LGBT persons are, coupled with a growing spirit of hate and the condemnation of those who are different. Our parish’s ministries to the LGBT community, Open Hearts and Friends & Family, continue to offer support and encouragement to those who are struggling to find acceptance both within the church and within their families. In addition, they strive to inform and educate about LGBT issues. One example is a film which will be shown this Monday, June 26, called “Wonderfully Made–LGBTQ+R(eligion), a combined fine art project and feature-length documentary that together strike at the root of anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes by exploring the challenges and aspirations of LGBTQ+ Catholics.” We hope you will come to see this film which will be shown at the Theatre of the Performing Arts, 359 Washington Street in Hartford, Monday, June 26 at 6:30 PM. Tickets are free and can be reserved by clicking here.
On to a few other matters:
I ask your prayers for our Pastoral Associate, Patricia Curtis, and her family as they mourn the death of her brother, James, who died from cancer on Saturday, June 17 in Washington, DC. Pat travelled to Washington with her mother and sister earlier in that week to be with Jim and his son Christopher. Pat sent an email to me saying, “We are all very sad but are at peace that he is at peace.” The Mass Intention for Tuesday, July 25, at 12:05 pm will be for Jim.
Also, a few words about our recent re-introduction of the reception from the Cup of the Blood of Christ at the 10:00 Mass. So far, everything has gone well as we gauge how much wine is needed, and how many communicants are drinking from the Cup. I realize that it will take time for more people to become comfortable with the availability of the Cup, but I feel that it is important to make it available nonetheless. We still need to firm up our team of Eucharistic Ministers to ensure that the Communion Rite is carried out reverently and well-staffed. Again, thank you for your patience!
I know that some of you will be heading to summer homes for the next few months, and I hope you enjoy your time away with your families. The friars and lay staff wish you all a restful and relaxing summer as we go into “summer mode” ourselves – staff meetings every other week!
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.Pastor
