NEWS
PAGE
This
is the NEWS page of this website. In reality, however, it serves not so much
as a news page as an announcements page, for it is (at least for now) beyond
its scope to act as a newspaper. An-nouncements
found on this page will likely be of general interest to chapter members, and
likely to others as well. Indeed, in some cases, they will be of interest
even after the date of the event or announce-ment
(and on the About page, there is a Photo Gallery Index where may be found
photos from events of interest, even if the event ap-peared
long ago in the News Flashes column on the Home page); and when deemed
appropriate to do so, they will be moved to a page that will serve as an
archive of such articles retired from this NEWS page: to go there, click here.
On
Blessing Same-Sex Unions
New
here: October 2, 2023
Event:
Pope’s Letter; DignityUSA Response
Pope
Francis’s statement to five cardinals that there might be ways for church
officials to bless same-sex unions is a “welcome sign of openness” on
LGBTQIA+ issues, says DignityUSA. The group is the world’s oldest Catholic
organization working for justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+
people in the church and society.
“While
we continue to believe that legal and sacramental marriage equality is the
goal, Pope Francis’s statement that there may be ways for the church to bless
same-sex couples is an unexpected and wel-come sign
of openness,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Di-rector of DignityUSA.
“The sacredness and grace in the relationships between people of the same
sex, or where one or more partner is transgender, deserve affirmation and
support. Hearing the Pope ac-knowledge this will give hope to many Queer
people, as well as to their families and friends who are Catholic.
Duddy-Burke
continued: “It is notable that this comment was made (by the Pope) in writing,
and in a letter to Cardinals who represent very traditional views and seemed
to be hoping for support for their position. In his response, the Pope
appeared to warn them that the church’s ministers cannot only ‘deny, reject,
and exclude.’ Further-more, he has not penalized priests and bishops in
Europe who have performed such blessings and has not prevented national
bishops’ conferences from considering offering these blessings as part of
their pastoral practices. These are all signs that our church’s leaders are
beginning to engage with these fundamental questions around sexual
orientation, gender, and relationships in new ways. I find that encour-aging.”
Duddy-Burke
noted that many Catholics have not waited for the church to extend blessings
to their partnered Lesbian, Gay, and Bi-sexual and Transgender family members
and friends. “There are Ca-thollcs in same-sex
relationships getting married with the full support of their families and
faith communities every week,” she said. “Many of these marriages include
spiritual elements often modeled on Ca-tholic
marriage ceremonies. We understand the power of sacrament, of community
support, and of invoking God’s blessing on our commit-ments.
We will be happy when more parts of our church acknowledge this reality,
too.”
The
Pope’s comments were made as bishops, priests, sisters, bro-thers, and lay people from all parts of the world are
starting to gather in Rome for the first of two meetings that will cap off
the work of a Global Synod on Synodality. Catholics and others from around
the globe were invited to be part of Listening Sessions held at the local
level and to express their hopes, and concerns, about the church. Throughout
much of October 2023, approximately 450 official dele-gates will deliberate what
all of these voices are asking of the church and to begin to outline ways
that the Catholic Church can move into the future.
“We
know that concerns about how LGBTQIA+ people have been treated by the church
were among the top issues on every continent.” said Duddyy-Burke.
“That the Pope spoke out on this on the eve of the Synd
meeting confirms that this must be among the issues Synod delegates must
consider. We are praying that delgates will be open
to the voices of the people of the church, and to the movement of the Holy
Spirit. In the meantime, we will continue working to build com-munities where
people of all genders and sexual orientation are truly affirmed.”
Interview of Pope on Homosexuality
New
here: February 2023
Event:
Pope clarifies comments
In
early January 2023, Pope Francis gave an interview in which he made some
comments on homosexuality that were subject to being misinterpreted. Not long
later, he wrote (in a hand-written letter to a critic) to clarify his
comments; and the Associated Press then issued an article analyzing the
comments and the Pope’s clarification about them. On this website (in the
left-hand column of the About page), the comments and the clarification are
addressed.
A
fuller treatment of the AP analysis follows:
ROME (AP) – Pope Francis has clarified his
recent comments about homosexuality and sin, saying he was merely referring
to official Catholic moral teaching that teaches that any sexual act outside
of marriage is a sin.
And in a note Friday, Francis recalled that
even black-and-white teaching is subject to circumstances that might
eliminate the sin altogether.
Francis first made the comments in an
interview Jan. 24 (2023) with the Associated Press, in which he declared that
laws criminalizing homosexuality were “unjust” and “being homosexual is not a
crime.”
As he often does, Francis then imagined a
conversation with someone who raised the matter of the church’s official
teaching, which states that homosexual acts are sinful, or “intrinsically
disordered.”
“Fine, but first let’s distinguish between
a sin and a crime,” Francis said in the pretend conversation. “It’s also a
sin to lack charity with one another.”
His comments calling for the
decriminalization of homosexuality were hailed by LGBTQ advocates as a
milestone that would help end harassment and violence against LGBTQ persons.
But his reference to “sin” raised questions about whether he believed that
merely being gay was itself a sin.
The Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit
who runs the U.S.-based Outreach ministry for LGBTQ Catholics, asked Francis
for clarification and printed the pope’s handwritten response on the Outreach
website late Friday.
In his note, Francis reaffirmed that
homosexuality “is not a crime,” and said he spoke out “in order to stress
that criminalization is neither good nor just.”
“When I said it is a sin, I was simply
referring to Catholic moral teaching, which says that every sexual act
outside of marriage is a sin.” Francis wrote in Spanish, underlining the
final phrase.
But in a nod to his case-by-case approach
to pastoral ministry, Francis noted that even that teaching is subject to
consideration of the circumstances, “which may decrease or eliminate fault.”
He acknowledged he could have been clearer
in his comments to the AP. But he said he was using “natural and
conversational language” in the interview that didn’t call for precise
definitions.
“As you can see, I was repeating something in
general. I should have said: ‘It is a sin, as is any sexual act outside of
marriage.’ This is to speak of ‘the matter’ of sin, but we know well that
Catholic morality not only takes into consideration the matter, but also
evaluates freedom and intention: and this for every kind of sin.” he said.
Some 67 countries or jurisdictions
worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 or which can or
do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which
works to end such laws. Experts say even where the laws are not enforced,
they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ
people.
Catholic teaching forbids gay marriage,
holding that the sacrament of marriage is a lifelong bond between a man and a
woman. It reserves intercourse for married couples while forbidding
artificial contraception.
In his decade-long pontificate, Francis has
upheld that teaching but has made outreach to LGBTQ people a priority. He has
stressed a more merciful approach to applying church doctrine, to accompany
people rather than judge them.
Benedict XVI Dies
New here: January 2023
Event: Pope Emeritus died on December 31,
2022
On December 31, 2022, Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI (1927-2022)
died at age 95; and in early January, his
successor, Pope Francis I
presided at his funeral held at an open-air
Mass in St. Peter Square
at St. Peter Basilica in Rome.
He was elected Pope in 2005 after the death
of Pope John Paul II.
He served as Pope until he resigned (the
first to do so in several
hundred years) in 2013, living the rest of
his life in relative obscurity.
His successor is Pope Francis I, the current
Pope, who was elected
shortly after Benedict XVI resigned.
For more about the life of Pope Benedict as
Pope (2005-2013) and
as head of Doctrine of the Faith (as
Cardinal Ratzinger (1981-2005))
visit the website of DignityUSA by clicking
on the link (in the center
column of the Home page or in the narrow
left-hand column of the
Contact page of this website). Then scroll
down thru LATEST NEWS
column that heads the DignityUSA website
until you reach its article
about his impact on the LGBTQ
community.
Christmas Liturgy
New
here: January 2022
Event:
Christmas Eve liturgy December 24, 2021
The Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley chapters of
Dignity celebrated a shared liturgy of the Nativity of the Lord at Mass
during the night on Xmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2021. Members of the chapters
attending in person gathered at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, North Hollywood,
and others attended virtually, via Zoom. Members from both chapters took part
in the lectoring and caroling; and festive
refreshments were provided by the San Fernando Valley chapter after the
liturgy. Meaningful participation in this two-chapter celebration was
promoted by the Advent Reflections featured in a series of five weekly Zoom
sessions, in advance of Christmas.
Michael Macchiarella
New
here: October 2021
Event: Memorial Service
Long-time chapter member Michael Macchiarella (1947-2020) died in Palm
Springs on Nov 10, 2020. On Sat, Nov 13, 2021, a Memorial Service for him was
held at Dignity Center, at 5 pm. For more info, including a photo, click here.
Virtual Gathering
New here:
September 2021
Event: National substitute Convention
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced DignityUSA to cancel the national
Convention scheduled for San Diego in July 2021, it scheduled instead a
virtual gathering, which took place in Sept 2021. Click here for the flyer for the event.
Death of Thomas Giancoli
New here:
August 2021
Event: Memorial Service
Long-time chapter member and Past President Thomas Giancoli
(1945-2021) died on March 28, 2021. Click here
for a photo montage (including photos of Tom) prepared for the Memorial
Service held at Dignity Center on July 31.
Death
of Dirk Farasey
New here:
August 2021
Event: Commemorative Service
Long-time chapter member Dirk Farasey (1931-2021)
died on July 8, 2021. A Commemorative Service was held on Aug 1 at Dignity
Center, followed by the Interment of Ashes on Aug 2 at Forest Lawn in
Glendale. Click here for a photo montage
(including photos of Dirk) prepared for the Commem-
orative Service.
New
Webmaster
New here: June
2021
Event: Appointment of new Webmaster.
On June 18, 2021, the Board appointed long-time chapter member Jason Tveit to
become the new Webmaster for the chapter's website, to succeed long-time
chapter member John Nangle who has long been the Webmaster for the website
but is retiring from that position. For more information, including photos of
the new Webmaster and the retiring Webmaster, click here.
ADVISORY Re New Corona Virus
New here: March 12, 2020
Subject: Chapter Policy
With the new CoronaVirus (COVID-19) in mind, the chapter (Dignity Los
Angeles) is taking the following steps immediately to help to ensure the
health and safety of its members and guests, at all chapter gatherings
(including liturgies) during these challenging times:
We invite you to bow to each
other, in place of closely approaching or touching each other (such as during
the Sign of Peace).
We ask that you refrain from
touching each other, such as by holding of hands (such as during the Our
Father).
The communion chalice is
available ONLY for intinction, which is dipping of the edge of the host into
the wine, without touching the wine with the hand and without touching or drinking
from the chalice. Even intinction is purely optional; and congregants are
reminded that the teaching of the institutional Church is that Christ is
wholly present in the host, with or without intinction.
Our hearts go out to all who
have been impacted by the virus. As the dynamics surrouding
the new virus (COVID-19) continue to change, and as we modify our practices
accordingly, let us all work tirelessly to persevere through this together.
To access guidance from the
federal Center for Disease Control, click here.
Click
here
to view a You Tube video by CDC for older adults on the subject.
Death
of Frank Miller
New here: March
2020
Event: Funeral
On February 29, 2020, former long-time chapter member, choir member, Past
President (2012), and Archangel recipient (2011) Frank Miller died (for more
on the Archangel Award at the chapter's 2011 Anniversary Dinner, including a
photo, click here). His funeral
Mass will be at Mother of Good Counsel parish.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
New here: December 2019
Bi-Lingual Liturgy
On
December 12, the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a bi-lingual liturgy was
celebrated at Dignity Center. Click here
to see handout used at Masses in the lead-up to the event.
DIGNITYUSA'S NEXT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
New here: October 2019 (posted here in 2019 about a future
event (in 2021))
Event: National Conference
The
next National Conference of DignityUSA will be held in 2021 in San Diego. For
a flyer, click here and to access the
pre-registration portal of the DignityUSA's
website, click here.
DIGNITY LOS ANGELES CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS
New here: October 2019
Event: Anniversary Banquet
Dignity Los Angeles celebrated
its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at the Hilton Pasadena
Hotel, 168 South Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, California 91101.
The Special Guest Speaker for
the celebration was Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D., a feminist theologian who is a
co-founder and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and
Ritual (acronym: WATER) in Silver Spring, Maryland. A Catholic active in the
women-church movement, Mary lectures and writes on theology and ethics, with
particular attention to social justice concerns. Mary also was the Plenary
Speaker at DignityUSA's 50th Anniversary Conference
in Chicago, July 5-7, 2019.
WATER,
in a moving tribute authored by Mary and included in the Program booklet for
the Anniversary Dinner of DignityLA, reviewed and
praised the legacy of Dignity. To read it, click here;
and to read her speech at the Anniversary Dinner, click here.
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ANGELS UNAWARES
New here: September 2019
Event: World Day of Migrants & Refugees
On
September 29, 2019, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis
unveiled in St. Peter square at the Vatican a larger-than-life sculpture that
shows migrants and refugees walking under stress-filled conditions and that
is entitled "Angels Unawares," a title based on Scripture: "Do
not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have thereby
entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2.
Death of Julio Spitalier
New here:
August 2019
Event: Memorial Service
On July 6, 2019, long-time chapter member and supporter Julio Spitalier died; and on Aug 17, there was a Memorial
Service at Dignity Center, followed by a reception there. For more on Julio,
click here.
Death of Bill Noble
New here:
August 2019
Event: Memorial Service
On August 4, there was a memorial service for long-time friend and former
chapter member Bill Noble. For more, click for flyer
distributed at the service.
On Transgendered
New here: June
2019
Event: Dignity Speaks Out
DignityUSA replies to Vatican statement on transgender. Click here
to read reply.
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Death of Fred Kraft
New here: March
2020
Event: Memorial Service
On March 11, 2019, Fred Kraft died. He was an active supporter and member of
Dignity/L.A. for more than 30 years; and on March 16, 2019, a Memorial
Service was held for him at Dignity Center. For more about Fred (including a
photo of him) and the Memorial Service, click here.
JUBILEE VISIT JUNE 2018
New here: July 2018
Event: Jubilee to culminate in 2019
DIGNITY USA BOARD MEMBER VISITS DIGNITY LOS ANGELES
The chapter was visited on Sunday, June 10, 2018, by Daniel Barutta, a member of the Board of Directors of Dignity
USA. He is a member of that national Board as well as of its Election and
Membership Committees. Board members are currently engaged in on-the-road
junkets, making direct contact with as many of the chartered chapters and
other groups as feasible, as a run-up to the 50th Golden Anniversary of
Dignity in 2019.
Daniel is a former resident of the local area (and a former parishioner at
St. Dominic's, in Eagle Rock). He gave an informative presentation on Dignity
USA's composition, recent activities, current projects, etc. He discussed
ongoing Jubilee activities across the country, in preparation for the Golden
Anniversary; and he inquired how the chapter was proceeding with its Jubilee
process. He concluded with a very lively Q&A session, covering a
multitude of topics.
In sharing a current snapshot of Dignity USA, Daniel explained that its
expenses fall into three main categories: 79% for programs, 13% for
administration costs, and 8% for fundraising. He explained that income
sources fall into two main categories: 64% from members and donors, and 36%
from grants. In fulfilling its mission, it relies on five dedicated staff
members, one full-time and four part-time, all of whom work from remote
sites; and it also relies upon the work of dozens of volunteers, including
the members of the Board of Directors, who account for a total of over 2,000
hours a year, and other volunteers, who account for a total of over 1,000
hours a year. Currently, Dignity USA includes 33 communities and caucuses,
over 1,600 members and donors, and over 5,200 supporters and followers.
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ANNIVERSARY DINNER 2018
New Here: October 2018
Event: In 2018, the chapter celebrated its regular annual Anniversary Dinner
on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Taix Restaurant in Los Angeles. To see a
webpage on the event, including photos taken at the event, go to the Photo
Gallery Index on the About Us page (near its bottom) of this website by
clicking on the Photos link in the banner found atop each page of this
website.
As part of the event, the chapter invited reflections on significant events
during the history of the chapter. Six such Reflections were published in the
Program Book for the event. To read any of them, click on the link (in the
list below) on the topic of Reflection
that interests you, in the list just below:
The chapter acquired a Building of its very own, the very first
chapter of Dignity to do so.
The chapter helped those in
need to deal with the AIDS epidemic that
struck the community.
The chapter helped to defeat
at the polls Prop 6 that would have
discriminated against GLBTQs in public schools.
The chapter helped GLBTQ
Catholics who were new arrivals in the
Los Angeles area to adjust and find a new spiritual home.
The chapter welcomed diverse
groups of GLBTQ Catholics by adopting family and cultural enhancements to do
so, such as the formation of Familia Guadalupana, to help Dignity become their new
spiritual home.
The chapter is embracing the Jubilee to celebrate Dignity's 50th year
and to help to prepare for its future.
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To Photo Gallery Index (on About Us
page)
ANNIVERSARY DINNERS
Event: annually (in October)
To see a page of photos from such an event, click on Photos in banner at the
top of any page on this website to go to the Photo Gallery Index listing
events for which there is a page on the event, including photos.
HOMECOMING SUNDAY
Event: annually (in November)
To see a page of photos from such an event, click on Photos in banner at the
top of any page on this website to go to the Photo Gallery Index listing
events for which there is a page on the event, including photos.
CHAPTER DECORATIVE BANNER
New here: October 2016
Event: Indefinite
In October 2016, the chapter posted (see link below) a copy of its updated
decorative banner, featuring Our Lady (or in Spanish: Nuestra Senora). It is
based on the original name of the chapter's home city (Los Angeles) founded
on the banks of a river, the original name of which was the Porciuncula River
(named in turn after an area near Assisi, Italy, made famous by St. Francis).
The full name of the city (town) was El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles sorbre el Rio de la Porciuncula
(or in English: the town of the Queen of the Angels on the River
Porciuncula). Click here to see it; and click
here to see the commemorative placque posted near the site of the original settlement,
in downtown Los Angeles.
50 YEARS A PRIEST
New: June 2016
Event: Indefinite (notes an anniversary)
In June 2016, the chapter held a celebration to mark the 50 years that Fr.
Kevin Steen has been a priest. Click for the photo page on the celebration (and more
about his 50 years as a priest).
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SUPREME COURT DECISION ON GAY MARRIAGE
New: June 2015
Event: Indefinite
A decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2015 holds that marriage is a
Constitutional right under the U.S. Constitution and that no State can deny
it on the basis that a given marriage will a same-sex union. Justice Anthony
Kennedy concludes his opinion for the majority of the Court with a beautiful
summary of the insights that led to the Court's decision, as follows:
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals
of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital
union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of
the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may
endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say
that they disresepct the idea of marriage. Their
plea is that they respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its
fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in lonliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest
institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The
Constitution gives them that right.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
It is so ordered.
IRS Rules on Charitable Deductions
New: 2017 (and periodic revisions likely)
Event: Indefinite
The IRS has updated its rules
as to deductions for cash gifts (including by check or credit-card charges)
to charitable organizations, such as Dignity. A gift is deductible only if
taxpayer has in hand a receipt (when the tax return claiming a deduction is
filed), regardless of the amount; but the taxpayer's cancelled check or
credit card statement (if they show the donee name,
date, and amount of the contribtion) can serve as
such a receipt. For any individual gift of $250 or more, one must also have a
written acknowledgement of the gift from the donee
and that nothing was given to the donor in return (other than intangible
spiritual benefit); but this may be one for each gift of $250 (or more) or an
overall one listing all such gifts for the year, showing date and amount of
each and the total of gifts for the year. The chapter for each year
acknowledges the total of verified gifts made by an individual when the total
for the year is $250 (or more), specifying the date and amount of each gift
and the total gifts for the year. Gifts given in an unverifiable manner (such
as loose cash in a collection basket at a liturgy) cannot be included. Those
who want the ability to deduct their donations should consider the annual
pledge drive as the way to donate and to then satisfy the pledge by check(s),
so that the chapter can easily compute a verifiable total and acknowledge the
total and each gift, promptly at the end of the tax year (in time for the
tax-return season) and meeting IRS rules.
Click here for the record-keeping
rules (see Publication 526, pages 17-20), including for cash gifts and the
special rules for non-cash gifts, out-of-pocket expenses, and how to report
gifts on your tax return.
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