All Our Welcome
Assuming most of us have a higher power, although not required, this section "prays" on understanding religions. Where and how does faith form your beliefs and more importantly, your actions? No right or wrong involved, because "who am I to judge"?
Do You Want to Worship Here?
​
Below are snip-its from the Home Page of a church website:
​
"If you are looking for a faith community where you can discover God through worship, community, and the service of others, you’re in the right place."
​
"Established in 1888 and located in the heart of Boston, Saint Ceclia Parish is a vibrant, welcoming Catholic community. We foster strong lay leadership and are blessed with members who generously give of their time, talent, and treasure to help shape our shared life.
​
At Saint Cecilia, we value diversity and strive to learn from one another. Composed of all ages and backgrounds, our community includes those in the pews and those participating virtually around the world. Grandparents, single and married adults, young families, teenagers, and college students gather together with a common commitment to the gospel message of Christian love, social justice, and radical hospitality. We are an LGBTQ+ affirming church that seeks to be a spiritual home for all people, wherever they are on their spiritual journey.
​
If you’d like to help shape our faith community, we welcome you to join us for worship and Sunday hospitality. Be yourself—there is room here for the individual, the activist, the thinker, and the questioner. At Saint Cecilia, we have a story to tell and welcome you to add to that story. We will be gifted by your presence."
​
"All Are Welcome"
​
"Believing that all persons are created in God’s image and have been endowed with sacred worth; believing that Jesus’ message was one of inclusion of those rejected by mainstream society; and believing that each person has inherent dignity and makes unique contributions to the Body of Christ—Saint Cecilia Parish welcomes people of every age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic condition, family structure, and physical or mental ability. Wherever you are on your faith journey, we invite you to learn more about us, worship with us, and share your gifts with us!"
​​
"Our Values"
​
"Catholic Social Teaching helps form and guide the way we respond to one another and to the world around us. At Saint Cecilia, we are committed to promoting the life and dignity of the human person—the foundational theme of Catholic Social Teaching. There are many ways we live out this commitment—through our care for individuals who are unhoused or experiencing food insecurity or financial instability; by welcoming with open arms the LGBTQ+ community and being supportive allies and reminders of how much God loves those of us who are LGBTQ+; and by standing in solidarity with those of us who struggle with addiction. In addition to these areas, we are working to become an antiracist parish in all aspects of what we do. To move in this direction, we are listening, reading to learn (and unlearn), reflecting together, and educating ourselves."
_______________________________________________________________________________
WOW! Sounds Like Heaven to Me!
​
Yes - the above excerpts are from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish in Boston. I can imagine anyone visiting would be marveled by the acceptance, kindness., and zero-tolerance for judgement. If you're Catholic, is this similar to "your" parish? This sounds like the welcome information at a Quaker meeting house!
​
How Do Catholics Transition?
If you gather parishioners from ten different U.S. Catholic parishes and ask them to describe the inclusion culture of their parish, you may hear ten variations. Even Catholics can't agree. Inclusivity or Exclusivity is a saga, contested continuously by politicians, by podcasters, by clergy, and by church pew pundits.
Religion represents love, charity, peace and solace. But what about judgement and acceptance? We all are proficient at judging. How about acceptance? Now there's the gap. Acceptance is not ubiquitous. There lies the issue. We need to concede that acceptance is judgement and that's not our strength. Get into acceptance and enjoy the serenity.
Consider Catholic Allies​
​
Accepting Catholics have started an organization called, "Catholic Allies." ​
Their mission is:
"We are a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering Catholics... to be BOTH a Catholic AND an Ally to
LGBTQ+ individuals."
​
Catholic Allies' logo includes the phrase: "all are welcome." This "movement" is unique, bold and enlightening. Catholic Allies is not going away.
Pray for inclusion.
​
​
​
​
​
​