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 the scope of this page to act as a newspaper.
Announcements 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
announcement (and on the About Us page, there is a Photo Gallery Index where
may be found photos from events of interest, even if the event longer appears
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.
ANNIVERSARY
DINNER: YEAR 55
New here:
October 2024
Subject:
Congratulation from national office/officers
On October
19, 2024, the chapter held its annual Anniversary Dinner, on its achieving 55
years of service and resolve in pursuit of church reform. At the dinner, was
read a letter from the national office (signed by national officers:
President and Executive Director); the full text of the letter is set out
below:
Dear Members
and Friends of Dignity/Los Angeles,
We write to you with great pride and joy
as you mark your 55th anniversary during liturgy this weekend. You
are the first Dignity Chapter to reach this mark. Even more, you are the
first LGBTQIA+ organization anywhere in the world to do so! What a remarkable
milestone on our path towards justice, equality, and full inclusion in our
church and society!
The commemoration of such moments always brings to mind a litany of achievements, struggles, and memories
of people, living and dead, who have been part of reaching this day. Along
with you, we hold the memories of so many members of Dignity/Los Angeles who
were part of the community for a short time, or for decades, whose lives
continue to inspire us. In addition, we honor the many, many leaders and
volunteers whose work and vision have brought you to this day.
As we write, Marianne and Sam Albano are
in Rome, representing our vision of a more just and inclusive church with
Synod Delegates, Vatican officials, and others working for similar goals.
Just this week, they were able to enter the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the
Faith to hand deliver a letter and the testimony of one of our transgender
members that outline our concerns about the recent document Dignitas Infinita. We
believe this is the first time Dignity officials have been inside the Holy
Office. We are also very much aware that without the work that had its start
in southern California, this moment would not be possible.
Our hearts and prayers will be with you as
you celebrate your anniversary. We pray that your ministry continues to
provide hope and joy to many.
With our love and gratitude,
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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"We are not on Earth to guard
a museum, but to cultivate
a flourishing garden of life."
Pope John XXIII
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"We must beware of those who
burn with zeal but are not en-
dowed with much sense."
Pope John XXIII
In 1958, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (see
picture above) was, at age 78, elected Pope John XXIII (after what was
widely rumored to be a near miss by Giovanni Batista Montini, who at the
time was not yet a Cardinal but would later be elected Pope Paul VI). Pope
John was expected to be a caretaker; but he was not. He spoke out for an
"updating" of the Church, admitted it needed "some fresh
air," and summoned the Second Vatican Council to help supply it. The
Council enacted many reforms, of which many still remain
not fully implemented, partly because Pope John died in 1963 (and was
succeeded by a cautious, almost fearful, Pope Paul), while the Council was
just starting its deliberations.
Pope John was canonized in 2014.
After six months as pope, Pope Francis I
urged that a more pastoral approach be taken by the Church. In doing so, he
cited Pope John's example and quoted a motto used by Pope John:
"See everthing; turn a blind
eye to much;
correct a little."
Pope John XXIII
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Pastoral Care
Event of enduring significance for sure:
At a biennial national
convention in July 2007 in Austin, Texas, DignityUSA
issued its Guidelines on the Pastoral Care of GLBT People; click here to read them.
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Fr. Roy Bougeois
Hear the School of the Americas founder on May
31 (5-8 pm) & June
1 (2-4:30 pm).
Anniversary
Dinner
This event was held Oct 12; click here for photos & here for the Keynote Speech.
Reformer
Priest
An Austrian priest leads a reform effort; and in Pasadena on Aug
2, he spoke. Click here for flyer for
more info on his tour of the U.S., click here
for the tour's website (scroll under "Tour Dates" to events,
including the L.A. event in Pasadena) and here
for photos of local speech.
Convention
2013
Dignity Convention 2013 was in Minneapolis on July 4-7. Click to
see our ad in program.
Open
Letter
DignityUSA wrote an Open Letter in the
NY Times to respond to a recent statement
by Cardinal Dolan about LGBT persons.
Report in Dateline
Read the
report
on the visit to our area by a DignityUSA rep.
Vatican
Spring
Swiss Theologican Hans Kung is
speaking out for Church reform as a conclave
to elect a new Pope started.
Anniversary
Dinner: 2012
Annual Anniversary Dinner was on Oct. 13. Click for photos and for Pax Nidorf
speech.
Hans Kung
In 2010, the renowned Swiss theologian (and former collegue of the Pope) wrote an Open
Letter to all bishops, to call for an Ecumenical Council. More recently
(in 2012), he has called for a revolution from below to force radical reform
at the Vatican, particularly its crushing of dissent by use of "rigid
... rules for choosing bishops." The "only way for reform is from
the bottom up," he says. "The priests and others in positions of responsiblity need to stop being so subservient, to
organize themselves and say that there are certain things that they simply
will not put up with anymore."
Pastor on
a Vatican Mandate To LCWR
Cleveland pastor has written on the Vatican mandate to U.S.
nuns; click here to read.
Priests
Speak Out
400 Austrian priests issue broad appeal for a reform movement in the Catholic
Church.
Women's
Meeting
Dignity's women will meet May 4-6, 2012, in Illinois; click for
more info.
Contraception
Dignity/USA has endorsed an open letter
on public policy on contraception.
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Parish
Closings
Vatican has reversed Cleveland's bishop on closing of 13
parishes. Click here for more.
Church
Workers
Click here to read an Open
Letter from CTA to Lay Church Workers.
Open Ltr to Bishops
DignityUSA issued an Open Letter to U.S. bishops to demand they consult us
before commenting on public policy affecting GLBTs.
Picking
Bishops
The VOTF petitions to reform
the process of picking bishops.
Catholic
or RC?
Dilemma that Rome poses for Catholics is analyzed by a priest in
DignityUSA QV article.
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Firing
Protested
CTA is spotlighting
a campaign to hold back donations, to protest firing of church worker.
Art Show
The Chapter's Third Annual Art Exhibit will be held May 16.
Click here for details.
Picking
Bishops
Popes appointing all the world's bishops is not the traditional way.
New
McNeill Letter
Read the new Open
Letter to the Pope, by Jesuit Fr. John McNeill (Quarterly Voice, pg 5).
UN Declaration
Event: December 2008
The UN has amended the Declaration
of Human Rights to include gays and lesbians.
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Prop 8 Opposition
Event: Nov. 4, 2008, Election
California voters rejected
Prop 8 to limit marriage to one between a man and a woman. A gay Fresno
priest had opposed Prop 8 from the pulpit. click here re a press conference at Dignity/LA on
him. Click here for the chapter Press
Release on Prop 8.
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Anniversary
Dinner 2008
Event: Oct. 11, 2008
The chapter's 39th
Anniversary Dinner was held on Sat, Oct 11, 2008. The Guest Speaker was Tony
Sweet, a musician-gospel singer; and the annual Archangel award was given to
long-time member Pedro; and the annual community charity award (in the amount
of $1,000) was given to the Serra Project (with its Executive Director Terry
Goddard II accepting the award for the Serra Project). Watch the About Us
page for the posting of photos of the event.
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Summer
Party
Chapter's Summer Party was held on Sat. Aug 16 at the Vargas
home.
Wedding of
J&R
Jim & Raoul wed at Mass on July 20. Click for photos.
Hollywood
Bowl
The chapter's annual excursion to Hollywood Bowl for a picnic
and concert was on July 12. Click here
for photos.
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Abuse of
Power
Event: June 2008
A retired bishop from
Australia spoke in San Diego and L.A. in June on abuse of power by the
hierarchy. Click for more info. Click here for
his own reflections on his U.S. tour.
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Art Exhibit 2008
Event: June 21-22, 2008
The chapter's second annual Art Exhibit was held at the Center on June
21-22.
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Petition to Pope
Event: April 25-20, 2008
Voice of the Faithful (VOTF)
sponsored a petition to the Pope for his
April 15-20 visit to U.S.
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Lay Convocation
of southern California
Event: March 29, 2008
A Lay Convocation was held
for southern California on March 29, 2008, at the St. Joseph Center in
Orange, California. It was a Calling Together of the Laity. Its purpose was to focus our attention on the
participation and responsibilities of the laity in the Catholic Church,
reflecting on the gifts received, the hurts endured, and the desire to
respond to the needs of the Church. The objectives were to inspire hope for
the future of the Church and a commitment to action. The oligations
and rights of the laity, as articulated in the documents of the Second Vatican
Council (1963-65) and in Canon Law, were
addressed. All were welcome.
To read more about this Lay Convocation (as planned), click here to visit its website.
A report on the Convocation is to be issued in due time.
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Results of
Officers Election (2008)
Event: February 2008
Each year in February, the
chapter conducts its annual Election of officers. In the February 2008
election, the results are: Jason Craig, President;
Saul Farias, Vice-President; Steve Leffler, secretary; and Michael
Rademacher, treasurer. The President will now nominate (for membership
approval at the General Meeting held in March) the chairpersons who will be
the remaining members of the Board in the new Administration.
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Evolution
There is a good article on
Pope John Paul II and evoluation in the Jesuit America magazine. Click here
to read it.
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New IRS
Regulation on Charitable Deductions
New: 2006 Event: Indefinite
See
the entry re the newer regulation in 2007.
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Meeting of U.S.
Bishops On GLBT Issues
Events:
November 2006 & July 2007 The Catholic Bishops
of the United States met in mid-November 2006, in Washington, D.C. An item on
the agenda was approval of a major statement on the pastoral care of GLBT persons. Since it was largely unfavorable, Dignity/USA
issued a critical press release (that got good press coverage in the general
media) and organized a protest for the time of the meeting. Unfortunately,
the statement was approved anyway; and subsequently, in July 2007,
Dignity/USA issued its own Guidelines on the
pastoral care of GLBTs.
VOTF Calls for
Bishops to be Accountable
Up: 2010 Read
VOTF demand that
Catholic bishops be more accountable.
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