BUILD moments

In 1977, our pastor, Msgr. Clare O’Dwyer, was one of several clergy who invited the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) to help them create a broad-based  organization of Baltimore churches to unite the city around social justice and human development. St. Matthew parish has been an active participant in BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development) for most of its 42-year history. Rather than try to recap the history of St. Matthew in BUILD, a few reflections to highlight that relationship…

“I remember going to the very first meeting of BUILD with [Msgr] O’Dwyer at Eastern High School. Not everybody in St. Matthews went for it, but I did not quit.”

— Jane Vaeth

“BUILD helped me grow and gave me courage to follow the path God was leading me. Over the years, BUILD continues to help bring people together to work for the common good and nurture them to make a difference in their world.”

— Sue Rovnak

“The BUILD Actions…show that it takes stamina and guts and compromise to get things done in a city like Baltimore.”

— Aaron DeGraffenreidt

“The visit of the Kirwan Commission brought home to me the value of BUILD. As a city resident and school parent, was the biggest learning  ̶  what we can achieve for these children who are our future. I have participated in other BUILD actions, but this effort helped everyone learn the history…we gained social awareness and support. Talking to parents at my daughter’s school…this was personal to me.”

— Rosemary Mukira

“Recently, with the threat of ICE raids, we joined other BUILD churches for the Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart Church (Highlandtown) to stand in solidarity with that community. That was powerful.”

— Elaine Crawford

“St. Matthew got it going, then BUILD expanded on the vigils for McKenzie Elliott, inviting other parishes, community leaders and officials. As a community, St. Matthews has always understood that faith and social justice go hand-in-hand. BUILD helps us to act on that essential part of our faith.”

— Joanne Stanton

Dick Ullrich – LEAD

(This is an expanded version of the story in our anniversary book.)

Conversation, the open honest exchange of ideas between people, is at the heart of all that Dick Ullrich does at St. Matthew Church.

In 2010, Fr. Joe asked Dick what would bring him into St. Matthew parish. He replied that he saw a need at St. Matthew for LGBTQ support and that he wanted to be a part of that. His life in the parish developed from there.

New Ways Ministry, one of the earliest Catholic supports for LGBTQ Catholics, held a summertime picnic, where many people spoke about marriage and how to work with legislators in support of it. One person from St. Matthew asked how can we support and help our children? Her question was met with silence. Dick then asked the group, “Could we meet to try to find an answer to her question of how we could help our LGBTQ children?” The response was an overwhelming yes, so they did, every month for a year.

At every meeting, new people appeared to add support. The group decided on a name, LEAD: L=lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer; E=educating; A=affirming; D=diversity. Thus, LEAD was born.

Through prayer and discernment, LEAD formulated a mission and vision statement. The Parish Council was invited to meetings, as well as many of the groups and ministries at St. Matthew.  The parish was kept informed of the progress of LEAD by bulletin inserts and information sessions held after all the Masses to answer any questions.  Sincere conversations helped everyone understand what was happening.

Dick was the original leader of LEAD. He initiated many successful projects.  On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, LEAD showed the film, “The Saint Of 9/11” about Father Mychal Judge, Chaplain of NYFD. Under his guidance, LEAD produced videos of their stories and the work was a finalist for the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Sondheim Prize in 2016. In addition, Archbishop Lori and Bishop Madden have attended LEAD meetings.

Although Dick was one of the first leaders of LEAD, many other people have contributed to its lasting success. “Foremost is Fr. Joe, who has given advice and support over the years and has allowed LEAD to develop freely, never trying to direct the group,” he states. Others there from the beginning include Pat Jones, Carolyn Scheide, and Ryan and Joan Sattler.

Dick has worked hard to create and sustain LEAD.  It is what keeps him at St. Matthew, knowing that LEAD is alive and well and continues its impact on the wider world. LEAD belongs to Faith Communities of Baltimore With Pride and joins over 30 churches to march in the annual Pride Parade.  More Catholic churches are following LEAD’s example and forming advocacy and support groups.  LEAD now has 115 members.  LEAD meets on the second Sunday of every month, after the 11 AM Mass.

Conversations are still the foundation for LEAD and sustain and nourish Dick’s spirituality.  Every month, people come to share, in confidentiality and safety, stories of themselves and their children and their Catholicism.  People have spoken of their suffering, of their love for the Catholic religion, and of their feelings of rejection by the church.  LEAD has given people hope, and as Fr. Joe says, “LEAD has been a life-saving ministry to them.”

To that question asked so many years ago, “What can we do to begin to help our suffering children, our loved ones, ourselves?” Dick replies, “LEAD is the answer.”

Kathy Sprague – LEAD

Kathy Sprague has not been at St. Matthew for long. When her daughter told her family she was gay, Kathy found that the parish she was attending was increasingly unsupportive, even negative. When one of the deacons spoke out against marriage equality, Kathy knew she had to leave. “My conscience led me to seek God, not doctrine.”

So for a while she stopped going to church altogether, tried the Episcopalian church, and still was not satisfied. Searching online led to the New Ways Ministry site, which offers a list of LGBTQ-friendly Catholic parishes. “I researched different church websites and was struck by the LEAD site affiliated with St. Matthew.” So one Sunday she and her family made the 45-minute drive to attend Mass and the monthly LEAD meeting. She kept coming and now attends Mass regularly at St. Matthew.

“Finding this parish and LEAD has restored my faith.” She especially loves the diversity, inclusive language, and warm welcome of St. Matthew parishioners. She believes that this parish opens people up to new experiences that they would not otherwise have.

It is the large number of activities and the opportunity to be of service that Kathy especially values at St. Matthew. The preachings of Fr. Joe and Fr. Mike are inspiring and draw us all together. Kathy says that she gets so much more here than from any other church because, “St. Matthew parish eliminates the complacency that can become part of Catholic life. There is a greater love at St. Matthew.”

This year, Kathy agreed to serve as one of the leaders of the LEAD Ministry. Even as a relative newcomer, her sense of belonging at St. Matthew is strong and steady.

Catholic and Muslim Women

(This is an expanded version of the story in our anniversary book.)

Women from St. Matthew and other Christian churches meet regularly with a group of women from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, forging friendships and a deeper understanding of each other and our faiths. We asked our new friends how these gatherings may have changed their thoughts about Catholics and Christians. A few of their reflections:

“It has been a wonderful experience. I have been sharing the teachings from Quran and message of Islam during our monthly meetings for a few years now and found them very respectful, tolerating and understanding of our faith and beliefs. There have been new people and those who have been there throughout but all of them are willing, and attentive. They come with an open mind and open arms ready to embrace the message of love for all, hatred for none.”

“Our encounters have increased my respect for Christian Catholics. My perception was that most people in America are not interested in faith or talking about faith but this wonderful group of ladies has shown otherwise. They show interest in Islam, compare it to their own teachings and have an honest approach. Also I get to learn about their faith. Which has helped me see the practical side of what I had learned in the books enhancing my own beliefs in my religion.”

A few women from St. Matthew also offered their reflections on this supportive relationship:

“Meeting and studying with women of the Muslim tradition has been very enriching for me. It has given me a better and more open understanding of a tradition that is often misunderstood by most Americans. A misunderstanding because of what we hear on the news, which of course is not really what Muhammad taught. In our Catholic tradition we are taught that we should love all as we are ALL God’s children no matter the name we use in communicating with God. There are many different ways to follow the God of love.”

“Not only have I learned more about Islam and come to respect and understand its teachings, but I’ve also come to a deeper appreciation of my own faith traditions. When sharing some of our sacred writings with them it’s like hearing them with new ears. Sometimes when we hear the same stories over and over we only half listen. Sharing them with women of a different faith gives us new insights. It is when we open our minds and hearts to diverse religions and cultures that world peace has a chance. Different doesn’t mean right or wrong it simply means different. When we are willing to expand our knowing we help to make the world a better place for ALL.”