Dear friends in Christ,

 

Another week and more shootings in our city, our country, and in the world. On Pentecost Sunday in Nigeria, over 50 people were shot and killed attending Holy Mass. This act of evil reminds us of the somber anniversary of an event that took place on June 12, 2016. At the Pulse Nightclub in Florida, a popular hangout for LGBTQ people, a shooter killed 49 innocent people. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in our country since 9/11 and was the deadliest mass shooting until the following year when a gunman killed 60 people in Las Vegas. The sadness of the shooting at the Pulse Nightclub was heightened by the effect it had on the LGBTQ community. Throughout history, people who identify as LGBTQ have been the victims of much discrimination, persecution, and violence.

 

In the 1960’s, it was common practice for police to raid bars and other establishments that catered to gays and lesbians. They would forcibly arrest patrons and send them to jail. In the early hours of the morning on June 28th, 1969, the police raided a bar in New York called The Stonewall Inn. A witness of the events, Michael Fader, described what happened next, “We weren’t going to walking meekly into the night and letting them shove us around – it's like standing your ground for the first time and in a strong way, and that’s what caught the police by surprise. There was something in the air – freedom a long time overdue – and we’re going to fight for it. It took different forms, but the bottom line was that we weren’t going away, and we didn’t.” The Stonewall Uprising became the watershed moment for LGBTQ rights in the United States. People demanded to be able to live openly who they were without fear of being arrested, beaten, or harassed. A year later the first gay pride marches began.

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states, “They [homosexual persons] must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (CCC #2358). In light of all this, we are holding a special welcoming Mass for the LGBTQ community here at Saint Matthew on Tuesday, June 21^st, at 6 PM. This Mass is open for all and is described as, “Created to Love:  A welcoming LGBTQ Mass of compassion, respect, and sensitivity.” I hope you might be able to join us for this special Mass as we strive to follow the teaching of our Church to accept all with love and fight against discrimination and hatred in all its forms. God love you!

 

Blessings and peace,

 

Fr. Matt
 

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