‘Here I Am, Lord’ - Carmelites

1 8 Carmelite Review here I am, lord . Is it I, lord ? Ihave heard you calling in thenight. I will go lord if you leadme. I will hold your people in myheart. The refrain of Dan Schutte sfamiliar opening refrain that filledSt. Dominic Church in EagleRock February 4 set the tone forthe warm, almost-summerevening, where more than 400people gathered to celebrate 15years of the Ministry with Lesbianand Gay Catholics (MLGC). here I am, lord is, in ways,an unofficial motto for theministry that had grown and foundits place within not only the LosAngeles Archdiocese but also thecities and parishes where it hastaken root. The MLGC encour-ages gay and lesbian Catholics toremain (or return to) their parishesto fully participate in the serviceand life of the church. For all those involved in theMLGC including supportivepastors, religious, lay members,and leaders the evening wasindeed a celebration of endurance,strength, and commitment.

2 At theend of the Mass, the ministry sdirector, Carmelite Father PeterLiuzzi, thundered to the crowds, We have passed through thedoor. This is our jubilee year! San Pedro Regional AuxiliaryBishop Joseph Sartoris presided atthe Mass where more than 30priests concelebrated. It is fittingthat we begin this celebration ofthis ministry with the presentationof the baptismal candle, BishopSartoris noted. This ministry ishere for those to reclaim theirbaptismal rights as full membersof the church. St. Dominic s pastor, Domini-can Father Anthony Patalano,welcomed people who came as faraway as Santa Monica, Claremont,and Long Beach. May God blessyour commitment to the wholeCatholic community, he said. In a passionate homily, compared the ministry aswell as the experience of beinggay in the church to the Gospelstory of Jesus calling Peter thefisherman to be his , who had worked all day,was doubtful when Jesus told himto cast his net one more time, onlyto find the catch was big enoughto sink two boats.

3 That day a new partnership, anew life started, Fr. Liuzzi said. It s that new life that wecontinue to celebrate tonight ingrand style. Citing the vision of CardinalRoger Mahony as the originator ofthe ministry 15 years ago, described those involved inthe MLGC as people workingagainst all odds. You and I lowerour nets for a catch at the lord scommand. You are the ones whosay, here I am, lord . Send me. You have built up parish life allover the archdiocese. In this dayand age of the laity in the church,you are a wonderful example oflay leadership. The evening honored individu-als who have been serving theministry in their parishes. Eightreceived the Lumen Christiawards for 2001. Certificates ofsupport were also handed out tothose who offer support andrecognize the ministry in specialways. Others received tokens ofappreciation. Earlier in the week, Fr. Liuzziwas presented with an officialresolution from the Los AngelesCity Council, commending theMLGC for its far-reaching work, here I Am, lord Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Catholics celebrates 15 years ofservice with Mass at St.

4 Dominic Parish in Los Angeles, CAReading and Prayingthe Carmelite ClassicsFOURTEENTH SUMMER SEMINAR ON CARMELITE SPIRITUALITYJune 10-16, 2001 HONORINGC onstance FitzGerald, OCDV ilma Seelaus, OCDS peakers:Daniel Chowning, OCD Kevin Culligan, OCDK eith J. Egan Constance FitzGerald, OCDMary Frohlich Vilma Seelaus, OCDD ianne Traflet John Welch, O. at the Center for SpiritualitySt. Mary s CollegeNotre Dame, IN 46556-5001 For more information please call:Voice: 219/284-4636 Fax: 219/284-4855 Email: programs andoutreach to parents of gaychildren. I had no idea we werereceiving such a recognition, told The Tidings. It tookall of us by surprise. The resolution is important, saidFr. Liuzzi, because now theministry is known as a forcewithin the community. We nowhave a level of credibility withinthe city. It really feels like wehave come of age, he said. In the next 15 years, Fr.

5 Liuzzisaid he hoped the ministry wouldfind more welcoming parishes. What I have noticed, is thatwhere the ministry exists, thepastors are delighted, he said. Gay people are supportive andcreative in their parishes as theyassume leadership roles. In the past five years, thelanguage of the ministry hasevolved to be a declaration. I amsimply here to lay claim to all thatI have been promised by mybaptism, explained Fr. Liuzziwho added that the ministry hasestablished parent support groups,the country s first Hispanic gayand lesbian group, and finally,Sophia s Circle, a newly formedlesbian group. Gay people, he summarized, are those ordinary Catholics who simply want to participate inChrist s body here on earth. By Brenda ReesLos Angeles, CAThis article originally appeared inThe Tidings, the newspaper of theArchdiocese of Los Angeles, CA. Itis reprinted here with a compassionate explanation ofofficial Catholic teaching on homosexual-ity.

6 It presents new, positive thoughts on theissue and the sound pastoral practices thatarise from from Paulist order, call: 800/218-1903. Paperback is$ plus $ shipping and handling. With Listening Hearts: Understandingthe Voices of Lesbian and Gay Catholics by Peter J. Liuzzi, O. Carm.