St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, MA – LGBTQ Catholics

Although St. Ignatius Church has always been a welcoming and inclusive environment, the focus on social justice is new to the community, with the introduction of the Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission in 2017. In early 2020, steps were taken to introduce a group for LGBTQ Catholics. The parish hosted a Mass of Belonging, to emphasize that LGBTQ Catholics are not only welcome, they belong exactly as they are. Following the liturgy, St. Ignatius Church invited New Ways Ministry to host a training on improving inclusivity for LGBTQ parishioners. Despite the pandemic, St. Ignatius’ LGBTQ Catholics group hosted a virtual Lenten program series featuring various voices, including personal narratives, parents, Church leaders, and theologians. In March 2021, the LGBTQ Catholic ministry became an official subcommittee of the PJ&R Commission.

Successes:

• Programming – 2021 Lenten program series highlighted the experience and gifts of LGBTQ Catholics

• Advocacy Framework – Work to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people in parish life and in society while breaking the silence surrounding their experiences

• Budding Presence – Although newly formed, the LGBTQ Catholics subcommittee has garnered much interest and is steadily increasing its membership