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Jim Buckheit Secretary-Tresurer, lives on the “North
Coast” of New York state and works as an account manager for a
medical database company. Previously he supervised case and
disease managers and has also worked in the disability field,
supervised and helped to create the behavioral/case management
unit at a Medicaid HMO, and worked with child and adult
protective services. He holds a masters degree in Public
Administration. Jim has been active in parish life over 30 years
including diocesan advisor, ad hoc consultant, parish council
planner, synod representative and homeless shelter supervisor.
Jim comes from a large, loud and loving family.
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Ann Hoffman Franczyk, the proud mother of two children,
Mark and Kata, resides in West Springfield, MA, with her husband
Chet Franczyk, a practicing pediatrician. A graduate of Boston
College (BA), Case Western Reserve (BSN), and U Conn, (MSN and
Post Grad) Ann is a Nurse Practitioner in the Division of
Noninvasive Cardiology at Baystate Medical Center in
Springfield. When their son Mark came out in 1998, Ann became
active in PFLAG’s Safe Schools program and has spoken in
numerous venues including high schools, colleges, and community
forums. She is active in her parish where she has taught CCD and
serves as both a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Ann and Chet
met with Springfield Bishop, Timothy McDonnell, in February
2006, and expressed their desire to begin an Always Our Children
outreach ministry with parents of LGBT persons. Always Our
Children Springfield, Massachusetts has become an active,
flourishing ministry dedicated to support, education and
affirmation. |
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Jerry Furlong received a BS in Journalism from Marquette
University, and an MBA from Creighton University. Active over
the years in parish councils, school boards, diocesan drives and
committees, endowment and development efforts, etc. Co-founder
of the Pre-Cana Conference in Omaha, coordinator of the first
Omaha Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, past president of Catholic
Charities Omaha. Lector and EMHC. Member of Omaha PFLAG, co-host
of New Ways Ministry’s Omaha Workshop, co-founder of Omaha’s
“Caring Catholic Families”—LGBT support/educational group. Jerry
and his wife, Lucy, tell their “story” at an archdiocesan
program on sexuality (called HEARTS). Retired from Mutual of
Omaha. Jerry & Lucy are blessed parents of four daughters and
one son, who is gay. They have 11 grandchildren.
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Jean Kearse has ministered in high school education, as
director of Melita House, a residence for pregnant teens and in
various administrative roles. She is currently a Medicaid
service coordinator at Grace Community Services and she
coordinates their community residential habilitation program.
Working with folks who have various developmental disabilities
has been a “later-in-life” blessing. Jean volunteers as
secretary for Mercy Outreach Center in Rochester, NY. |
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Casey Lopata Co-founder of Fortunate Families. M.Div. St.
Bernard’s Institute. Active in LGBT ministry since 1992.
Co-Director of Catholic Gay & Lesbian Family Ministry in
Rochester, NY. Recipient of the New Ways Ministry 2005 Bridge
Building Award. Charter member of Catholic Parents Network,
Interfaith Advocates of LGBT persons (Rochester, NY), and the
National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian & Gay
Ministries (Resource Committee). Editor of the resource manuals:
Seeds of Hope and More Seeds. Retired Xerox
program manager and Pastoral Planner for the Diocese of
Rochester, NY. Married to Mary Ellen in 1963; father of
four—including one gay son—and grandfather of 11.
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Mary Ellen Lopata, Co-founder of Fortunate Families. M.A.
is Liberal Studies (concentration in homosexuality and
families), Empire State College. Active in LGBT ministry since
1992. Recipient of New Ways Ministry’s 2005 Bridge Building
Award; co-director of Catholic Gay & Lesbian Family Ministry
(Rochester, NY); Board of Directors of National Association of
Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries (8 years, one year
as President). Author of Fortunate Families: Catholic
Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons. Married Casey
in 1963; mother of four—including one gay son—grandmother of 11.
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Linda Karle Nelson is the mother of three children, the
youngest of whom, John, is gay. A graduate of Marygrove College
(BA) and Wayne State University (MA) in Detroit, Linda is
currently a student in the Master of Religious Studies program
at University of Detroit Mercy. Linda worked for many years as a
Speech Pathologist. She has been active in her local church as
religious education teacher, choir member, lector, Worship
Commission Chairperson, and liturgy planner. Linda is active in
Call To Action, Pax Christi, New Ways Ministry, Elephants in the
Living Room, and Dignity Detroit. She is the founder of "Putting
a Human Face on Homosexuality," a panel presentation given in
churches to promote understanding of the lives of GLBT persons
and their families. After being a widow for 16 years, Linda
reestablished a friendship with Tom Nelson a widower she met at
PFLAG. Tom and Linda were married in May, 2006. They are
currently co-presidents of PFLAG Detroit. |
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Tom Nelson is the father of six; his third child, Mark,
is gay. A graduate of Notre Dame (BSME) and Michigan State
(MBA), Tom is a retired Ford Motor Co. engineer and a former
naval officer. He has held leadership roles in several civic
organizations and is currently the co-president of PFLAG Detroit
with his wife, Linda Karle Nelson. Tom is a life-long dedicated
Catholic; his parish activities include the soup kitchen and
Home Week for the Indigent. Tom is also a charter member of
Putting a Human Face on Homosexuality, an educational seminar
for Catholic parishes. In addition, he is a member of Call To
Action, Dignity, Elephants in the Living Room, and Pax Christi. |
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