2011 Newsletters

The Fortunate Families newsletter is published 8 to 10 times yearly. It includes up-to-date news concerning lesbian and gay Catholics and their parents, thought-provoking articles, stories from parents and others, and a calendar of events.

We welcome your comments, and especially your hope-filled stories! Newsletters are available as Adobe Acrobat documents.

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December 2011

Open Letter to USCCB — Duddy-Burke
Excerpts from letters re: Boston Pilot column
Why good Catholics are challenging church line on Homosexuality –Hornbeck
Bishop faces tough question on difference between interacial, same sex marriage –McElwee (NCR)
Petition Delivery — Pluecker
Did you know…???
Thanks!
Calenday
Syracuse Parish honors Fr. Mychal Judge

November 2011

Onward and Upward!!! By Linda Karle-Nelson, President
What if the ‘good guys’ apologized? By Brian Cahill, former executive director San Francisco Catholic Charities
Is same-sex marriage really priority number one? By Scott Alessi
As We Go To Press … By James A. Lopata Editor-in-Chief Boston Spirit Magazine (Boston)
Catholic Social Teaching and Bullying: A Call to Action By Joseph Amodeo
Homily – Fr. Brian Doran Delivered at the mass to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Catholics

October 2011

Time to talk about sexuality in the Catholic Church By Paul Lakeland
The Catholic Mom… Presentation by Deb Word at Fordham’s Sept. 16 conference, “Learning to Listen: Voices of Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church.”
One Parent’s Story By Erma Durkin
Affirming Ministry By Fr. Howard Hall
A Prayer When I Feel Hated

September 2011

Fortunate Families: Taking Stock By Linda Karle Nelson, President, and Casey Lopata, Vice-President
Listening Parents Network: Still going Strong By Casey Lopata
Witnessing a Catholic samesex wedding By Jamie L Manson, July 27, 2011
Generations at Odds: The Millennial Generation and the Future of Gay and Lesbian Rights August 29, 2011

August 2011

Bad Faith: The Catholic Hierarchy’s Pointless Campaign Against LGBT Rights By Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata
Taking “Always Our Children” Seriously By Casey Lopata

July 2011

Listening Parents Network Expansion By Linda Karle Nelson
Dignity Couple Honored for Commitment to Transgender Rights By Peggy Hayes and Dave Houle, Dignity/Boston
Fear of same-sex marriage has collapsed By Mark Hare
Bishops condemn NY marriage law, other Catholics celebrate By Joshua J. McElwee and Zoe Ryan, NCR, Jul. 05, 2011
Diocesan Outreach Booth at Pride Festival By Joyce [pictured above] and John Buchanan, St John Vianney Parent Support Group
Letter to the Editor — Butvick
Dear Holy Father – European Forum of LGBT Christians in Rome

June 2011

Words to ponder
Bishops’ redefinition of marriage By Casey Lopata
Religious Liberty vs. Same- Sex Marriage: Is There Really a Conflict? By Marianne T. Duddy-Burke
Why let bishops drive us from church we love? Former San Francisco Catholic Charities head: ‘It’s our church!’ By Brian Cahill
What the Bible doesn’t say By John Corvino,
Gay Marriage Opponents Now in Minority By Nate Silver,
Chicago Tribune Letter

May 2011

Words to ponder
Positive Catholic Congressional Briefing on LGBT Rights by Maureen Fiedler
DignityUSA Co-Sponsors Historic Congressional Briefing: A Catholic Call to Justice for the LGBT Community (excerpts) By Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director, DignityUSA
My gay son: the face of church’s lack of respect By Brian Cahill
Mexican bishop tells gays, lesbians: ‘The church is your home’ By David Agren, Catholic News Service
Gay Marriage Opponents Now in Minority By Nate Silver,
Report: Catholic Attitudes on Gay and Lesbian Issues: A Comprehensive Portrait from Recent Research

March-April 2011

Words to ponder
Maryland Catholics support same-sex marriage, extending legal protections to all families By Francis DeBernardo
Catholics play key roles in Maryland marriage equality debate By Thomas C. Fox
Testimony: Maryland State Capitol By Erma M. Durkin
“Nunc Dimittis” By Steve Balog
It began with a phone call… By Linda Karle Nelson
The Missing Fish By Tony Garascia

February 2011

Words to ponder
Holy Spirit…A dove or a goose? By Linda Karle Nelson, President, Fortunate Families
A mom’s letter to Bishop Michael Sheridan Jan. 25, 2011 letter responding to the Colorado Springs Diocese starting a 12-step program for LGBT Catholics
Remembering the Self- Violence on the Transgender Day of Remembrance By Pete Subkoviak
The Human Dimension The pope on condoms Dec. 17, 2010 Commonweal editorial
Parents of gay children should push their churches By Mark Hare, January 6, 2011
Change we can believe in: The pope, condoms, and church teaching December 27, 2010. By U.S. Catholic Online Editor, Bryan Cones

January 2011