Mardi-Gras 2014 celebrated at the Dignity Center. Washington DC
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Dignity/Washington!
We’ll make pancakes and have other food to enjoy before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
All are invited to attend the Young Adult Group’s annual Mardi Gras Party at the Dignity Center (721 8th St. SE, Washington, DC). It will be a fun time as always with good food, drink, and merriment — Laissez les bons temps rouler!
All are welcome to join Dignity/Washington and Dignity/Northern Virginia for this year’s Advent, Christmas, New Year’s, and Epiphany Masses.
Tuesdays during Advent, Dignity/Washington will have supper and scripture studies on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM at the Dignity Center.
– Christmas Eve, DNoVA, 24 December, Thursday, Immanuel Church on the Hill, 7:30 PM – Mass with dessert social following
– Christmas Day, Dignity/Washington, 25 December, Friday, St. Margaret’s Church, 6:00 PM -Mass
– Feast of the Holy Family, NoVA, 26 December, Saturday, Immanuel Church on the Hill. 6:30 PM – Mass
– Feast of the Holy Family, Dignity/Washington, Sunday, 27 December, Sunday, St. Margaret’s Church, 6:00 PM – Mass
– Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Dignity/Washington, Friday, 1 January, Friday, Dignity Center, 6:00 PM – Mass
– Epiphany of the Lord, DNoVA, Saturday, 2 January, Immanuel Church on the Hill, 6:30 PM – Mass
– Epiphany of the Lord, Dignity/Washington, Sunday, 3 January, St. Margaret’s Church, 6:00 PM – Mass
**During Advent both Dignity/Washington and Dignity/NoVA will have their regular weekend Masses.**
Again this year Dignity/Washington sponsored its annual Secret Santa gift drive that benefited thirty-one children at the Maury School on Capitol Hill. Gifts in the $30 price range were brought until December 6 to St. Margaret’s Social Hall where Santa’s helpers, Carl Spier and Tom Hardy, handled the collection.
Pick-up of the gifts by the children’s parents was slated at the school by December 18. Many thanks to the Dignity/Washington community for its generous response and to Carl and Tom for organizing this annual activity.
Advent has always been a time of hope, when we focus on the coming of the promised Messiah. The Scriptures point us toward the Divine promise of a Savior who ushers in a new era of peace and unity. In so many ways the visit of Pope Francis reawakened that hope in us – the promise of a truly inclusive church that welcomes and recognizes all people as equally beloved of God, worthy of equal protection and afforded equal dignity.
But it is important to note that waiting in the Scriptures is not a passive time of simply hoping change comes. Instead it is a time of intense preparation (Isaiah: “Fill the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.”) and powerful prophetic voices (Jeremiah, “I will raise up for David a just shoot who will do what is right and just.” )
Authentic hope is never a naive belief that good things simply come to those who wait, but rather a trust that when we have done all that we can, God’s goodness cannot be out done. Awaiting the promise means that our efforts to make the world more peaceful and just, both come from, and are fulfilled in, the Love which always and everywhere springs forth from the Source of all creation. We are co-creators in this emerging love even if we do not know how or when our efforts might lead to its fulfillment.
In the Catholic tradition, the great archetype of awaiting the promise has been Mary, Jesus’ mother. In her pregnancy she awaited the coming of Jesus into the world, and by her “yes” she made that coming possible: “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” With this in mind, we are using Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) as the anthem for our Advent liturgies. In the arrangement entitled “The Canticle of the Turning” written by Gary Daigle, Rory Cooney, and Theresa Donohoo in 1990, Mary’s Song asks us to join with the efforts of our God in making the world a more just and joyful place.
Provocatively, the song asks, “Could the world be about to turn?” Our Advent liturgies ask us that same question phrased in different words, “Are we actively awaiting the promise of Love’s presence in our lives?” Because as the Scriptures remind us so forcefully these days, the world is indeed turning, but only to the extent that we are turning it – and allowing God to turn us as well!
Blessed Advent,
Jeff Vomund
Liturgy Committee Co-chair
The Dignity/Washington Board of Directors announces that it is seeking to hire a paid part-time Communications Coordinator to promote public awareness of Dignity/Washington and its mission. Communications will focus on current and upcoming activities (as well as reporting on recent events) to its own members, and to the LGBTQ, Catholic and broader public through various media (e.g., press releases, social media, etc.).
The job description is available on request by e-mailing the Dignity Center office at dignity@dignitywashington.org or by following this link:
Dignity-Washington Communications Coordinator
Applicants should include a résumé with cover letter. Applications should be submitted by December 11, 2015. The Dignity/Washington Board is hopeful the successful candidate can begin before the end of the year.
Dignity/Washington held its Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 15. A terrific meal immediately before the Meeting, prepared and served by members of the Board, created a time for sharing and community building. Reports from Treasurer Jake Hudson highlighted the financial health of the community, thanks to the generosity of contributors, and the need for continued support in light of ongoing operational costs and special upcoming projects.
President Dan Barutta promoted the Call to Ministry “Sign Me Up” campaign currently underway through the month of November, urging members to volunteer for nearly a dozen select long-term or time-limited ministries and activities. Community feedback appeared positive and welcomed through the many new ideas that were proposed.
The Meeting ended with a moving video production by member Tom Yates that presented most, if not all, of the year’s exceptionally memorable events and activities of this vibrant faith and service community.
Review the varied ministries and activities at Dignity/Washington by following the secure “Sign Me Up” link below.
Follow the link below to view a Scripps Howard Foundation video on Dignity/Washington’s LGBT community and its weekly worship at St. Margaret’s Church.
The President’s Award went to Henry Huot. This award is given by the Chapter President to ONE person (or group) who has provided the President an outstanding level of support in furthering or expanding the mission of the D/W community. Nominations generally come from the President and Executive Committee. Henry received the award for his many years as a Board member and Chair of Dignity/Washington’s Public Relations Committee. In presenting the award, President Dan Barutta said: “Your tireless and unassuming efforts in publicizing and documenting all our events not only in our community but with Dignity USA and your work in increasing our efforts to improve our social media options have brought even more new people to our community.”
Henry Huot receives the President’s Award
The John Willig Award went to Kenneth Dowling . John Willig served as an early President of the Chapter, and it was under his leadership that our Mass for the lesbian and gay community was started. Tragically John was also the Chapter’s first AIDS death in 1985. The award named in his honor is traditionally given to ONE community member (or group) who has served the D/W community over a long period of time, or made a deep impact upon the growth of the community. Nominations generally come from the Board of Directors. Kenneth in a few years helped spark new vitality in D/W. He did the regular duties of acolyte, lector, and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a Board member and Secretary, heavily influenced the creation of D/W’s new logo and branding image, and recent electronic media developments. On the local and national level he helped start Dignity Young Adult Groups and the Queers for Christ group.
The Cofler Award was awarded to the Human Rights Campaign. Created in 2002, this award is named for Jerry and Veronica Colfer, beloved supporters and long-time members of the community, who provided funds for the mortgage when the Dignity Center was purchased and made a major bequest to D/W in their estate. It is presented to a non-D/W individual or group in recognition of special service to our community.
The Human Rights Campaign has been known for being the largest and arguably most effective voice of the LGBT political movement for many years. This award is for their support of our activities during the visit of Pope Francis allowing D/W to use their lawn to display the D/W banner. Special recognition was given to Lisbeth Melendez-Rivera who so deftly assisted D/W with logistics to make the presence occur.
Community Awards were awarded to Dignity/Washington members: Jeff Vomund, Members and Presenters of the Female Presider Task Force, Mark Hibschman and Eddie Weingart. This award is in recognition of the D/W community’s gratitude to someone who has shown an outstanding level of service in volunteering or meeting a need within the community over the past year. Nominations generally come from the community, and the Board of Directors. Traditionally, up to six “Community Service Awards” are given each year.
Jeff Vomund is well known as a member and presider for D/W. He wrote an exceptionally well-worded article, “An Invitation to Pope Francis from D.C.’s Gay Catholic Community,” for the op-ed page of the Washington Post the day before the Pontiff arrived. In the article Jeff expressed welcome and explained D/W’s mission of love among LGBT Catholics. It is the most prominent public statement by/about the community.
Members and Presenters of the Female Presider Task Force, under Allen Rose’s chairmanship during more than nine months through as many sessions of large and small, committee and public meetings with up to 70 in attendance, made certain the topic of D/W’s potential use of female presiders was discussed from every angle. The community was thereby led to discern its way to be more inclusive and diverse. The result was a new Presider Credentialing Process document.
Mark Hibschman received the award for his service not only as a member of the D/W Board but for his leadership in coordinating and managing the renovation of the kitchen at the Dignity Center. In addition, he stepped in and served on the Liturgy Committee.
Eddie Weingart received his award for his service as a member of the D/W Board and as Chair of the Liturgy Committee, leading the effort to make Eucharist more accessible under both wine and grape juice.
N. This person received the award for his continued support as the creative director for the Saint Joseph’s Day Dinner each spring. He also served as joint presenter with D/W at this year’s sanctification ceremony starting the DC Pride Interfaith Service. He also is the anonymous provider of ceremonial effects at D/W.
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