About Us
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Dignity is a prophetic voice for reform, in Church and Society. Wonderous how much easier
it is to say so with conviction so many years after our small, first steps back in 1969
(the year of the Stonewall riots, that gave birth to the modern GLBT movement).
Who can seriously doubt that once the Church itself had admitted that being homosexual
was not a choice for most of us, straights and gays alike would then refuse to deny us
our sexuality? So the only "reason" that was left was how we express our love for
each other; and that is an inadequate reason, one that cannot be attributed credibly
to the Christ we know from the Gospels.
So right now, if you have not already done so, click on
Sexuality
(here or in the Link lines found in the banner at the top of each page of this website)
to read our critique of the teachings of the Church. Also read just what those teachings are,
in words of the Church's own choosing in its
Catechism
and other documents (from the Vatican and from the American Bishops), as linked in the
critique or found on (or linked from) the Resources page of this website; and read Dignity's
own Statement of Position & Purpose (by clicking on
SP&P,
here or up top, on each page) and a statement of its position on
Sexual
Ethics
and its Guidelines on the
pastoral care
of GLBTs.
Form your own conscience on the issues, in both a careful and prayerful manner. It is your
sacred duty to do so, as well as your inherent DIGNITY as a human being, created and
loved unconditionally by God, who created you. See the Vatican Council II quote found
in the box on our
Home
page.
A final thought: one specific insight of Catholicism is that salvation takes place in
community, including at the Eucharistic table, at Mass. We hope that you will join us
in such celebrations, as often as you are able. Just click on
Contact Us
here or under the banner found up top, on each page, for more information on how to
get to visit us (including a link to a
Map
with a zoom in and out feature, plus a link that offers you specific Directions).
See you soon.
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The
Latest
From
Council
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I am John Butkis, the chairperson of the Council that governs Dignity Palm Springs.
In the photo, in the back row (left to right) are David Valenzuela (the Liturgy
chair-
person), John Butkis (the Council chairperson), and John Nangle (formerly
the Finance chairperson); in the front row (left to right) are Dale Meyer (formerly
Communica-
tions chairperson) and Dennis Barajas (the Membership chairperson).
Greg McFarland (not shown in the photo) is now the Finance chairperson; and the
Communica-
tions chair is vacant. An
updated photo will be posted in the near future, after the vacancy is filled.
This is a very exciting time for Dignity/Palm Springs. We have been making a lot
of changes to increase our profile, in order to make us more effective in serving our
dual roles of advocating for the reform of the institutional Church and seeking to serve
the spiritual needs of the GLBT community in the meantime as well.
We now have Liturgy (Mass) each Sunday at 5 pm. Of course,
we have Liturgies on special occasions as well.
In late 2007, we moved to a new location, for
worship and for meetings and social activities also. However, in January 2010,
there was a fire in the building, forcing the chapter to move once again.
Thanks to the generosity of St. Paul in the Desert Episcopal Church, we
are again able to have our liturgies and meetings on its premises. Click
here
for a map to St. Paul.
We are also doing more advertising of our activities. If you are reading this
online, you will already know that we have a newly-expanded and improved website.
We hope that
you will explore this website, in detail, to learn more about us and how you yourself
might support, even join, our cause.
Please visit this website frequently to
keep posted on chapter activities. There is always a This Month calendar and a Next
Month calendar on the website (see banner at the top of each page to go to either
of them. Features are added to this website from time to time, to make it still more
effective in promoting our cause.
As you may know, Dignity does not seek to supplant the institutional Church but rather
to reform it, to make it a more welcoming faith community for all, particularly for
GLBTs. We also network with other reform organizations to help to make our
efforts more effective.
At Dignity, we believe that we honor, worship, and love God in the best of the Catholic
tradition; and we shed the shackles of stigmatism and dishonor that GLBTs endure in
much of the institutional Church. By our very existence, we promote reform so GLBTs
can come to be affirmed and to participate fully in all aspects of both Church and
Society. God is a God of acceptance and unconditional love; and we believe that at
Dignity we have created a very secure place to worship God and to celebrate that
acceptance and love.
We are hoping to see you, for Mass and other activities
as well. Make plans to visit sometime soon!
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