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OUR CONGRATULATIONS to Bishop James Griffin of the Columbus Diocese for celebrating Mass for Dignity/Central Ohio on February 4. The Bishop is seen above in Sacred Heart Church with Felix Fornino, Pres., and Jessie Cruse.

Retreat

A retreat in a military context signities defeat, but in a spiritual context it is a time for victory--victory in the quest to come o closer to God and find inner peace.

WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? Camp De Sales in the Irish Hills of Michigan

Annual DIGNITY Retreat May 18-19-20, 1984

COST? Members, $25; Others, $30

Our

We

The DIGNITY Board has partially subsidized the Retreat in order to keep the cost (which includes meals, lodging and all Retreat events) so incredibly low. spiritual guide is Fr. Bill McKeon. invite all persons of faith in the gay/ lesbian community to join us for this unforgettable weekend.

Wishing Easter Joy!

TO DIGNITY WITH LOVE:

When I was in the seminary, there would always be people around me spouting scripture quotations as a means of providing pious platitudes. If someone was having a rough time, another person would always remark: "Your reward in heaven will be great." We would laugh, not because the pain or Jesus' words were funny, but because it was so obvious that to reply to someone's hurting heart with nothing more than out-of-context Bible verse was about as pastoral as giving a starving person a pat on the back and saying "God bless you!"

No doubt many of my gay brothers and sisters reading this will see a striking parallel in the hierarchy's "attempts" to respond pastorally to them. For many, our leaders are more like oppressors than pastors. For many, they are the ones who "insult you, persecute you, and utter every kind of slander against you. But Jesus is a true leader, who is genuinely pastoral, because He knew what it meant to hurt.

Gay people, like all those victimized by the bigotry of others, need more than encouraging words to keep going. If Jesus had ended his career with the magnificent Beatitudes, probably would not believe the promise of a heavenly reward. But Jesus backed up His words with action--action that led to death.

We

If you perceive that what the hierarchy is doing is pastorally inadequate, then you must forgive them. Then you must provide pastoral care for one another. You must back up words with action, as Jesus did. Then, truly, "Your reward in heaven will be great!" A priest. (Reprint from Dignity/Philadelphia Newsletter)

BUMPER CROP

The bumper sticker set's primary goal Would seem to be to save my soul. They no doubt think it crass and shoddy That I'm concerned about my body, Tho' they assure me "I shall burn," They give no signals when they turn.

And, while they're sure of Hell's dire plights, In fog and gloom they have no lights. Since "Christ is Lord" and "God is Love," They keep their sights affixed above. The driver who to God surrenders Seems twice as prone to fender benders.

I fear, when viewing these fanatics, There's something missing in their attics. By Born Aginners I'm derided--My sticker brands me "Undecided."

I guess my odds are growing short Without invisible support.

So please forgive my rantings caustic--The road's no place for an agnostic!

Randall Cadman