Overview

2024 Association of Catholic Publishers Second Place Award, Resources for Ministry New Ways and Next Steps is designed to help pastoral ministers develop LGBTQ+ ministry in their local parishes. Whether a parish is just initiating a ministry or already has one that needs fresh ideas, Francis DeBernardo brings pastoral ministers on a journey of discernment to help them discover the best path LGBTQ+ ministry should take in their local communities.

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9780814668603

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Reviews

"""Francis DeBernardo offers a wonderfully broad and eminently practical guide to the complex topic of ministry with and to the LGBTQ community within the Church. He has a wonderfully hopeful way of reading and explaining the teaching of the Church that can be so difficult for LGBTQ persons and yet is quite honest about where the challenges lie. He offers a practical guide to pastorally responding to those who object to or resist the ministry in a parish community, very faithful to the approach of Pope Francis who does not think we should have winners and losers in our discussions about difficult issues. Also very important is DeBernardo's self-evaluation for parishes who think they are already doing enough or have no need for this ministry. Every parish that wishes to fulfill its evangelization and pastoral goals should study and implement the contents of this book."" Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, Bishop of Lexington, Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA -- (5/5/2023 12:00:00 AM) ""An absolutely essential book for parish ministry to LGBTQ people written by one of the leading experts in the field. So often people ask 'How do I start a LGBTQ group in my parish?' 'What do I need to know?' 'How can I best make our LGBTQ parishioners--and their families--feel welcome?' It's all here in this useful, accessible, inviting, pastoral and wise new book."" James Martin, SJ, author of Building a Bridge-- (4/12/2023 12:00:00 AM)"

"""An absolutely essential book for parish ministry to LGBTQ people written by one of the leading experts in the field. So often people ask 'How do I start a LGBTQ group in my parish?' 'What do I need to know?' 'How can I best make our LGBTQ parishioners—and their families—feel welcome?' It's all here in this useful, accessible, inviting, pastoral and wise new book."" James Martin, SJ, author of Building a Bridge ""Francis DeBernardo offers a wonderfully broad and eminently practical guide to the complex topic of ministry with and to the LGBTQ community within the Church. He has a wonderfully hopeful way of reading and explaining the teaching of the Church that can be so difficult for LGBTQ persons and yet is quite honest about where the challenges lie. He offers a practical guide to pastorally responding to those who object to or resist the ministry in a parish community, very faithful to the approach of Pope Francis who does not think we should have winners and losers in our discussions about difficult issues. Also very important is DeBernardo's self-evaluation for parishes who think they are already doing enough or have no need for this ministry. Every parish that wishes to fulfill its evangelization and pastoral goals should study and implement the contents of this book."" Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, Bishop of Lexington, Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA ""Frank DeBernardo has distilled decades of experience in helping Catholics start LGBTQ+ ministries into just over 100 thoughtful pages. Information-packed yet accessible, challenging yet reassuring, DeBernardo's book mines the riches of the church's genuine—if sometimes ambivalent—affirmation of queer Catholics to help readers create ministries of welcome in their own parishes. Follow his path to a dynamic pastoral plan!"" Cristina L.H. Traina, Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Chair in Catholic Theology, Fordham University"

"""An absolutely essential book for parish ministry to LGBTQ people written by one of the leading experts in the field. So often people ask 'How do I start a LGBTQ group in my parish?' 'What do I need to know?' 'How can I best make our LGBTQ parishioners--and their families--feel welcome?' It's all here in this useful, accessible, inviting, pastoral and wise new book."" James Martin, SJ, author of Building a Bridge-- (4/12/2023 12:00:00 AM)"

"""Frank DeBernardo has distilled decades of experience in helping Catholics start LGBTQ+ ministries into just over 100 thoughtful pages. Information-packed yet accessible, challenging yet reassuring, DeBernardo's book mines the riches of the church's genuine--if sometimes ambivalent--affirmation of queer Catholics to help readers create ministries of welcome in their own parishes. Follow his path to a dynamic pastoral plan!"" Cristina L.H. Traina, Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Chair in Catholic Theology, Fordham University -- (5/8/2023 12:00:00 AM) ""Francis DeBernardo offers a wonderfully broad and eminently practical guide to the complex topic of ministry with and to the LGBTQ community within the Church. He has a wonderfully hopeful way of reading and explaining the teaching of the Church that can be so difficult for LGBTQ persons and yet is quite honest about where the challenges lie. He offers a practical guide to pastorally responding to those who object to or resist the ministry in a parish community, very faithful to the approach of Pope Francis who does not think we should have winners and losers in our discussions about difficult issues. Also very important is DeBernardo's self-evaluation for parishes who think they are already doing enough or have no need for this ministry. Every parish that wishes to fulfill its evangelization and pastoral goals should study and implement the contents of this book."" Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, Bishop of Lexington, Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA -- (5/5/2023 12:00:00 AM) ""An absolutely essential book for parish ministry to LGBTQ people written by one of the leading experts in the field. So often people ask 'How do I start a LGBTQ group in my parish?' 'What do I need to know?' 'How can I best make our LGBTQ parishioners--and their families--feel welcome?' It's all here in this useful, accessible, inviting, pastoral and wise new book."" James Martin, SJ, author of Building a Bridge-- (4/12/2023 12:00:00 AM)"

Author Information

Francis DeBernardo has served since 1996 as executive director of New Ways Ministry, a national Catholic ministry of justice and reconciliation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Catholics and the wider church community. He earned a Master's in English from the University of Maryland (UMD) and has completed doctoral coursework in Rhetoric there and at the Catholic University of America. He has taught courses in writing, rhetorical theory, and literature at UMD. He is currently a board member of the Quixote Center, and he serves on the advisory board of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia. He is the author of Mychal Judge: Take Me Where You Want Me toGo published by Liturgical Press. His writing has appeared in Commonweal, National Catholic Reporter, and American Catholic. 

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