Listening Parents Network -- Fortunate Families - www.fortunatefamilies.com

The Listening Parents Network was created

by Fortunate Families, a National ministry of

Catholic parents with lesbian, gay, bisexual

or transgender daughters and sons.  The

Network was created to offer support to other

parents—Catholic or not

Here’s how:

www.fortunatefamilies.com

View Complete Brochure at:

http://fortunatefamilies.com/docs/LP%20brochure%20for%20Web%20Site.pdf

Please consider printing the brochure and getting it to people or groups who are positioned to help get one in the hands of a parent who could benefit from talking with a Listening Parent.  

Read more

The May 2009 newsletter includes:

http://www.fortunatefamilies.com/Newsletters/May2009Newsletter.pdf

·  Listening Parents Network to expand

·  Story of a Listening Parent -- Abele

·  Hoping for a warmer Mother’s Day -- Corvino

·  Gathering storm--Corvino

·  This won’t happen again! -- Frett

·  Welcome to the (potluck) banquet -- Word

·  Good Friday—Vanasco

·  Calendar

·  Thanks!

·  Letter from a donor  

www.fortunatefamilies.com

Excerpts from Fortunate Families Website:  Fortunate Families Letter to US Bishops Fortunate Families Response to 2006 US Bishops Guidelines

In November, 2006, the U.S. Bishops approved the document, Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care. Though concerned with some of the its content, Fortunate Families was especially concerned that the document was developed without consultation with Catholic lesbian and gay people, their Catholic parents, and with those that minister with them.  On January 12, 2007, Fortunate Families sent a copy of its brochure and its November newsletter to each U.S. bishop, along with a cover letter. The letter asked the bishops to dialogue with persons affected by the document. Over 385 people from 36 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada signed this letter which calls for dialogue as suggested by the bishops in their document.  Fourteen bishops (nine active ordinaries, one retired ordinary, two active auxiliaries, and two retired auxiliaries) responded to the letter that Fortunate Families sent to each U.S. Bishop on January 12, 2007. The letter asked the bishops to dialogue with persons affected by the document they approved in November 2006: Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care. The purpose of posting these letters is to show the wide range of thoughts and feelings bishops have about this topic and this ministry. The fourteen bishops who responded all acknowledged our concerns. Our goal is dialogue, not confrontation. So, the bishops or their dioceses are not identified, and the letters are edited to preserve confidentiality. We hope these postings will motivate you to encourage and challenge your bishop(s) to dialogue with Catholic LGBT persons, with their Catholic parents and other family members, and with Catholic pastoral ministers who minister with both of these groups. Read more www.fortunatefamilies.com