Join us for a Q&A screening and chat with Sr. Jeannine Gramick
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
Dateline for {{Current Date MMMM dd, yyyy}}
Dear {{Constituent First Name}},
Here’s the news of DigntyUSA and ways to get involved. Please read on.
Young Adult Leadership Retreat
We had a phenomenal retreat with DignityUSA's young adults in Washington D.C. this past weekend. Many of them traveled to Lisbon, Portugal on our pilgrimage during World Youth Day and were encouraged to continue their work with Dignity by their experiences there. We spent the weekend brainstorming and sharing ideas for future DignityUSA events and initiatives. We know our members and supporters will benefit from their fresh thinking and new energy for future mission work.
Below are some photos from the weekend retreat. We especially love the young adults with the statue of St. Joan of Arc:
We Are With You: Dignitas Infinita Response
Like you, we are saddened and frustrated by the document “Dignitas Infinita” (On Human Dignity) released by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on April 8, 2024. We find it to be very disappointing and harmful to many.
In the wake of this Vatican document, being clear in our support for transgender people is increasingly important. We urge you to sign and spread the word about Beloved by God: A Declaration of a Catholic Commitment to Trans-Affirmation and make your convictions visible in every way possible.
In addition, we are providing some resources for Catholics who are transgender or nonbinary, for those who love members of this community, and for people who find the Vatican’s condemnation of their reproductive choices hurtful. You are not alone.
The DignityUSA Board and Staff are pleased to share two documents we have produced as part of the preparations for the second Synod Assembly, which will take place in October 2024. These were developed in response to questions disseminated by the Synod Secretariat and by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). One, whose primary author is Sam Albano (Secretary@dignityusa.org), is the result of the listening sessions we held in February and March 2024, as well as written testimonies submitted by our community during the same months. The second, a reflection on Dignity’s experience of being a synodal Catholic community for 55 years, was drafted by Marianne Duddy-Burke (execdir@dignityusa.org) and approved by the Board. Both were submitted to USCCB on April 8, their deadline for Synod documents. We will be sending them to the Vatican in advance of their May 15 deadline. In addition, we are sending them to the US Synod Delegates, and sharing them with collegial organizations. They will be housed on our website, and we hope will be valuable resources for many.
We hope that you feel that your voice is represented in these documents. If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to the primary authors.
May the outcomes of this Synod more fully enable the Church to live its Gospel mission!
Virtual Gathering Session Videos
We had many wonderful presentations at this year's Virtual Gathering! We're happy to be able to share them all with you on our YouTube channel. Please click below for the playlist of all the Virtual Gathering 2024 videos.
Please join DignityUSA and Dignity Philadelphia on Sunday, April 28, 2pm ET/11am PT for the screening premiere of a Q&A with Sr. Jeannine Gramick recorded in May 2023 as part of Dignity Philadelphia’s 50th Anniversary celebration. In the video, Sr. Jeannine talks about her role in the founding of Dignity Philadelphia, including her friendship with Dominic Bash, and being set on the path of advocating for LGBTQIA+ people in the Catholic Church.
Sr. Jeannine will be present to share a few words about all that has taken place since the recording in May 2023, including her meeting with Pope Francis and the Vatican’s announcement in late 2023 about blessing same-sex unions.
Join Dignity Detroit for their 50th Anniversary Celebration!
The Anniversary Dinner is on Saturday, May 18 at 6:00pm ET. Dinner includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner with three entrée choices; two free drink tickets per person, a dessert table, entertainment, and special guests from DignityUSA and Women of Dignity. Ticket are $50. Registration deadline is May 1.
Preregister for Our 2025 Conference for a Chance to Win Two Free Nights
Preregister for our 2025 conference by April 30, 2024 for a chance to win 2 free nights at the conference hotel. With a deposit of $100, you can secure your spot AND get a discount on the registration cost.
Our conference will be held July 4-6, 2025 at Embassy Suites in Dublin, OH, just outside of Columbus. The hotel rate of $149 (plus tax) per night is for up to 4 people in the suite and includes breakfast daily and an afternoon reception. The hotel also provides free parking. We are excited to be returning to the Midwest, and to a state where we have three chapters of dedicated Dignity members ready to welcome us!
Preregistration is valid through April 30, 2025.
We give full refunds through April 15, 2025. After that, a $50 service fee applies.
Do you have the time, energy and commitment to help shape DignityUSA’s future? Nominations for four at-large Board member seats are now open. Please consider stepping forward or nominating someone for this role. Information is available at Serving on the DignityUSA Board | DignityUSA
Nominations close April 30.
To nominate yourself or someone else, click the button below.
Here is the timeline for our upcoming DignityUSA Board elections:
May 6: Paper ballots mailed out
May 19: Candidates Forum online 2pm – 3pm ET/11am - 12pm PT
May 20: Electronic ballots sent out
June 24: All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this date
June 30: Electronic ballots must be completed by this date
July 15: Elections results certified by DignityUSA Board
Registration for the candidates forum is coming soon.
Women of Dignity Retreat Coming Soon
DignityUSA is thrilled to invite you to the Women of Dignity's upcoming retreat. The retreat will be held June 16 - 18 at the Mercy by the Sea retreat center in Madison, Connecticut. Marsie Silvestro will once again be joining the retreat as a Spiritual Guide. Marsie is an internationally known feminist recording artist, author, minister, spiritual director and retreat leader. Double and single rooms are available.
Registration is required and is due by May 26, 2024.
Join Dignity Young Adults on April 25 for their monthly online gathering! Contact dyacteam@dignityusa.org for the meeting link or to be added to their mailing list.
Transition
From The Green Apple Pantry in Grand Rapids, Michigan:
"Meet our Volunteer of the Month, Marcia! Every week Marcia comes in with warm hugs and a heart to serve...we're so thankful for her dedication to our community!"
Additionally, Marcia is a longtime supporter of DignityUSA. Congratulations, Marcia!
Please make note that we have updated our mailing address:
DignityUSA
51 Pleasant St. #1107
Malden, MA 02148
If you have automatic payments that are sent to our mailing address, please be sure to update your bank or financial institution to reflect this change. Thank you!
Thank you for subscribing to Dateline. Please consider making a donation to help support our mission. We are grateful for your contribution!
