Our October Meeting: Movie - Anyone and Everyone

Tuesday, October 3, 7:00 p.m., Class Room #2, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

On Tuesday October 3 Comunidad will feature the 2007 documentary Anyone and Everyone. Coming out is often fraught with problems for both the person coming out and the parents. Anyone and Everyonei> depicts families connected by having a son or daughter who is gay. Individuals from such diverse backgrounds as Japanese, Bolivian, and Cherokee, as well as from various religious denominations such as Mormon, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Hindu, and Southern Baptist, share intimate accounts of how their children revealed their sexual orientation and discuss their responses. The parents also talk about struggling with the pain of their sons and daughters dealing with not being accepted by relatives or friends, and being ostracized by religious congregations (IMDB.com).
Light refreshments will be served. Please join us for this unique look at the coming out process. All are welcome.

Collection for AIDS Walk 2017

On Sunday November 5 the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Center will sponsor AIDS WALK 2017. Since its founding, AIDS Walk Long Beach has raised millions of dollars to support those most vulnerable and most in need served by Long Beach-based organizations. Funds raised support critical prevention services including HIV and STI testing, food pantry support, case management, medication support, and social and support groups in multiple languages. On the weekends of 10/21-10/22 and 10/28/28 after all the Masses Comunidad will show its solidarity with all residents of Long Beach who have been afflicted with AIDS by collecting cash donations. Please support this worthy cause.

Our November Meeting: All Soul Remembrance

Tuesday, November 7, 7:00 p.m., Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

From the Gospel reading for All Souls day Jesus said: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”(John 6:40). All Souls day is not merely a remembrance of our loved ones. For those who are saved are saved; those who are damned are damned. However, it is necessary to pray for those who have died and have been saved but need purification to achieve the holiness to enter the joy of heaven (Catholic Catechism: 1030-1032). Thus, praying for the dead is the real meaning of All Saints

Comunidad will meet on Tuesday, November 7th at 7:00 pm in the Fr. Gerald Meisel Parish Hall to remember family members and friends who have died. We will pray and share our memories of those we mourn. Participants are invited to bring photos and/or other remembrances. There will also be displays of various cultural traditions which comfort those who mourn. Lite refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Christmas Giving

At Christmas Christian around the world celebrates the greatest act of giving. John 3:16: “God loved the world so much, that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.”

Our society even in the highest levels of government is stained with indifference to the plight of the needy. So, this Christmas season as every Christmas season St. Matthew's parish turns its focus to giving. In keeping with tradition, Comunidad will once again ask St. Matthew's worship community to remember the greatest gift of love and give to our annual Christmas collection for the needy of our parish. Comunidad members will be outside the church after all the Masses on the weekends of December 2/3 and 9/10 collecting cash donations which will be used to purchase Christmas groceries for parishioners who otherwise might not be able to enjoy a holiday meal. Donations from this collection are specifically meant for persons and families who belong to our parish. St. Francis of Assisi said: “For it is in giving that we receive.” Please contribute generously.

Our December Meeting: Our Annual Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 5, 7:00 p.m., Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

As we love to do each Christmas season, we’ll be gathering together to celebrate the holiday in style and good cheer. This year, Comunidad will be hosting a holiday party popluck with lots of goodies and some classic Christmas tunes, which will make for a perfect excuse to wear that Christmas sweater or tie or scarf or hat that you haven’t been able to part with after all these years. So keep the date free on your calendar. If you’re able, please bring a side dish or dessert to share with fellow partygoers. There will also be a White Elephant exchange (the gifts will be provided).

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