Black History Month Panel Discussion

Tuesday, February 4 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

The panel will feature Black LGBTQIA+ individuals who will share their personal faith journeys and how their faith and sexuality have intersected. Their inspiring stories will shed light on the unique experiences of Black LGBTQIA+ Catholics and the role faith plays in embracing authenticity and navigating life's challenges.

Everyone is invited to join this meaningful conversation and celebrate the strength and beauty of Black history and LGBTQIA+ faith.

How to Have Your Best Year Ever

Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Happy New Year from your Comunidad Family!

When you receive this, we will already be a few days into 2025. Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Have you already broken it?! Like many, you may have given up on making resolutions years ago?

Well, what if you could have your best year ever, or at least be on the journey? I may not be able to promise you riches, love or sainthood, etc., but I may be able to help you get on the right path. I only ask that you bring at least one thing that you would like to change or have been different by January 1st, 2026. Aren’t you worth a healthier you?

Please join Comunidad, Catholic Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Persons, Tuesday, January 7th in Fr. Meisel Hall for “How to Have Your Best Year Ever,” led by Steven Nadolny, former and new elected Comunidad co-chair. Steven has given a similar presentation at Loyola Marymount University.

Comunidad gathering begins at 7pm with our program starting at 7:30pm. We will have light refreshments and some good conversation. We hope to see you there. Come have your best year ever!

Our November Meeting

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Remembering our Loved Ones through Music

Tuesday, Nov 12 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Please join us on the second Tuesday, November 12th, in the Fr. Meisel Hall, for our monthly meeting. Yes, we said the second Tuesday and not the first Tuesday. Hey, if you happen to show up and live in Long Beach YOU CAN VOTE!! But I digress…..please join us on Tuesday, November 12th as we Remember Our Loved Ones through music. Please bring a picture or other remembrance and the name of a song that reminds of this loved one. We will have time to share our memories and play tribute to them. Lite refreshments will be served.

Our October Meeting - Movie Night

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1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

Tuesday, October 1 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Please join us on Tuesday, October 1st, in the Fr. Meisel Hall, for our monthly meeting. This month we will be showing the movie 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture. This is a documentary that follows the stories of researchers who trance the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible. It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. It features commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creator. Ed Oxford, one of the researchers, will be there for a Q&A following the movie. Our meeting will begin at 6:45 and the movie will start promptly at 7:00PM. There will be light refreshments served. Donations will be accepted at the door. Hope you are able to attend this amazing meeting.

Our September Meeting - Lectio Divina

Tuesday, September at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

We would like to invite to join us on Tuesday, September 3, in the Fr. Meisel Hall at 7:00 pm, for our monthly meeting. This month we will be having a Lectio Divina. Join us as we share with each other how God’s Word speaks to us. Please bring your bible as copies of the reading will be limited. Hope to see you there.

Our August Meeting - Birdcage the Movie

Tuesday, August 6 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

So very sorry, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE FOR EVENT IN PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS WAS INCORRECT. We would like to invite you to our August meeting. We will be meeting in the Fr. Meisel Hall on Tuesday, August 6th at 7:00 PM. This month we will be showing the classic movie The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. This is a delightful comedy about a Gay couple meeting the ultra-conservative parents of their son’s fiancée. There will be movie snacks (hot dogs and popcorn) and drinks. Hope you are able to get away for a few hours from all the chaos and enjoy some fellowship with us.

Our July Meeting - BBQ Potluck

Tuesday, July 2 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

You are invited to attend our July BBQ Potluck which will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd at 7:00 PM in the Fr. Meisel Hall. This month we will celebrate all the joys of summer with a “BBQ” potluck. We will provide the fried chicken and drinks, you provide your favorite side dish, and together will we have an evening filled with great food and fellowship; there may even be a few new friendships created along the way. Hope you enjoy all the fun activities planned. See you there and happy summer!!

Our Annual Pride Mass 2024

Sunday, June 9, 2:00 p.m., St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

Please join us on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM at St. Matthew Catholic Church for our annual Pride Mass. This year we are celebrating 38-years of Ministry to the LGBTQ+ community. Our Celebrant will be Fr. Gerard O’Brien. This is an amazing opportunity to be nourished at our Lord’s table surround by a loving supportive community. All Are Welcome!!

Our June Meeting - Game Night

Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

You are invited to attend our June meeting which will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 PM in the Fr. Meisel hall. This month we are going to continue celebrating Pride Month with games and fellowship. We are hoping for an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper level playing games such as UNO, Cards Against Humanity and Jenga. There will be light refreshments served. Hope you are able to join us for this evening of fellowship. God Bless

Long Beach Pride - May 18 - May 19

George Takei: “We should indeed be calm in the face of indifference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.” Does not the shepherd care for all of his sheep? God created us in the womb, and declared us acceptable. No one has the right to deny us our full humanity as children of God. Diversity (white, black, brown, straight, gay) is the kingdom of God. For over 30 years this has been the constant message of Comunidad.

Every year at the Long Beach Pride festival Comunidad sponsors the "Welcome Home, Catholics" booth. Comunidad proclaims our message, humanity and our life in the Church. The dates for Pride are May 18 and 19. Please stop by our booth. For more information about all the goings-on at Pride go the Pride website.

Our April Meeting - Marie Cartier

Jesus falls the first time by Jessica Miller Kelley

Tuesday, April 2 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dr. Marie Cartier will be our guest speaker at our Tuesday monthly meeting, April 2, 2024, 7 pm. Dr. Cartier wrote Baby You Are My Religion ten years ago and she will update us on experiences lesbians have had those days when for years bars acted as churches and what is happening today. The meeting is at St. Matthew Gerald Meisel Hall. We are honored to have her as a presenter and will include two virtual opportunities: Facebook live at the Comunidad Facebook page or Zoom or Dial by phone: 1 669 444 9171. The Meeting ID: is 850 1399 5866. The Passcode is 040224. [Please note that the movie previously offered for April 2 in our last newsletter will be canceled in lieu of this rare opportunity.]

Our February Meeting - Communion Service

Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

As we begin 2024, Comunidad would like to invite you to attend our February 6th meeting at 7:00 PM in the Fr. Miesel Hall. Deacon George will offer a Communion Service and Blessing as we install the 2024 Steering Committee Members for another year of service. There will be time for socialization after the service and light refreshments will be served. Hope you are able to join us.

Our December Meeting - Christmas Celebration

Tuesday, December 5 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Happy Advent Everyone!! As we prepare for this most joyous season, Comunidad would like to invite you to our Christmas celebration which will be held on Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 PM in the Fr. Miesel Hall. This will be an evening of fellowship, games, prizes/gifts and amazing food. The main dish will be provided and we encourage everyone to bring a yummy side dish or something sweet to share with the group. Also, to make Las Posadas a festive event for St. Matthew's youth please contribute a bag(s) of individually wrapped candy. We hope you are able to join us.

Fr. Norm's ‘All Souls’ Teaching Mass

Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 pm in St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Hello!!! As we approach Advent, we would like to take some time to remember, honor and pray for our loved ones that are no longer with us. You are invited to attend our November meeting, which will be a teaching Mass. Fr. Norm will help us better understand the parts of the Funeral Rite as we honor those we have lost. Our meeting, as always, will be the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM; November 7, 2023. We will meet in the church to celebrate this Mass. We will honor and pray for those who have gone before us during this “All Souls” gathering and you are encouraged to bring a picture of your loved one(s) to place on the altar. This will be a time of remembrance, prayer, reflection as well as learning. We hope you are able to join us at this very special meeting. ALL OUR WELCOME

Armando Ibañez's Undocumented Tales

Tuesday, October 3 in Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall at 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

Comunidad invites you to our October meeting which will be held on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 PM. We will meet in the St Matthew Fr. Meisel Hall for a presentation by Armando Ibañez on the YouTube series “Undocumented Tales.”

“Undocumented Tales.” follows the journey of Fernando, an undocumented queer immigrant from Mexico living in the U.S. Fernando‘s story is one which is rarely told in the broader immigrant and LGBTQ communities and one that is almost never told in mainstream media. The series serves as an online platform that brings together the intersections of immigration status, homophobia, class, and race to portray the realities of what it means to be both undocumented and queer in the U.S.

Armando Ibañez is a queer filmmaker from Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. Armando is committed to portray authentic Latinx characters and address real issues impacting immigrants and LGBTQ communities in the U.S.

Note: Because of transcription errors some of you who signed up at Long Beach Pride for the Comunidad newsletter may not have received it. We apologize for these errors. If you still wish to receive the newsletter, please Click Here.

Our June Meeting - Movie Night

Tuesday, June 6 in St. Matthew Church at 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

Happy Spring everyone. We hope you are enjoying the longer days as we move from the Easter season to Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us and our ministry. As enter Ordinary Time Comunidad would like to invite you to join on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. We will meet at 7:00PM, to watch Close, in Fr. Meisel Hall. The film is a 2022 coming-of-age drama film. It follows two teenage boys whose close friendship is thrown into disarray when their schoolmates notice their intimacy, causing a rift between them. Light refreshments will be provided. Hope you will be able to join us. God Bless.

Long Beach Pride - May 18 - May 19

George Takei: “We should indeed be calm in the face of indifference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.” Does not the shepherd care for all of his sheep? God created us in the womb, and declared us acceptable. No one has the right to deny us our full humanity as children of God. Diversity (white, black, brown, straight, gay) is the kingdom of God. For over 30 years this has been the constant message of Comunidad.

Every year at the Long Beach Pride festival Comunidad sponsors the "Welcome Home, Catholics" booth. Comunidad proclaims our message, humanity and our life in the Church. The dates for Pride are May 18 and 19. Please stop by our booth. For more information about all the goings-on at Pride go the Pride website.

Our March Meeting - Bishop Marc Trudeau's Lenten Reflection

Tuesday, March 7 in Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall at 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

As we enter the season of Lent you are invited to attend our March 7th meeting in which Bishop Marc Trudeau will share his thoughts on Lent. Join us March 7 in the Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall at 7:00 PM for this inspiring discussion. Light refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!!!

Our February Meeting - Mardi Gras

Tuesday, February 7 in Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall at 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

As we continue Ordinary Time and prepare for Lent, we invite you to join us for our February 7th meeting as we celebrate Mari Gras. Please join us at 7:00 in the Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall for an evening of fun and fellowship. Dress in your “finest” Carnival attire, bring your favorite international appetizer to share with others and participate in the festivities. Hope to see you there!!!

Our January Meeting - A Mass for Installation of the Comunidad Steering Committee

Tuesday, January 3 at 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

As we enter the Christmas season, celebrating the birth of our Lord, Comunidad hopes you had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by love of family and friends. May the New Year bring you much love, health and prosperity. We invite you to attend our January 3rd meeting as we hold an installation Mass in the church. Join us at 7:00 PM for Mass followed by a light reception in the hall.

Our November Meeting - All Souls Remembrance

Tuesday, November 1 in Fr. Meisel Hall at 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

Hello everyone. You are invited to attend our monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 1 at 7:00 PM in the Fr. Meisel Hall. We will honor and pray for those who have gone before us during our All Souls gathering. Please bring a picture of your loved one(s) to place on our altar. This will be a time of remembrance, prayer and reflection, and sharing. We hope you are able to join us at this very special meeting. Light refreshments will be served. ALL OUR WELCOME

Our October Meeting - Our Faith Journey

Tuesday, October 4 in Fr. Meisel Hall at 7:00 pm, St. Mattew's Church 672 Temple Ave, Long Beach

Dear Friends,

Happy Fall everyone. You are invited to attend our monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 4 in the Fr. Miesel Hall at 7:00PM. This month, members will share their stories found in Comunidad’s upcoming outreach booklet. These “faith journey” stories will exam how members reconciled their sexual and faith identities. We hope you are able to participate in this very personal and meaningful experience.

Ecumenical BBQ

Steven and Jim invite you to their annual Ecumenical BBQ. This year it will be held on Saturday, August 13th in Huntington Beach. Bring your favorite dish to share and come join the fun. There will be great food, games and fellowship. Last years game of Card Against Humanity was a Hugh hit!!! With recent rises in COVID, our host require all guests to be fully vaccinated and boosted or so proof of a negative test within 2 days. To RSVP send an email to steven@jimbocosw.com or text Steven at 714-536-5172.

Comunidad Annual Retreat

Divine Love and Mercy – don’t we all need that? Many may try to deny it to LGBTQIA+ Catholics. But we, too, are Children of God – a God who loves us and who is willing to share Divine Mercy with all God’s Children.

Now that the years of pandemic have become manageable, Comunidad is excited to again offer a fall retreat experience! You’re invited to: “DIVINE LOVE AND MERCY”: a Divine Mercy Retreat for LGBTQIA+ Catholics and Supporters”

Deadline to return your registration is October 4th. Please contact Steven at (714)536−5172 for more information or if you are having difficulty meeting the deadline.

Read the biography of our retreat director,Caterina Krai and Registration Details.

July Pride Mass

Sunday, July 24 at St Matthew CatholicChurch., 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

Comunidad will be celebration our Pride Mass on Sunday, July 24 at St Matthew Catholic Church. Mass will begin at 3:00 PM. Please join us at the Table of Christ and we come together, as a family, to give thanks for all the blessings our Lord has given. There will be a reception to follow in the hall

Communion/Prayer Service

Tuesday, February 1, 7:00 pm in Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

You are invited to our February meeting which will take place on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 in the Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall at St. Matthew Parish. This month, we will have a prayer/communion service, led by Deacon George Mora, to inaugurate our 2022 Board Members. After the service, members of the board will share their experience with this ministry and invite feedback from the membership on topics that would be of interest for upcoming meetings/retreats.

Advent Wreathe Lighting

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

You are invited to our December meeting which will take place on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 7:00 PM in the St. Matthew parish hall. This month, we will have a Virgen de Guadalupe skit and an Advent wreath lightening and prayer. Light refreshments will be served.

Sister Act

On Saturday, October 23rd members enjoyed an evening of theatre at the Long Beach Playhouse with the production of Sister Act. 24 individuals enjoyed fellowship before the performance with a meal (service was a bit bumpy-but the company made up for it) followed by a wonderful play. There was so much laughter, what a way to get-a-way from it all for a few hours. Many stayed after to enjoy the champagne reception, meeting of the cast and more conversation. Several even commented that they would like to see again. What a fantastic evening!

Remembering

Tuesday, October 5, 7:00 pm in Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

On Tuesday, October 5th at 7:00 P.M. we will meet in the parish hall for our October meeting. The theme “Remembering” will include reading poems from Leslea Newman’s published October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard. Newman uses poetry to tell the story of the beating death of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old homosexual college student at the University of Wyoming in October of 1998. She describes how Shepard was lured into a truck by his murders and how those men left him to die. There will be a discussion after reading each poem.

At our November meeting we will be holding Steering Committee Member elections for the 2022 year. I encourage you to consider sharing your talents in YOUR ministry by volunteering for this opportunity. The committee meets once a month, typically the 3rd Tuesday, from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. We discuss the upcoming monthly activities our ministry will participate in. Please feel free to contact me, 562-427-4558, for more information and/or add your name to the hat. God Bless, Mark

Our July Meeting - A Potluck Picnic

Sunday, July 18 at 12:00 p.m. at El Dorado Park

Dear Friends,

Please join us Sunday, July 18th at noon for a potluck to celebrate summer. Comunidad members will gather at El Dorado Park, the South/East conner of Willow & N. Studebaker Road. There is parking on Studebaker Road as well as in the parking lot which is accessible from Los Arcos Street; go to the very end of the parking lot. Please look for the WELCOME HOME CATHOLICS and HOLY SPIRT banners. Since we are still testing the waters for post-COVID gatherings, everyone is encouraged to bring their own food and drink picnic favorites. Members will try to “secure” picnic tables earlier in the day, but bringing your own blanket and/or chairs is highly recommended. We hope to see you all there for a wonderful afternoon of fellowship.

Our June Meeting - Pride Mass

Sunday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m., In-Person and Virtual

Dear Friends,

You are invited to our Pride Mass which will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 3:00 PM in the St. Matthew's Parish. As we were not able to hold this Mass last year, we have a lot to make up for. With COVID this past year has brought much change, suffering and happiness; what better way to “re-awaken” from the pandemic then to bring all of it to the Lord’s table. We will also be streaming the Mass via Zoom and Facebook-Live. Please see below on ways to connect virtually if you are not able to participate in person.

Our February - Lent Prayer Service

Tuesday, February 2 at 7:15 p.m., Virtual Meeting with Zoom

Dear Friends,

Think back on your life and the lives of those close to you. Whenever we want to do something successfully (e.g., being good at our jobs, having a good relationship and/or getting married, having children, learning a new skill, singing in choir, dancing, playing a sport, having a financially secure and happy retirement, etc.) doesn’t it usually help to prepare?

Lent is a time of preparation for the glory of Easter. As Catholics we focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We seek to improve our relationship with God (i.e., something we should always be doing anyway?!). While many of us F enjoy a good Mardi Gras party, we don’t suddenly become holier when we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, February 17th this year. Since we’re in octave of Valentine’s Day and love, why not celebrate our love for God and God’s love for us in a special way this year? So, why not celebrate our love for God and God’s love for us in a special way this year?

Consider this brief reflection and praying this simple prayer by Vinita Hampton Wright:

Tell God, and yourself, every day, “I want to be open to the graces of this Lenten season.” Maybe you’re not open right now, or you’re not as open and willing as you’d like to be or think you should be. What else is new? We can always open our lives a bit more, let go of more stuff, listen better, and do more quickly and passionately what we know helps nurture God’s kingdom on earth.

Because we can be very good at fooling ourselves about how well we’re doing, why not quietly ask God, “What does my soul need?”

To prepare for our meeting we strongly encourage you to review and download February's meeting outline and spiritual resources which we uploaded to Dropbox.

God Bless, Mark and Bea

Our January Meeting - Prayer Service

Tuesday, January 5 at 7:15 p.m., Virtual Meeting with Zoom

Dear Friends,

Comunidad invites you to their first meeting of 2021. During this meeting we will have a brief Prayer Service to install our Board Members for the year followed by a “Meet our new Pastor” discussion. Father Randy will spend time with us sharing his story and answering questions to help us get to know him better. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 and will begin at 7:15 PM. The Prayer Service will begin about 7:30 PM.