By Sonia “Sunny” Sanchez
On June 28, our diocesan and parish LGBTQ+ ministries, “Embrace” and “Gifted & Called,” celebrated its first-ever Family Mass at St. John Bosco Mission in Highland. What unfolded was nothing short of holy.
The mission chapel was overflowing, creating an atmosphere of profound unity and celebration. Deacons and their wives from across the diocese joined us, along with employees from the Diocesan Pastoral Center (DPC) and their loved ones. Families arrived with tears of disbelief and joy in their eyes, and LGBTQ+ Catholics from as far away as Palmdale, Apple Valley and Palm Springs came to be part of this sacred occasion.
We sang with a diverse and joyful choir, whose music filled the space with reverence and beauty, lifting our spirits and hearts. The Holy Spirit moved among us, guiding our voices and actions. We added a Catholic dimension to a secular creation, Pride Month, like what some parishes do by giving their parishioners an opportunity to celebrate Mardi Gras in a religious way. As Catholics we took pride in being foremost God’s children, loved unconditionally, and in being welcomed members of the Catholic Church.
Father David Andel, the diocesan delegate to the Embrace ministry, presided and proclaimed during the homily:
“Like any good parent, God is proud of you. God is proud of you for turning the other cheek; for forgiving seventy times seven, the same offenses and the same insults; for your love for your enemies and your prayers for those who persecute you; for persevering in your faith in spite of some Christians who don’t give you posada and want you to go elsewhere; for your courage, your love and your compassion for others; for your insistence and confidence that you are indeed beloved and belong in the Church. And God is proud of you parents for loving your child unconditionally, that is, with no condition that they be the way you hoped and prayed they would be or that they love whom you want them to love; for defending your child - physically, verbally and morally; for planting the seed of faith in your child, watering it with years of prayers, and waiting patiently for it to bear fruit. You are God’s beloved children, in whom God takes delight.”
Some described this as the first time they had felt seen at the altar. In his homily, Fr. Andel emphasized that each of us is blessed with God-given gifts and talents, meant to be shared in love and service to the parish community and that “You are not alone. The Church walks with you.” There was a deep and hopeful call that God's unconditional love be shared with all and offered freely to everyone, without exception.
Afterward, we shared a bountiful reception where strangers became family. Fr. Andel, DPC employees, ministry members, families, and guests stayed, listening and blessing, comforting and rejoicing. It was a Eucharistic moment: Christ present in word, sacrament, and community. We also received many thanks on behalf of Bishop Alberto Rojas because many are proud to have a bishop who continually supports them. We believe this is what synodality looks like: the whole Church walking together, leaving no one behind. We accompany one another in our struggles, fears, and joys!
Sonia “Sunny” Sanchez is the Director of the Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP) of the Ministry Formation Institute of the Diocese and a Commissioner on the Diocesan Embrace Ministry to LGBTQ+ Catholics.