By Dr. Ruben Barron
On June 27, Bishop Alberto Rojas welcomed LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families and friends to a special Family Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino. The liturgy was co-coordinated by Embrace and Gifted and Called, two groups that minister locally to LGBTQ+ Catholics.
Bishop Rojas’ core message of love and belonging of all God’s children was a central theme of the celebration. “You belong here; the house of God is your house,” he shared during his homily. “Let us build a community of faith modeled after Jesus, where every human being is met with love and compassion.”
Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes concelebrated the Mass, along with several priests who have supported the Embrace and Gifted and Called ministries. Many attendants expressed deep gratitude for the atmosphere of inclusivity and respect for all that characterized the gathering, which contrasted with the past experiences of some who had been made to feel unwanted in the Church.
Leonard Santos got up early to make the trip from Palm Springs, where the Gifted and Called Ministry originated. He said did not always feel welcome by the Church and is a witness to needed changes.
“When I moved to Palm Springs, I was no longer attending church because I was tired of looking for parishes that would accept me,” he shared. “St. Theresa’s opened its arms, and it is the most welcoming parish I’ve ever attended. I’m thankful that Father John Kavcak is our pastor and has made my parish welcoming.”
Fr. Kavcak, who retired July 1, was among the concelebrating priests at the Mass. Father David Andel, J.V., the diocesan delegate to the Embrace ministry, shared why the Embrace Mass is important.
“First, the coming out experience is sometimes tense and divisive in one’s family, so the Mass is a reminder and opportunity for all family members to be together in prayer, regardless of differences.”
Catholic laypeople of all ages, from throughout the diocese, spoke about what brought them to the Mass. Carla Duran, accompanied by her two teenage children shared, “I am here because it is important to me and my family to show all our fellow LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters that we are united, and we are accepted by God and He loves us very much.”
Maria Ximena Vasquez Ramirez said she was inspired by the Mass.
“A lot of people like us are trying to be part of the community to seek Christ and to continue Catholic traditions and culture and practices and I think this was a very inclusive moment that just made me closer to God,” she said.
Father Albert Utzig, SSC, the Regional Director of Columban Fathers and former pastor of St. Mary Church, Fontana, recalled how diocesan listening sessions for the Synod on Synodality opened doors for voices not often heard.
“At one of the meetings some people said, ‘you know we’re LGBTQ and that’s who we are and at the same time we want to be part of the Church, but people don’t accept us.’ ”
He explained how Gifted and Called has helped others recognize and share their own God-given gifts. Pointing to the clear sunlight shining in the Cathedral courtyard after Mass he shared, “The light contains many beautiful colors, and the Holy Spirit is in the light. So let these colors be here.”
Deacon Robert Gonzalez, who serves at St. Mary’s, said he believes diaconate ministry has an important role in reconciling people who identify as LGBTQ+ to parish life.
“As deacons, we’re called to shepherd the Church; not to pick and choose who we shepherd. It is not about changing doctrine or the dogmas of the Church. It’s mainly making sure people have a place to go.
“With the suicide rate so high, we don’t need more people feeling like they don’t belong,” he added.
Augustine Ramirez accompanied his wife from San Salvador Church. “I am here to support family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community and want them to know that Christ’s love is for everyone and that this Mass is to celebrate Christ’s love for everyone including them and all of their friends,” he said.
Esperanza Azhocar went to support a relative and found inspiration everywhere.
“I came here today to support my uncle. It’s also beautiful to come and see all of my other brothers and sisters here in one place. Sometimes it’s hard to go to church because you hear about people being outcasted when they are just people and deserve love from the Lord,” she said.
Carissa Salcido, a young Catholic, said she finds it hard to reconcile her understanding of Christ and her friends’ experience of Church.
“I have a lot of friends who have always told me I’m very Catholic and they couldn’t understand who I was in my identity and they’re like, ‘they don’t accept you’ and things like that.” She added, “Even before I found out about this outreach program today, I knew I was loved no matter what. My connection with God is mine and no one can tell me not to come. So, today was very special in the sense of affirmation coming from higher-ups because some people need that.”
At the close of the Mass, Dr. Francine Bradley, a member of the Gifted and Called leadership committee, offered a history and evolution of the ministry. She recalled that Bishop Barnes supported Gifted and Called when it was first established to incorporate gay Catholics into parish life.
“It is a real milestone that gay Catholics are being welcomed here and celebrated at our cathedral in San Bernardino,” she said.
Sonia “Sunny” Sanchez, an Embrace Ministry Commissioner, said Bishop Rojas’ presence and strong words of encouragement in his homily revealed the true heart of a shepherd.
“By celebrating the Embrace Family Mass, he is proclaiming the God given dignity of every person and the love of Christ for all His children,” she said. “His presence is a sign of pastoral courage and a reminder that a bishop’s ministry entails the concrete care of the flock entrusted to him.”
Dr. Rubén Barrón is a Catholic spiritual director and freelance writer based in Yorba Linda.