We use our version of the Catholic Mass in our community services. But we have many differences with the Catholic Church in practice, doctrine and in belief.
Equality of All
Not only is our community open to ALL people, but our communion table is open to all. The Grace of the Mass is for everyone! Coming for communion can have no other meaning for you than you just desire more divine love in your heart! You do not need to be a Catholic or a Christian. You can be devoted to another religion or NO religion. You can be LGBTQ+. The GRACE of the Mass is for everyone!
Furthermore, our clergy consists of 2 women, 2 men, and a Transgender woman. We not only welcome everyone but we consider us all equal, blessed and ONE in God’s eyes. We believe that the relegating of women to “less than” men by not including women in the clergy is a doctrinal error that will be changed eventually by the conservative Church.
We also practice the equality of all by opening our service to discussion about the homily and the readings. The clergy is not “higher” than anyone else. Your voice is important and will be heard by us all.
A further note regarding the conservative churches stand on LGBTQ+ inclusion
Some churches emphasize sins — called the transgressions of God’s law. We believe that Jesus told us that the most important thing in life is to love ourselves and others. (Matthew 22:37–40) He also says to love “God”, and we believe that is accomplished through by loving our world, our families, our friends, our neighbors, and even loving those who are our “enemies.” If we do this in our lives we do not need to worry about “sins,” our actions will reflect love back at us. The emphasis on some expressions of sexuality as sins, is an error by the church. A pure heart is not simply a heart free from the church’s so-called sins, but it is a heart that has at its core the love of others.
And as Paul said in 1 Cor. 13-
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
That is why we are committed to being open, affirming and welcoming to all LGBTQ+ expressions.
