News - June 2025

It’s scary, but imagine being the target of that behavior simply because of your gender, race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, perhaps on the street, MUNI or BART. We can reach out and offer support, even help, and as interested and socially-responsible citizens, we are called to help when we see people in need. In particular, as Catholics, we are called on to promote the dignity of all persons, leaving no one outside our circle of compassion. Everyone — older adults, children, people with special needs, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation— has the right to be treated with dignity, compassion and humanity.

We have various volunteer opportunities for anyone who would enjoy helping a neighbor in need. Recently, a volunteer reported on her visits with residents at an extended care facility. One resident in particular, “was a very cheerful, sociable patient with whom [the volunteer] had a lovely time talking about her interests, such as reading books, painting her nails and many others. The afternoon went well and time passed very quickly.”

Until recently our Church has had a rather checkered history with the LGBTQ+ community. But in 2013 attitudes began to change when our late and beloved Pope Francis said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" Later, in 2023, he took a further step towards reconciliation with the community when he allowed priests to bless people in same-sex relationships. One of the foundational principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the concept of human dignity. Pope Francis’ words and deeds have brought the Church closer to providing our LGBTQ+ brethren with the human dignity that it has denied them for centuries.