Day of Silence

We too are Your Children, We too are part of Your Church

On the 16h of May Drachma is organizing a special prayer meeting entitled ‘We too are Your Children, We too are part of Your Church’ to mark the International Day against Homophobia [www.idahomophobia.org] celebrated internationally on the 17th of May. The activity is going to be held at the Millennium Chapel, 8:00p.m.

Drachma is inviting in a special way LGBT people who are or have been victims of homophobia. Drachma would also like to extend this invitation to parents, family and friends of LGBT who have been victims of homophobia, or who have been victims themselves. We would also like to invite in a particular manner parents, family and friends of LGBT who have committed suicide.

Drachma hopes that this meeting will be a healing encounter with Jesus Christ which will bring reconciliation, forgiveness, hope and life to all those who experienced or are experiencing prejudice, violence or even death in some way or another.

If you require further information do not hesitate to contact us on drachmalgbt@gmail.com or on 79 342 328.

PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION TO THOSE I LOVE (Author Unknown)

Oh heavenly Father,
our protector and guide,
You are the greatest Friend and joy we have!

To be able to come to You in prayer like this
is the most beautiful part of our lives!
It is not for myself that I want to pray today, dear Father,
but for those who are near and dear to me and about whom I am worrying.

You know what they are facing, dear Father.
And You know most of all the deepest reasons why
these things have come upon them!
You know how I want to help.

Truly I think it would be easier if I
could only face what they are facing.
But You know how helpless we are
to help another even though we know what is just and right.

Only You are left, dear Father.
Do be with them in all things at all times.
Protect them from enemies and evil, my Father.
Forgive them their sins in situations which cannot be resolved .

Make them feel they belong in this world like all other human beings.
I know and believe there is a place for all whom You have created to your image and likeness.
Oh do make them happy in their lives at home, dear Father, and help them live as You wouldst have them live. Above all, put love in the hearts of others
who do not understand them .

I thank You, my Father, for Your goodness to them and to me.
Thank You for Your love and guidance and protection!
May we honor you all the days of our lives and be
happy and uplifted even as I feel right now!

Amen.

Sexual and spiritual integration by Mario Gerada (Sunday Times of Malta, 13 April 2008)

Drachma would like to thank all those who attended the public talk 'On Becoming whole: sexual and spiritual integration' given by Sr Jeannine Gramick at St James Cavalier, Valletta on March 15. Drachma would like to also thank participants for their generosity which helped us cover all costs, encouraging us to organise other events.

The talk was very well attended, confirming the great need for more open dialogue in this area. A good number of lesbian and gay people, parents and siblings were present, again confirming that gay issues are not only pertinent to the individual but are also a family matter. In fact, Drachma is extremely pleased that parents and family members attended this talk.

Sr Jeannine offered us the opportunity to have a truly intimate and personal meeting with her and each other.

Drachma is currently working on setting up a parents' group. Any parent/s and/or siblings interested in participating are welcome to contact us at drachmalgbt@gmail.com.

Furthermore, anyone interested to know more about Drachma or join us in prayer is also welcome to e-mail us at drachmalgbt@gmail.com.

More stories on Fortunate Families website

"Listen with the ear of your heart…"



We invite you to check out the newly remodeled and expanded section of the Fortunate Families website that you will find under the menu tab "Stories." Seven more stories of fortunate families have been added – stories told by the moms and dads of LGBT sons and daughters.



Story-telling gives life to our purpose. So over time, we will be adding new stories to this special website feature – all the better to show the Spirit's presence in parents' lives and the lives of our children in whom "God's love is revealed" [Always Our Children]



At the 2007 New Ways Ministry Symposium on Catholicism and Homosexuality, Archbishop Francis Hurley (ret.) of Anchorage and Bishop Joseph Sullivan (ret.) of Brooklyn attended an evening session facilitated by Fortunate Families. After listening to the experiences of a number of attendees, Bishop Sullivan said he had not heard stories like these before. And he said, "Keep telling your stories."



We will.



And we hope, heeding the counsel of St. Benedict, that you will "listen with the ear of your heart." Blessings!



Casey