Put Out into the Deep
June 3 2025
Last week, we asked you to help us decide when and where to hold our first Confident Witness retreat. This week, you can tell us you're coming!
Shipping Up to Boston
The first Confident Witness retreat, for LGBT/SSA+ Catholics who want to take on leadership and mentorship roles in their local communities, will take place in Boston from Thursday evening, August 7 - Sunday afternoon, August 10. We know there’s a lot of interest out there, and not everyone will be able to make it to this specific time and place, so we’re already planning the next event. If you’re able to join us in Boston, or if you can’t make it to this retreat but are eager to know when and where the next one will take place, go here to register your interest.
We haven’t done a demographic survey of our supporters yet, but we know many of you are the allies, friends, and loved ones of gay Catholics. You may be wondering, “I really want gay missionary disciples to be supported in their leadership in my community! What can I do that’s most helpful?”
First of all, you can pass that interest link along to anyone you know who is LGBT/SSA+, embraces Catholic teaching in full, and might be interested in learning about mentorship and leadership in this area. Second, you can donate to support the retreat. Your donation will help cover the cost of supplies, support Eve and Keith in developing and leading the retreat, and lower costs for participants.
Your Prayers and Ours
Most importantly, you can pray for everyone who will be joining us in Boston. In the weeks to come, we’ll be sharing some stories of mentorship by saints and holy people who inspire contemporary gay Catholics. For now, please ask BCF’s patron saints, Aelred of Rievaulx and Gertrude the Great, to pray that this retreat be a time of reflection, discernment, and increasing trust in God.
Developing the leadership of gay Catholics is essential to our work for two reasons:
The Confident Witness retreat will share what Eve and Keith have learned about both mentoring gay people and serving as witnesses in a wide range of Catholic settings. We’ll help people discover their own gifts, and where those gifts meet the needs of their local communities. If you’re reading this newsletter, you already know how much these voices are needed in our Church. Help us share these voices of confident witness far and wide!
Eve & Keith