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I received an email from Matt Storin, Associate Vice-President of News and Information and Concurrent Prof. of American Studies of the University of Notre Dame. He said in reply to my concern regarding the Masses you feel were just an isolated project of one single student:

"The fact of the matter is, Campus Ministry supports "Solidarity Sunday" and Student Affairs has established a support committee for gay and lesbian students..."

Pretty clear, no?

Solidarity Sunday was what the name given to say that homosexuality is "ok" -- you should feel comfortable with it, etc. I don't care how you cook this one, it's just not acceptable!!!

I'm glad you checked it out. It's amazing how Catholic groups think they have to 'show solidarity' with any number of groups. The head of our Confirmation program invited some speakers from AIDS Project Worcester to one of the confirmation classes during which we were to be discussing 'sexuality'. Only one of the three had contracted AIDS through drug use, the other two were homosexual men. After their presentation, we split into our three study groups. Each of the 'presenters' sat in on a group. I don't know if the other teachers felt intimidated into going easy on homosexuality in their groups, but it didn't stop me. I made it clear what the Church's teaching is on sex outside of marriage in general, but homosexual behavior in particular. I made it clear to the kids that, in Christian charity, we are not to treat anyone badly, but we don't have to accept anyone's lifestyle, if it does not comport with the teachings of the Church. I also stressed the fact that, as humans, we are fallen creatures, so sometimes we sin, so if we commit sexual sins, Jesus is always willing to forgive us if we repent and work to not repeat the sin.

At the beginning of the program, by his words, I sensed that the young man who sat in with my group was having a hard time with the idea that he was 'worthy' to be loved by God. He said he was still in depression from his mother's death, though that had been 10 years earlier. I suspected his choice of lifestyle had much more to do with it, but that he didn't want to admit that. I hope that what I said made him start thinking about how he could change his life. It wouldn't take away the AIDS, but it would lead him to a better life on Earth and after death.