7th LGBTQ+ Catholics, Families, and Friends Retreat Weekend

Be Not Afraid: A Sacred Gathering with Mary of Welcome, Hope, and Belonging

When: June 6-8, 2025

Where: Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL (Greater Chicago)

What: As often as possible, MSJC's LGBTQ+ Retreat Planning Committee organizes and presents a weekend retreat for LGBTQ+ persons, their families, and allies. It is filled with opportunities for spiritual renewal, teachings of the faith, and time for building community, faith sharing, and fellowship; all with the LGBTQ+person in mind. This year’s theme is Be Not Afraid: A Sacred Gathering with Mary of Welcome, Hope, and Belonging. Read more about our retreat presenters, Bro. Jack Ventura and Gabby Bibeau, the retreat facility and more at this link.

Registration: Early Bird Single Room Registration -- $300 + fees

• Includes single room with sink, bedding/linens, meals, and all retreat materials for the weekend. 

• Registration fee increases to $365 after April 1.

• Spots are limited, and we do expect this retreat to reach capacity, so please make a plan to register.

Scholarships: Financial scholarships are available for those who need it! Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@marianistsjc.net if you would like to register for the retreat but need some financial support.

MSJC Retreat Website & Registration

2025 Pilgrimage to Italy

Join Always God’s Children on an 11 day pilgrimage through the shrines of Italy—Milan, Padova, Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome, October 7-17, 2025. Being LGBTQ+ and religious can be a difficult space. Family and friends often cut ties, step away and respond in ways far from the "respect, compassion and sensitivity" called for in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Always God’s Children works to bring healing to those wounds, so this pilgrimage includes the LGBTQ+ Catholics, people of faith, their family, friends and allies. You can join us on a journey modeled after the way of Jesus and encouraged by Pope Francis, in his words, "with closeness, compassion and tenderness" in "the style of God." Father Dexter Brewer is serving as Spiritual Director accompanied Greg Walton, a pastoral musician, and travel show duo Christin Baker and Stacey Powell, part of AGC Nashville.

ONLINE REGISTRATION     PILGRIMAGE BROCHURE     PRINTABLE REGISTRATION

Excerpt: "Outreach will lead a group of pilgrims to Rome, Sept. 2-7, 2025, to celebrate the Jubilee Holy Year, participate in an Outreach-sponsored dialogue about global LGBTQ issues and meet with other LGBTQ Catholics from around the world.

Led by James Martin, S.J., founder of Outreach, and executive director Michael O’Loughlin, the five-day pilgrimage will also serve as a fundraiser to help Outreach continue to provide articles, resources and events to the LGBTQ Catholic community, their friends and families and those who minister to them..."