The Most Reverend Leroy T. Matthiesen
P.O. Box 5644
Amarillo, Texas 79117-5664
 

Your Excellency:

We are conscious that there has been many times in your life as pastor in the Church that you have chosen to speak clearly about the demands that the gospel makes on our lives as Christians and as disciples.  We want to thank you for participating in the New Ways Ministry Symposium.  Your presence speaks loudly that God’s love embraces all.  We know of our love for the Church and your loyalty to the gospel.  You have made difficult choices before in your life, but your actions always speak of compassion and fidelity.

As women religious our lives are motivated and inspired by these same values.  Your willingness to speak at the symposium and your conviction to preside at Eucharist model for us what leadership is called to in difficult situations.  You give us hope that thoughtful and loving acts will bring about a Church that invites all to the table.

We thank you for your persistent, faithful, life-long dedication to raising issues of justice in our Church.  We know there is a price to be paid, but the grace and wisdom it brings to the rest of us is blessing.

Be assured of our prayers and support as you continue to help us move forward as a People of God, leaving no one on the margins.
 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Leadership Conference of Women Religious National Board

Archbishop Thomas C. Kelley, O.P.
Archdiocese of Louisville
212 East College Street
PO Box 1073
Louisville, Kentucky 40201-1073
 

Dear Archbishop Kelley:

We are grateful for your gracious expression of hospitality in welcoming the New Ways Ministry Symposium to Louisville.  Hospitality seems so easy, but gospel hospitality is fraught with risk and tension.  It is an opportunity to make concrete the words of love that we often speak in our Churches. 

There are many different charisms that mark the various congregations of women religious, but we all claim hospitality as central to our lives and our ministries.  For us the heart of the gospel calls us to make space in our lives for those who might not find welcome in a world that makes judgments based on race, gender or sexual orientation.  Our home is to be shared, most especially with those who are at the margins of our society.

We are encouraged by your compassionate understanding and strengthened by your witness to make room in the Church for all.  As an Archbishop your words are important, and your actions to include all in the care of the Church speak of God’s provident love.  People look to the bishops in our Church to see how the gospel is to be lived in our times.  Yours is a ministry of leadership that brings together authentically the preaching of the word and the living out of the commitment to truth.

As leaders in our religious communities we are inspired by, draw hope from and find a source of strength in your actions.  We support you and hold you in prayer.  Your love and loyalty to the Church and your willingness to call us to our best selves will bring new life to the People of God. 

Be assured that as the national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious we ask God’s blessing on you and our common ministry of gospel hospitality.
 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Leadership Conference of Women Religious National Board

Frank DeBernardo and Staff
New Ways Ministry 
4012 29th Street
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712-1800
 

Dear Frank and Staff of New Ways Ministry:

In the spirit of lived eucharistic communion, we members of the national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious wish to express our gratitude to you and your staff for your compassionate presence in ministry to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in the Church.  We recall the words of our bishops in their pastoral letter, “Always Our Children,” affirming that all are children of one God.

We support you in your efforts to make possible the Eucharist at your gathering.  It is the sign of our identity as Christians and it is the source of our strength for the journey to holiness to which we are all called.  Your desire to give expression to your faith as Church in coming together around the Eucharistic table is to be celebrated.

Wherever we celebrate Eucharist and live in communion with others we are a sign of hope that God’s reign will come with love and justice for all.
 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Leadership Conference of Women Religious National Board