DIGNITY/San José, a former local chapter of DIGNITY/USA, was chartered between March and June 1984. It was a chapter-in-formation as of January 1984.

As part of its lineage, the chapter had a predecessor… DIGNITY/Mission Valley. Therefore, the history set forth below dates back to 1976.

Unfortunately, the previous and current chapter records were not archived in one place. As boards of directors and chapter officers changed over the years and individuals moved from place to place, chapter records got lost or were misplaced. The chapters never had a permanent office site. Rather, they relied on chapter officers' generosity of time, energy and space for maintenance and storage of records.

The history cited comes from the memory of Bill Welch, one of our longtime active members, who served in various capacities on the boards of directors for both chapters since 1976.

Neither he, nor other current members, can list all the founders, officers and members of the boards of directors over the years.

What you will find are major highlights, meeting places, transitions and some scenarios to give you, the reader, some background information and various settings down through the years to today…December 1994.

You will find some detailed unique history with respect to an extended dialogue with a diocesan pastoral resource committee in the development and implementation of a diocesan pastoral and special ministry to Catholic gay and lesbian persons in the Greater San José Area.

In 1976, a few members of DIGNITY/San Francisco, living in San José and other nearby cities of Santa Clara County, felt it was time to form a local group.

With the help of officers and board members of DIGNITY/San Francisco, a "mission" or sub-group was formed under the title DIGNITY/South Bay — referring to the geography of the San Francisco Peninsula and South San Francisco Bay.

This small group began meeting in the private home of relatives of a founding member, Jim West, now deceased. With the support of local, friendly priests, the group sponsored biweekly, and then weekly home Masses with a monthly potluck, oftentimes with a guest speaker.

As this group rapidly grew to 20 - 25 people by 1977, the leadership sought assistance from the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for a suitable meeting place. Arrangements were made for weekly Tuesday evening meetings at the Catholic Women's Center…now the John XXIII Senior Center, in downtown San José.

At first, weekly Tuesday evening Masses with socializing were similar to the former home Masses. As word spread about the gatherings, three priests from the Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit Orders, along with one diocesan priest, became part of or supported the growing faith community. With this support, additional Masses sponsored by the DIGNITY group were held on the second and fourth Saturday evenings alternating between the St. Patrick's and Our Lady of Guadalupe churches in San José. Monthly potlucks and socials also continued.

In late 1977 or early 1978, the leadership and members of DIGNITY/South Bay sought independent chapter status. Membership numbered about 15 - 20 persons.

The group met within the Archdiocese of San Francisco and was assigned the geographical boundaries from southern San Mateo and Alameda Counties down to San Luis Obispo County. Looking for some bonding name, the leadership and members chose DIGNITY/Mission Valley due to the number of Catholic Missions in such places as Santa Clara, San José, Santa Cruz, San Juan Bautista and Carmel. The monthly newsletter was named Crossing Paths.

With the formation of DIGNITY Regions, the chapter became part of DIGNITY/ Region 9.

Shortly after the assignment of a layperson as new administrator for the Catholic Women's Center in 1979, the chapter leadership received word that we were no longer welcome to meet there.

At the invitation of the pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish in San José, the chapter began meeting for weekly Mass in the parish hall on Saturday evenings. The invitation was later ratified by the parish council following a presentation by the then chapter co-chairpersons at an open parish council meeting. Monthly potlucks were first held in the parish hall following Mass, but later moved to the rectory.

About this same time, the chapter began sponsoring a weekly facilitated "rap group" on Monday evenings at the home of one of our members. Socializing and periodic potlucks followed the structured sessions. Attendees numbered between 15 to 25.

With the rise in participation and membership by women in 1980, a separate women's group meeting began on a weekly basis and continued over a period of six to nine months.

In 1981, the membership chose to move their meetings and worship to another site. They began meeting at Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) San José facilities in the Dole Building of downtown San José.

At the chapter board of director election time in 1982, the incumbents announced they felt burned out and would not seek reelection. Due to lack of interest and commitment by others to assume leadership roles, the chapter ceased operations and returned its charter to DIGNITY, Inc.

Information booth at annual San José Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebrations.

Speakers or panel members for classes or special presentations at two Roman Catholic institutions…Santa Clara University and Bellarmine College Preparatory; also at Stanford University, San José City College and San José State University.

Worked with members of Catholics for Human Dignity during No on Measures A & B campaign, which would prohibit lesbian and gay teachers in State of California and Santa Clara County.

Active participation in social justice and human rights issues relating to sexual orientation or pertaining to gay and lesbian persons.

Proactive networking with other lesbian and gay organizations, community center and community at large.

Assisted in the founding and development of DIGNITY/Santa Cruz-Monterey.

Active participation and support of DIGNITY, Inc. at the regional and national level.

Chapter was listed as a resource in the archdiocesan directory.

In 1983, a Marianist priest, a nun of the Sisters of Notre Dame and several laypersons…including a member of the prior chapter DIGNITY/Mission Valley, came together to discuss the revitalization of a DIGNITY presence in the form of another chapter. A nucleus of people came together for home Masses, potlucks and social gatherings in the Greater San José area. It was the beginning of a chapter-in-formation.

During Advent 1983, welcoming announcements of "Coming Home for Christmas" Masses and Eucharistic celebrations at the Campus Christian Center, adjacent to San José State University and home of its Newman Center, were distributed in the gay and lesbian community of the Greater Santa Clara County Area. There was a good response to that invitation.

By this time, the new Catholic Diocese of San José had been formed under the guiding leading of Bishop Pierre DuMaine.

Sometime between March and June 1984, the chapter-in-formation — with about fifteen members, was officially chartered as DIGNITY/San José, a local chapter of DIGNITY/USA.

At first, chapter-sponsored Masses were held twice a month. Within two to three months, membership interest, participation and commitment warranted the beginning of weekly Masses followed by social gatherings and monthly potlucks. The chapter started publishing a newsletter; obtained the services of a gay-owned-and-operated 24-hour live answering service; was listed as a community resource in the local lesbian and gay press, and began educational outreach activities.

In 1984, Bishop Pierre DuMaine appointed an ad hoc committee to investigate the feasibility of, and develop guidelines for, a pastoral ministry to homosexuals in the Catholic Diocese of San José. Three members of DIGNITY/San José served on the committee.

After two years research and development by the bishop and ad hoc committee, Bishop DuMaine issued the Pastoral Guidelines for Ministry to Homosexuals in the Diocese of San José in 1986. He appointed a Pastoral Resource Committee (PRC) to develop a ministry implementation plan. Representatives of the chapter met with members of the PRC on several occasions during the early stages of the plan's development process.

In 1987, DIGNITY/USA's National House of Delegates, convened in Bal Harbour Florida, adopted the following resolution:

"DIGNITY reaffirms our Statement of Position and Purpose that states that ‘We believe that Gay men and Lesbian women can express their sexuality in a manner that is consonant with Christ's teaching. We believe that all sexuality should be exercised in an ethically responsible and unselfish way.' We are also committed to work for the development of the Church's sexual theology.

Therefore, in this capacity, we affirm that gay and lesbian people can express their sexuality physically in a unitive manner that is loving, life giving and life affirming. 

Therefore, DIGNITY emphatically disagrees with and calls for a re-examination of the magisterial teaching on "homosexual activity" between Gay and Lesbian people as presently stated in the American Bishops letter of 1976 To Live in Christ Jesus and in the 1986 Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexuals issued by Cardinal Ratzinger and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith."

Shortly after the release of DIGNITY/USA's Bal Harbour Statement, DIGNITY/San José received a letter from the Diocesan Pastoral Resource Committee (PRC) which stated that it could not recommend an official ministry to the chapter per se, since the statement was in opposition to traditional Church teaching on homosexual activity. However, the committee invited members of the chapter into a dialogue to explore how a ministry could be implemented in view of the chapter's five-year history and sponsorship of the weekly Mass. The invitation stated:

"We want to convey that the Diocese wants to minister to the gay and lesbian community in San José, particularly to the group that has been meeting regularly for the past five years at the Campus Christian Center. We want to make every effort to build on the good work which has already been accomplished by the local group of Catholic gay people."

Beginning in the summer of 1987, and for a period of several months, an expanded dialogue process ensued between members of DIGNITY/San José and members of the Diocesan Pastoral Resource Committee. The focus was to further explore a ministry to lesbian and gay people by the Diocese of San José.

The chapter's Board of Directors began a series of discussion groups for and with the membership to review the situation and ramifications; assess members’ personal feelings, and solicit their input into the dialogue process.

Throughout the process of formulation, development, proposal review and decision making, the members of DIGNITY/San José (and not just its board of directors) played an active role in the dialogue. It was a process they were part of; a decision and agreement of which they had partnership and ownership.

In January 1989, DIGNITY/San José presented the following proposal to the Diocese of San José Pastoral Resource Committee:

"The members of DIGNITY/San José and the Pastoral Resource Committee (formed by Bishop Pierre DuMaine following his issuance of the Pastoral Guidelines for Ministry to Homosexuals in the Diocese of San José), share a common goal, namely, an effective ministry to the local gay and lesbian community.

We find encouragement in Bishop DuMaine's recent announcement to a gathering of priests of the diocese that he plans to uphold the diocesan guidelines issued in 1986. We commend the bishop and the diocese for the special clergy education day attendant to the guidelines, and hope it is just the beginning of a major educational thrust to all people within the diocese in implementing the guidelines and ministry.

We are bolstered by the discussions with our members in private and in meetings shared with the Pastoral Resource Committee (PRC) over the last several months. Placing trust in the intentions of Bishop DuMaine and his representatives for the Diocese of San José, we propose to continue to work with the Diocese and the PRC in good faith and a cooperative spirit.

As we continue our dialogue and work towards the exploration and refinement of the ministry to the community, we submit the following comments and proposal for near term implementation:

1. We believe an effective ministry and outreach to lesbian and gay Catholics must embody a positive position, which affirms the person and his or her dignity and promotes the reconciliation and healing by and towards the Church and its members.

2. We believe that through our Baptism, gay and lesbian Catholics are members of Christ's mystical body with the right, privilege, and duty to live the sacramental life of the Church and serve as instruments of God's love working among all people.

3. With hope and confidence in the guiding Holy Spirit, and our common desire to extend and expand the sacramental life of the Church to the community of San José, we propose that the Diocese of San José sponsor a weekly mass and Eucharistic celebration for lesbian and gay Christians.

4. We expect that the diocesan sponsored masses would have as presiders, priests who would continue our five-year tradition of the active participation and sharing by all gathered in affirming, spirited liturgies which incorporate inclusive language, themes and homilies that relate to the reality of life for lesbian and gay Catholics; their friends, families and loved ones.

5. We propose that the diocesan liturgies continue at the Campus Christian Center, 10th and E. San Carlos Streets, San José, so long as that facility is capable of accommodating the congregation.

6. DIGNITY/San José will continue as an affiliated chapter of DIGNITY/USA.

7. As part of its ministry and outreach to the local community, DIGNITY/San José will continue to meet at the Campus Christian Center following the diocesan sponsored liturgy. Such meetings may be of a social nature; for spiritual reflection or exercises; group discussions; workshops; presentations by guest speakers; chapter-related business, or similar events.

8. DIGNITY/San José will continue its 24-hour answering service and announcements or advertising in local, regional and national publications. We will not advertise or announce that the weekly masses are sponsored by the chapter. Any references to the diocesan sponsored masses will indicate that they are sponsored by the Diocese of San José.

9. DIGNITY/San José will continue to dialogue with the PRC to explore and discuss additional forms of ministry, as well as methods and vehicles for community education and awareness.

On February 7, 1989, Bishop Pierre DuMaine officially approved the implementation plan for Pastoral Guidelines for Ministry to Homosexuals in the Diocese of San José. The plan is the one, which was collaboratively developed by members of DIGNITY/San José and the Pastoral Resource Committee for Ministry to Homosexuals.

As of April 1, 1989, the Diocese of San José, rather than DIGNITY/San José, began sponsoring the weekly Mass for the lesbian and gay community on Saturday evenings at the Campus Christian Center, as proposed.

Although the chapter does not sponsor the weekly Mass, it continues its ministry of affirmation, support, education, spiritual development, social justice, outreach and social events. For example, the chapter-sponsored monthly potlucks following a diocesan-sponsored Mass are held either at the Campus Christian Center or a private residence.

In January 1990, in response to requests from Catholics in the local gay and lesbian community, DIGNITY/San José developed and began offering a Holy Union Liturgical Service with a lay presider.

The service provides a spiritual setting for the couple and those present to invoke God's blessings and witness the coming together of two persons into a loving, living relationship of shared commitment to spiritual and human growth. It is a vehicle for the couple to proclaim their spiritual, social and physical relationship as wholesome and good, and those present to affirm the couple and their relationship.

By providing Holy Union, Anniversary and Renewal Liturgies, the chapter promotes and affirms couples who bond themselves in spiritual and human partnerships, while educating the community and securing their recognition and support for such relationships.

At Easter 1992, DIGNITY/San José launched Project Hope, an alternative and special spiritual support ministry directed primarily towards, and sensitive to, Catholic gay, lesbian and bisexual persons with AIDS or HIV infection. Volunteers are trained providers who can render spiritual support on a regular basis to persons hospitalized, in a nursing home or hospice, or living at home or special residence who cannot attend Mass on a regular basis. Providers are trained, diocesan-commissioned lay ministers of the Holy Eucharist.

In 1993, the chapter became a member of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Task Force of the Council of Churches of Santa Clara County.

Information booth at annual San José and San Francisco Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebrations.

Chapter Co-Chairperson delivered invocation at San José Lesbian & Gay Pride Festivals in 1993 and 1994.

Information booth in 1994 at Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Resource Fair sponsored by the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Task Force of Santa Clara Country Social Services.

Speakers or panel members for classes or special presentations at two Roman Catholic institutions…St. Francis High School and University of Santa Clara, also at Stanford University and University of California Santa Cruz.

Resource to Task Force on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues, Human Relations Commission of Santa Clara County.

Sponsored fund-raising teams for annual Walk For AIDS in Santa Clara County.

A sponsor of 1994 San José display of The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Provided both monetary and volunteer support.

Participant and volunteer support for annual World Aids Day Memorial Vigil.

Helped sponsor chapter chairperson to 1994 Call to Action Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Active participation in social justice and human rights issues relating to sexual orientation or pertaining to gay and lesbian persons.

Proactive networking with other lesbian and gay organizations, community center and community at large.

Active participation and support of DIGNITY, Inc. at the regional and national level.

The chapter's newsletter was known as The Catalyst.

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