Out and About – August 2011

Above: The Catholic Coalition for Church Reform's third annual "Evening in the Park" fundraiser at Lake Elmo Park Reserve – August 2, 2011. Our keynote speaker was Diana Culbertson, O.P. (left) of FutureChurch. Diana spoke about the important role of conscience in the work of church reform.








Above: Friends Cheryl and Kathleen at CCCR's August 2 fundraiser. Kathleen is wearing a t-shirt from CCCR's 2010 Synod of the Baptized, while Cheryl is holding one cute little dog!

Right: With my friends Brent and Lisa who serve with me on the board of Catholics for Marriage Equality MN. Brent and Lisa also feature in the soon-to-be-released video series that spotlights a number of LGBT Catholic couples (both gay and straight) sharing stories of faith, marriage and family. The series will premiere on September 29 at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event!


Left: Friends Theresa and William at CCCR's "Evening in the Park" fundraiser – May 2, 2011. William Hunt is a well-respected local theologian. To read his 2006 commentary on civil unions and Christian tradition, click here. For William's 2008 review of John T. Noonan, Jr.’s A Church That Can and Cannot Change: The Development of Catholic Moral Teaching, click here.




Above: A gathering of the Catholic Coalition for Church Reform (CCCR) – August 23, 2011.

CCCR's second annual Synod of the Baptized, entitled "Making Our Voices Heard," takes place on September 17, 2011, at the DoubleTree Hilton in Bloomington, MN.



Above: My friend and fellow CCCR co-chair Bernie Rodel – August 23, 2001.



Above: The backyard of the house I live in and caretake . . . after its makeover! How much of a makeover? Well, click here to find out!

Right: With my friend Al, the creative mastermind behind the makeover.

For images showing the progress of my "backyard makeover" throughout the month of August, see here, here, here and here.



Above: A portrait of my friend Greg.

Greg also played a major role in transforming the backyard.



Above and below: Working on the front yard!




Above: Ta-Dah!



Above: August 30 was my friends' Brian and Bob's birthday! Pictured with me celebrating in style at Pizza Luce in Uptown, Minneapolis, are (from right) Brian, Rick, Bob and John. Yes, gay guys out on the town!