Good Morning, Morning Coffee always seems to ignite my writing. Today is no exception. After seven years of becoming Catholic out of conservative Anglicanism, I realize what my primary purpose is in the Catholic Church.  This is to save as many Catholic Neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ lives and families as I possibly can. To be honest, there are times I want to bolt out the door. My family will not allow it; my friends will not allow it; and believe the... Read more

If you’ve read some of my past pieces in my Patheos column, you will find a number of references to my ministry with LGBTQ+ children/young adults and their families.  What you may not know is my ultra-conservative views on matters of gender and sexuality until I faced this as a parent.  Experiencing trauma within one’s own family will recalibrate our lenses and help us see the world differently. I am no exception to this. It’s no mistake that the Lord... Read more

Trying to stay positive is something I want to do and am trying to do.  In times past, I’ve always looked to my faith in Christ and those who share a love for Him.  Devastatingly so, it’s been difficult to find other Christians who oppose the increase of fascism and the toxicity of our current political climate.  In all honesty, finding Texas Christians who oppose Trumpism, the rise in fascism, and want what is best for the Common Good of... Read more

As I drink my morning coffee, I’ve come to a cold reality, and it’s not an easy reality to admit. I truly believe that if Adolf Hitler were the front runner for the Republican party, there are a number of white American Christians (not all) who would not only vote for Adolf Hitler but campaign for him with full-throated support.  I am very careful not to classify all Republicans this way because I adore my husband, and he is a... Read more

I have faced a great reality; I am no longer able to regularly attend a mostly white Church which also leans Republican. I am happy to visit for the sake of my extended family, but I cannot and will not regularly be a part of a Church which leans mostly Republican, white, and nationalistic.  This is why we attend the downtown Catholic Cathedral which is mostly Hispanic.  Simply, I don’t want to be a part of a faith community which... Read more

I know my faith teaches me not to fear, to not be afraid, but I am, especially here in Texas in our current political climate.   Not only is it challenging to parent my LGBTQ+ own young adult children, assist other Catholic parents of LGBTQ+ kids, but it is also challenging to do so in the state of Texas.   This challenge has nothing to do with my kids actually being gay. This is almost solely to do with how families like... Read more

In my practice as an Educational Therapist, ongoing training is a necessity.                                                                                                                               Within the last few years,... Read more

Dearest ____________________, 3-30-2023 I hope you both are doing well. I write to you today because due to very recent statements and legislation, both in civil society and ecclesial settings, families like mine (Neurodivergent, mentally handicapped, and LGBTQIA+ families) are currently in clear danger. These current statements and legislation are increasing violence against our families, increasing suicides, increasing harm, and increasing disparity. Every single major medical association in the world says to accept, love, include our families for the way... Read more

Looking back in retrospect over the last 7 years, in some regards, my faith and practice as a Catholic have barely survived the growing threat of fascism in the Church, the mass exodus of young people leaving the Church over this, attacks from me becoming an LGBTQ+ ally, being a supportive Catholic mother of LGBTQ+ kids, the fierce surge of anti-intellectualism and anti-science in the Church, and calling out the Catholic/Religious Right for their support of fascism/Trumpism. To say that... Read more

Over the last few weeks, I have felt compelled to post material on my Facebook page which speaks of the “purge” the Catholic right wing attempts to do which various varieties of religious fundies are doing all over the world. These conservative Catholics are not all conservative American Catholics but “fundie Catholics” who are on a mission to destroy other American Catholics and those in broader society who are not white, straight, and Republican. Their main tactics are fear, hatred,... Read more