Acceptance Sydney would like to invite you to join us for our annual Christmas event. This year we will celebrate the season of Advent with a beautiful Carol Service focusing on the meaning of Christmas. 

All are invited to attend Mass on Friday, 1 December at 7:00 pm (AEDT) with a special reflection on World Aids Day.

This is a solemn opportunity to remember all those lost to or affected in any way by HIV/AIDS, as well as their families and friends. World AIDS Day is a global day of observance designated on 1 December every year since 1988 dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic.

All are invited to attend Mass on 2 December at 7:00 pm (AEDT) with a special reflection on World Aids Day.

This is a solemn opportunity to remember all those lost to or affected in any way by HIV/AIDS, as well as their families and friends. World AIDS Day is a global day of observance designated on 1 December every year since 1988 dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic.

All are welcome to attend the Acceptance Sydney 2022 AGM on 4 November at 20.00hrs (AEDT), with financial members able to vote and participate in discussion on key agenda items including but not limited to: 

• Election of Committee/Office Bearers
• Confirm the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting 2021
• To confirm the report of the Treasurer for the past financial year.
• Update from the committee on the activities of Acceptance Sydney during the past financial year
• Proposed approach in 2023 

Please note that all members are welcome to nominate for the Committee filling out the "Committee Nomination Form" and sending to [email protected] 

Proxies are accepted until 3 November 2022 using the "Form of Appointment of Proxy"

After an absence due to the Pandemic, Acceptance Sydney welcomes you back to Mass this Friday, inviting all people of faith to celebrate the life and spirit that LGBTIQ+ people bring to the community with a Mass before Mardi Gras at the new time of 7pm, 4 March.

We do ask that all visitors maintain social distancing and comply with all public health restrictions to ensure a safe environment for all. 

Online World AIDS DAY Commemoratory Mass

All are invited to attend an online Mass on 3 December at 8:00 pm (AEDT) with a special reflection on World Aids Day.

This is a solemn opportunity to remember all those lost to or affected in any way by HIV/AIDS, as well as their families and friends. World AIDS Day is a global day of observance designated on 1 December every year since 1988 dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic

This will be streamed via a Zoom link. If you are not already on the mailing list, please send an email to [email protected] expressing your interest to be involved and we will send you the invitation link.

All are welcome to attend the Acceptance Sydney 2021 AGM online via Zoom on 20 November at 14.00hrs (AEDT), with paid up members able to vote and participate in discussion on key agenda items including but not limited to: 

• Election of Committee/Office Bearers
• Proposed approach in 2022 
• Proposed update to our constitution

Please note that all paid up members are welcome to nominate for the Committee filling out the "Committee Nomination Form" and sending to [email protected] no later than 5 November 2021. 

Proxies are accepted until 11 November 2021 using the "Form of Appointment of Proxy".

Notification will be sent to all members in due course with all the relevant information.

You are invited to an online reflection bringing together the LGBTIQ+ faith community to come together during this difficult time of the Pandemic.  If you would like to participate please email us at [email protected] and we will send you a Zoom invitation. 

Acceptance Sydney invites all people of faith to celebrate the life and spirit that LGBTIQ+ people bring to the community with our Online Mass on the Friday night before the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 

If you would like to attend please email Acceptance Sydney at: [email protected] and a Zoom invitation will be sent out to you. 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Join  Acceptance Sydney on Friday evening 27 November in an online liturgy and fellowship that will nurture your faith, inspire you to continue the fight to rid the world of HIV and AIDS and help build a stronger spirit of community amongst us.

During the Mass, the gospel values of love, hope and peace will be kept in mind as we remember our partners, friends and family that have died or are now living with HIV/AIDS.

Acceptance Sydney invites all people of faith to celebrate the life and spirit that LGBTQI people bring to the community with our Mass on the Friday night before Mardi Gras. 8pm, Feb 28, St Joseph's, Newtown.

Acceptance Sydney would like to invite you to join us for our annual Christmas event. This year we will celebrate the season of Advent with a beautiful Carol Service focusing on the meaning of Christmas, followed by a light refreshments. 

Trivia Night Theme:ABBA 

A day of reflection and hope for all Catholics who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (L.G.B.T.I.Q.)

The Gospel and Catholic teaching supports the flourishing of Catholics who identify as LGBTIQ.

For many LGBTIQ Catholics, some church teachings have hampered their experience of their giftedness. This day will assist LGBTIQ Catholics discover, embrace and share their gifts as equal members of the church.

This day will be a space for LGBTIQ Catholics to embrace, honour and value their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.

The day will be centred on our individual and shared journeys and how our unique and lived realities form part of a tapestry that enriches the people of God.

Please register for a Ticket if you wish to attend the retreat. We request for a donation of $10 to help with catering on the day as you verify your registration upon on entry to the event. Places are limited, first come first serve basis. Registration closes May 18th.

Where: Near Parramatta – full details with registration    

When: Saturday June 1, 9.30am – 4pm.

Includes lunch and Mass

Cost: $10 donation but you must register for catering and details we will email to you.

Registration ESSENTIAL: https://register.eventarc.net/e/42657

Information: www.gaycatholic.com.au

This retreat is organized by Acceptance Sydney in partnership with Rainbow Catholics InterAgency for Ministry.

Acceptance Sydney has been ministering with LGBT Catholics for 47 years, supporting LGBT Catholics, our family and friends. 

Rainbow Catholics InterAgency for Ministry is a national Catholic pastoral group supporting organisations as well as pastoral workers, leaders and organisers in the Australian church to better reach out and support LGBTIQ Catholics and their loved ones.

Acceptance Sydney would like to invite you to join us for our annual Christmas event. This year we will celebrate the season of Advent with a beautiful Mass focusing on the meaning of Christmas, followed by a light refreshments. 

All are welcome to join in a special community commemoration for World AIDS Day.

A solemn opportunity is provided to remember all those lost to or affected in any way by AIDS, as well as their families and friends. World AIDS Day is a global day of observance. Services commemorate the losses of so many and the impact on their loved ones, families and friends. Join us as a community in solidarity with all those affected by AIDS and HIV, past and present.

CELEBRATING GREASE AND THE 1950s 

In the lead up to Christmas, Acceptance Sydney invites all to join St. Joseph's Newtown in a Parish Christmas Carol Service. 

Afterwards all are invited to join Acceptance Sydney in its annual Christmas celebration shared supper from 9PM. Please bring a plate to share if you are able to.

It will be a wonderful way to conclude the calendar year with a joyful gathering of singing carols and celebrating the joy that Christmas brings.

World AIDS Day 2017
Mass and Commemoration

St Joseph’s Newtown, Friday 1 December 8PM

All are welcome. Doors open at 7:15PM. The mass begins at 8:00PM. Coffee and tea will be available beforehand. Please join us afterwards for light refreshments.

All are welcome and invited to join in a very special community mass and commemoration for World AIDS Day. A solemn opportunity is provided to remember by name all those lost to or affected in any way by AIDS, as well as their families and friends.      

AIDS has been in the world for more than three decades. World AIDS Day is a global day of observance. Services commemorate in a meaningful and heartfelt way the losses of so many and the impact on their loved ones, families and friends. We also acknowledge the ongoing impact of AIDS in so many countries throughout the world. Join us as a community in solidarity with all those affected by AIDS and HIV, past and present.

Acceptance Sydney Presents the 2017 Annual Trivia Night

A fun-filled fancy-dress trivia extravaganza to help raise funds for Stanford House and Acceptance Sydney, with this year’s theme being The Elvis Era.

Be part of a great opportunity to support two great causes while having fun dressing up as your favourite Elvis era personality while enjoying being part of a trivia competition and of course dancing to the music of the Elvis Era.

There are prizes for the best dressed, best decorated table and the of course for the winners of the trivia competition.

Spaces are limited so please register your attendance or any questions you may have by emailing: [email protected] and providing:

1. The number of people that wish to attend (you are very welcome to come by yourself or in a group)
2.  name/s of attendees 
3. The group/party you represent (if relevant)

Tickets are $25 (plus booking fee if paid by credit card) with BYO dinner and drinks.

Get your tickets now at AcceptanceTrivia2017.EventBrite.com.au

Doors open at 7.00pm with the evening trivia beginning at 7.30pm.

Funds raised help support Stanford House and Acceptance Sydney.

Since 1991, Stanford House has provided outreach support, respite accommodation and short-term supported accommodation for people living with HIV/AIDS as well as carers and family members. Acceptance Sydney is a welcoming ministry of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families and friends, affirming their dignity and Catholic faith. For more than a decade the parish of St Joseph’s Newtown has provided a ministry to LGBT Catholics.

Buy Tickets Now via EventBrite (+fees) or via the below form

In preparation for Easter, please join us and the Newtown parish in a Lenten Reconciliation Service. This service will replace the usual Friday night Mass at 8pm. 

Please also note that there will not be a Friday night Mass on Good Friday April 14 2017.   

Acceptance Sydney would like to invite to you to join us and the Newtown Parish for our annual Christmas event. This year we will celebrate the season of Advent with beautiful Christmas Carols and a Mass focusing on the meaning of Christmas, followed by a light supper. 

Join members of Acceptance Sydney in solidarity with all those affected by AIDS and HIV, past and present. 

All are welcome to join in a very special community mass and commemoration for World AIDS Day. A solemn opportunity is provided to remember by name all those lost to or affected in any way by AIDS, as well as their families and friends.

If you cannot attend but wish some special names to be remembered on the night, please email [email protected].

All members of Acceptance Sydney are invited to attend the AGM for Financial Year 2017 at 2.30pm.

Join Acceptance Sydney in our annual fund raising event, A Night of Trivia!

This year the theme is MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC, with questions spanning all things musical!

Come in Fancy Dress (anything musical) and join in a great trivia event with great prizes to win.

All proceeds raised will go to support both Stanford House (supporting people with HIV/AIDS ) and Acceptance Sydney

Join us at 8PM on Friday 12 August at St Joseph's for a special Liturgy of Forgiveness to LGBTQI People. This evening promises to be a very special one. All are welcome. The liturgy takes the place of the normal Friday night mass. 

‘I believe that the Church ... should apologise to the person who is gay.’

— Pope Francis, 2016

 Recently the Pope said 'I believe that the Church ... should apologise to the person who is gay.' We invite you to a community prayer where we can recognise the failure of the church, God's people, to keep LGBTIQ people safe from discrimination and hurt.

Please join us — gay and straight together.

We acknowledge the Cadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which St Joseph’s stands. St Joseph’s aims to Provide a safe place for all people to pray regardless of age, race, creed, gender, cultural background or sexual orientation.

In preparation for Easter, please join us and the Newtown parish in a Lenten Reconciliation service. This service will replace the usual Friday night Mass at 8pm. 

Please also note that there will not be a Friday night Mass on Good Friday, March 25.   

                                                 ** OUR THEME THIS YEAR IS..... EQUALLY BLESSED **

For those of you who support the mission of Acceptance Sydney and are interested in joining Acceptance Members, Family and Friends in promoting our message that it is ok to be GLBT and Catholic in a respectful and fun way, please contact Acceptance Sydney at [email protected] by 26 February 2016 to express an interest.

The cost will only be $25 and you must be prepared to attend two briefing sessions. (There are very limited spaces)

Happy Mardi Gras! 

Come and join Acceptance Sydney at their annual Fair Day stall and say hi to members and friends while enjoying a beautiful day being part of the broader GLBTQI community at Fair Day, celebrating the beginning of the Mardi Gras Season 2016

As we begin the year, everyone is welcome to come along to a special Healing Mass on Friday 29th January 2016 at the 8pm Parish Mass.

Acceptance Sydney invites all to join St. Joseph's Newtown in a Parish Christmas Carol Service. 

Afterwards all participants are invited to join Acceptance Sydney in its annual Christmas celebration supper from 9pm. 

~ PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO MASS ON FRIDAY EVENING 25th December 2015, due to it being Christmas Day~
 

Please join St. Joseph's Parish Newtown and Acceptance Sydney in a Reconciliation service, a lovely way to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. 

The Friday night mass will therefore be replaced by Reconciliation at 8pm.

 **** Due to the Rain and predicted thunderstorms today the Picnic is Cancelled****

Thank you to all those who said they would come 

Come along from midday and join Acceptance Sydney members, family and friends for a picnic in the beautiful Centennial Parklands.

BYO food and drink and enjoy the great company in a beautiful setting close to the centre of Sydney. We will set up near the Rose Garden and look for the Gay Catholic banners.  

~ Please note that in the event of rain or bad weather, this picnic will not proceed ~

Regular buses from Circular Quay, Central Stn, Bondi Jn Stn and surrounding suburbs. Trains to Central and Bondi Jn, both a 30-40 minute walk to the Parklands.

All are welcome to join in a special community mass and commemoration for World AIDS Day.

A solemn opportunity is provided to remember all those lost to or affected in any way by AIDS, as well as their families and friends. World AIDS Day is a global day of observance. Services commemorate the losses of so many and the impact on their loved ones, families and friends. Join us as a community in solidarity with all those affected by AIDS and HIV, past and present.

This year, Acceptance Sydney will host a weekend retreat. 

You’ve heard the phrase: Living our lives, living our faith. Do you wonder if your life is at odds with your faith, or vice versa? Or perhaps you have found a way to live your life with authenticity and integrity? Does wholeness have anything to do with holiness? How does a community of faith add anything positive to my own really painful (sometimes painfully real) journey? How do the words sexuality and spirituality even fit in the same sentence? Is there a safe space where I can ask those difficult questions that I’ve been too afraid to ask? If you’ve ever had a thought like these, this retreat is for you!

The retreat will take place over two days in the beautiful surrounds of the Southern Highlands providing a perfect opportunity to discuss, consider and reflect on our faith and ourselves.

No need to bring anything with you, all materials will be supplied.

Time and Duration:
Start at 09.30hrs on Saturday to 14.00hrs on Sunday

Cost:
Members $200, non-members $250 per person, inclusive of accommodation and meals

Contact Paolo for more information at [email protected]

Newtown Parish invites Acceptance members and friends to a LGBTI Forum, held as part of the Parish Faithworks program.

This forum intends to provide a space for all interested - gay and straight; Catholic, all religions and none - to engage in a dialogue on inclusion of LGBTIQ voices in Catholic discourse, hearing from a panel of respected members of the community.

PANEL:

• Melody Gardiner (Community Organiser);
• Sue and Les Mico (PFLAG);
• Fr Roy O'Neill MSC (Parish priest)
• Ben Oh (Co-convenor of Rainbow Catholics)

The Interim Report at last year's Synod on the Family broke new ground when it said:

"Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community."Are we capable of providing for these people, guaranteeing them a place of fellowship in our communities? Oftentimes, they want to encounter a Church which offers them a welcoming home. Are our communities capable of this, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation...?"(50).  

It's time to listen to LGBTIQ stories as fellowship gift and grace.

It's time to embrace all church members by virtue of baptismal dignity and equality inviting all to a true human flourishing. 

All Acceptance Sydney members are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting.

The Acceptance Trivia Night theme this year is “Celebrating Australiana”

As always it is a "fancy dress" event.

The night will be great fun, with prizes for best dressed Australian Theme and best Australian table decoration.

There are raffles to be won and the opportunity to get up and dance! 

All proceeds go to Stanford House (supporting people living with HIV/AIDS) and Acceptance Sydney (for GLBT Catholics).

Bring along some friends and book a table. (up to 10 to a table)

No worries if it is just yourself, we can sit you on a table, we are a friendly bunch!

This event is BYO Food and drinks.

Hope to see you there!

Doors open 7 pm, with the trivia quiz starting at 7:30 pm.

COST: $25 (non Acceptance Sydney member) and $20 for Acceptance Members.

Acceptance Membership forms will be provided on the night if you would like to join.

Please book by filling out the form below or contact Paolo on the Acceptance email address.

For more information please  email: [email protected] or refer to our our Trivia Night 

Facebook event,  https://www.facebook.com/events/1418876388434916/

More info on Stanford House can be found on their website here: http://www.stanfordhouse.org.au/

More info on Acceptance​ Sydney can be found on our website http://www.gaycatholic.com.au/