Outreach will partner with Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Chicago to host a regional gathering of LGBTQ Catholics, their families and those who minister to them on Friday evening, Oct. 24, 2025.
The event will include a prayer service inside the church and a social gathering to promote networking and to share in a dialogue about attributes that make parishes welcoming to LGBTQ people.
“We are delighted to partner with St. Mary’s as we continue our mission of celebrating, elevating and building up the LGBTQ Catholic community,” said Michael O’Loughlin, executive director of Outreach.
The Rev. Sergio Rivas, pastor of Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, said, “the LGBTQ ministry at our parish is rooted in prayer, fellowship and mutual care, where everyone is truly seen and valued. In that spirit, we look forward to a special evening of spiritual nourishment and the joy of connecting with old and new friends in the Chicago area.”
The event is part of Outreach’s goal of hosting events online and in various locations throughout the United States. The Chicago event will kick off a number of gatherings and consultations ahead of Outreach 2026, which will take place at Georgetown University next June, focused on the theme, “Walking Side by Side: Celebrating Five Years of Outreach.”
“We are seeking input from all levels of the church about how together, we can walk side by side on our faith journeys,” Mr. O’Loughlin said.
To register for the Chicago event, complete the form below and for more information, email Jack Consolie, Outreach’s communications and advancement associate, at jconsolie@americamedia.org.
