Come back”Walking opens a path” the weekend for LGBT+ Christians, their parents and the pastoral workers who accompany them organized byLa Tenda di Gionatain collaboration with the PAC (LGBT+ Christian Adults Project) e 3timesParents, the network for Christian parents with LGBT+ children. Since the afternoon ofFriday 19th to lunch on Sunday 21st May 2023, we will meet at the gates of Rome, in Albano Laziale (in the Ariccia area), in a structure immersed in the greenery of the Roman castles, equipped with internal parking and easily reachable by train, car, bus and also give them Rome airports.
THE RETREAT PROGRAMME: to read it click here
HOW TO GET: We will be guests of theSan Girolamo Emiliani Reception House of the Somaschi Fathers, in via Rufelli 14, in Ariccia (Albano Laziale, ROME), for the google maps link to get there click here. The structure has internal parking and is easily accessible by car or train (see timetable Friday), walk from Albano Laziale train station (about 15/20 minutes, which becomes 5 by car) and is connected by buses from Rome's airports (See from Ciampino, You see from Fiumicino). For the map of the accommodations of the structure click here
THE DATES: Arrival and registration are expectedfrom 2.00pm to 4.30pm on Friday 19 May 2023. The three days will endSunday 21 May 2023with the Mass followed by the farewell lunch together.
The day ofSATURDAY May 20thit is open to participation even for those who do not stay overnight in the structure, it is however mandatoryregister online, participation being limited by available places.
THE THEMES OF THE THREE DAYS:Friday afternoon 19 May:“The road and the village”; Saturday 20 May:“Of hospitality and home”; Sunday morning 21 May:“Of diaconates and spiritual formation”
THE EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS:Various workshops will take place on Saturday (you can participate in one workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon, booking which ones to attend will take place online 15 days in advance) to enjoy different sharing and training experiences:
1. «Do you understand what you are reading?» (Acts 8.30) Reread the Bible with the eyes of the heart withDon Fabio, author of the daily biblical reflections ongionata.org
2. «Can a mother not bless her children?» Blessing of homosexual couples in the Catholic Church with Don Cosimo Scordato (professor of Sacramental Theology at the Theological Faculty of Sicily) and author with Andrea Grillo of "Can a mother not bless her children? Homoemotional unions and the Catholic faith” (Cittadella publishing house, 2021)
3. «A thousand shades of gender». Stories of transgender people and their families edited by PROJECT TRANSitions, a network for transgender believers, their parents and their friends.
4. «It can be done!» How to live your Catholic faith without compromise, without denying your homosexuality edited by Gianni Geraci (Guado Group)
5. «Being Christian in the catacombs» (Morning visit) Visit to the catacombs of San Senatore in Albano Laziale
6. «The wonder of love». The experience of spiritual accompaniment of same-sex couples edited by Maria and Paolo, Filippo and Tommaso, respectively a couple of Catholic parents and a civilly united gay couple who have long been leading a spiritual journey for homo-affective couples
7. «Concrete evidence of inclusion». What training, reception and integration of LGBT+ people in Catholic associations and movements? edited by Don Fausto and the Jesuit Father Pino Piva.
8. «And yet it moves!». The church of Pope Francis and LGBT+ people between openings and closures: some interpretative criteria with Francesco Lepore, journalist expert on LGBT+ issues and the Catholic church.
9. «Educators always!». Human and professional experiences with LGBT+ people in the world of school by the networkIRC RAINBOWof teachers of the Catholic religion.
PLACES AVAILABLE: There are100 seats(20 places are reserved for PAC, LGBT+ Christian Adults Project), 10 places in a single room are reserved for religious and consecrated people in the Somaschi Fathers' guesthouse (2 minutes walk from the retreat location), the other participants will be accommodated in the structure in rooms with two, three or four beds. Each room is complete with pillows, sheets, towels and hand soap, however shower gel, shampoo and hairdryer are NOT supplied.
Prices are all with full board (overnight stay + breakfast + lunch and dinner). Rooms will be assigned until sold out.
Anyone who wants to stay in the room with their spouse or other participants must explicitly specify this when registering online.
Those who want to participate in the retreat without an overnight stay can only access the retreat on SATURDAY, but at the time of MANDATORY registration they must purchase at least one meal (lunch or dinner or both) as a contribution to expenses for the structure.
COSTS: The costs include FULL BOARD for those who stay for the entire period (overnight stay and meals from Friday afternoon to Sunday lunch) or at least one meal for those who will only participate on SATURDAY without overnight stay.
The registration fee is the same whether you stay for two or three days, it must be calculated based on your income, so those with financial problems (students, unemployed, etc..) will pay a participation fee that is lower than the costs incurred, while those with a higher income will also contribute for them.
Anyone who has financial problems let us know, we will try to help them.
Those who participate only on SATURDAY, at the time ofmandatory registration, must purchase at least one meal (lunch or dinner or both) as a contribution to the facility.
These are the participation costs per person:
- 100 eurosfor students, the unemployed, housewives or people with an income of up to 600 euros per month;
- 150 eurosfor those with a monthly income of up to 1,500 euros per month;
- 200 eurosfor those with a monthly income of 1,500 euros and above.
- 25 eurosfor those who participate without an overnight stay only on SATURDAY with 1 meal (lunch or dinner);40 eurowith 2 meals (lunch and dinner); 50 eurosfor 3 meals
It is required of whom STAY OVERNIGHT adeposit of 50 euros to block the room, the BALANCE must be paid before the start of the collection.
Those who participate without ACCOMMODATION must pay the cost of meals upon registration.
REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MADE BY 7 May 2023, simply fill out the online form available on https://forms.gle/WxA6At6PrkgWYG4B9
After having received confirmation via email of room availability, you must pay the deposit50 euros or the cost of meals for those who participate only on SATURDAY.The balance must be paid by the STAYER via bank transfer before the start of the retreat.
In case of cancellation, the deposit will be refunded. Advance payments must be paid into the Association's current accountLa Tenda di Gionata, the IBAN will be provided at the time of registration.
When registering online we will ask all registrants if they have any food allergies.
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE MADE UNTIL THE END OF AVAILABLE PLACES
Does anything change with Covid?We would like to experience these three days without particular limits or distancing. However, as a greater guarantee, in the week preceding the initiative, it is recommended to reduce your contacts with other people to the bare minimum and to always maintain high self-monitoring of your health conditions (colds, fever, etc.). In case of health problems it will NOT be possible to participate in the retreat and the deposit will be fully refunded.
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TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF “WALKING S'APRE CAMMINO”
From exile to the Sea of Galilee: when the journey becomes an alliance by Antonio, an LGBT+ Christian
When I accepted myself as a young gay man, I found God waiting for me there by Mattia, a young LGBT+ Christian
The four challenges of LGBT+ believers and their families of Don Antonio
As a Christian and as a father I tell you: "LGBT+ children are all our children" by Mauro, Christian parent with an LGBT+ child
“I need to believe, I need you” by Edoardo, a young LGBT+ Christian
“20 years ago all this would have been unthinkable” by Luca, an LGBT+ Christian
By walking with others we learn to heal the wounds in our lives. Testimony of Carmine, a young LGBT+ Christian
“When words become prayer”by Roberto, a Christian parent with an LGBT+ child
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“Jesus who was poor left us two things that are important, two, two, two: I leave you my peace and I give you my joy which no one can take away from you, no one! Not even missiles, not even bombs, no one will take this joy away from you, no one, no strength because the joy is from within, it doesn't come from outside. It arises from our self, from our true self, in our true self, not in the narcissistic self. So you see, after all, we are two who gain when we meet, when we meet the asymmetrical self: him and me, our salvation is mutual. He gives me salvation and I try to give him life."
