"The Holy Spirit Descended On Them..."

It was an incredible experience, thanks to a church full of impassioned Catholics and friends from several other denominations, and thanks to a powerful song, "For All the Children", by composer David Lohman. With cameras rolling, this intentional community sang it's heart out for the full inclusion of God's LGBTQ children and for the defeat of a hurtful anti-marriage amendment on Minnesota's ballot in November. Why film this moment? We wanted to provide a sacred visual and audio witness to the fact that many Catholics respectfully--and boldly--disagree with the Minnesota Bishops' efforts to support this amendment. We wanted to show, in the context of a profoundly inclusive hymn, that many Catholics reasonably and instinctively support our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to enter into loving and committed relationships not to be demeaned by our society. We wanted to be clear that by virtue of our baptism, Catholics are called to follow the dictate of their informed personal consciences, even when that means differing with our leaders on issue. Immediately following the final "take" of the filmed performance of the song, the packed church erupted in a spontaneous, 3-minute long applause peppered with shouts and hollers of gladness. A testimony to the soul-centered belief that all God's children deserve a place in the choir! In late summer, Catholics for Marriage Equality will host a gala premiere to launch the 'Sing Out' video. In the meantime, we'll be asking hundreds of friends and allies to commit to posting the video on their social media channels. We want the citizens of Minnesota to know without doubt that for many people of faith, a NO Vote in November comes because of our faith, not despite our faith.

May our hearts and minds be opened, fling the church doors open wide, may there be room enough for everyone inside. For in God there is a welcome, in God we all belong. May that welcome be our song!

---Refrain from "For All the Children"