During the past several months our faith has been tested. Tested by our political leaders, tested by our religious leaders and even tested by each other. Over the years I have learned that it helps not to be thin-skinned. Tolerance and compassion have become two very important words in my vocabulary.

DIGNITY has become for me a community of friends who share a common faith and every now and then come together in fellowship. Someone recently said that DIGNITY doesn’t have enough fellowship. To some extent I would agree with that premise. I see a need for our chapter to spend more time doing things together as a community of friends. No easy task one might add, given the many distractions we have here in San Diego. It is, however, an achievable goal. Once upon a time we had an active AIDS outreach program. We could again. Once upon a time we had an active Social Activities Program. We could again. Once upon a time DIGNITY in San Diego was all aglow with enthusiasm and great ideals. Well, that enthusiasm and the great ideals are still there. We just need to cultivate them and bring out the best in each other.

We have been faced with many challenges and tough decisions in the past few months. In many ways I think that we will become stronger because of those challenges and difficult decisions. DIGNITY throughout the United States has experienced a kind of lull if you will. Having been a part of this fantastic organization for nearly 25 years I can honestly say that DIGNITY is experiencing adolescent growing pains. Now is the time for us to "hang in there" and prepare ourselves for full adulthood in our church and society.

Fr. John Crepeau referred to all of us, in one of his homilies, as amateur lovers. That is so true in my opinion. And our amateur status demands that we strive to be the lovers that Christ has called us to be. We must be ever vigilant in our daily lives to be lovers to one another and lovers to those who feel they have no one to love them. Our Statement of Position and Purpose says that "DIGNITY is organized...to be an instrument through which we may be heard by the Church and Society."

It is not enough for us to come together each week in celebration of Mass. We must be faithful to our goals and continue to stand up against injustice whenever and wherever we see it. Not only is DIGNITY a community of friends, it has also become family to many of us. Let us recognize the talents we each have to offer and to be frank and honest with each other when it is called for. DIGNITY is so much bigger than each of us as individuals. There has never been a greater need for DIGNITY than now. Let us remain focused on our responsibilities and dare to be great.