A ministry for those who experience same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria
What is The Pursuit?
Welcome! It is good that you are here. You may be here right now because you are longing for something greater or simply because you are curious. Nevertheless, welcome.
The world often gives two options to those who experience same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria: live your life however you want, or keep these experiences locked up and don’t tell anyone. What if we could present to you a third option? The Pursuit is an initiative for those who are longing for a community of faithful people who are striving for a deep relationship with our Lord. It also creates a space for us to be our authentic selves. The Lord pursues each of us so deeply and wants nothing more than for us to be with Him.
We are all called to holiness, and the Lord truly delights in every single one of us. Whether you are longing for deep healing or simply are looking for a community of shared experiences, you are wanted here. The Lord has a specific vocation for each of us and we want to embark on that beautiful journey together.
You are loved, you are worth it, and you are welcomed.
Student Testimony:
“I never thought I could be loved because of my experience with same-sex attraction. I felt that I did not have a place in the Catholic Church because I have this experience. Boy, was I wrong. The Lord brought me so much healing and showed me that He has a specific calling for me and He wants to use my gifts to build His Kingdom. Through joining a small group community, I was given a community of people who share my experiences, yet are choosing to pursue God in a deep relationship. All I had to do was surrender. It is one of the simplest yet hardest things I have ever done. This experience is going to last with me my whole life, yet I now have a deep trust that the Lord is going to make the most beautiful things out of it. It is not an easy journey by any means, but the Lord has shown me time and again that he loves me through it all.”
More about the Pursuit
St. Mary’s Statement of Belief
In union with a traditional, Biblical anthropology and sexual ethic as proclaimed throughout Christian history and articulated by the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian churches, we state the following. We believe that the human person is made in the image and likeness of God. Each person possesses intrinsic dignity as a unique, unrepeatable human being. We are called by God first to union with Him. We believe that the human person is both corporeal and spiritual. The entire human person - body and soul - is willed by God. Being created male or female is a “very good” reality willed by God. Our sexual identity is rooted in our whole person, male or female. We acknowledge that effects of the Fall are present in both our bodies and souls, and in sexual identity and sexual desire for all persons in various ways. We believe that we are not individually morally culpable for our concupiscence. Desire becomes a matter of vice or virtue when the will is engaged in choice. To experience discord within one’s bodily sex or to experience attraction to someone of the same sex is not sinful per se. We believe that sexual expression is intended for an exclusive, indissoluble marriage between one man and one woman. Sexual expression outside of this union is sinful for all persons. Every person is called to holiness, and to chaste integration of their sexuality according to their state in life.
Does the Pursuit use conversion therapy or “pray away the gay” techniques?
While The Pursuit does adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church, we do not condone any techniques that try to deny or change a person’s real experiences. We acknowledge that these experiences are a part of our members’ lives and want to create a space to share these experiences with one another in a sanctifying way.
Do you desire to learn more?
The Pursuit will provide a supportive and formative community of fellow students striving to live a virtuous life. Participation in this ministry is confidential. For more information, contact Amanda using the email address below.