The support of Holy Name Cathedral “means everything” to AGLO, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, leaders said at a May 4 Mass that recognized the cathedral parish’s role in founding AGLO as part of the celebration of Holy Name Cathedral’s 175th anniversary.

“We could not do what we do without your willingness to give your full support to our mission to serve our community,” AGLO co-director Angelina Rossi said in comments at the end of Mass. “On behalf of AGLO Chicago, we are extremely thankful for our shared past, shared present and look forward to a long relationship into the future, serving the LGBTQ+ Catholic community.”

 Holy Name Cathedral was one of six parishes that supported AGLO Chicago, the archdiocesan outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, when it began in 1988, Rossi said. It remains the only diocesan outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics that she knows of.

At the time, the six parishes provided priests in rotation to celebrate AGLO’s weekly Mass, then held at St. Sebastian Church. After the church burned down in 1991, the Masses moved to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Belmont Avenue.

While the outreach started under Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Cardinal Francis George invited the ministry to have a representative on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, and Cardinal Cupich has continued to support it.

Dan Riehle was one of AGLO’s founding members and a co-director for four years. At the time, he said, having the cathedral join the parishes partnering with the organization gave AGLO more credibility.

“It sent a message that the ministry was important to the cardinal,” Riehle said.

It also involved some time and effort on the part of the cathedral clergy, who took their turn in the rotation to celebrate weekly Masses and attended quarterly meetings where AGLO’s plans and programs were discussed, including social, spiritual and religious activities.

The pastor of one parish at a time would serve as moderator, meeting monthly with the AGLO executive board. Now that position is held by Father John McGivern, Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s pastor.

The main celebrant of the May 4 Mass, Father Andy Matijevic, is an associate pastor of Holy Name Cathedral and one of the regular rotation of priests who celebrates the AGLO Mass, something he called “an honor.”

AGLO co-director Rick Guasco said AGLO leaders know that they are ministering to people who have been hurt, often by the church and by their families.

“We know there are people who have been disowned by their families because they are gay, because they are lesbian, because they are bi, because they are trans,” he said. “We know there are people who have been spurned by the church.”

AGLO offers not just a spiritual home for people to attend Mass, but a community. In addition to weekly Masses, it sponsors and hosts social activities and service projects, as well as providing resources to other parishes and to Catholics across the archdiocese.

“It means something to us that the cathedral has been part of AGLO — our mission, our history, our community ­— from the very beginning,” he said. “They have been with us every step of the way in our journey.”

Now, Guasco said, “in challenging and changing times,” continued support from the cathedral “gives us courage and strengthens us. While our love never flags, and neither does our spirit, it’s heartening to have the love, faith and support of the larger Catholic community. That is so affirming.”

Holy Name Cathedral rector Father Greg Sakowicz, who concelebrated the Mass, thanked the congregation for welcoming cathedral clergy and parishioners.

“I want to say thank you to all of you for being who you are,” he said.

Mark Teresi, a member of the cathedral staff, said the cathedral has always supported AGLO “because of who we are.”

The cathedral wants to support everyone, not differentiating based on sexuality, he said.

“God loves all his children,” said his wife, Mary Conley-Teresi.