Dignity Metro NJ

In 1969 there was a discussion group started by Fr. Pat Nidorf, held in San Diego, CA.  The group discussed the book “The Church and the Homosexual” written by Fr. John McNeil.  This discussion inspired some men and women to form an organization they called Dignity to help gay and lesbian Catholics.

On October 25, 1972, the Dignity movement found its way to New York City.  The chapter was called Dignity New York/New Jersey.  There were about ten chapters nationwide and each chapter had many outlets including social, spiritual, women’s issues, political and other out reaches.

In February of 1974, Brother Michael asked Ken G. and Michael R. to be part of a steering committee to start a separate chapter for New Jersey.  Later Madam Gloria, Paul B., Fr. Charlie, and Joe G. joined the committee.  A bank account was established, a post office box opened and in July a letter was sent to the national office of Dignity asking if the committee could begin holding public meetings using the name Dignity to try to establish a chapter in New Jersey.

On August 26, 1974, the committee received a letter from the national office officially recognizing them as a chapter with the name Dignity Metropolitan New Jersey, which was later shortened to DignityMetroNJ.  For over a year, the group met in member’s homes.  Then Brother Michael obtain meeting space at Seton Hall University in South Orange.  The chapter grew very quickly with up to 100 people in attendance at some meetings.  We invited speakers such as Fr. John McNeil, Patricia Nells Warren and the New Ways Ministry to give presentations.

A few years later, we moved to Our Lady of Help of Christians church in East Orange but that arrangement did not work out well so our chapter president at the time, Sr. Agnes, found us meeting space at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Maplewood where we have remained for over 30 years.

Our chapter and the National organization as a whole have changed over the years in its focus on ministry.  At the present time DignityMetroNJ serves the spiritual needs of the GLBT people of northern New Jersey.  Our chapter membership is smaller now but we remain to help those who need us by offering Mass on the first and third Sunday of the month at 4:00 pm.  All are welcome to worship with us as family.