We are called to live the love of Jesus by:

Acknowledging that God created us all in His image, each one of us rare and special and wonderfully unique. Then He sent His son to teach us to care for and love one another as we love ourselves.
 
Celebrating that Christ places no conditions on His love for us, and as such, we should place no artificial barriers between Christ and those who seek to know Him, love Him and serve Him through his Church. 

Affirming that, in keeping with Christ’s teachings, and as Catholics and faithful followers of Christ in this our Holy Name of Mary parish congregation, we will joyfully do the following:

Remember, God loves us all, just the way He made us, just the way we are.

At one point, Martha mentioned to Jenny that she had invited a young man to join the group. Jenny was initially hesitant—unsure of how it would work out or whether he would feel safe and supported in a space originally intended for parents. But the meeting that followed turned out to be one of the most meaningful. His presence opened up a powerful and compassionate conversation. It became clear that having both LGBTQ+ individuals and parents present offered a mutual opportunity for understanding—from both perspectives.

From that point forward, the group opened their doors to anyone who wished to attend. Over time, they welcomed people from all walks of life—including one individual who shared that, after many years in ministry, they had encountered this topic countless times and simply wanted to know how to respond with truth and love. Recognizing the growing hunger for clarity, compassion, and informed dialogue, Jenny, Martha, and Javier joined the archdiocesan education committee and began presenting their findings across parishes. Their talks explored Church teachings, science, psychology, theology, and personal testimonies—grounding their message in both faith and lived experience.

Seeing a gap in accessibility, Javier took the initiative to translate the materials into Spanish, ensuring that these vital conversations reached a broader audience. As demand grew, their presentations extended beyond their home parish and began drawing interest across Southern California. Initially focused on parents and youth, their outreach soon expanded to include catechists, nuns, and priests. The response was overwhelming: people were hungry for this kind of formation. Children would confide in catechists about being bullied at school or church, or even kicked out of their homes, not knowing where to turn.

OUR HISTORY

The story of this ministry begins with a moment of deep love and faith. In July of 2005, Jenny Naughton’s son came out to her on his 19th birthday. She was actively involved at the St. Denis Parish in Diamond Bar and she responded with love and support. Not long after, a close relative approached her with a suggestion: she should speak with the pastor to find out whether her family’s new reality might affect her standing in her ministry roles. At the time, Jenny was a dedicated parishioner—serving as a lector, teaching confirmation classes, and singing in the choir.

They also encountered the sobering reality of how different cultural contexts shaped responses. In some regions, priests openly shared the life-threatening stigma faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. One priest said, “You have to understand that where I come from, you could be killed for being gay—but I know what you are teaching is a reality that cannot be denied.” At another presentation, a priest from Mexico approached Javier and said, “Javier, if you were to speak like that back home, you’d be lynched.” Javier’s response was simple and unwavering: “Bring it on.”

As the ministry continued to evolve, Pat Cunningham became an essential part of its story. Years earlier, Pat had stepped away from the Church after her son came out to her while in college. Faced with what felt like an impossible choice between her faith and her child, she chose her son—without hesitation.

In 2015, after a long time away, she heard a friend speak positively about Holy Name of Mary Parish. Feeling drawn to return, Pat quietly slipped into the last pew one Sunday, unsure of what to expect. As she listened, she felt as though Father Rich was speaking directly to her heart. Moved by his words, she emailed him that very night. To her surprise, he responded the next day with warmth and openness—and invited her to meet Jenny, with the hope that together they could help establish an LGBTQ+ ministry at the parish.

Together, she and Pat chose to serve as co-leaders, forming the ministry under the name No Barriers to Christ—a name Pat was inspired to create during a moment when she sensed obstacles being placed between people and their faith.

It was also during this time that they made the decision to transition the ministry from Diamond Bar to San Dimas. Remarkably, the transition was so seamless that not a single meeting was missed—moving from the warmth of Martha and Javier’s home to a dedicated space at Holy Name of Mary. Their first gathering there took place in September of that same year.

During this time, Pat also wrote the Prayer to Remove Barriers to Christ, which has been a guiding part of the ministry ever since.

Rather than seeking approval, Jenny approached the pastor simply to share what was happening in their lives. During their conversation, the pastor noted that there seemed to be a need for an LGBTQ+ ministry in the parish and suggested that a good starting point might be a group for parents. He asked if she would be interested in helping to start one.

Then in September, her best friend Martha and Martha’s husband, Javier—friends since their children’s elementary school years— shared that they were going through a similar experience with their own child. (Javier was their son’s scout master and their children attended the same schools.) Jenny told them about the pastor’s suggestion, and together they began to seriously consider the idea.

A few months later, the three attended the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, where they met David Kennedy, who led the archdiocesan catholic ministry for lesbian and gay persons (CMLGP). With his support and guidance, they began forming the group at their parish. Jenny, Martha, and Javier chose the name Always Our Children, inspired by the 1997 pastoral document released by the USCCB Committee on Marriage and Family.

Their first meeting took place at St. Denis in Diamond Bar on May 31st of 2007—coinciding with the Feast of the Visitation. Jenny shared that this timing has always felt like a sign of encouragement and acceptance from Our Blessed Mother. The Feast of the Visitation commemorates Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth— two parents walking together in faith, each carrying a child, each stepping into an unknown future. Jenny reflected on how deeply that moment mirrors the ministry’s mission: a reminder of how vital it is to walk alongside one another in love and support.

At the beginning, the group struggled to gain traction. For the first eight months, they met at St. Denis, but attendance was extremely low. It became clear that, despite the deep need for it, many individuals were hesitant to attend an LGBTQ+ meeting in such a public space. Martha and Javier graciously opened their home, while the group continued to be promoted through bulletin announcements and from the pulpit after Mass. This shift to a more private setting allowed individuals to feel more comfortable and less exposed, creating an environment where people could connect without fear of judgment. Sure enough, attendance began to grow from the very first meeting there, and other churches, already aware of the group, began referring people to them as well.

Jenny continued co-leading the ministry until 2020, after which she took on the leadership role independently through June of 2025.

As this ministry continues to grow, the heart of our mission remains the same: to create a space where stories can be shared, prayers can be lifted, and love can be expressed freely—for all of God’s children. We hope to offer a community where those who are struggling can find comfort, where those who seek understanding can find clarity, and where all are reminded that we are called not to judge, fear, or reject what we do not understand, but to love and serve as Christ did.

Jenny once shared, “If I could help one person to accept who they are or one parent go through this process of acceptance of their LGBTQ+ child, I know that would be pleasing to God, who created all children in His image.”

We believe that sharing our stories is the first step toward healing, acceptance, and deeper faith. It is through our honesty, our witness, and our compassion that hearts can open and lives can change.

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