Denver Catholic

27 DENVER CATHOLIC | MAY 28-JUNE 10, 2016 Made in his image O n May 13th, the US Depart- ment of Justice and the US Department of Education issued a joint directive to public school districts, regarding the rights aŸorded to students identi- fying as transgender. The section fol- lowing the "Sex-Seg- regated Activities and Facilities" is of course what has people talking. For it is here, under the heading Restrooms and Locker Rooms, where we read that a school "may provide separate facilities on the basis of sex, but must allow transgender students access to such facilities consistent with their gender identity. A school may not require transgender students to use facilities inconsistent with their gender identity or to use individu- al-user facilities when other students are not required to do so (emphasis mine)." As a parent with seven children presently enrolled in public schools, this is more than a little disconcerting to me. Although it has certainly not been an issue for us yet, I am now aware that the federal government would have my sons and daughters dressing in locker rooms among peers of the opposite sex. That this does not at all give the civil rights divisions of the DOJ and DOE pause is particu- larly ba»ing, because what about the rights of my children? I will confess, though, that what I ultimately find most heartbreaking is the utter confusion that reigns among young people today, particu- larly when it comes to their sexuality. Amidst all of the (well-deserved) objections to such short-sighted and dangerous government policies, we Catholics must also take care not to lose sight of the fact that people are lacking and grappling for answers to the questions of, "what does it mean to be created as a man?", and "what does it mean to be created as a woman?" That is of course not to say that there aren't those who struggle— due to any number of factors, and I suspect the factors are many—with things like gender identity and sexual orientation. As Catholics we certainly must seek to love, extend mercy, and acknowledge the dignity of each and every human person, especially persons in the margins of society, or who are prone to expe- riencing feelings of worthlessness. Statistically speaking, men and women who are transgendered are more likely to battle depression, sui- cidal ideation, and to be victims of violence. But it is also true, as Pope Francis writes in Amoris Letitia, that "biological sex and the socio-cultural role of sex (gender) can be distin- guished but not separated(no. 56)." This reality must not be obscured or overlooked, and the bishops are right to point out that the federal govern- ment has essentially short-circuited some crucial elements of this import- ant conversation. So what is a parent like me to do in this cultural age of brokenness and confusion? In addition to protecting the privacy of my children (if and when we cross this bridge at their respective schools), I must all the more continue instructing them in the ways of our Lord. I will take them to Mass and tell them they are des- perately loved by Jesus. I will encour- age them to love, respect, and engage others. When we see an employee at the store who is clearly trans- gendered, and my twelve-year-old daughter asks if it's a boy or a girl (yes, this really did happen a few months ago), I'll tell her once again of God's beautiful plan for men, women, mar- riage, and the good of society. I'll remind her about the dignity and value inherent in every single person, regardless how that person struggles. We'll talk about being charitable, and about seeing Jesus in the faces of those she encounters. And, I will take Pope Francis' words to heart when he writes that "the young need to be helped to accept their own body as it was cre- ated" (Amoris Laetitia, no. 285). I'll do my best to cultivate a healthy, God-centered, realistic body image in my children, and to listen to their questions, doubts and concerns--and then reply with both humility and honesty. The beautiful thing is that as Catholics, even amidst the messiness of the world, we can look to the future with confidence and hope. Why? Because we not only have the Sacra- ments, but also the truth: that Jesus came to save and redeem, that God is perfect love, and that we are each of us created, male and female, in His image. Guest Column Brianna Heldt is a Catholic writer, speaker and podcaster. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications. BRIANNA HELDT Riding to help those in need C harity begins in the heart, with putting others before yourself. Our priests, nuns and religious live out that charity by devoting their lives to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. How can the rest of us do that, too? By using our God-given talents and eŸorts to serve our families, parishes and communities. Serving together as a team, focused on a mis- sion greater than ourselves, is a pow- erful experience. A great example of that — on behalf of Catholic Charities — is Team Samaritan House, a group of 30 riders who will be biking more than 400 miles, from Carbondale to Fort Col- lins, over six days beginning June 12 as part of the annual Ride the Rockies event. It's the sixth year on the road for Team Samaritan House, which is seeking to raise $150,000 for our shel- ters, including Samaritan House at 2301 Lawrence St., where we provide a meal for just $1.60 per person. For 30 years, Samaritan House has served women, children and men experienc- ing homelessness — providing food, shelter, safety and support to regain stability. Team Samaritan House has raised more than $60,000 to their goal and I encourage you to go to SamHou- seDenver.org to learn more about the team, pick a rider to cheer on and support them with a donation. But the money raised isn't the most important thing about Team Samar- itan House. It's their dedication to a cause. Tom Schwein, the team captain and a Catholic Charities board member, had a terrible accident near the finish line of last year's Ride the Rockies, breaking eight bones in his face. "The more I thought about the homeless after my crash and the blessing we had as a cycling team to raise (more than $100,000) for the homeless of Colorado last year, the more I realized that God was not yet done with me here on earth, and was calling me to do more," Schwein, who will once again ride this year, told us. The team members are preparing to ride 400 miles so that other people have a clean place to sleep, clothes on their back and food to eat. "Our team is a beacon of light for the homeless and each other," Leslie Prevish, another Team Samaritan House rider, told us. "I feel like any- body could have a circumstance in their life where they could end up homeless. I think of how important it is to help other people in need and not judge because you don't know their story." If you'd like to meet members of Team Samaritan House in person, I encourage you to attend a send-oŸ for them the evening of Tuesday, June 7, at the Denver Press Club at 1330 Glenarm Place. Seventy percent of the tips that night will be donated to Team Samaritan House fundraising eŸorts. Three months after Ride the Rockies, on Saturday, Sept. 10, there's another great way to support Samaritan House, by attending Sam's Supper: The Meal that Serves Many, which will be at Mile High Station. All the details, including tickets, are available at SamHouseDenver.org. I also invite you to take a tour of Samaritan House and perhaps sign up to serve dinner one night to the res- idents. It is in giving that we receive, and I pray you will find many bless- ings in whatever ways you choose to serve others. Guest Column Larry Smith is the president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver. Visit online at ccdenver.org or call 303-742-0828 to learn more, volunteer or make a donation. LARRY SMITH

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