Keywords:
Catholic Church, coming out, acceptance, family, hockey, Jesus, unconditional love
Catholic Church, coming out, acceptance, family, hockey, Jesus, unconditional love
Transcript
Mary: Well you know it, it was a big part of my family going to church, and being a musician, being involved in the music at church. Um, from probably age 14 I was always playing at church. And it was a very important part of my social life, and that and going to Catholic schools, and um making the kind of contacts that you make, that then ultimately may lead to employment. And that’s what happened in, in my case. So I always had a very positive experience. You know, then I was in university and coming out, and, and um you know, realizing that, that on some level this was at odds with, with, the church. But also like, my, my mother was a very devout, very religious woman, and when I came out, there was just no question. She was hugging me and loving me. So then I thought, if, if my mom can, can do that with the way was raised, and the kind of strict way that she was raised. And with my aunt, there’s kind of a funny story that we tell that, I took a while to come out to my aunt, who is still living, she’s 96.
Tara: Wow.
Mary: When I did come out to her, I guess I was so nervous, and eventually, you know I said the words and she said “oh for heaven’s sake! I thought you were sick or something! And I said “no, no, no, everything’s fine!” And she said “Did you get that from hockey?” And I was “oh well I don’t know!” But anyways, if these two people, my mom and my aunt, who you know, were really incredibly devout, could find it in their hearts to understand what I think is the true message of Jesus, which is love your neighbour, love yourself, love everyone around, you know, look to the, the outcast and those people, and welcome them with love. Then I thought surely the Catholic church can, can see the veracity of that message. And um, so, you know because of that, that’s why I wanted to stay in the system.
Mary: Well you know it, it was a big part of my family going to church, and being a musician, being involved in the music at church. Um, from probably age 14 I was always playing at church. And it was a very important part of my social life, and that and going to Catholic schools, and um making the kind of contacts that you make, that then ultimately may lead to employment. And that’s what happened in, in my case. So I always had a very positive experience. You know, then I was in university and coming out, and, and um you know, realizing that, that on some level this was at odds with, with, the church. But also like, my, my mother was a very devout, very religious woman, and when I came out, there was just no question. She was hugging me and loving me. So then I thought, if, if my mom can, can do that with the way was raised, and the kind of strict way that she was raised. And with my aunt, there’s kind of a funny story that we tell that, I took a while to come out to my aunt, who is still living, she’s 96.
Tara: Wow.
Mary: When I did come out to her, I guess I was so nervous, and eventually, you know I said the words and she said “oh for heaven’s sake! I thought you were sick or something! And I said “no, no, no, everything’s fine!” And she said “Did you get that from hockey?” And I was “oh well I don’t know!” But anyways, if these two people, my mom and my aunt, who you know, were really incredibly devout, could find it in their hearts to understand what I think is the true message of Jesus, which is love your neighbour, love yourself, love everyone around, you know, look to the, the outcast and those people, and welcome them with love. Then I thought surely the Catholic church can, can see the veracity of that message. And um, so, you know because of that, that’s why I wanted to stay in the system.