Parent Support Groups

"Your child may need you and the family now more than ever. He or she is still the same person. This child, who has always been God's gift to you, may now be the cause of another gift: your family becoming more honest, respectful, and supportive. Yes, your love can be tested by this reality, but it can also grow stronger through your struggle to respond lovingly."

- Always Our Children, U.S. Catholic Bishops 1997

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have outstretched a hand of support to parents of gay and lesbian persons through their pastoral message of "Always Our Children". The diocese has responded to this message by providing a number of parent support groups with the help of several parish communities in the diocese. If you are a parent, sibling or friend of a gay or lesbian person struggling to understand, accept and learn more about the reality of your family member one of the support groups listed below will be helpful. Contact the parish directly for more information about the upcoming meeting date and time.

St. John Vianney Parish, Mentor (Eastside)
(440) 943-3445
Meeting usually on the second Sunday of each month.

St. Ladislas Parish, Westlake (Westside)
(440) 835 - 2300
Meeting usually on the third Sunday of each month.

St. Bernard Parish, Akron (South)
(330) 253-5161

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Wooster (South)
(330) 264-8824

Gay and Lesbian Family Ministry - Catholic Diocese of Cleveland