AGLOChicago

10/04/2026

Trusting in God’s infinite mercy, we share the passing of our dear friend and AGLO community member, Lawrence “Larry” Cubalchini, who was called home September 24, 2026 to God after a lifetime of service to loved ones and the church.

Larry was a cherished part of our AGLO family for many years, sharing a deep faith, welcoming spirit, and a loving presence that will be missed in our community. We surround Santiago and Larry’s family with our love and prayers.

We invite you to join us for the Mass of Christian Burial:

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Visitation 9:00 AM -11:00 AM

Funeral Mass 11:00 AM

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

For information visit https://panozzobros.com/obituary/lawrence-r-larry-cubalchini

09/26/2026

You’re invited to “Connection and Celebration,” AGLOChicago’s 2nd annual Archdiocese Family Resources Reception and LGBTQ+ Family Mass this Sunday, September 27th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 708 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

When a loved one comes out, family members often grapple with questions of faith, identity, and belonging. It’s a safe space to ask questions, find community, and access resources for the whole family.

The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with a Family Resources Reception in the Parish Ministry Center, just west of the church.

After the reception, our 7:00 p.m. Sunday Mass will be dedicated to the families who support the LGBTQ+ community. The Mass will honor our parents, family members, and chosen families, concluding with a special blessing for all those who accompany and support LGBTQ+ loved ones.

An evening of family and community!

Register here:
https://www.aglochicago.org/lgbtq-family-connection-and-celebration

09/21/2026

As a community of faith, we believe that every person is made in God’s image, worthy of love, dignity and belonging. Together, we can challenge HIV stigma that can affect anyone, regardless of their status.

AGLOChicago invites you to take part in A Day with HIV, the annual anti-stigma campaign of Positively Aware magazine. Everyone is welcome to take part.

This Tuesday, September 22, photograph a moment of your day—it can be during a moment of contemplation or quiet prayer, time with someone you love, and act of service or an everyday joy. Post the photo to your social media with the hashtag ; include a caption that gives the time and location of your picture, and what inspired you to take it.

Upload your photo and caption at adaywithhiv.com to join the campaign’s online archive. A selection of photos will be published in a special section of the magazine’s November+December issue; six pictures will be featured in three different versions of a pullout cover.

Let’s replace stigma and judgment with visibility and love.

09/20/2026

Join us for the next meeting of AGLO’s Spiritual Book Club, where we’ll discuss Fr. James Martin, SJ’s new book, “Work in Progress.” We’ll look at how the jobs we’ve had have informed our faith journeys.

Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m., at the Parish Ministry Center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 708 W. Belmont Ave.

To register or for more info, email Michael: [email protected].

09/19/2026

AGLOChicago invites you, your family and your chosen family to our 2nd Annual Archdiocese Family Resource Reception and LGBTQ+ Family Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27.

💬 CONNECTION | Family Resource Reception at 5 p.m. at the Parish Ministry Center
When a loved one comes out, questions about faith, identity and belonging can arise. Discover a safe space to ask questions, build community and connect with affirming parishes, schools, ministries and organizations that support the whole family.

💜 CELEBRATION | LGBTQ+ Family Mass at 7 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the parents and family members who stand by us, remember those no longer with us and give thanks for the chosen families who carry us. Mass will conclude with a special blessing for our families, friends and all who support LGBTQ+ loved ones.

📍 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
708 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago

Parking is available in the lots east of the church next to the Merlo library branch and west of the church next to the school.

08/10/2026

A special thanks to our volunteers, and especially to our partner parish friends at Affirmed Community of Saint Clement Chicago , who joined us at our hospitality booth at Northalsted Market Days. They helped us pass out hundreds of bottles of water while talking with countless people who stopped by to chat, ask questions and share their stories. Together, we serve our LGBTQ+ community as Catholics and people of faith.

08/01/2026

Whether it’s for a couple of hours or an entire afternoon, AGLOChicago is looking for a few friendly volunteers to help hand out bottles of ice-cold water and a welcoming place to rest and recharge at our booth at Northalsted Market Days. Your presence will help extend AGLO’s message of hospitality and community.
Message us or email [email protected] for details.

07/07/2026

Today, July 7, marks the 80th anniversary of the canonization of the first U.S. citizen to become a saint, Frances Xavier Cabrini, of Chicago, affectionately known as “Mother Cabrini.” AGLO member Brent Taghap credits Mother Cabrini for his return to his Catholic faith. He writes about his journey in this personal commemoration.

Through her ministry to the poor and marginalized, Mother Cabrini, "the saint around the corner," models what a truly inclusive church can look like.

07/01/2026

From AGLO co-director Angelina Rossi:

“I was asked to offer a Reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time at one of AGLO’s partner parishes for Pride. One of the readings talked of the radical welcoming of the stranger. The Shunammite woman does not merely hand the traveling prophet Elisha a passing meal. She alters the structural layout of her home, building an ’ǎlîyâ—a physical upper roof-chamber—dedicated entirely to this holy man of God—a sacred space within a hostile or indifferent world for the Divine Presence to rest.

“This is precisely what AGLOChicago is called to be. When traditional religious institutions and biological families close their doors or project shame, the church must become the Shunammite woman. We must build physical and spiritual upper rooms—sacred sanctuaries where people who do not fit into standard societal molds can simply catch their breath, safe from the storms of judgment. We must ensure that all our parishes become safe, loving spiritual homes for the LGBTQ+ community where no one is left in the outer darkness of shame, isolation, or despair.”

06/28/2026

As we celebrate Pride, this Sunday’s Gospel invites us to look beyond passages that have too often been used to exclude LGBTQ+ people. This reflection explores what Jesus is really asking of his disciples: not rejection of others, but a life rooted in love, faithfulness and an unshakable relationship with God. Happy Pride, everyone!

Given that the languages and cultures in which the Bible was composed are far removed from our present day, it is problematic to take literally, as fundamentalist Christians do, a translation of an idea originally written in ancient Hebrew or Greek. This is the thorny issue behind the concept of homosexuality in the Bible. In today’s Gospel, however, Jesus is laying out the requirements for discipleship, which has nothing to do with sexual orientation or dress codes. Simply to follow Jesus as best you can with so much love that difficulties and even seeming failure can never derail a relationship with the divine.

Read the complete Reflection here:
https://aglochicago.org/weekly-reflection