Living as a Gay Christian

Living as a gay man within the Christian tradition means allowing yourself to be led by Divine Grace onto a path of courage, compassion, radical trust, and embodied holiness. Like the prophets of old, you are led into becoming prophets, through the witness of your life and your loving. You speak to the Church, as never before, the deep truths of incarnation, inclusive love, spiritual freedom and radical justice. At this retreat you will find the support and inspiration you need for your journey: the support of prayer, study, contemplation, and fellowship with your sacred brothers.

REGISTRATION
Register Online	Secure Online Form	Cancellation	Details
Phone	800.553.8235 or 518.692.8023
DATES
Begins	Friday, December 7, 2012 Dinner 7:00 p.m.	Ends	Sunday, December 9, 2012 Lunch 12:30 p.m.
ACCOMMODATIONS (Includes any program fees)
Guest House Semi-Private	$495	Camping	Not available
Guest House Quad	$445	Commuter	$275
Garden Cabin	$395
Private rooms may be available for semi-private rate plus an extra $100/night. Please call to check availability.
SERVICES
Massage	Available	Energy Healing	Available
Services by appointment. Availability may vary depending on practitioner's schedule.

About the Facilitators

Dennis Petragnani has been working in various aspects of the church for the past 10 years after having pursued degrees in both theology and philosophy at the university and seminary levels. Dennis has worked for a major religious order as a consultant and fundraiser, a catholic publishing company, on the staff of the office of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of New York and served as the pastoral associate, director of outreach, liturgy and LGBT ministries at a Jesuit Apostolate in New York City. Dennis is one of the founders and co-chairs the Ad Hoc Committee for Pastoral Care for LGBT Catholics and their families in the greater metropolitan New York area and the former national President of the Catholic Association of Lesbian and Gay Ministry. Dennis has traveled the country conducting retreats and talks on the late great spiritual writer Henri Nouwen and has been an advisor and consultant to diocesan and parish leadership on establishing LGBT ministries. Dennis was one of the founding board members of Help Is on the Way Today a not-for- profit organization that raises money and awareness for children and teens living with HIV and AIDS in the New York Metropolitan area. Dennis is a full-time resident of Easton Mountain and serves as the General Manager of the Retreat Center.

John Stasio is the founder of Easton Mountain. His vision for social justice, interfaith spirituality and the potential of a spiritual community of gay men began at a young age and motivated him to begin Easton Mountain.

In 1989 he founded Brothers Together Inc to promote community, spiritual growth, healing and transformation among men who love men. Prior to establishing Easton Mountain in 2000, John worked as a body-centered therapist and workshop facilitator. John was a member of the Jesuit Urban Center's Urban Ministry team where he provided spiritual direction and bodywork to people living with HIV/ AIDS. He is a former seminarian and member of the Catholic Worker Community. John's undergraduate studies at Boston College focused on Philosophy and Theology and their application to contemporary social challenges. He received the Lisle Fellowship in 1987 to study non-violent social change at the Gandhi Peace Foundation in New Delhi India and then stayed on in India to work with Mother Theresa's sisters at the home for the dying in Calcutta. While in India he met Dom Bede Griffiths with whom he had a powerful connection and remains committed to promoting interfaith dialogue. Additionally he seeks to apply the principals of Spiritual/Global Psychology, studied at the Concord Institute under the direction of Tom Yeomans, to his work for social change, in his own life and in his work with others.

He splits his time between sharing a home with his partner and a golden retriever in Albany and retreating to his cabin in the woods of Easton Mountain.

Living as a Gay Christian

An Advent Retreat

Facilitated by John Stasio and Dennis Petragnani

December 7-9 - Friday-Sunday

Living as a Gay Christian

About the Facilitators