Our September Meeting - Reclaiming the Flag
Tuesday, September 1 7:00 p.m., Fr. Gerald Meisel Hall, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach
As we continue the 250th Anniversary of our nation's founding, please join us for the video presentation Reclaim the Flag.
Premiering in July 2025, Reclaim the Flagis a short documentary exploring how the American flag has been co-opted as a symbol of political division, and how the LGBTQ+ community can reclaim it as an emblem of unity and diversity. It is directed by jeweler and designer Alexis Bittar and co-produced by Academy Award winner Bruce Cohen. The film addresses how many marginalized individuals—particularly LGBTQIA+ people—feel a sense of threat or alienation from the American flag because right-wing political movements have heavily weaponized it.
The documentary features interviews and reflections from nearly 50 prominent LGBTQ+ artists, activists, cultural figures, and leaders, including: Lena Waithe, George Takei, Jim Parsons, Brandon Flynn, Symone, Jonathan Capehart and Marc Jacobs. It launched a broader social challenge and civic campaign encouraging people to display the American flag alongside pride flags at pride parades and during election seasons.
Due to the length of Sanctuary, our July program, we also want people to be able to share their reactions with us this evening, too. Light refreshments will be served.
Kermes at St. Matthew's Returns
Sunday September 20 in the St. Matthew's Courtyard
As parish communities do all over the world on or near the feast day of their patron, Saint Matthew’s Church hosts our annual festival on the Sunday nearest September 21st, the feast day of Saint Matthew, tax collector turned evangelizer, and the man credited with authorship of the first synoptic gospel.
The festival begins after the 10:30a Mass on Sunday, the 20th, and continues until 5:00p
The festival is also a fundraising event. So, beyond merely attending the festival—which features food, games, and music—you can help by purchasing raffle tickets ($1 per ticket) which are for sale in the church courtyard after Masses or at the Kermes; the drawing takes place at 5:00p on the 20th.
Comunidad will again participate in the Parish Kermes Festival with our tradition snow cone booth on Sunday, September 20. Volunteers to staff the booth are needed. Please sign up at our September Meeting or contact one of our co-chairs: Steve at 
or José Manuel: My email address. Also, have a chance support the parish and win money! A limited number of raffle tickets are still available for purchase.
While we are a ministry of St. Matthew's Church and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Comunidad is a lay run organization led by volunteers. Having been on the Board for 35 years, I can say we have been enormously blessed by the people who have graciously served and shared their talents with our parish, LGBTQIA+ community, our families and straight allies. I would have stayed around so long if our Board members weren't like family, my friends and nice to be around
Each year in September and October we ask for board volunteers who are elected at our November meeting to serve the following year. We have 2 co-chairs, a secretary, a treasurer and a number of members at large, who help us create, plan and execute our monthly programs, work at Long Beach Pride [and yes, they have scheduled dates for next year?!] and Trans Pride, help with our Christmas Collections, Kermes and other events throughout the year including Religious Education Congress and with other diocesan and national ministries. We would also like people interested in working on our website and newsletter. — We're willing to train you if and as needed. And no, you don't have to be involved in "everything." Many hands make light work. And like everything Jesus asks of us, all any of it takes is some time and a willingness to serve.
If you have any questions, please contact me or any of our current or past board members. Steven