“Free to Live! Free to Love!” Honoring the Centenary of Pioneer Priest John McNeill (1925-2015)
With Brendan Fay and Dave Howser
September 11 - 14, 2025
A retreat for gay, bisexual, transgender men of faith.
“We gay and lesbians… must not let our enemies outside ourselves define who we are. We must let the spirit of God, the Spirit of love dwelling in our hearts, define who we are. And then give witness to all the great things the Lord has done for us.”- John McNeill
John McNeill was prisoner of war in Nazi Germany and a voice for peace during the Vietnam War. A pioneer of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) liberation, John co-founded the Catholic Group Dignity NY in 1972. His 1976 book The Church and Homosexual was groundbreaking. Silenced by Vatican authorities for speaking and writing on issues of homosexuality, he was expelled from the Jesuit community in 1987. For his courageous witness and ministry to the LGBTQ community John was honored as Grand Marshal of the NYC Pride Parade in 1987.
The passionate and prophetic witness of John McNeill inspires our gathering. His heartfelt advocacy for LGBTQ people speaks to us today as we continue to struggle to be “Free to Live, Free to Love!”
We are seekers, ministers, activists, married, single, older, and younger. Some of us are just coming out, others have been out for some time. We bring the gifts of our dreams and longings, our pains and joys, our struggles and stories. Together as spiritual companions we provide shelter and sacred space to rest, renew our hearts, and rekindle our spirits.
We journey to the Kirkridge mountainside for a weekend of reflection, prayer, stories, song, film and community.
“To experience genuine human love, to be part of a community of love is to experience the presence of God.”- John McNeill
About the Leaders
Brendan Fay
Brendan Fay is a human rights activist, filmmaker. Born in Athy, Co. Kildare Brendan and his family moved to Drogheda when he was 13. His father was a union leader while a fitter in the asbestos factory in Athy. Brendan lives in Astoria, New York with his spouse, Tom Moulton. He has been active on […]
Learn more about Brendan Fay
Dave Howser
Dave Howser, M.Div., LCPC has led men’s groups and retreats for GBTQ men of faith for over 30 years. His passion is meeting people at the intersection of their spirituality and sexuality. You can find Dave in a canoe, hiking in a forest, camping on a mountain, or at his psychotherapy and pastoral counseling practice […]
Learn more about Dave HowserCategory : Retreat