In the years following the establishment of the Courage apostolate in 1980 (and later, EnCourage for families/friends), Fr. Harvey became a true spiritual father to countless men and women who experience same-sex attractions and their loved ones.
A faithful Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, Fr. Harvey imitated the character and spirituality of his order’s founder in his gentleness, integrity, and love for the laity. St. Francis de Sales came to be known as a Gentleman Saint and a Doctor of Charity, and we believe the same can be said of Fr. Harvey who modeled both integrity and compassion in his service to the Church and in his treatment of others.
Father always kept Courage and EnCourage at the center of his heart, seeing it as an essential ministry of the Church through which the Holy Spirit was especially meeting the spiritual needs of persons who experience SSA and their family and friends. He guarded the principles of Courage carefully, viewing chapter meetings as safe and sacred places in which Courage members could freely and confidentially share from the heart, united in their commitment to the goals of chastity, prayer, fellowship, support, and good example.