Message From Our Executive Director | | |
Dear Friends,
The month of August, like every month, is filled with saints’ feast days. One of the great legacies of all the saints is the gift of hope they bestowed through their powerful example, in various ways.
Hope and mercy were the themes of this year’s annual conference. St. John Vianney, August 4th, gives hope for those who struggle in school. He felt God’s intense call to the priesthood and yet failed academically in seminary several times. With the help of his pastor, he overcame struggles with Latin and became one of the greatest of priests.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, née Edith Stein, whose feast is August 9, manifested powerful hope for all those who give generously with God and yet see suffering only increase. Rounded up by the Nazis because of her Jewish heritage, despite being a Carmelite nun, she was arrested and taken to Auschwitz with heroic resignation to God’s will despite the horrific death that awaited. She knew that every moment, no matter where, is a gift that becomes victory when used only for His glory. She did so by comforting others on the train and renewing their faith in God.
St. Maximilian Kolbe exemplifies incredible hope because of his stunning willingness to take the place of another Auschwitz prisoner to be starved to death. His faith gave birth to hope, freedom and generosity of spirit that ignited the fellow starvation chamber victims to sing to God in that black hole of evil.
St. Augustine reminds us that there is always hope for those who stray, even for decades, from God. His mother St. Monica’s prayers were intense, persevering and used powerfully by God.
Finally, the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist is a testimony to witnessing to the truth about God’s design for marriage; to never water down God’s truth just to get along, to expect suffering and worldly rejection, but ultimately be assured of a crown in heaven.
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Courage International this September we remember the great heroism and holy example of Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS, who stood in the breach of a culture rejecting Christ’s message of morality and true love and freedom. He gave not false hopes based on watering down Christian morality, but true hope found in utter fidelity to Christ, laced with love for all Courage members, and manifested in a generous spirit that sought the salvation of all souls. Fr. Harvey realized 45 years ago that many persons with SSA needed that profound, formidable hope of redemption that only Christ can give, and thus gave his life to facilitate that hope and mercy through God’s priceless grace!
| | |
Father Brian Gannon
Executive Director
| | | Blessings Abound at the 2025 Annual Conference | | |
A few weeks ago, Courage members, EnCourage members, chaplains, and other clergy gathered at the 2025 Clergy Study Day and Annual Conference at Neumann University in Pennsylvania. There were around 275 attendees from the United States, Canada, U.K., Mexico, Spain, Peru and Venezuela -- along with many attendees for the Courage Latino virtual conference! Over several days, members and friends of the Courage apostolate were able to connect, pray, and learn together in beautiful fellowship, experiencing firsthand that all of us can find our identity first and foremost as a child of God.
| | |
Several speakers addressed attendees on such topics as the saints, Divine Mercy, the Prodigal Son, and more! Members had the opportunity to meet with one another, both in breakout sessions and in social events and mealtimes. Most importantly, all were able to encounter the Lord through Masses, Adoration, recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As always, we are so grateful for the Annual Conference and the fruit it bears among the Courage and EnCourage apostolate. It was such a joy to see so many friends, old and new! If you didn't get to join us this year, keep an eye out next spring for information about the 2026 Annual Conference!
| | |
In the meantime, please look forward to watching the various plenary talks and homilies on our website; we will send a link for your convenience as soon as they are uploaded and ready to be viewed!
You can also look back on our social media (linked below) to see some highlights from the conference.
| | |
| |
Follow us on social media for the
latest opportunities, news, resources, and inspiration.
Then spread the good news
by liking, reposting, and sharing.
| | Courage Feast Days & Anniversaries | | Take a moment to celebrate in gratitude over the coming month as both Courage and EnCourage recognize important days to the apostolate: | | |
August 27 marks the observed anniversary of the first EnCourage meeting in 1987, along with the feast day of Saint Monica, known for her perseverance in prayer for the deliverance of her son, who turned back to Christ only to become the man we know as Saint Augustine, Doctor of the Church.
As Father Gannon wrote in his letter above, "Saint Monica's prayers were intense, persevering and used powerfully by God," as we know and trust that our own prayers can be, too. Saint Monica, pray for us!
| |
Then, on September 26, we celebrate the anniversary of the first Courage meeting in 1980. What a gift to reflect on all the ways that the Lord has worked in the hearts of his children over the last 45 years!
Please join us in prayers of thanksgiving, and for the future of Courage and EnCourage.
| | 2025 Monthly Prayer Intentions | | New Chapters & Ways to Stay Connected | | |
NEW CHAPTERS:
EnCourage:
| | Courage & EnCourage around the world | | Remember to Help Us Keep Chapter Information Up-To-Date! | | |
Do you know if the information for your chapter is accurate on the Courage website? Do you know about a recent change in your chapter? Please take a look at your chapter listing on our website and let us know if there have been any changes. Chapters are organized by state and diocese for both Courage and EnCourage.
You can submit changes directly through our form. Thanks for keeping us informed! Keeping this updated and accurate means that any person who reaches out can find help and support near them.
| | Truth & Love, an initiative of Courage International, is a multifaceted Catholic resource for anyone seeking the tools to support men and women who experience same-sex attractions. | |
| Resources We Think You'll Love | | | | Earlier this year, Desert Stream Ministries released a mini-series titled What is Chastity? Originally produced as a Lenten series, these videos look at Andrew Comiskey's book Rediscovering Our Lost Fullness to explore the true meaning of chastity. | | |
As described in their blog, "Andrew and Marco seek to demystify this virtue too often misunderstood and/or deemed archaic. Using their own stories and experiences, chastity comes alive as a virtue that heals and redeems what divides us."
Watch the first episode here
| | |
Further exploring this all-important virtue, and as we strive for holiness in a culture that often pulls us in the opposite direction, Achieving Chastity in an Unchaste World by Fr. Thomas Morrow (former Courage chaplain) arrives as both a balm and a guide. Grounded in Church teaching and enriched with cognitive-therapy insights, this practical yet deeply spiritual book offers six clear Chastity Principles, real-life testimonies, and actionable steps for reclaiming purity and peace. Whether you’re personally facing temptation, or walking alongside someone who is, this accessible resource gently illuminates the path from brokenness to authentic freedom.
Learn more about the book, and order it, here
| | |
| |
Visit our YouTube channel for lots of helpful content like these resources!
Subscribe, like, and share to spread the word.
| | For Spanish Speaking Members and Friends | | There's a lot going on in the Courage and EnCourage apostolate all over the world! Don't forget that our website can be viewed in Spanish, and that there is a Spanish language newsletter sent out on the same day as this, our English version! | | Gender Identity Discordance* | | |
This month, we would like to revisit our 2021 Annual Conference, where Father Malachy Joseph Napier, CFR, gave a remote presentation for the gender identity discordance track. He spoke about the indispensability of fatherhood in the light of Saint Joseph's role in the Holy Family. He emphasized the goodness of the distinct natures of male and female, the two unique God-given sexual identities which are "two different incarnations … of the same human being created in the image of God" (Saint John Paul II).
Listen to Fr. Malachy's presentation here!
| | |
Courage and EnCourage and Gender Identity Discordance
While the primary mission of Courage and EnCourage remains supporting people living with the experience of same-sex attractions and those who love them, we thought it could be helpful to our readers to occasionally set aside some space in our newsletter to address this topic. For more resources, on the Truth & Love site, go to Resources > Health & Well-Being > Gender Identity Discordance.
* For an explanation of the expression, "gender identity discordance," and coverage of the subject, see the Handbook for Courage and EnCourage Chaplains starting on page 81.
| |
Encuentro
August 29-31, 2025
For our Spanish-speaking members; this year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Courage in Mexico! For more information, you can email oficina@couragerc.org.
| |
EnCourage Conference Kansas City, Missouri
September 5-6, 2025
Kansas City, MO (Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph)
Join to explore the theme "We are pilgrims of hope" with Sister Gilmary Kay, RSM! For more information and to register, contact bturner727@yahoo.com
| |
Courage & EnCourage Chaplains Retreat
October 20-24, 2025
Malvern, PA (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
More information regarding registration for this retreat will be coming in September!
| |
Courage and EnCourage Southern CA Retreat
November 14-16, 2025
El Carmelo Retreat House, Redlands, CA (Diocese of San Bernardino)
Mark your calendars; more information to come soon!
| |
Archdiocese of Atlanta Day of Reflection
November 22, 2025
Atlanta, GA
Join us at the Pastoral Center in Atlanta for our Courage/EnCourage of Atlanta Day of Reflection! Get more information and register here.
| | | | |
Watch our Events Calendar regularly for updates.
NOTE TO CHAPLAINS: You are encouraged and more than welcome to participate in all Courage & EnCourage events. Please feel free to reach out to the event organizer to see how you can be involved.
| | Disclaimer: Courage does not necessarily fully endorse all of the ideas included in resources that are not produced by Courage, but we still like to share items that we and our members have found to have considerable helpful content. | | | | |
