God's Patient Accompaniment | | Message From Our Executive Director | | |
Dear Friends,
Pope Leo XIV just released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. He begins with a potent biblical analogy. When building a human community, he asks: are we building a new Tower of Babel in spite of God or a restored Jerusalem with God as central? In other words, do we build human communities on earth by ignoring God or by letting God be God? The beautiful thing about Courage International is that we reject the model of Babel. That Christ and His Bride, Holy Mother Church, is the foundation for our community of spiritual friendship, chastity and authentic Christan love. This is why Courage has been able to accomplish so much good, while also getting scorn from a world bent on building new Towers of Babel. No servant is greater than his master…
The last month has been extraordinary. The Vatican released a document from the 2024 Synod discussing same sex attraction that is methodologically deficient and thus intellectually dishonest; it uses only two men who extol sinful relationships as representative of all who experience same sex attraction. In addition, Courage itself is slandered and falsely accused of promoting reparative therapy. The forceful response of our executive board, members and the many supportive articles and interviews in the mainstream Catholic press has been heartening and illustrate a seeming spiritual constant: be faithful to Christ, radically faithful, and don’t be surprised by attacks from the pagan world. But despite the stormy gales, Christ is ever present, walking on the churning sea, and we also can walk upon the sea safely, if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ like Peter.
June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the City of God. It is “pride” month for those intent on building Babel. The Sacred Heart reminds us of Christ’s infinite love despite our weaknesses. He suffers on the cross, and His heart is pierced by a lance, instigating the blood and water of sacraments. Thus, at the very height of human rebellion against God, He offers only mercy in return. However, we must freely embrace His loving message: repentance and acceptance of His moral teaching, but with the great promise of His patient accompaniment every moment.
The authors of this terrible document think they can build a new Tower of Babel and reinvent God and sin. Courage International takes the road of authentic love, mercy and freedom via Christ’s cross! Radical fidelity to Christ is the gospel call, but radical mercy is always there to pick us up. In modern Babel, it claims sin sets us free. In the City of God, we know chastity in Christ is what truly heals us and sets us free.
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Father Brian Gannon
Executive Director
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Courage International's Response to
Recent Synod Report
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Please visit this link for a detailed explanation of the Synod report discussed in Fr. Gannon's letter above, as well as Courage International's response.
You will be able to find numerous articles and interviews across the media regarding these troubling circumstances. One such piece, an article by Edward Pentin for National Catholic Register, can be found here.
| | 2026 Annual Conference: Don't Forget to Register! | | Don't worry - there's still time! Our Annual Conference is coming up soon, though, so don't hesitate and register here today! Click the brochure below for information about this year's speakers. We look forward to seeing you there! | | June 3: The Feast of Sts. Charles Lwanga and Companions | As a reminder, this week we celebrate the feast day of our patrons! You can learn more these young martyrs on our website. Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us! | Event Updates: Sports Camp & Chaplain Retreat | | |
Unfortunately, Sports Camp (originally scheduled for this June) will not be going forward as planned. We are eager to see everyone back together in 2027!
Joyfully, we announce the upcoming (first annual) Chaplain Retreat this coming November 2-6 in Malvern, PA! Register here.
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As always, check the bottom of the newsletter for
upcoming events all around the world!
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| | 2026 Monthly Prayer Intentions | | |
Please join us again this year in praying together as a community for a specific intention each month.
Click here to save or print as a reminder to pray along with us!
“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20
June: For all priests, especially for the chaplains of Courage and EnCourage, that each day they may become more conformed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eternal High Priest, to guide, as true spiritual fathers, the souls entrusted to them. Also, for the opening of the cause of beatification and canonization of our apostolate's founding-director, Fr. John F Harvey OSFS, a model of charity and spiritual fatherhood.
July: That the participants of the Annual Courage & EnCourage Conference may strengthen their bonds of community and friendship and return home with renewed joy and hope.
| | 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. | |
| In the Spirit of Accompaniment | | | | As discussed by Father Gannon in his letter, we live in a conflicted world - Babel versus the City of God. Acts that many would glorify (especially in June, known as "Pride Month" amongst the secular world) should rather be lovingly recognized as immoral and redirected to the truths of the Church. Our dear friend Garrett Johnson explains this concept in his recent article, "Calling a Sin a Sin is a Kindness." | | |
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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* | | |
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.
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Courage & EnCourage Day of Recollection
June 13, 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
A special day for Courage and EnCourage members to gather for
a time of prayer, reflection, and fellowship! Check out the event flyer here for more information, including a schedule and how to RSVP.
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Courage Ministry Summer Conference
June 13, 2026 9:30am - 2:00pm
Diocese of St. Augustine
"All are invited to join, Bishop Pohlmeier will preside over the opening Mass for the Conference at 9:30 am and Father Ed Murphy, director of the local Courage Ministry, for a day of reflection. Together we will look at how to accompany individuals with same-sex attraction to follow Christ." See the event flyer here!
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2026 Courage and EnCourage Annual Conference
July 16-19, 2026 (Clergy Study Day July 15)
Mundelein, Illinois (Archdiocese of Chicago)
Please join us for this year's theme of "Chastity: The Virtue That Sets Us Free." Get more information and register here!
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Retreat for Courage & EnCourage Chaplains
November 2-6, 2026
Malvern, Pennsylvania (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Join Fr. Brian Gannon and Fr. Colin Blatchford for a retreat especially for the chaplains of Courage & EnCourage. The retreat will be led by Fr. Herb Sperger, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Receive some time for rest and fraternity with fellow clergy who are serving those persons who experience same-sex attraction and those who love them. Register here!
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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. | | | | |
