Fr. Philip Bochanski   Executive Director

In the fall of 1980, some clergy and laymen in a small church at the southern tip of Manhattan were planning a meeting to usher in a unique new organization to assist Catholic homosexual men and women in their quest to remain chaste.

Their pastor, Monsignor Robert Brown, was a humble man who asked everyone to call him Father Brown. He made sure that everything was ready for the first meeting on Friday, September 26. Father Harvey arrived in New York on Thursday and stayed at the rectory as Monsignor Brown's guest. Father Harvey recalled that there were more chiefs than Indians present. In addition to himself and Father O'Brien, there were Fr. Groeschel, Dr. Wapnick, and a few other priests who arrived early for the eight o'clock meeting. Father Harvey has always stated that there were just five men at that first meeting. But Graveline and two other participants insist that there were at least ten men present that night. [... Read the rest of the story of the first meeting.]

If this story has whet your appetite for more, order James' book,  Courage a Ministry of Hope , to hear the details of how these fledgling members chose a name for the group and discerned the goals of Courage. In later chapters you will read numerous testimonies of lives transformed, be inspired by the tireless perseverance of our strong yet humble founding director, and follow the growth of the apostolate now known as Courage International.  

Deacon Hilmar Pabel, Courage coordinator in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, gave a workshop on "The Benefits of Courage" at the Courage conference in Villanova in July. He summarized the workshop in an article for the archdiocesan newspaper, the  B.C. Catholic , in which he presented the members of Courage as an inspiration for the entire Church, modeling a "complete and authentic way of discipleship." 

That wasn't the first time this zealous deacon went out of his way to raise the profile of Courage in his archdiocese. Shortly after he was given the role of coordinator of Courage in 2017, just two years after his diaconal ordination, he began to promote the apostolate. He  spoke from the pulpit in multiple parishes, conducted a  town hall meeting, did an  interview for the archdiocesan newspaper, and wrote an introductory  article for the paper. In the article, he explained the apostolate and spoke of how he has been struck by the holiness of the members of his Courage chapter: "God is alive and at work in these wonderful people!" Let's all follow Dcn. Pabel's courageous example and do what we can to help the light of truth and goodness shine! 

Deacon Hilmar Pabel is just one example of the exceptional priest chaplains and deacon coordinators who serve Courage and EnCourage. As we come to terms with the reality that some ordained men have failed in their roles as spiritual fathers and shepherds, it is also a time to be especially grateful for the many who have remained faithful and have been tremendous blessings to us, supporting us with the sacraments and good counsel as we carry our crosses, pointing the way to prayerful union with God and holiness. 

Publisher's description: 

Loved ones and friends exploring alternate sexual identities invite us into a deeper conversion. Jesus pours out His mercy on us. We cannot change anyone but we can be changed. And in our prayers, we can ask to become compelling witnesses for the wounded and confused.

Please join us for forty days of prayer from October 10th - November 18, 2018. We will follow together the new booklet "Becoming Good News" by Andrew Comiskey.