Dedicated to those who accompany persons with same-sex attractions

Dear friends of Courage and EnCourage, 

It is our pleasure to officially announce the launch of a new website for priests, pastoral ministers, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the experience of same-sex attractions, in light of the Church's teaching about God's plan for human sexuality: Truth & Love ( TruthandLove.com).   

For decades, the Catholic Church has been extending its outreach to men and women who experience same-sex attractions, helping them to live chaste lives and to embrace their identity as sons and daughters of God. Years of experience have revealed the need for comprehensive formation for those directly involved in this ministry; in addition, there are those seeking to deepen their understanding of this complex issue which is a lived reality for so many people. Truth & Love is a response to these needs, providing resources in the following areas:  

• Church teaching 
• Health and wellbeing 
• Authentic pastoral care 
• Engaging the culture
• Advice for families

Whether you are a priest, religious, healthcare worker, or layperson, and whether you or a loved one experiences same-sex attractions, we believe you will find here a wealth of information to guide you. Please spread the word! 

 

God bless you, 

The Courage Central Office 

Fr. Paul N. Check, the Executive Director of Courage from 2008 to 2016, sends a message for his Courage and EnCourage friends with "p rayerful greetings in the Lord to you from St. John Fisher Seminary."  He writes, " it was a blessing to see many of you at the conference at Mundelein in July," and, " I want to express my deep gratitude once again to those who contributed to the beautiful 'Our Lady of Courage' vestment." He goes on to assure us that we  remain in his daily prayers at Mass. 

  Read Fr. Check's entire letter

As we work to spread the message of hope which Courage and EnCourage provides for men and women who experience same-sex attractions, we invite our members to submit their personal testimonies to be posted on a new version of the Courage website (coming soon) or shared on our social media. 

Here are a few guidelines to help you compose your story:

• Maximum 1,000 words
• May use a pseudonym or your real name
• A nice photo of yourself may be included, but is not required 

Public Speaking About Courage: What Do I Say? 

Issue # 3 of "Promoting Your Courage Chapter in Your Diocese" series

Thanks to the increasing support of diocesan bishops, the "yes" of clergy chaplains, and the initiative of our members, we are pleased to be able to share with you a long list of new chapters of Courage and EnCourage that have been established in the past year.   

Courage and EnCourage chapters around the world

Chapters marked with an asterisk (*) are not yet listed on our website, but are coming soon.  

UNITED STATES

Albany, NY - Courage & EnCourage* 

Baltimore, MD - Courage

Davenport, IA - Courage & EnCourage

Knoxville, TN - Courage*

La Crosse, WI - EnCourage

Los Angeles, CA - EnCourage
Nashville, TN - Courage

New York, NY - Second Courage meeting (Eastside Manhattan)*

Portland, OR - Courage & EnCourage

Raleigh, NC - Courage
Rapid City, SD - Courage & EnCourage
San Antonio, TX - EnCourage
Scranton, PA - Courage
St. Petersburg, FL - EnCourage
Tulsa, OK - EnCourage

BRAZIL

Franca - Courage*

Brasilia - Courage & EnCourage

CANADA
Vancouver, BC (Dec 2016) - Courage & EnCourage

MEXICO
Matamoros - Courage
Monterrey - EnCourage*

PANAMA - Courage* 

SINGAPORE - Courage & EnCourage

Find the nearest Courage chapter

Find the nearest EnCourage chapter

Courage International was represented at the Annual Meeting of Bishops in Guatemala last month. The event featured the viewing of a Spanish-language video in which executive director, Fr. Philip Bochanski, explains the Courage and EnCourage apostolates. Also included was a testimony from Alfredo, a Courage Latino member from Mexico. Nineteen bishops attended, as well as Guatemala's Apostolic Nuncio, Msgr. Nicolas Thevenin. The same presentation was given the following day to six Vicars of the Archdiocese.

The endeavor was endorsed by Cardinal O'Connor as a particular vocation within Courage, and thus twenty-five years ago, on November 21, 1992, the first Courage Reparational Group met. Ever since -- in person in various locations around the world as well as by phone and on the internet -- groups continue. By coming together in prayer, members  make intercession on behalf of the whole world and receive grace themselves for their daily strivings to be chaste and holy. Participants are encouraged to grow in their  relationship  with Jesus through a deepening interior life. 

Learn more about the history and spirituality of the group by reading this inspiring article by Vera   who  wishes to invite all Courage members to consider anew this call to a deeper union with Christ in the Courage Reparational Group. 

Vera can be reached at  [email protected]  or (347) 210-1127 and would be happy to  answer  any questions you may have.  

Listen to talks from the Courage Reparational Group  (Click "More resources" for additional talks.) New talks are added regularly. EnCourage members are welcome to listen, too! 

Courage Reparational Groups webpage

Last month Courage director, Fr. Philip Bochanski, was a guest on Catholic Answers Live call-in radio show, where he responded to a wide variety of questions from listeners about same-sex attractions. The specific questions are listed on the audio page so you can easily listen to Father's replies to those which are of interest to you. 

Listen to audio and see list of questions

View video 

Courage Featured on EWTN's

The Church Universal 

 

	Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe interviews Courage members and staff

EWTN is continuing to air two episodes about our apostolate on their  The Church Universal series. 

"The Courage Apostolate"

• Tuesday, December 12 at 5:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, December 13 at 11:00 p.m.

"The EnCourage Apostolate" 

• Sunday, November 19 at 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 21 at 5:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, November 22 at 11:00 p.m.

To confirm when the show is available in your location, check the EWTN weekly schedule  as well as The Church Universal episode schedule. (Be sure to click the link for your country at the top of the page.)  Even if you don't get EWTN via cable, you can still watch by clicking the arrow for "Streaming Television" at EWTN.com. 

Some of our readers were unable to access Cardinal Sarah's fine opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal to which we linked in our last newsletter. It is now available for all to read. Cardinal Sarah writes beautifully on how moved he has been by his encounters with people like the members of Courage who live the truth of the Gospel and "testify to the power of grace, the nobility and resilience of the human heart, and the truth of the church's teaching on homosexuality."

Read Cardinal Sarah on Church's care for persons with same-sex attractions

Latin American Conference of Courage Latino

November 17-19 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico

Invitation (in Spanish)

Registration  (in Spanish)

Clergy Study Day  for Latin American Conference of Courage Latino

November 17 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico

8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. before conference 

Information  (in Spanish)

December 1-3 in Westminster, Colorado

With Janelle Hallman of Desert Hope Ministries 

Information

Christian Manhood Retreat

December 8-10 in Southern California

Flyer (English)

Flyer (Spanish)

January 20, 2018 in Queens, New York

With Andy Comiskey of Desert Streams Ministries  

Flyer

More Information and registration