COURAGE NEWSLETTER
July 2017
St. Monica's prayers for
 St. Augustine inspire EnCourage
Courage/EnCourage 
Annual Conference 

Don't Miss Out!
Register by July 15

Mundelein, Illinois
July 27-30  
Clergy Study Day - July 26



Celebrating EnCourage 30th anniversary 

Speaker book signings with 
Fr. Paul Scalia, Dan Mattson, and Matt Fradd. 


Información en Español:   Oficina@couragerc.org


Courage News
Courage Welcomed at Landmark Leaders Event 

Fr. Paul Check speaking at convocation
Fr.  Bochanski tweeted a photo of our former director, Fr. Paul Check, at a plenary session of the USCCB's Convocation of Catholic Leaders in Orlando regarding pastoral care for those on the margins, including those who experience same sex attractions. Fr. Bochanski, Rilene S. (Courage), Chris C. (EnCourage), Dr. Michael Horne, and Bishops LeVoir and Seitz (both former chaplains) also took part in a breakout session on the same topic answering questions and discussing successful strategies. Many of the 4000 attendees visited our exhibitor booth to learn more about our work. 


Our Director in the Media 
Fr. Bochanski has been featured in several different Catholic media outlets in recent weeks getting the word out about the work of the Courage apostolate and the Good News of chastity for people who experience same-sex attractions.
This Chris Altieri interview was a significant opportunity for Courage as Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service of the Vatican.   
Fr. Bochanski's commentary for the National Catholic Register was inspired by his prayer and reflection upon a visit to the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.   
An enthusiastic advocate for the goodness of Church teaching and for the work of Courage, Jennifer's interview with Father starts at 1:15:30. 

Promoting Your Chapter in Your Diocese 
 
A seasoned Courage member and advocate contributes Part 1 of a  series.   He writes about raising awareness of your local chapter by making connections with each individual parish and by establishing a relationship  with  key diocesan staff. 


Atlanta Courage/EnCourage Open House
Saturday, July 15, in Atlanta, Georgia
Living Waters Leadership Training
July 22-28 in Kansas City, Kansas
Equips attendees for effective ministry to the sexually and relationally broken.
Healing Parents Retreat 
August 11-13 in Littleton, Colorado
With Janelle Hallman and Desert Hope .
A small group experience for parents of children with same-sex attraction.
Courage Fall Women's Retreat 
November 2-5 in Northern New Jersey 
Save the date.  
Contact: Tina 
Congreso Latinoamericano  de Courage Latino 2017
Del 17 al 19 de Noviembre 
Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Carta invitación (Invitation letter)
Inscripción  (Registration)

courage Courage Resources
Focus on Daniel Mattson  
2017 Conference Speakers  

Hear Dan's testimony in
Desire of the Everlasting Hills
Daniel Mattson, who many will recognize from our documentary Desire of the Everlasting Hills, is a Courage member who presents nationally on the Church's Good News of chastity for people who live with same-sex attractions. At our summer conference,  he will speak on  "Lessons Learned on the Journey of a Prodigal Son."  
Dan's new book
Dan's first book,  Why I Don't Call Myself Gay: How I Reclaimed My Sexual Reality and Found Peace  has just been released by  Ignatius Press and will be available for purchase at the conference.  

From the publisher's website:  " In this frank memoir, Mattson chronicles his journey to and from a gay identity, finding peace in his true identity, as a man, made in the image and likeness of God. Part autobiography, part philosophy of life, and part a practical guide in living chastely. Mattson's book is for anyone who has ever wondered who he is, why he is here, and, in the face of suffering, where to find joy, happiness, and the peace that surpasses all understanding." 

Order book, Why I Don't Call Myself Gay

 

From Cardinal Robert Sarah's foreword to book

 

Catholic World Report interviews Dan about book

 

Al Kresta interviews Dan on Ave Maria radio

Susanna and the Elders
by Giuseppe Bartolomeo Chiari
The Anatomy of a Sin 

Msgr. Charles Pope draws from the story of Susanna in Daniel 13 to consider three sources from which sin springs:  suppressing one's conscience, distancing oneself from God, and dismissing the eternal consequences of sin. 

EnCourage Father Writes in Catholic Newspaper  

An article by Bernie S. was featured recently in the National Catholic Register
where he shares the initial isolation he and his wife experienced upon first learning of their son's situation and then the great comfort and support of like-minded new friends in the EnCourage apostolate.  

Adolescents and Same-Sex Attractions: Beware of Labeling

Fr. Paul Scalia, the Chairman of the Board of Courage, warns of the risks of labeling of oneself as "gay" or "lesbian," especially for the young.  This essay for  First Things is especially helpful for parents of teens who are just beginning to recognize feelings of same-sex attractions.  


For clergy, parish and diocesan staff, catechists, 
mental/medical health care professionals, and other pastoral ministers
New Report on the Problems with Puberty Suppression 

"Increasingly, gender therapists and physicians argue that children as young as nine should be given puberty-blocking drugs if they experience gender dysphoria.  But a new article by three medical experts reveals that there is little scientific evidence to support such a radical procedure.  The article, "Growing Pains..." ... discusses over 50 peer-reviewed studies on gender dysphoria in children" (Ryan T. Anderson). 

Read the report, "Growing Pains:  Problems with Puberty Suppression in Treating Gender Dysphoria" by  Paul W. Hruz, Lawrence S. Mayer, Paul R. McHugh in The New Atlantis


St. Mary of the Lake
Clergy Study Day 
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 
University of Saint Mary of the Lake 
Mundelein, Illinois 


Included in study  day: 
  • Courage Member Personal Testimony
  • Catholic Anthropology 
  • Psychological Aspects of Same-Sex Attractions
  • Transgender Surgery and Christian Anthropology
  • Complimentary Lunch
  • Pastoral Care 1:  Preaching
  • Pastoral Care 2:  Ministering God's Mercy 
Stay for the entire Courage/EnCourage Conference on July 27-30: 

No charge, but registration required: 


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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. 
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