Camino a Emaús
(Road to Emmaus)
,
by Jorge Cocco Santángelo. Oil on canvas, 2018.
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Message from Our Director
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Dear Friends,
I have just returned from Mexico, where I took part in the annual Latin American Encuentro ("encounter") of Courage and EnCourage. It has already been 14 years since Father John Harvey asked Father Don Wainwright to start Courage chapters in Latin America. Since then, "Father Buenaventura," as he is better known, and a devoted team of collaborators have been instrumental in expanding the apostolate throughout Mexico and to numerous other countries in Central and South America. I am very proud of their efforts, which continue to bear much fruit.
Reflecting on those beginnings also leads my thoughts to the founding members of the Courage Apostolate, and to the rich legacy they entrusted to all of us. When the first meeting took place in New York on September 26, 1980, no one could have foreseen the future growth of the apostolate, and how many chapters of Courage and EnCourage would be celebrating its 39th anniversary. Yet everything that the apostolate has become has its origins in that little band of brothers who charted the course that we still follow today.
As we observe our anniversary this Thursday, I invite you to spend some time in prayer, perhaps at daily Mass or a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, to lift up all of our members and chaplains, living and deceased, to God's infinite Mercy. Such a time of prayer will also be a perfect opportunity to thank God for the
Five Goals that guide our apostolate, the first and most important gift He entrusted to us through Father Harvey and our founding members. Living chaste lives founded on prayer and dedication, being committed to fellowship and support, and striving to give good example, can be challenging at times, and so we likewise ask God for the grace we need to embrace and live these goals. But we know from experience the freedom and peace that come from them, and so we pursue them with confidence and the strength that comes from faith.
The apostolate had the Five Goals even before it had a name — this, too, was a real gift from our founding generation. As our unofficial historian, Jim Beers, recounts in his book,
Courage: A Ministry of Hope, there were over forty names proposed at early meetings, comprising numerous virtues and statements of intention. Soon it became clear that all of those names had one thing in common: they required great fortitude, that is, spiritual courage, to carry them out. And so, "in the midst of the heated discussion," founding member Robert S. "got everyone's attention, and said simply, 'Courage! Courage is what we are, and we have to have courage' " (p. 29).
This insight was true in 1980, and it's still true nearly four decades later. In the midst of so much confusion, in the Church and in the secular world, about the truth of our identity, the goodness of God's plan for sexuality, and the possibility of living a virtuous life, "we have to have courage" if we are going to speak the truth with love, as Saint Paul says (cf. Eph 4:15). On this anniversary, I want you to know how much I value the courageous witness that you provide in your daily lives, as you strive to embrace the Five Goals and invite others to do so. Let's keep praying for one another as we celebrate our heritage and persevere in living by it.
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News
- Trivia Tuesday on Instagram!
- Fr. Bochanski on Catholic Answers Live
- Spanish Social Media Sites Launched!
- San Antonio Chapters Host Two Fruitful Events
Courage
- The Angelic Warfare Confraternity
- "Do You Believe That You Were Created Good?"
EnCourage
- What To Do If My Child Has Fallen Away From the Faith
- Come Away for an EnCourage Retreat
Courage Internacional (Spanish)
- Courage Internacional September E-Newsletter in Spanish
- Spanish Online Conference for Clergy
Pastoral resources
- "Shining a New Spotlight" on Christ-like Priests
- Save the Date: Truth & Love Conference April 27–29 in D.C.
Events—Too many great opportunities to list here!
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Trivia Tuesday on Instagram!
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A new feature on the Courage Instagram site is a weekly trivia question. Stop by to check out the Trivia Tuesday story to test your knowledge of interesting and fun facts about Courage!
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Fr. Bochanski Appears on
Catholic Answers Live
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In July Father Bochanski was a guest on the
Catholic Answers Live radio show. He replied insightfully to a wide variety of questions from listeners, including what to do when invited to a same-sex "wedding," the role of conscience, how to relate to a teen daughter "coming out as bisexual," and much more.
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Spanish Social Media Sites Launched!
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Courage now has both Facebook and Instagram sites in Spanish under the name
Courage Internacional. Be sure to let your Spanish-speaking friends and clergy members know about this new outreach.
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San Antonio Chapters Hosts Two Fruitful Events
Retreat for members and workshop for catechists
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Courage and EnCourage chaplain, Fr. Richard Samour, sent us stories about two successful events hosted by his chapters.
"The Courage and EnCourage chapters of San Antonio sponsored their third annual
Recollection Day Retreat entitled
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jer.
1:5). The retreat was conducted in both English and Spanish, with separate talks for each language group."
In addition, the San Antonio chapters hosted a well-attended
workshop for catechists (
flyer), endorsed by the Archdiocese, to guide them in proclaiming the good news about chastity in truth with love.
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The Angelic Warfare Confraternity
Angelic warfare—in fellowship—fosters angelic virtue in chastity
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Many Courage (and EnCourage) members are fortified by participation in the Dominicans'
Angelic Warfare Confraternity, "a supernatural fellowship of men and women bound to one another in love and dedicated to pursuing and promoting chastity together under the powerful patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Virgin Mary."
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The
inspiring new video about the Confraternity is relevant to all Courage members. Fr. Ambrose Mary Little, O.P., offers these encouraging words: "People who struggle with sins against purity often think there's no hope.…That's why it's important that you have an avenue of grace to assist you and friends to help you.…There is hope that you can live a pure life. No matter how bad it is now, by the grace of God, you can find happiness."
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"Do You Believe That You Were Created Good?"
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Shannon Ochoa, Courage friend and co-founder of Eden Invitation, is an "aspiring spoken word poet." At
The Catholic Woman she reads aloud a moving letter on God's personal love in light of her own challenges with same-sex attractions: "The God of the universe who decided it was good to have every blade of grass tied to an intricate ecosystem,…who molded the mountains, thought of
you, and every other unique, unrepeatable human being. And He says we're 'very good.' Do we believe it?"
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What To Do If My Child Has Fallen Away From the Faith
Love, prayer, example, sacrifice, surrender, trust
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Fr. Norbert Wood, O. Praem., offers several sound recommendations to parents who are concerned about their adult children who are no longer living their faith: "Most of all we need to surrender our kids into the loving hands of the Lord.…Let's have trust! God always comes through!"
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Come Away for an EnCourage Retreat
Be renewed by prayer, inspiring talks, and fellowship
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We invite EnCourage members to join us on this special weekend of prayer and reflection exclusively for you. Together, we'll seek God's guidance in cultivating peace of heart, mind, and spirit as we share our journeys with one another and grow closer to the One who created us all. Our Retreat Chaplain will be Fr. Philip Bochanski.
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EnCourage Retreat Midwest
November 22–24, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio
Registration deadline: Friday, November 8
EnCourage Retreat West
January 31–February 2, 2020, in Menlo Park, California
Registration deadline: Tuesday, December 31
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Courage Internacional
For our Spanish-speaking members and friends
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Courage Internacional
September E-Newsletter in Spanish
El boletín electrónico de septiembre de Courage Internacional
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Spanish Online Conference for Clergy
Accompanying persons with same-sex attractions with truth and love
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On October 12 and 26, starting at 10:30 a.m. EST, there will be free online sessions in Spanish for priests and deacons to help them minister to persons who experience same-sex attractions. Presentations will include theology, pastoral care, and a testimony. Please spread the word to any Spanish-speaking clergy members that you know.
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"Shining a New Spotlight" on Christ-like Priests
"Some of the most courageous men I know"
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At CatholicTherapists.com, David Prosen, a Courage member and a clinical counselor, also the author of
Accompanying Those with Same-Sex Attractions, wrote a message of appreciation for faithful priests. No doubt Courage chaplains were among the priests he had in mind as he wrote, "Thank you to those of you who have touched our lives and who stand up for the beautiful teachings of truth in our Church and who preach it with the authentic love of Christ."
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Truth & Love Conference April 27–29 in Virginia
Equip yourself to accompany persons with same-sex attractions
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Save the date! On April 27–29, 2020, in Sterling, Virginia (Diocese of Arlington), Courage will be hosting a Truth & Love Conference for clergy, religious, and those lay faithful working in ecclesial ministry, as well as medical and mental health professionals. Content will include testimonials, expert talks, discussions, and practical recommendations on the topics of homosexuality and sexual identity.
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Living Waters Pacific Southwest Regional Conference
October 12, 2019, in Palm Springs, California
"Who Does He Say That I Am?"
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Spanish Online Clergy Conference
October 19 and 26, 2019
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Judith Healing Retreat for Women
October 24–27, 2019, in Piffard, New York
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East Coast Living Waters Leadership Training Seminar
October 28–November 3, 2019, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Equips attendees for effective ministry to the sexually and relationally broken.
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Courage Women's Retreat
October 31–November 3, 2019 in New Jersey
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Samson Healing Retreat for Men
November 7–10, 2019, in Hammonton, New Jersey
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Gender Matters: Fighting for Integrity of Persons
November 16, 2019, in Lawrence, Kansas
Discover compassion and clarity of Jesus for persons facing sexual identity problems.
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EnCourage Retreat Midwest
November 22–24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio
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Courage Men's "Christian Manhood" Retreat
December 6–8, 2019 in southern California
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Sacred Journey: "Mother's Healing Retreat"
December 6–8, 2019 in Westminster, Colorado
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Courage Men's Retreat Midwest
January 10–12, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana
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Courage Men's Retreat East
January 17–19, 2020 in Stamford, Connecticut
Details forthcoming.
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EnCourage Retreat West
January 31–February 2, 2020 in Menlo Park, California
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Courage Retreat South
March 27–29, 2020 in Birmingham, Alabama
Details forthcoming.
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Truth & Love Conference
April 27–29, 2020 in Sterling, Virginia (Diocese of Arlington)
For those involved in ministry to persons with same-sex attractions.
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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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