Message from Our Director
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Dear Friends,
It is a pleasure to greet you once again. As always, the rhythms of the Church's devotional life and liturgical year provide us with many important things on which to reflect together. This is particularly true in the coming month of November.
The
Solemnity of All Saints on November 1 certainly puts us in mind of the heavenly patrons of our apostolate. It also challenges us to respond to the universal call to holiness, and to strive to be saints after their example.
Saint Charles Lwanga
and his companions inspire us to imitate their faithful witness to the truth of God's plan for sexuality, to a world that seems to reject that truth more easily each day. Our striving for chastity in the modern world is truly a counter-cultural witness.
Saint Monica and Saint Augustine remind us of the power of intercessory prayer for our loved ones, and call us to renewed hope in Divine Providence, even when God's timing seems to take much longer than we would prefer. They are models for us of fervent prayer, strong family bonds, and the kind of mutual understanding that is the foundation for real charity.
The
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, often called
All Souls' Day, on November 2, draws our attention to God's abundant mercy: that even after death he allows faithful souls an opportunity to be fully purified and prepared for the Beatific Vision. People sometimes ask me how we measure "success" in the apostolate. My usual reply is that until we stand before God face to face, each of us is still a work in progress, still on the road to our final destination. Just as we support and encourage one another in this life to be more deeply converted and united to Our Lord, this month is an important occasion for us to pray for our deceased loved ones,
and especially Courage and EnCourage members and chaplains, that their time of purification will be swift and they will enter soon into the full joy of heaven.
November is also a time, especially in the United States, for
Thanksgiving. We who are members and friends of Courage and EnCourage today have received a rich legacy from our founding members, and from those who have participated in the apostolate for nearly forty years. Our fellowship has grown from a small group to a truly world-wide community, through the witness of faithful members, the dedication of our chaplains, and the contribution of human and material resources from so many volunteers, benefactors and friends. Remember that we celebrate Mass in the Courage Office monthly for the intentions of our benefactors, living and deceased. I am deeply grateful to you for the many ways your support allows us to deepen, grow and share the gifts we have received from the Lord through His Church and particularly through our apostolate.
May God give you the grace to be mindful in the days ahead of the blessings we have received in the communion of saints, and to rely on his great mercy as you strive to live a life of thankful praise.
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News
- Mass for Deceased Members and Chaplains on November 4
- Plan to Join in the Year-Long 40th Anniversary Celebration
- "Fr. James Martin and Catholic Belief" from Archbishop Charles Chaput
- Divine Mercy University Tuition Discount
General Resources
- "Homosexuality and God's Merciful Love"
- A Plastic Surgeon/Catholic Deacon on Sex Changes
Courage
- Fr. Paul Check Discusses Virtue—Focus on Chastity
- "What a Beautiful Cross It Is": A Testimony
EnCourage
- Praying Our Loved Ones Home to the Church: A New Book
- Don't Miss the EnCourage Retreat
Courage Internacional (Spanish)
- Courage Internacional October E-Newsletter in Spanish
- Online Conference for Priests and Deacons Held in Spanish
Pastoral resources
- Truth & Love Conference April 27–29 in D.C. area. Registration open!
Events—Too many great opportunities to list here!
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Mass for Deceased Members and Chaplains on November 4
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Noon (EST)
Courage Central Office
Join us if you can!
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Chapel at Courage Central Office
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On Monday, November 4, at 12:00 p.m. (EST), Mass will be offered in the chapel of the Courage Central Office for all of the deceased members and chaplains of Courage and EnCourage.
If a member or chaplain from your chapter has passed away since this time last year, please send an email to Heather at
heatherv@couragerc.org by noon (EST) on Friday, November 1, including the person's first name, last initial, and chapter.
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Plan to Join in the Year-Long 40th Anniversary Celebration
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Our 40th year anniversary celebration will commence at the July 2020 Courage & EnCourage Conference and close at the July 2021 conference. One highlight will be a special 40th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan at the site of the first meeting in NYC on September 26, 2020. Plan ahead to join us at these key events.
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Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
and Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton
Site of first Courage meeting in 1980
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Courage & EnCourage Annual Conference
July 23-26, 2020 in Mundelein, Illinois
(Archdiocese of Chicago)
40th Anniversary of Courage's First Meeting
September 26, 2020, at 12:00 noon, in New York, New York
Holy Mass with Cardinal Timothy Dolan at the site of the first Courage meeting
Courage & EnCourage Annual Conference
July 14-18, 2021, in Mundelein, Illinois
(Archdiocese of Chicago)
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"Fr. James Martin and Catholic Belief"
Archbishop Charles Chaput cautions the faithful
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Most Rev. Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M.
Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia/CatholicPhilly.com
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On the official Archdiocese of Philadelphia website, Archbishop Charles Chaput. O.F.M., discusses the teaching of Fr. James Martin on same-sex attractions. While acknowledging that Fr. James Martin, S.J., has "sought in a dedicated way to accompany and support people with same-sex attraction," the archbishop goes on to clarify for the faithful that "at the same time, a pattern of ambiguity in his teachings tends to undermine his stated aims, alienating people from the very support they need for authentic human flourishing." The archbishop then proceeds to outline five key areas of concern.
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Divine Mercy University Tuition Discount
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Divine Mercy University offers a
20% tuition reduction to those associated with Courage and EnCourage in hopes that "the Holy Spirit is drawing more people to serve the mental health needs of people with same-sex attraction." Divine Mercy University "is committed to mental health rooted in the Catholic understanding of the human person, the family, and society."
Programs offered at Divine Mercy University:
Contact Divine Mercy University admissions today at 703-416-1441 or
enroll.divinemercy.edu. Be sure to tell them Courage sent you!
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Homosexuality and God's Merciful Love
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Robert Stackpole, STD, of the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy, appeared on
EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa. In their insightful discussion, Dr. Stackpole looks at psychology and sociology, reaffirms Church teaching on homosexuality, and encourages all Catholics, as fellow sinners in need of healing, to show God’s love and mercy to those who experience same-sex attraction.
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At 18:53 on the video Dr. Stackpole gives a
strong affirmation of Courage as "people who have decided to take Jesus Christ at His word that being His disciple and following Him brings more fulfillment, more peace of heart, more joy, and more love, than any possible alternative lifestyle."
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A Plastic Surgeon/Catholic Deacon on Sex Changes
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Frequent speaker at Courage Clergy Study Days, Deacon Patrick Lappert, M.D., was interviewed on the
Trending with Timmerie Catholic radio talk show. "While the culture attempts to downplay 'gender affirmation surgery' as basic routine healthcare, a surgeon shares the reality of what a sex change is." The enlightening discussion covers "gender, homosexuality, human anthropology, human nature, morality, top surgery, bottom surgery, and sex hormones."
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"Male and female, he created them" (Gen. 1:27).
Creation of Eve
by Michelangelo
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Be advised that the interview includes a very frank discussion of the nature of transgender surgery and outcomes for patients and might not be for everyone.
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Fr. Paul Check Discusses Virtue—Focus on Chastity
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Fr. Paul Check, former executive director of Courage and current rector at St. John Fisher Seminary in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was a recent guest on two episodes of
Catholic Answers Focus. In the first show, Fr. Check laid a foundation, explaining "how virtues are the real powers that allow for fullness of life." In the second program, he discussed the "importance of chastity in everyone's life."
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"What a Beautiful Cross It Is!"
Young man finds freedom in chastity and love of God
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Courage member and college student, Emmanuel Gonzalez, is eager to let others know about the freedom and peace he has found in a chastity that flows from having entrusted himself to our loving God in the heart of the Church. On his blog
he writes of how his earlier years were plagued by fear and self-hatred, followed by a lonely search for love and acceptance in the LGBT community. But now Emmanuel says that each day is "a wonderful opportunity to unite myself with Christ’s glorious sacrifices for me in my own daily sacrifice.… My soul has never been closer to my Creator than now and I truly would not turn back around for anything else that this world has to promise me."
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Praying Our Loved Ones Home to the Church
New book is filled with powerful original prayers
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EnCourage mother, Mary Sullivan, coordinates the daily EnCourage prayer conference calls and posts inspiring prayers in the online group. Now her prayers are readily available in her new book,
Praying Our Loved Ones Home to the Church
. "Many of our loved ones have become lost in a sea of confusion and have wandered far from the faith." Mary's "heartfelt and lyrical prayers …bring encouragement, peace, and surrender to those craving help and mercy from God. They provide hope that it is possible to bring back those who have wandered— … back to the Sacraments, … the Church, and … the arms of our loving and merciful God." Robert Cardinal Sarah endorses the book, as an "aid in assisting people to seek out the lost and bring them back into the fold."
Mary's website,
Pray4LovedOnes, should be up and running in a few weeks.
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Don't Miss the EnCourage Retreat
Come away to be renewed by prayer, inspiring talks, and fellowship
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We invite EnCourage members to 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 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
Space is almost filled.
Register today!
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
October E-Newsletter in Spanish
El boletín electrónico de octubre de Courage Internacional
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Online Conference for Priests and Deacons Held in Spanish
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On both October 12 and 26, Spanish-speaking clergy members of twelve countries from around the world gathered online for sessions to equip them to minister to persons who experience same-sex attractions. From the beginning, the Spanish-speaking clergy showed great interest in the conference. In total, close to 170 participants registered for the event.
The conference presentations included Christian anthropology, theology, pastoral care, and a testimony. We are grateful for the enthusiastic response of these caring priests and deacons.
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A conference offering
practical and pastoral guidance
on the topics of homosexuality
and sexual identity
to those who minister to them.
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Holiday Inn
Washington-Dulles International Airport
Sterling, Virginia
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Join us as we mark
the 100th birthday
of Pope Saint John Paul II
by naming him
the official patron
of Truth & Love
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WHAT: Comprehensive formation from experts in the fields of pastoral ministry, theology, philosophy, psychology, and health care in caring for people who experience same-sex attractions and/or gender dysphoria. It will also feature testimonials from men and women who themselves experience SSA and who have embraced the Church’s teaching on chastity.
WHO: Attendees will include clergy, religious, and professionals who are seeking comprehensive formation on the topics of homosexuality and gender identity. The event is especially geared towards those working in pastoral care, education, medicine, and the mental health professions.
MORE INFORMATION:
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Spread the word!
Your invitation could make the difference!
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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
Deadline: November 9. Space is almost filled.
Register today!
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Courage Men's "Christian Manhood" Retreat
December 6–8, 2019, in southern California
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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
"'Be Not Afraid'': Affirming the Truth about Sex and Identity"
April 27–29, 2020 in Sterling, Virginia
(Holiday Inn, Washington-Dulles)
For those involved in ministry to persons with same-sex attractions.
An initiative of Courage International.
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Courage & EnCourage Annual Conference
July 23-26, 2020 in Mundelein, Illinois
(Archdiocese of Chicago)
Kickoff for our 40th Anniversary celebration
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40th Anniversary of Courage's First Meeting
Holy Mass with Cardinal Timothy Dolan
September 26, 2020, at 12:00 noon, in New York, New York
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Courage & EnCourage Annual Conference
July 14-18, 2021 in Mundelein, Illinois
(Archdiocese of Chicago)
Closing of our 40th Anniversary celebration
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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.
Photo credits
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