St. Francis de Sales by Nicolas Guy Brenet, 18th century
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Message from Our Director |
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Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope that your celebration of the Christmas season was filled with peace, joy and the love of family and friends.
Yesterday was the memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, the 17th-century bishop of Geneva and a doctor of the Church. Perhaps most famous for his important books Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God, Saint Francis was convinced that every person — bishop or butcher, Mother General of a religious order or mother of a family — was able to practice a life of prayer and dedication to God suited to his or her particular state in life. His spiritual approach was certainly an inspiration to our beloved founding director, Father Harvey, who as an Oblate of Saint Francis de Sales was steeped in this tradition and in its watchword: "Live Jesus!"
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With this in mind, I want to draw your attention to our upcoming Courage and EnCourage Conference, which will take place from July 28 to 31, at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. Bearing in mind the request of the apostles to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Lk 11:1), this year's conference will focus on the many facets of the Second Goal of Courage, which is also the First Goal of EnCourage: |
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"to dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist" |
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A number of wonderful speakers have been invited to take up each part of this Goal, beginning with a keynote address about the spirituality of Saint Francis De Sales, and how it is reflected in the spiritual heritage of our apostolate. We will be featuring our invited speakers in the newsletter for the next few months. Registration will open later in the spring; for now, please save the date and plan to be with us! |
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I would also like to remind you about the importance of participation in the upcoming Synod of Bishops. The Holy Father has invited and encouraged Catholics around the world to take part in local listening sessions in their parishes and dioceses, so that the experiences and needs of the whole Church can be brought to the Synod for the bishops' careful pastoral consideration. I urge you to communicate with your local pastor and bishop, especially to share your perspectives, needs and experiences regarding the Church's teaching on chastity and same-sex attractions, and whether or not you are finding the support and accompaniment you are looking for as you strive to carry out God's will in your lives.
This kind of sharing is best done locally, so that your pastors and bishops can appreciate the needs of their own flocks, as well as pass them along to the universal Church. If you are hesitant to reveal your experiences in public, your diocese may provide ways to share your input in a more private way. You can also send your comments to the Courage Office; we would be happy to pass them along to your local diocese while protecting your privacy.
The year ahead will bring as many questions and challenges as any other, to be sure, but we can be confident that God will always provide the grace and strength we need to be able to embrace and do his will. I pray that this year will also bring many blessings and consolations to you and your loved ones. Be sure of my prayers for you and for them.
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Father Philip G. Bochanski
Executive Director
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News
- Annual Courage and EnCourage Conference: Save the Date
- Survey: What are Your Favorite Spiritual Resources?
- Could Your EnCourage Chapter Welcome Virtual Members?
- Introducing FrJamesLloyd.com!
- New Courage and EnCourage Chapters
General Resources
- New Timeline Displays History of Courage Apostolate
- The Spiritual Directory of St. Francis De Sales
- Making a Good Confession
The Upper Room Blog
- "Who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?”
- "YouTube Porn and the Search for Manhood”
Courage
- Courage On Call
- Our True Identity as Children of God
EnCourage
- Loving Your Wayward Child in Attitude and Action
Courage Internacional — For our Spanish-Speaking Members and Friends
- January Newsletter in Spanish
Pastoral Resources
- Chaplain Writes About Courage in Catholic Digest
- Witness: God's Grace Brings Trust, Freedom, and Peace
Events
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Save the Date for the Annual Courage & EnCourage Conference
Will focus on spirituality, beginning with the wisdom of St. Francis de Sales
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"Lord Teach us to Pray"
July 28 –31, 2022
University of St. Mary of the Lake
Mundelein, Illinois
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Our keynote speaker will be Canon Matthew Talerico, the American Provincial Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. He will be discussing the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, who serves as a key inspiration in the life of his order. This exemplary Doctor of the Church was likewise influential in the life of our founding director, Father John F. Harvey of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales, and thus he is also central in the spirituality of Courage. |
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Canon Matthew Talerico shares
practical wisdom from St. Francis de Sales
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Survey: What are Your Favorite Spiritual Resources? |
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Since our 2022 Annual Courage and EnCourage conference will be focusing on the spiritual life, we are surveying our readers to find out what has been most helpful to you in this area. We'd really appreciate you spending a couple of minutes telling us about your favorite resources for prayer and spiritual reading as well as your favorite retreats. We plan to share the results after the conference so that we can benefit from each other's experiences. The survey will close on February 22. |
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Could Your EnCourage Chapter Welcome Virtual Members? |
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We often get inquiries from potential EnCourage members who do not have access to a local chapter but would very much appreciate online support. If your EnCourage chapter is meeting virtually or having hybrid meetings, and you are able to welcome a few new remote members, please let us know. While there is a particular need for EnCourage chapters, we'd also be happy to hear from Courage chapters that are able to serve in this way.
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Introducing FrJamesLloyd.com!
Enjoy the wit and wisdom of Courage's beloved oldest chaplain
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Father James Lloyd, CSP, a beloved new York City Courage chaplain for over 27 years who turns 101 (!!!) this April, now has his own website: frjameslloyd.com. |
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The site includes:
- wonderful gallery of photos on landing page
- information on Father's books, including Addressing the Unmentionable: Catholicism and Same-Sex Attraction
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featured videos including Father's appearance on Conversation with Cardinal Dolan; interviews of celebrities on his own NBC TV show, Inquiry (Mother Teresa, his own Vaudevillian parents, and more); and recordings of special occasions
- links to Father's social media presence
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blog page of Father's insightful, erudite, and often entertaining reflections
- recording of Father's inimitable voice-mail message
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Father Lloyd's voice mail message:
"Say your prayers, walk with God,
and have some appropriate fun!"
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New Courage and EnCourage Chapters |
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Courage & EnCourage
around the world
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New Timeline Displays History of Courage Apostolate |
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The Spiritual Directory of St. Francis De Sales
A practical application of the wisdom that formed our founding director
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Courage and EnCourage members (and anyone else!) will benefit from this Spiritual Directory of St. Francis de Sales, whose feast day we just celebrated. This contemporary presentation, interpreted by Jerry Weiss and Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is originally from the website of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (North American Provinces) and is re-presented with permission on the Salesian Spirituality page of frjohnharvey.com.
A daily spiritual plan is a great aid to the cultivation of chastity of the heart and the development of an interior life in union with Christ. We trust this simple Spiritual Directory, based on the writings and practices of St. Francis De Sales — the same writings and practices that formed the mind and heart of Fr. John Harvey, OSFS, our founding director — will help you form good daily habits of prayer and recollection, and help you grow in peace. |
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Making a Good Confession
By Father Colin Blatchford, Associate Director of Courage
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Confession, reconciliation, or penance are all common names for the sacrament instituted by Christ in which forgiveness of sins committed after baptism is granted through the absolution of the priest to the person who sorrowfully confesses his sins and promises to make satisfaction for them. Satisfaction means that the person will undertake actions in justice to make up for the consequences of the sins confessed. It is a sacrament because it is an outward sign — involves bodily actions — instituted by Christ to impart grace to the soul — of a spiritual reality. …
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To subscribe click "Update profile" at the bottom of this email.
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"Who am I That the Mother of My Lord Should Come to Me?”
By A.J. Benjamin, a member of Courage
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I always knew I was different. I could never quite put my finger on it, but I always knew that I was not like the other boys. I always felt disconnected from my same-sex peers like I somehow just didn’t belong.
From a very early age, I can remember feeling attracted to men, even before those feelings became sexualized at puberty. Once those hormones came raging in and I figured out what was happening to me and that I was sexually attracted to men the way other boys my age were attracted to women, I closed down and emotionally shut everyone out, determined that no one should ever find out my dirty little secret. …
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"YouTube Porn and the Search for Manhood”
By Hudson Byblow, a member of Courage
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So, last night I found myself looking at YouTube. Only this time it wasn’t videos of screaming goats that sound like humans, or about some crazy zits being squeezed, or about decapitated reptile heads that still bite if prodded. No … this time it was far more than that.
I was fatigued and a bit frustrated about some things in life and was looking for even more of a release. I decided to look up some videos that would trigger a lil’ bit of lust. Of course, I thought to myself, “Hey, it’s only YouTube — it doesn’t count as porn.” I knew I was fooling myself. I even made sure to take off my Rosary bracelet before beginning this wild goose chase towards false fulfillment. …
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Keep up with the latest blog posts on social media!
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The two stories above are from The Upper Room blog. Our beloved founding director, Fr. John Harvey, OSFS, liked to say, "Our members are our best ambassadors. Our blog is where members and chaplains share their stories of God's work in their lives. Go to CourageRC.org > Resources (dropdown) > Blog.
Subscribe to the blog by clicking "Update profile"
at the bottom of this email.
If you would like to contribute to the blog,
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Courage On Call
No local chapter? You can still get regular support by phone.
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Courage On Call is a weekly phone bridge of Courage that aims to reach out to men and women who experience same-sex attractions and wish to live chastely, but do not have access to a local Courage chapter or prefer an alternative to the online forums. Courage on Call follows the format of face-to-face Courage meetings. With its focus on The Five Goals of Courage, Courage on Call offers a great opportunity to grow in the virtue of chastity through the support of chaste friendships. A unique feature of this call is an ongoing discussion of Saint John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
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Our True Identity as Children of God |
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Fr. Colin Blatchford celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Indian Land, South Carolina, on the Feast of the Epiphany. He began his homily by introducing himself as the associate director of Courage and explaining that the Church's approach to same-sex attractions is, at its heart, about identity. The essential starting point for persons who experience same-sex attractions (and for everyone else) is that our core identity is found in the fact that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. "The love of God is sufficient to transform us." |
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Loving Your Wayward Child in Attitude and Action |
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In an episode of The Jeff Cavins Show, the well-known evangelist and Bible teacher talks about effective attitudes and actions that can convey our love and the love of God to our family members who have fallen away from the faith. His foundational point is that "the problem isn't they are living the wrong way; it's that they don't know Christ."
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For our Spanish Speaking Members and Friends |
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January Newsletter in Spanish |
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Chaplain Writes About Courage in Catholic Digest
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Cincinnati Courage chaplain, Father Kyle Schnippel, wrote about Courage for the national magazine, Catholic Digest:
In March 2014, I was transferred from the vocation office for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and into a yet-to-be named parish, where the course of my priesthood would be changed in a way I never thought possible. Archbishop Dennis Schnurr asked me to take on the formation of a chapter of Courage International within the archdiocese. My initial reaction was a mixture of many things, not the least of which was: “There’s no way I can do this!” Yet if Archbishop Schnurr thought I was the best person to do this, I would certainly give it a try!
Five years later, this ministry has changed my priesthood in ways I never thought possible, and the weekly walk with the Courage members is a source of great strength and consolation for me. …
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God's Grace Brings Trust, Freedom, and Peace to Families |
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The second half of the Handbook for Courage and EnCourage Chaplains focuses on EnCourage, an apostolate that provides pastoral care for families and friends of people who experience same-sex attractions or gender identity discordance. Chapter 5 in this section, "Witness," elaborates on the fifth of the Goals of EnCourage: "To witness to their loved ones by their own lives that fulfillment is to be found in Jesus Christ through His Body, the Church."
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Participation in EnCourage … is a process, an ever-deepening commitment to ongoing conversion. While some, perhaps most, EnCourage members begin their journey with the apostolate looking for answers and a way to “fix” their loved one, the Five Goals lead them to seek not a solution to their loved one’s situation, but a real transformation in their own lives. Ultimately, they are able to look for healing and growth in their families and in their loved one’s life, not from anything external, but from their willingness to give witness to how God’s grace has led them to a place of deep trust, freedom and peace. … |
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Truth & Love, an initiative of Courage International, is a multifaceted Catholic resource for anyone seeking the tools to support men and women who experience same-sex attractions.
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We hope to move forward with the in-person events listed on our calendar, while being mindful of the health and wellbeing of our members. Please be aware that, as the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we may be required to postpone, cancel, or move these events online. If you have any questions or concerns, you may review our statement, or contact us here. Watch our events calendar for updates. |
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Sexual Integrity and Redemption
January 30–February 4, 2022, in Quarryville, Pennsylvania
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Courage and EnCourage Florida Day of Recollection
March 5, 2022, in Orlando, Florida
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EnCourage California Retreat
March 11–13, 2022, in Menlo Park, California
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Samson Healing Retreat for Men
April 7–10, 2022, in Hammonton, New Jersey
Event is not hosted by Courage, but by our friends at The Kings Men
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Living Waters Leadership Training
April 24–29, 2022, in Sierra Madre, California
Equips participants for effective ministry to the sexually and relationally broken.
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Courage Men's Sports Camp XXII
May 26–May 29, 2022, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Courage Clergy Study Day
July 27, 2022, in Mundelein, Illinois
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Courage and EnCourage Annual Conference
July 28-31, 2022, in Mundelein, Illinois
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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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