The Nativity by the Cuzco School, 1700's, in the Brooklyn Museum.

Dear Friends,

As we approach a Christmas season that will be unusual, and perhaps difficult, in many ways, I want to assure you that you and your families are very close to my heart, and in my prayers and those of Father Colin Blatchford and our team at the Courage Office.

May the joy of Christmas, when we contemplate the face of the Infant Jesus, remain in your hearts throughout the new year. Like the angels who announced the birth of the Savior, may we give glory to God in heaven by our words and actions, and share His peace with our brothers and sisters here on earth. In His great love and mercy, He has become Man for us and our salvation, and has raised our human dignity to the glory of becoming His sons and daughters.

May the newborn King bring you peace, and may His Holy Family always be your guide.

Fr. Bochanski introduces a special video message from our bishops:

December 27 marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Father John F. Harvey, OSFS, the beloved founding director of Courage International. On this occasion we'd like to share with you two items that give insights into the extraordinarily holy and wise priest that he was.

Father Paul Scalia wrote a review for Humanum surveying the treasury of insights to be found in three of Father Harvey's books about same-sex attractions: "[Father Harvey] saw things clearly because he accepted the Church’s teaching plainly and did not clutter his mind with worldly sophistication and vanity. Only such a man could forthrightly and peacefully present his writings, as he put it, “for those who believe in rational argument” (The Truth, p. 125) – knowing full well that, although many will not accept it, he must try to reach those who will... or who might someday." [read more]

Furthermore, at the 2011 Courage and EnCourage Annual Conference, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke delivered the opening keynote address entitled “The Memory of Father John Harvey, OSFS and the Future of Courage and EnCourage." He gave a tribute to Father Harvey, who was his personal friend, and focused on the many pastoral innovations that Father Harvey developed from his deep respect of the personhood of people who experience same-sex attractions, leading them to accept and embrace the virtues advocated by the Church.

Throughout our anniversary year we will be featuring many Faces of Courage on our 40 Years of Courage page. Over the past few weeks, we've heard from two of our chaplains speaking of the blessings of ministering to the faithful in Courage and EnCourage.

Deacon Hilmar Pabel, Ph.D.

Courage & EnCourage Chaplain

Archdiocese of Vancouver, British Columbia

Deacon Patrick Lappert, MD

Courage & EnCourage Chaplain

Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama

High-quality spiritual reading list compiled by Dan Burke (close-up of list)

Father Paul Check, the Executive Director of Courage from 2008 to 2016, wrote an endorsement for the book, Single for a Greater Purpose: A Hidden Joy in the Catholic Church: "Embracing St. Paul's confidence that 'in everything, God works for the good with those who love him,' Luanne Zurlo marks a path for men and women who, for whatever reason find themselves single but with full hearts for Christ."

Purchase Single for a Greater Purpose: A Hidden Joy in the Catholic Church

Courage member, David Prosen, recently recorded some reflections on the Litany of Trust which was written by Sister Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life. David reminds us that in the midst of all the suffering and fear of what lies ahead that is present in our world and in our own lives, it's important to remember that our Lord still loves us and that we can place our trust in Him. David then invites us to join him in praying the Litany of Trust, accompanied by beautiful images and reflective music.

The Litany of Trust on the Sisters of Life website (PDF of litany)

~Elena

Dan Burke offers an audio reflection for parents who are grieving over their adult children who have gone astray. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, such parents need to release their children to "the pigs" and prayerfully wait and watch for their return. Until the hearts of these children are ready to hear and receive, they will neither hear the truth nor be freed from their bondage. These parents have little choice but to entrust their children to the God who loves their children even more than the parents do and who wants to pour out His grace on them.

An EnCourage mother, grateful for how God has sustained and provided for her and her family, submitted an article for her diocesan newspaper to consider publishing during the holidays, often an especially challenging time:

I am a mother of a son who experiences same-sex attractions and identifies as “gay,” living accordingly. He told me he was “gay” when he was in high school. My initial reaction was not so much shock as it was fear — for his future, health, and happiness. Despite my anxiety, I was able to assure him that I loved him no matter what path he chose. Like any parent who watches their child make decisions that are not healthy for them, there were times of angst, disappointment, and despair, as I had to allow myself to grieve the loss of the future I’d hoped for for my son. [read more]

Courage Internacional organized an Advent Morning of Prayer and Recollection in Spanish for EnCourage members on Saturday, December 5. The online retreat had more than forty participants from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, and the United States. The participants had the opportunity to reflect, pray, and meditate together on the Advent season and to prepare their hearts for the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us. The day included two reflections, the first by Father Richard Samour, the chaplain of Courage and EnCourage in the Archdiocese of San Antonio in Texas. He explained the meaning of Advent and the virtues we are invited to practice throughout this liturgical season. The second reflection was by Belinda, a member of Courage in Mexico, who developed the theme, "Mary, Mother of Hope." Afterward, a mother who had attended said, “It was a great blessing to participate in this [day of] recollection; I have learned a lot. Blessings to the apostolate!"

On November 14 and 15, the fourteenth annual Encuentro of Courage Latino was held virtually. The theme was "Father, if you are willing, remove this chalice from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). The event was attended by nearly 200 people from sixteen countries who were blessed by moments of reflection, prayer, and fellowship. The conference, which celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of the apostolate in Mexico, began with a few words of welcome from Father Buenaventura Wainwright, Director of Courage Latino, who began the first chapter in Spanish. [read more]

Courage Internacional website in Spanish

The Truth & Love blog is a collection of exclusive articles written to equip clergy, lay ecclesial ministers, mental and medical health care professionals, educators, and others who provide care for persons who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them. The blog is going to be revived in early 2021 with ongoing new content. Be sure to check out the still-relevant earlier posts and then subscribe to the "Truth & Love" email list to receive notice of the new posts. An example of the type of articles to be found on the blog is this timely piece by our director, Father Philip Bochanski:

Priests, deacons, and pastoral ministers should be prepared, especially at this time of year, to encounter parents who have just received this news from their children and are looking to the Church for answers and support. How can we help them? How should we respond?  [read more]

While the fortieth anniversary edition of the Handbook for Courage and EnCourage Chaplains was written especially with our chaplains in mind, the content is helpful to others involved in ministry as well as to our members. The chapter entitled "Prayer and Dedication" concludes with a focus on the sacraments, as does the second of the Five Goals of Courage:

Frequent Attendance at Mass and Frequent Reception of the Holy Eucharist: The advantages of attending Mass frequently should be obvious. … Needless to say, Courage chaplains should strongly encourage their members to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion as often as possible.

Frequent Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Among the many responsibilities of the Courage chaplain, being available to hear the confessions of the chapter members holds pride of place. … From the days of the first Courage chapter, offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation has always been part of each chapter meeting … [T]he availability of the chaplain, whom the members can trust to understand them and to be patient and compassionate, is essential to their ability to grow and be healed.

On the Lust is Boring podcast, Jason Evert hosts an insightful discussion with Fr. Malachy Joseph Napier, C.F.R., on the Church’s response to people who experience discordance in their sexual identity (a.k.a. "transgenderism"). The show notes outline the topics covered:

We hope to move forward with the in-person events listed on our 2021 calendar, while always 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.