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Jesus Washing Peter's Feet by Ford Madox Brown (cropped)
This image illustrates the theme of this year's conference — our own lives poured out in loving service to others in response to Christ's sacrificial love for us.
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Message from Our Acting Director | |
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Dear friends,
I still remember the meeting in March 2014, when my Archbishop appointed me to be the local chaplain for Courage in Cincinnati. As I was leaving the Vocation Office, Archbishop Schnurr asked me to sit in on a meeting, not telling me what it was about. When I walked in, I recognized most of the people sitting around the main conference room table: the Archbishop, the Chancellor, the director of the Family Life Office, the psychologist who did the screenings for our seminarians as part of their application process, another man I did not know at the time, and then, me.
I had a strong feeling that one of these things (me!) did not belong here; but I sat down, nonetheless. That one person whom I didn’t know soon started talking about Courage and his desire to start a chapter in the Cincinnati area. He was in recovery himself and had a strong desire to live the 12th step by helping to start the apostolate locally. I have to say, it was the easiest sell job, ever. Within five minutes, Archbishop Schnurr stopped him, ‘I know what Courage is, I worked with a few men in Washington, DC, when I was there who were members, I want to be strongly supportive. What do we need to do to start the chapter?’
Within a few weeks, he appointed me to begin the chapter and to work with this individual and the psychologist to get it started. At first, I felt completely overwhelmed. Looking back now, I realized how much I didn’t know about this ministry. But as I write this, now nine years later, I am beyond grateful that the Archbishop asked me to start that chapter because it has changed me and my priesthood, for the better, in so many countless ways.
By my work with Courage, I have come to know Jesus in a more particular way, as He comes to the broken and those who know they need His Presence in their lives on a day-by-day basis. It has helped me to recognize my own brokenness, bringing my weakness before the Lord to be made strong by His power within.
So, I am humbled by this opportunity to step in as the acting executive director while we continue the search for the full-time director after Fr. Bochanski was called back to his home archdiocese of Philadelphia. I look forward to meeting many of you at our annual conference in a few short weeks.
As you all know, he leaves big shoes behind. He was such a good leader for this apostolate with his wisdom, his passion and his heart for you, our membership. I am grateful for the times I was able to spend with him, learning from him and just enjoying his wit, if nothing else.
I can assure you, the board of directors and I are working diligently to find a new director as soon as possible. Please keep us in your prayers for wisdom and guidance in this process, so that the right candidate can be brought forward to lead us all into the future.
Please know of my prayers and esteem for you and please keep me in your prayers as well.
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In Christ,
Father Kyle Schnippel
Acting Director
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News
- Annual Courage & EnCourage Conference — July 27–30
- Featured Conference Speaker: Dr. Matthew Ramage
- Recounting Fr. Bochanski’s Contributions to Courage
- 120 Attend Clergy Study Day in Columbia
- Courage Leadership on EWTN News in Depth
- Inaugural Issue of Father John Harvey Guild's Newsletter
- New Chapters
General Resources
- Father Schnippel on the Hope That is Found in Courage
- An Authentic Catholic Response to Same-Sex Attractions
Courage
- Identity in Christ: More Than Just Gay
- The Chaste Man Loves Differently
EnCourage
- The REAL Pastoral Approach
Courage Internacional — For Spanish-Speaking Members and Friends
- July Newsletter in Spanish
Pastoral Resources
- Pre-Conference Courage Clergy Study Day
- Be Sure to Browse Through the Entire Newsletter
Events
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Annual Courage & EnCourage Conference — July 27–30
Last day to register is July 17 — Sign up today!
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There are only a few days left to register for the Annual Courage & EnCourage Conference which will take place at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. The theme this year is "Courageous Love Made Perfect: The Eucharist in Action."
New this year will be simultaneous translation in Italian and Polish for online participants. See the conference page under "Online Participation" for details on how to take advantage of this opportunity.
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Featured Conference Speaker: Dr. Matthew Ramage
Pope Benedict on the "The Healing Power of Sacrificial Love"
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Dr. Matthew Ramage is Professor of Theology at Benedictine College. Much of his research and writing concentrates on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI. His presentation at our 2023 conference is entitled "The Healing Power of Sacrificial Love: Insights from Pope Benedict XVI on How to Live the Experiment of Faith."
Dr. Ramage's website: Truth in Charity
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Recounting Fr. Bochanski’s Contributions to Courage | |
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The National Catholic Register published a story on Father Philip Bochanski's eight-year tenure as assistant and then executive director of Courage International. Joan Frawley Desmond writes about how he oversaw the growth of Courage during that time and helped the apostolate stand as a countercultural witness in the midst of increasing societal confusion about human sexuality as well as in the face of some mixed messages within the Church.
She also spoke with some Courage members whose experience of Father Bochanski is perhaps his most valuable contribution of all. One member is quoted saying that Father "never disregards the severity of the problem or the immorality of acting out, but he starts with a spirit of encouragement . … I never feel like I am being ‘fixed’ by him. I feel I am being loved back to life.” In addition, Father has led the way for people who have loved ones who identify as LGBTQ+, showing them "how it is possible for them to keep the faith and also appreciate and honor the people they love."
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120 Attend Clergy Study Day in Colombia | |
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Courage and EnCourage chaplain, Father Richard Samour, recently traveled to the Diocese of Armenia in Colombia, South America, for a clergy study day, which was attended by about 120 priests and deacons. He was joined by Father Jaime Alvarez who is both the vicar for clergy and the Courage and Encourage chaplain for the diocese. During the event there was a presentation on Christian anthropology, a testimony by a Courage member (Pablo), the celebration of Mass, and fellowship.
See story and more photos on Facebook and Instagram
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Courage Leadership on EWTN News in Depth
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Two of the priests who serve as shepherds for our apostolate were interviewed on the June 16 edition of EWTN News in Depth. Board member and former chaplain, Father Paul Scalia, spoke on how to navigate cultural challenges, with a particular sensitivity to how these challenges impact the members of Courage. Later in the show, Father Colin Blatchford, our associate director, talked about the pastoral care that Courage provides. | |
Inaugural Issue of Father John Harvey Guild's Newsletter | |
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Father John F. Harvey, OSFS, was the founding director of Courage. Here is the opening of the introductory message of the inaugural newsletter of the organization that is working to promote his cause:
The Father John Harvey Guild is overjoyed to present its first newsletter Vir Sanctus to you, our foundational members!
This newsletter will be our primary means of keeping all Guild members up-to-date on the various efforts that are being made to promote awareness of our mission, which is: the sharing of the life, spirituality, and ministry of Father John Francis Harvey, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, with the world and with the Church.
Vir Sanctus is Latin for "A Holy Man". As we're especially praying for the opening of Father Harvey’s cause for beatification and canonization, we thought this title would be most fitting for our newsletter.
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Courage & EnCourage around the world | |
Father Schnippel on the Hope That is Found in Courage | |
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Father Kyle Schnippel, the chair of the board of directors of Courage, who has been both a Courage and EnCourage chaplain in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is now serving as the acting executive director of Courage. He had a great conversation with Father Robert McTeigue on The Catholic Current radio show/podcast. They discuss how, in the contrast to the narratives of Pride Month, Courage offers a message of genuine hope to people who experience same-sex attractions.
Listen online or on your favorite podcast app
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An Authentic Catholic Response to Same-Sex Attractions | |
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The EDIFY Podcast recently featured our outgoing executive director, Father Philip Bochanski. There is something here for everyone as Father elaborates on numerous frequently asked questions like the following:
- Is experiencing same-sex attractions a sin?
- How do we accompany people who experience same-sex attractions?
- How should teachers and parents teach children about human sexuality?
- How does a parent respond to a child who identifies as LGBTQ+?
- How do we respond to mixed messages coming from within the Church?
Listen to full length podcast online (also on YouTube and podcast apps)
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Identity in Christ: More Than Just Gay | |
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In this short clip from a presentation at the 2020 FOCUS leadership summit, Father Mike Schmitz advises that we use "person first " language. We are not defined by our experiences — neither by our strengths nor by our weaknesses. We do not find our identity in our wounds but by the Father's depth of love for us.
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The Chaste Man Loves Differently | |
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On our blog, Brian R., a Courage member from the Washington, D.C., area, shares his reflections on the virtuous love of a chaste man:
He does not see humans as objects … but as children of God. Others sense his pure motivations. Old and young, men and women; all feel secure in his presence. He does not seek his own gain. — He loves like a brother.
His love requires self-denial; self-control. He strives to protect his own soul and the souls of all he encounters. He offers a generative love that helps others flourish and thrive. — He loves like a father.
Read "The Chaste Man Lives Differently"
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The REAL Pastoral Approach | |
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In addition to the longer podcast recommended in the General Resources section of our newsletter, EDIFY also created a nicely-produced animated short video in which Father Bochanski responds to the question of how we nurture our relationships with the people in our lives who identify as LGBTQ without abandoning the truths of our faith. The answer lies in the art of "true, loving accompaniment."
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For Spanish Speaking Members and Friends | |
July Newsletter in Spanish | |
Come to the Pre-Conference Clergy Study Day …
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Benedictine College in Atchinson, Kansas
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This day of presentations for priests, deacons, and seminarians includes talks on the following foundational topics as they relate to same-sex attractions and gender identity discordance (gender dysphoria):
- Catholic anthropology
- Pastoral care
- Witness from Courage member
- Transgender surgery and Christian anthropology
There is no charge for the study day! We want to make it easy for you to come. Registration is still required.
See details on registration and schedule for clergy study day
… and Stay for the Courage & EnCourage Conference
July 27-30 on "Courageous Love Made Perfect: The Eucharist in Action"
There is a charge for clergy attendance at the general conference.
Register for clergy study day and conference by July 17!
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The conference page includes information on the clergy study day (registration, schedule) as well as information on the general conference (registration, schedule, speaker bios and talk titles). | |
Be Sure to Browse Through the Entire Newsletter | |
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While we typically include content here that is directed specifically to those who are involved in pastoral care, we would also always encourage you to skim through the items in the other sections of the newsletter for content that could be useful to you. This month there are several items that apply to pastoral care.
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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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Courage Clergy Study Day
July 26, 2023
Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas
Schedule | Registration info on annual conference page | Sign up by July 17
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Courage & EnCourage Annual Conference
"Courageous Love Made Perfect:
The Eucharist in Action."
July 27–30, 2023
Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas
Conference page (register, speakers, schedule) | Sign up by July 17
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EnCourage Retreat
September 29–October 1, 2023
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Information
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Watch our Events Calendar regularly for updates.
NOTE TO CHAPLAINS: You are encouraged and more than welcome to participate in all Courage & EnCourage events. Please feel free to reach out to the event organizer to see how you can be involved.
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Disclaimer: 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. | | | | |
