The Courage Apostolate Home Page

Veni Redemptor Gentium!

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HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS OF INTEREST: These are "must read" articles and links for Courage Members and Supporters (See list below)

Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care
Issued by USCCB, November 2006

Are you or a loved one experiencing homosexual attraction and looking for answers?
      
Courage, an apostolate of the Catholic Church, ministers to persons with same-sex attraction and their loved ones. We have been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family and our beloved John Paul II said of this ministry, "COURAGE is doing the work of God!"  We also have an outreach called EnCourage which ministers to relatives, spouses, and friends of persons with same-sex attraction.

In Courage you will get to know men and women who share in your concerns, meeting them online through our Listservs, or in person at Chapter Meetings, Conferences, Days of Recollection, and Retreats. 

Come see what we are about.  Browse our pages.  Get to know our community.   You'll be glad you did!

From our website you will learn about same sex attraction and chastity.  By developing an interior life of chastity, which is the universal call to all Christians, one can move beyond the confines of the homosexual identity to a more complete one in Christ.

You don't have to climb this mountain alone!

"Trust Christ; listen attentively to his teachings, fix your eyes on his face, persevere in listening to his Word. Allow him to focus your search and your aspirations, all your ideals and the desires of your heart."   -- Pope John Paul II

Order the DVD: A Profile in Courage: Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS - by Metanoia Pictures

Read and/or download Fr. Paul Check's December 2011 Letter to Courage/EnCourage Members. 

  2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE TALKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING: Click here to watch the online video presentations.

News, Announcements, & Upcomping Events

INFORMED CONSENT: Fr. Paul Check's New Column 
Articles which address homosexuality from the standpoint of the medical and psychological sciences --Click to access.

OUTREACH TO HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS: THE UNDERSTANDING HEART --  by Jeffrey Keefe O.F.M. Conv., Ph.D., S.T.L

DESIGNED FOR SEX: WHAT WE LOSE WHEN WE FORGET WHAT SEX IS FOR -- by J. Budziszewski

Featured Homily: Feast of the Holy Family
Fr. Paul Check

HOMOSEXUALITY: A SPECIAL CALL TO THE LOVE OF GOD AND MAN
Dr. Jeff Mirus

COURAGE: SPEAKING THE TRUTH WITH LOVE
Most Reverend James D. Conley, Auxiliary Bishop's Column

A Paper on the Psychology of Forgiveness
Dr. Robert Enright
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Are people born "gay" or do they choose to be gay?

The answer to both questions is no—although in many passionate debates generated by this topic, we are quick to dismiss objectivity. In reality, these questions provide a smoke screen to a much bigger problem that is pervasive in our society, in religious circles, politics, and clinical settings. The problem I speak of is the idea that homosexuality is an identity. (Read more .... )

An Article by Melinda Selmys, author of the book
Sexual Authenticity: An Intimate Reflection on Homosexuality and Catholicism

Twelve years ago, I converted to Catholicism and began a long dialogue with my own sexuality. At the time, I was involved in a lesbian relationship that had been going on for a little over six years. I had, in the course of researching the Catholic position with a view to refuting it, encountered the Church's teachings on homosexual relationships before, so when I decided to embrace the Church as my mother, I knew that meant giving up my lesbian partner. I called her that night and explained my decision.

At the time, I thought that I was signing up for a life of celibacy. I was okay with that: before I became a Catholic I was a hard rationalist, and it wasn't a long stretch to port my idealistic devotion to rational self-possession into an iron-clad commitment to Catholic sexual teaching. I would simply apply my will to the problem, subsume my passions to the rule of Reason, and everything would be fine. Right? (Read more ...)

The Pastoral Response to Homosexuality - Melinda Selmys

In his September 1, 2011 columm "Gay and Christian," Russell Saltzman addressed my article in the New Oxford Review, in which I sketched a brief history of homosexual politics over the past two and a half millennia as ackground for understanding the present controversy.  (Read more ...)

Courage Continues Mission of Its Founder, Father Harvey
Director of Catholic apostolate to homosexuals discusses challenges and opportunities.

Courage, a Church apostolate ministering to people with same-sex attraction, held its 23rd annual conference this summer in Chicago... Register correspondent Matthew A. Rarey covered the conference, which featured daily Masses celebrated by Courage chaplains as well as the five bishops in attendance. Afterward, he had several in-depth conversations with Father Paul Check, executive director of Courage, about the apostolate and the assault on chastity in a “sex-saturated” culture. (Read the entire article...)

The Angelic Warfare Confraternity is 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. The Confraternity is an official apostolate of the Dominican Order.

A Confraternity is a supernatural brotherhood or fellowship of men and women who make a sacred pact to pursue some good together in the Church. A Confraternity is a bond of love serving some good and holy purpose, and reflecting the communion of the Holy Trinity.

The Catholic World Report, December 2011

By Chuck Weber

Read the article:

Courage's outreach to men and women with
same-sex attraction continues to grow, as bishops like Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix promote its vital work.

SAVE THE DATE!

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."  ... St. Francis deSales

  Audio Talk: Chastity and Charity
by Fr. Paul Check

LIBERATED LOVE
Courage offers compassion, fellowship, and hope to those with same-sex attraction.
By Jim Graves

In January, the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut announced it was becoming the latest diocese to launch a chapter of Courage, the Catholic apostolate that helps men and women struggling with same-sex attraction live in accordance with the teachings of the Church. Deacon Robert Pallotti, director of the office of the diaconate for the archdiocese, helped develop the program for Hartford. He explained that Courage helps people “who need our care and love. In some cases, they have been rejected by society. They need to be accepted, affirmed, and supported as Roman Catholics trying to remain faithful to Church teaching.”

The Sister Servants of the Eternal Word invite you a Men's Courage Retreat given by Father Paul Check, Executive Director of Courage. The retreat's theme will be Catholic Manhood.

The retreat starts at 7 pm Friday, March 23, and lasts until 2 pm Sunday, March 25. The retreat will feature conferences by Father Check, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each day, opportunities for Sacramental Confession, as well as fellowship with fellow members of Courage. If you are interested in this retreat or need more information, please contact us.

E-mail: sclaremarie@sisterservants.com
Phone: (205) 956-6760

The Retreat Schedule is posted on the "Retreats" page.

Download Flyer:

C-MAC Inc. Presents ...

Sports Camp XIII

Thurs, May 24 - Sun, May 27, 2012
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
Wynnewood (Philadelphia), PA

More Information:

 Registration Form:

Join fellow Courage members for Sports Camp XIII, being held again at beautiful St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.  Participants learn rules, skills, and strategies for competitive team sports such as softball, flag football, basketball, and soccer, all in a supportive and spiritually enriching environment.