Highlighted Items of Interest
"Must read" articles and links for Courage Members and Supporters

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

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

The Catholic World Report, December 2011

By Chuck Weber

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

Read the article:

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 background for understanding the present controversy.  (Read more ...)

LIBERATED LOVE
Courage offers compassion, fellowship, and hope to those with same-sex attractions.
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.”

Five Catholics with same-sex attraction recently sat down for a roundtable interview with Catholic Spirit staff writer and photographer Dave Hrbacek. All are now living chaste lives and following church teaching on sexuality and agreed to talk about their experiences. They represent voices that haven’t been widely heard in the current debate over the proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman — a measure they all support. The following is an edited version of the interview.

Five Catholics describe joys, struggles
of embracing chastity

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...)

Fr. Michael Schmitz is the Chaplain for the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry of the University of Minnesota Duluth.  Every month the Diocese of Duluth publishes a diocesan newspaper.  Fr. Mike is a regular columnist answering fundamental questions of the Catholic Faith.  Below are four of those questions and his answers.

Why Don't Same-Sex Couples Have a Right to Marry?
It seems unfair to say that gay people can't get married.
Is it a violation of their civil rights?

Defining Homosexuality
Why is homosexuality a sin?

Same-Sex Marriage Laws Force the Church to 'Fuss'
Why does my same-sex marriage have to do with you?
Why the fuss over this?

"God Made Me This Way"
I don't know how to respond when someone "explains away" their bad behavior by just saying, "God made
me this way."  Is that true?

Cardinal Archbishop of Mexico City - Courage Latino Conference - Guadalupe, November 2012
"Teacher, what good deed must I do to gain eternal life?" (Mt 19:16)

Read the Cardinal Archbishop's inspiring answer! 

Living with Same-Sex Attraction

A Radio Interview with Daniel Mattson

Daniel Mattson is a single Catholic man who lives with same sex attraction. He has found great freedom in the teachings of the Catholic Church and through the universal call to chastity, and he is often invited to give his personal testimony to groups around the country. He blogs under a pseudonym at LettersToChristopher.wordpress.com.