September 15, 2018
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
A month ago, the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made public a Report of a statewide investigating grand jury, which detailed credible allegations of sexual abuse of children and youth in six dioceses in Pennsylvania, and shortcomings in the ways that such allegations were handled by diocesan administrators, particularly diocesan bishops, over the years. The Grand Jury Report followed revelations of sexual misconduct and harassment by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, and this news has provoked justifiable anger, sadness and pain among the faithful, particularly among survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones. “If one member” of the Body of Christ “suffers, all suffer together with it,” Saint Paul teaches (1 Cor 12:26), and in these days the suffering of the Church is grave indeed.
Easter, 2019
Christ is risen! Truly He is risen! Alleluia!
The Good News that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead has transformed the whole world, yet we receive it in the midst of our ordinary lives. While we struggle against old habits and strive for conversion of heart, the Risen Lord reminds us that He has come “that [we] may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
James Tissot (1836-1902). Jesus Appears to the Holy Women (Apparition de Jésus aux saintes femmes), 1886-1894. Brooklyn Museum.
“I am glad that we are talking about ‘homosexual people’ because before all else comes the individual person, in his wholeness and dignity. And people should not be defined only by their sexual tendencies: let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love.”
Pope Francis, The Name of God is Mercy
Special Announcement:
New Executive Director Appointed!
Fr. Brian Gannon is a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, ordained on May 24, 1997. He was born in Connecticut and is one of seven children. Father Gannon received an S.T.L and an S.T.D in Moral Theology from the Academia Alfonsiana in Rome, Italy and spent time teaching in various Catholic schools in Connecticut and New York. He is a professor of Moral Theology at the Major Seminary in New York and pastor at St. Theresa in Trumbull, Connecticut. Fr. Gannon previously assisted Fr. Check with the local Courage chapter in Bridgeport and he also gave the nihil obstat for the 40th Anniversary Edition of the Courage Handbook, released in 2020. Fr. Gannon will remain pastor at St. Theresa while taking on the responsibility of Executive Director of Courage International. He will begin his new role with Courage on July 1, 2024.
Visit the Executive Director Transition page to learn more about this announcement.
Our Mission
Watch our welcome video, featuring former Courage executive director, Father Philip Bochanski
Courage & EnCourage near you
Whether you experience same-sex attractions and are committed to following the Church’s teaching on chastity, or you have a family member or loved one who identifies as LGBT, you are not alone. Join our global Courage and EnCourage family and discover a chapter near you.
Our Community
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Courage Handbook
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Events
Courage Men’s Retreat
The Courage Men’s Retreat will be held January 17th to January 19th in Southern Connecticut.