Join us as we celebrate four decades of pastoral care, fellowship, and prayerful, mutual support.
COURAGE & ENCOURAGE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
July 25 – 26, 2020
ONLINE THIS YEAR!
Click here to view the conference flyer
CONFERENCE PRESENTERS
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
Fr. Glenn Sudano is one of the eight Founding Members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal which has been granted Pontifical Recognition on June 13, 2016. During the formative years of the Community, Fr. Glenn served as vocation director, novice master, and as community servant (Superior). He continues to serve the community and others through spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, spiritual deliverance ministry, preaching at parish missions and other forms of evangelizing. He has appeared on EWTN, Relevant Radio, MaryTV of Medjugorje, and at Marian Conferences.
Sr. Helena Burns, FSP
Sr. Helena Burns is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. She is a movie reviewer for The Catholic Channel--Sirius XM and she wrote and directed a documentary on the life of Blessed James Alberione: www.TheMediaApostleFilm.com. She is also a co-producer on www.The40Film.com. Sister has written a Theology of the Body curriculum and her daily book for women is "Draw Near to Jesus" (revised version of "He Speaks To You," coming out Fall, 2020). She is a dual citizen, Canada/USA: an international woman of mystery.
Dr. Stephen Hopkins
Dr. Stephen Hopkins is a licensed clinical psychologist in Nashville, TN. He holds degrees from the St. Ignatius Institute at the University of San Francisco, Oxford University and Divine Mercy University. He has served as a psychologist in Catholic clinics, schools, and at a maximum security psychiatric prison. He has produced the film Portraits of Courage and has conducted empirical research on the mental health outcomes of chastity and religious practice within the Courage membership.
Fr. Sean Kilcawley, STL
Since 2014, Fr. Sean Kilcawley, has served as the Director of the Office for Family Life in the Diocese of Lincoln. Fr. Kilcawley has focused his efforts on diocesan initiatives to prevent early exposure to pornography, and resources of intervention and healing for those affected by pornography. In 2019 he completed certification as a Pastoral Sexual Addiction Practitioner through the International Institute for Trauma and Addictions Professionals.
Fr. Richard Samour
Fr. Richard Samour is a priest for the Archdiocese of San Antonio in Texas. He is currently the pastor of St. Clare Catholic Church and he is also the Chaplain of the Courage and EnCourage chapters in San Antonio. Father runs a men and women's Courage group in English, one men's group in Spanish, an EnCourage group in Spanish, and an EnCourage group in English. He is also Chaplain of the EnCourage Online Spanish group. Father ministers at the Detention Center of San Antonio and he has a weekly radio program Virgen de Guadalupe Radio. He is also a Board member of Compass Catholic Bible Study of Miami.
Deacon Hilmar Pabel, Ph.D.
Ordained in 2015, Hilmar Pabel is a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. He began coordinating the Courage apostolate there in 2016 and as of 2019 he has also led the EnCourage apostolate. Hilmar convenes group meetings, offers individual spiritual direction/accompaniment, gives retreats, and accepts invitations to speak and write about our apostolates in his local Church. An abiding love for Courage and EnCourage members and a grateful awe of God’s presence in their lives combine to make his ministry a joy and blessing.
Registration: All registrants will be screened for approval and will receive an email notification once approved, usually within 24 hours. If you do not receive this email after 24 hours, please check your spam folder. If the email isn’t there, contact us here. Registrants must be 18 or older.
Donation: In these trying times, we know that cost may be an obstacle. We are happy to announce, for this year only, a “pay what you can” conference fee. Registrants may click on the PayPal button below and select One Time Donation. Please write “2020 Conference” in the “Write a note” section of the donation form.
Suggested Conference Donation:
US$ 25.00 per person or per household
You are welcome to donate more, if you wish.
Amounts over $25 will be issued
a tax acknowledgment letter.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
This schedule may be subject to minor changes. Times are listed as EDT.
Saturday, July 25, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Fr. Sean Kilcawley – Goal 1: Chastity
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR – Goal 2: Prayer & Dedication
Breakout Sessions
Dr. Stephen Hopkins – Goal 3: Fellowship
Sunday, July 26, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Deacon Hilmar Pabel – Goal 4: Support
Member Testimonies – Goal 5: Good Example
Breakout Sessions
Sister Helena Burns – Closing Talk: Brazen Chastity & The Gift of Self
Fr. Richard Samour – Closing Talk: Español
*Simultaneous translations from English to Spanish will be made available*
Zoom Instructions
We encourage attendees to familiarize themselves with the Zoom webinar platform by reading Zoom Basics for Webinar Attendees. Each registrant, upon approval, will be emailed an Annual Conference Webinar Confirmation which will include a unique access link for online attendance and participation. This approval/confirmation email will be emailed to you within 24 hours of registering. If you do not receive this email after 24 hours, please check your spam folder. If the email isn’t there, contact us here.
Celebrating 40 Years of Ministry!
This year, the Courage Apostolate is celebrating a very special milestone of 40 years of ministry. We humbly thank God for the solid foundation He has laid in this apostolate through the faithful, tireless ministry of its founding director Fr. John F. Harvey OSFS, and through the dedicated, generous leadership of both Fr. Paul Check and our current director Fr. Philip G. Bochanski. We’re grateful for all who have served and participated in this Christ-centered, sacramental community and who continue to do so, especially the members of Courage and EnCourage, whose quiet lives of virtue, holiness, and commitment to both truth and love set an example to all the world and the Church. May the Lord continue to bless our apostolate for another 40 years!