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
Important update for our members regarding COVID-19 and the
Annual Courage & EnCourage Conference
Due to the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to gather in person for this year's Courage and EnCourage Annual Conference, which was originally scheduled to take place late July at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. The State governor's plan to reopen Illinois business and institutions will not permit large groups to gather until a vaccine is identified, thus prohibiting us from moving forward with our plans for this year's conference.
Over the years, our Annual Conference has become our yearly family reunion. It is where our members can freely express their joys, struggles, and successes with those who understand their experience, and who share their commitment to growing in holiness. It is an understatement to say that we are disappointed by these developments, especially since it means we will not be able to celebrate our 40th anniversary with you in person.
However, thanks to modern technology, we will be able to move forward with our Annual Conference online, featuring keynote speakers on each of the Five Goals, witness testimonies, and time for shared prayer and discussion. We also invite regional chapters to consider hosting Annual Conference "viewing parties" for local Courage and EnCourage members.
Know that you remain in our thoughts and prayers, and we look forward to finally seeing you in person next year!
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
NOTE: This schedule may be subject to minor changes.
*Times are listed as EDT.
**Important note: Due to limited space and privacy considerations, breakout sessions are reserved ONLY for members of Courage (adults 18 years and older who experience same-sex attractions and choose to live by the Five Goals of Courage) and EnCourage (families and friends of those persons who identify as LGBT, who choose to live by the Five Goals of EnCourage). Thank you for your understanding.
Saturday – July 25, 2020
TIME* |
ACTIVITY |
SPEAKER |
| 12:00 – 12:15 pm | Introduction | Fr. Philip G. Bochanski |
| 12:15 – 1:00 pm | Goal 1: Chastity | Fr. Sean Kilcawley, STL |
| 1:15 – 2:00 pm | Goal 2: Prayer & Dedication | Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR |
| 2:15 – 3:00 pm | Break | |
| 3:00 – 4:45 pm |
Breakout Sessions** • Courage Men • Courage Women • EnCourage (General) • EnCourage Gender Identity Questions • Ministry Personnel Networking/Discussion (3:15 – 4:15 pm) • Courage Español • EnCourage Español |
Moderators • Fr. Donavan Labbe and Fr. Paul Scalia • Fr. Raphael Salzillo, OP • Fr. Dave Leon, Fr. Nathan Reesman, and Fr. Eric Rodrigues • Deacon Patrick Lappert • Margaret Hendricks • Fr. Victor DeLuna • Fr. Richard Samour |
| 4:45 – 5:30 pm | Goal 3: Fellowship | Dr. Stephen Hopkins |
| 8:00 – 10:00 pm | Activities (Prayer room, Social room, etc.) | Various Hosts – TBD |
Sunday – July 26, 2020
TIME* |
ACTIVITY |
SPEAKER |
| 12:00 – 12:15 pm | Introduction | Fr. Philip G. Bochanski |
| 12:15 – 1:00 pm | Goal 4: Support | Deacon Hilmar Pabel, Ph.D. |
| 1:15 – 2:00 pm | Goal 5: Good Example | Member Testimonies |
| 2:15 – 3:00 pm | Break | |
| 3:00 – 4:45 pm |
Breakout Sessions** • Courage Men and Women • EnCourage (General) – Love in All Seasons • EnCourage and Courage Men (ALREADY FULL) • EnCourage and Courage Women (ALREADY FULL) • Courage Español • EnCourage Español |
Moderators • Fr. Philip G. Bochanski and Fr. Colin Blatchford • Mary Rice Hasson • TBD • Rilene S. • Fr. Victor DeLuna • Fr. Richard Samour |
| 4:45 – 5:30 pm |
Brazen Chastity and the Gift of Self Español: The Importance of the Five Goals of Courage in Our Pursuit of Holiness |
Sr. Helena Burns, FSP Fr. Richard Samour |
The conference will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish.
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!