What Courage Members Would Like Clergy to Know

Clergy are often called upon to minister to persons with same-sex attraction (SSA). This can be a grace-filled opportunity, yet those called upon to counsel persons with SSA or to hear their confessions may not be sure how best to respond. Courage members offer these suggestions.


Coraggio

At the 2014 Courage Conference in Philadelphia, Bp. Daniel E Thomas, Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Philadelphia, gives the third homily where he uses the Italian version of the word courage, "coraggio", with all its rich meanings and relates it to the courage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Immaculate Heart so that we can take courage in these difficult times.


Judge Not? Clarifying a New Testament Understanding of Judgement

At the 2014 Courage Conference in Philadelphia at Villanova University, Andrew Comiskey's applies this theme to the moral issues of today, especially homosexuality.


Internet Pornography Addiction: Medium and Content Collide with the Human Brain

Sr. Marysia Weber of the Srs. of Mercy of Alma, Michigan covers the sociological and neurological effects of the internet as a means to distribute pornography, especially in regard to forming addictions and how these addictions can be overcome.


Living and Working the Steps with Scripture and the Saints

Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P. is Editor of The 12 Step Review. He shows how the steps are quite Catholic and can be followed along side the Saints and the Bible to find the peace of Christ, amidst all our weaknesses.

 


What Does It Mean to Be a Human Image of God?

In view of the 2013 Year of Faith and the New Evangelization, Bishop LeVoir exhorts us to address our fallen nature with three steps:

  1. Study to know ourselves as a human image of God while acknowledging that we are broken due to Adam's fall - and so, in need of healing.
  2. Interiorize this knowledge through a good prayer life
  3. And finally to act accordingly.


Friendship, Modern Isolation and the New Evangelization in the Thought of Bl. John Henry Newman

Bishop James Conley gives the opening keynote address at the 2012 Courage Conference held in Emmitsburg, MD. The talk is based on Newman's motto Cor ad cor loquitur or Heart speaks to heart which Bp. Conley has taken as his own episcopal motto since Newman so profoundly influenced him. A hearty thank you to the Daughters of St. Paul for providing the audio of the second half of the bishop's talk which they recorded separately after the power went out.


Providing Hope in the Midst of Despair: A Person Centered Response to AIDS

Dr. Timothy Flanigan draws heavily on his vast experience as Director of Infectious Diseases at The Miriam and Rhode Island Hospitals as well as the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He also draws on his knowledge of theology and Church social teaching that he has gained from his studies to become a deacon for the Diocese of Providence. Listen to this hope filled, informative presentation of a most compassionate response to the AIDS epidemic and the dignified treatment of those who suffer from it.


Naked Surrender - Coming Home to Our True Sexuality

Andrew Comiskey, Executive Director and Founder of Desert Stream Ministries, gives this talk at the 2012 Courage Conference at Mt. St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD. The talk is titled Naked Surrender - Coming Home to our True Sexuality based on his book of that title.


Reclaiming the Gift of Hope

Fr. James Livingston, Courage Chaplain for the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, explains that hope is a supernatural appetite for God's goodness that works primarily through the memory and employs many virtues of the intellect and will and thus shows the connection between faith and reason. It is memory of the good things God has done for us that will help us to maintain hope in the difficult times. He draws deeply from theology, scripture and the spiritual traditions of the Church, including Benedictine and Carmelite.