Deacon Patrick Lappert, MD
Patrick W. Lappert, MD, is chaplain for Courage in the Diocese of Birmingham and divides his time between his private practice of plastic surgery and serving as deacon at Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church in Decatur, Alabama. Deacon Lappert was raised in a Jewish home, but lived most of his adult life as an atheist. He converted and was received into the Catholic Church in 1995. As a certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Lappert established the Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery Unit, as well as the Wound Care Center for the largest medical-treatment facility in the world. A veteran of the Naval Service, he retired with the rank of Captain, USN, after serving for twenty-four years. He also served for three years with the United States Marine Corps, flying in the F4 Phantom with VMFA-451. Deacon Lappert has been married to Patrice Ann Oberst for thirty-four years. They have six grown children.
Dr. Greg Bottaro
Dr. Greg Bottaro is a Catholic Psychologist who directs the CatholicPsych Institute and developed Catholic Mindfulness. Before getting his doctorate, he spent four years living as a Franciscan Friar. Under the mentorship of Fr. Benedict Groeschel, he formed a spirituality based on Abandonment to Divine Providence which he now applies to psychological principles in his practice. Dr. Bottaro ultimately discerned a call to family life; he and his wife Barbra have been married for eight years, and they now have six children.
Dr. Christopher Gross
A native of Virginia, Dr. Christopher Gross earned his B.A. in political science and religion from Hampden-Sydney College. After completing his M.T.S. at Harvard Divinity School, he earned his Ph.D. from Catholic University of America. Dr. Gross is currently an assistant professor at Divine Mercy University, where he teaches courses in theological anthropology and virtue ethics. His research has appeared in academic journals such as The Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, The Journal of Moral Theology, and The Journal of Psychology and Theology. His current research interests are in the area of Thomistic virtue ethics, bioethics, and marriage formation. He resides in Manassas, VA, with his wife Jennifer and their seven young children.
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. Richard Samour
Fr. Richard Samour was ordained in May 2012 by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller. He is a priest for the Archdiocese of San Antonio in Texas and is currently the pastor of St. Clare Catholic Church. Father is also Chaplain of the English & Spanish Courage and EnCourage chapters in San Antonio and he supports Courage International with online Spanish ministry.
Father Samour is originally from El Salvador and Spanish is his native language. He comes from a traditional Catholic family and is the youngest of three, with one sister and one brother. Father has a major in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration; his call to the priesthood was a late vocation. He worked for 20 years for the Government of El Salvador and also as a teacher in El Salvador's Catholic and public institutions.
In addition to his ministry as a diocesan priest, Father is a member of the Healing and Deliverance group of priests in San Antonio. He supports the Archdiocese by helping immigrants, celebrating Mass, counseling, administering the sacraments, etc. He is currently studying for a certification in Mental Health.
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.
Mary Ann Jepsen, MACPC, LPCC
Mary Ann Jepsen is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Ohio and the founder of Covenant Integrative Counseling Services in metropolitan Columbus. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Illinois and Master’s Degrees in both Clinical and Pastoral Counseling from Ashland University and Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio. While pursuing her graduate degree, she obtained numerous credits in Church History, Theology, and Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.
Clinically, Mary Ann specializes in the treatment of psychological and behavioral disorders, and marital and family concerns from a Catholic/Christian perspective. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions to her clients.
Mary Ann has served as a visiting speaker to the Diaconate class at the Pontifical College Josephinum, an expert for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Toledo, a radio host on St. Gabriel Catholic Radio in Columbus, as a speaker for the Diocese of Columbus Marriage And Family Life Office, and as a board member of numerous Catholic organizations in the Diocese of Columbus.
Mary Ann has been married for 38 years, is the mother of four adult sons, has three daughters-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Hudson Byblow
Hudson Byblow is an author, speaker, and consultant whose primary focus is the building of relationships in which people may become open to further discussion. It is within those relationships that he is able to effectively walk with others into a deepening understanding of some of the most difficult topics facing our Church today.
More information and resources can be found at https://www.hudsonbyblow.com.