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.
Fr. Peter F. Ryan, SJ
Fr. Peter F. Ryan, SJ, a priest of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, was ordained in 1987. He is currently a Professor of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI. Father has an STL and an STD from the Gregorian University in Rome, and he serves on Courage International’s Board of Directors.
Kelsey Skoch
Kelsey Skoch is in her seventh year with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students and oversees National Parish Outreach. Kelsey has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Kansas. She considers Chipotle and footie pajamas the finer things in life and resides with her husband and daughter in Denver, CO.
Fr. Paul Scalia
Father Paul Scalia grew up in the Diocese of Arlington and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He then studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Since his ordination in 1996 he has served as parochial vicar at several parishes and as pastor of Saint John the Beloved in McLean, Virginia. Father has been pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, Virginia since 2019
Father currently serves as the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy in the Diocese of Arlington and directs the permanent diaconate program. He has written for various publications and is a frequent speaker on matters of faith and doctrine. Father Scalia is the author of That Nothing May Be Lost: Reflections on Catholic Doctrine and Devotion (Ignatius Press, 2017) and Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul (Saint Benedict Press, 2019).
He founded the Arlington Diocese Courage Chapter and serves on the Board of Directors of Courage International.
Avera Maria Santo
Avera Maria Santo speaks and writes on homosexuality and Catholicism at the young age of 22. She travels the country sharing her story, giving a tangible and joyful witness to the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Church’s teachings. Avera blogs at Inside My Holy of Holies: http://couragegulfcoast.wixsite.com/blog