Fr. Brian Gannon will begin his new role as Executive Director July 1, 2024.

Fr. Gannon is a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, ordained on May 24, 1997. He was born in Connecticut and is one of seven children. Father received an S.T.L and an S.T.D in Moral Theology from the Academia Alfonsiana in Rome, Italy and spent time teaching in various Catholic schools in Connecticut and New York. He is a professor of Moral Theology at the Major Seminary in New York and pastor at St. Theresa in Trumbull, Connecticut. Fr. Gannon previously assisted Fr. Check with the local Courage chapter in Bridgeport and he also gave the nihil obstat for the 40th Anniversary Edition of the Courage Handbook, released in 2020. He will remain pastor at St. Theresa while taking on the responsibility of Executive Director of Courage International.

Additionally, Sister Gilmary Kay, RSM will be joining the pastoral staff of Courage. Sister Gilmary Kay, RSM is a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. She entered the sisters in 1997 and is celebrating 25 years of perpetual profession. Sister Gilmary received a bachelor’s degree in biology and theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, a master’s degree in theology from the Saint John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and has completed graduate work in philosophy. Prior to joining Courage, she completed 8 years of service as Delegate for Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of Washington. Sister Gilmary has served in hospital ministry as a chaplain and patient advocate. She also served in formation as the Chairman of the Formators conference for the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious.

Both Sister Gilmary Kay and Father Gannon will be present at the Annual Conference in Mundelein, Illinois and are looking forward to meeting all the members of Courage and EnCourage.