Courage

Courage is an apostolate of the Catholic Church which offers pastoral support to men and women experiencing same-sex attractions who have chosen to live a chaste life. Founded in 1980 by Fr. John Harvey, OSFS, at the request of the late Cardinal Terence Cooke, it has since expanded to over 175 Courage chapters worldwide.

Goals

• Chastity
  To live a chaste life in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality.
• Prayer and Dedication
  To dedicate one's life to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.
• Brotherhood
  To foster a spirit of fellowship in which one may share with others thoughts and experiences to ensure that no one face the difficulties of homosexuality alone.
• Support
  To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in celibate Christian life and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining them.
• Good Example / Testimony
  To live a life that may serve as a good example to others who struggle with homosexuality.

EnCourage

EnCourage was founded in recognition of the irreplaceable role of the family in attaining an understanding of the experience of same-sex attractions and embracing a life of chastity. As an apostolate of Courage, and flowing from its central purpose, EnCourage provides pastoral care to family members and friends of persons who identify as LGBT.

Goals

• Prayer and Dedication
  To grow spiritually through spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.
• Formation
  To gain a deeper understanding of the needs, difficulties, and challenges of men and women who experience same-sex attractions.
• Charity
  To establish and maintain a healthy and wholesome relationship with loved ones who experience same-sex attractions.
• Unity
  To assist other family members and friends to reach out with compassion and truth, and not to reject, their loved ones who experience same-sex attractions.
• Testimony
  To witness to their loved ones by their own lives that fulfillment is to be found in Jesus Christ through His Body, the Church.