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Courage
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The Courage apostolate is the Church’s invitation to people who experience same-sex attractions, who desire to live in accord with the Gospel call to chastity. A confidential support group led by a priest chaplain, Courage accompanies men and women along the road to integration, freedom and discipleship. United by friendship with Christ and one another, Courage members strive for chastity and holiness, meeting regularly for prayer and mutual support.
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What is Courage?
Courage members are men and women who experience same-sex attractions and who have made a commitment to strive for chastity. They are inspired by the Gospel call to holiness and the Catholic Church’s beautiful teachings about the goodness and inherent purpose of human sexuality.
Through our apostolate, people who experience same-sex attraction receive pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, and fellowship.
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Five Goals of Courage
The founding members of Courage established Five Goals to pursue together. The Five Goals still guide every Courage chapter to this day.
The Five Goals are:- To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality.
- To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
- To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone.
- To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a chaste Christian life; and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships.
- To live lives that may serve as good examples to others.
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The Houston Chapter of Courage meets weekly in a confidential time and place. For more information, please email [email protected].
If you are a family member or loved one to someone who is experiencing same-sex attraction, please check out the EnCourage group details.
To learn more about Courage Ministry, check out this Podcast Episode with Fr. Luke Millette, Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal.
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Courage Chaplains
Fr. Viet Nguyen, parochial vicar at St. Anthony-Woodlands, currently serves as the chaplain for the Courage chapter here in Houston. All Courage meetings are led by the Courage chaplain.
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Counseling Information
Everyone can benefit from therapy, and there is no shame in seeking support. When it comes to finding a counselor, there are many factors to consider. It is also within the right of each individual to determine if a counselor is a good fit for their particular situation or not. The below guide will help offer some tips and questions for consideration when starting up with a new counselor. The counselor guide is available in both English and Spanish.
Counselor Info Sheet-Bilinglual
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Courage International
For more details, resources, links to chat groups, and more, visit https://couragerc.org.
Follow Courage on Social Media:
Facebook: CourageEnCourageRC
Instagram: courageinternationalrc
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Catholic Formation on Same-Sex Attraction
Courage YouTube Channel
To learn more about these topics, subscribe to Courage International YouTube channel. You'll find a collection of videos that include testimonials, resources for families, and more content to support those wishing to live chastity while experiencing same-sex attraction.
Formed Resources
Gain a truly Catholic understanding of same-sex attraction through multiple resources available on FORMED.
Desire of the Everlasting Hills
This one-hour documentary (produced by Courage) shows three intimate and candid portraits of Catholics who try to navigate the waters of self-understanding, faith, and homosexuality. Click here to access the video.
Day 308: Same-Sex Attraction
The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Fr. Mike guides us through the Catechism’s discussion of same-sex attraction. He highlights that all of the Church’s teachings on sexuality stem from her embrace of God’s intended and revealed purpose for sex. Fr. Mike stresses that this understanding of sexuality is core to our understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2357-2363. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
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