From August 11 – 14, the 17 th annual Courage Conference was held at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston , NY , where conference attendees celebrated 25 years of Courage ministry.

Courage provides spiritual support for men and women with same-sex attractions who desire to develop lives of interior chastity in union with Jesus Christ.

Over 250 people were registered for the main conference, and over 85 members of the clergy were registered for a special track held for priests, seminarians, and deacons on Friday, August 12.

This ministry was inspired by the late Terence Cardinal Cooke of the Archdiocese of New York in 1978, and encouraged by Rev Benedict Groeschel, CFR, and Archbishop Edwin O'Brien (then a Monsignor).

Rev John F Harvey, an Oblate of St Francis De Sales and a faithful moral theologian, was called in to direct this ministry and has steadfastly been doing so for the last 25 years.

One of the conference segments included a brief review of the development of Courage, with various members reading sections from a book on Courage's history currently in draft form.

Main speakers at this years' conference included: Rev John F Harvey OSFS, Professor Robert Gagnon, Rev Benedict Groeschel CFR, Rev Bob Bedard CC, Rev Jeffrey Keefe, OFM. Conv, Peter Rudegeair, and Professor Gerard Bradley.

Fr Harvey's keynote presentation focused on the current challenge of so-called “gay marriage” and explained the Catholic Church's teachings on marriage and family.

Professor Gagnon, a scripture scholar, gave a thorough explanation of the biblical understanding of marriage, and outlined various scriptural texts addressing homosexuality. Rev Benedict Groeschel spoke on the relationship between holiness and faithfulness to the Church's teachings.

He also spoke about the need to keep in touch with those who aren't yet ready to follow the principles of Courage. Rev Bob Bedard spoke about the Holy Spirit and healing of the soul. Rev Jeffrey Keefe examined some of the other difficulties persons with same-sex attractions may be dealing with, besides the attractions themselves; i.e. difficulties in family relationships, deep emotional wounds, unresolved anger, etc.

Professor Gerard Bradley led a workshop which expounded on the topic raised in Fr Harvey's keynote presentation: an authentic Catholic response to so-called “same-sex marriage” and emphasised the need to speak the truth with love, and to diligently fight for a Federal Amendment in defense of marriage, defined as the union of one man and one woman.

Peter Rudegeair, a clinical psychologist, explained the psychological and emotional roots of the development of same-sex attractions. Mr Rudegeair shared a workshop with Rev Harvey on the same topic, and also individually addressed the clergy track, as did Rev Harvey, Rev Groeschel, and Bob, a Courage member who shared his testimony.

Other Courage members also shared their testimonies at the main conference gathering and at Encourage workshops.

Encourage

Encourage is a sister organisation to Courage, providing spiritual support for relatives and friends of persons with same-sex attractions (ssa). Like Courage, Encourage emphasises the Church's teachings on chastity.

There were general Encourage workshops at the conference, as well as Encourage workshops specifically for spouses and children of persons with ssa.

Other workshop topics included: a Courage Men's Meeting, a Courage Women's Meeting, A Carmelite Perspective on Spiritual Friendship, Scriptural Rosary Meditation (led by Christine Haapala), A Call to Reparation, How to Make A Good Confession, Exercising the Gift of Healing, A Visit With Jesus (a guided meditation before the Blessed Sacrament led by Sister Jane Livingston, DSP), How to Run a Courage Meeting, The Virtue of Hope (led by Fr Peter Laird), and a Courage Group Leaders' Meeting.

The Daughters of St Paul were present to record all the main talks and workshops and to sell books, tapes, and CDs. Their joyful presence and support at Courage Conferences is an inspiration and encouragement to each year's conference attendees.

Mass was offered each day, with celebrants such as Bishop Robert Brucato, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Ordinary of Brooklyn, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, Chaplain of the Military Services, and Rev Kazimierz Kowalski, from the Courage Board of Advisors. Reverend Donald Timone also offered early morning Masses in Spanish.

Other services included a charismatic prayer gathering, all night Eucharistic adoration with a reparational Holy Hour, and praise and worship songs before each main speaker. On Saturday night, a social was held which included a Catholic Trivia Contest, singing, comedy, and dance. The overall conference atmosphere was one of joy, compassion, and peace.

At the end of the conference, Fr Harvey challenged the members of Courage and Encourage to help in raising funds necessary to support the expansion of this apostolate in the United States and throughout the world. Every week, the Courage Office receives inquiries about starting new groups in different dioceses.

Courage is grateful to the Immaculate Conception Center for housing this event, and we are grateful for the attentiveness of the ICC staff, especially Deacon Stan Galazin, Director of the facility. The overnight accommodations were comfortable, the main auditorium was spacious and well equipped, and the meals were superb!

Next year's conference will be held in St Louis , MO from July 27– 30, and will also include a special track for clergy. It's not too early to plan to attend! Continue to visit this site http://CourageRC.net for more information.

(This article courtesy the Courage website. For local information call 642-5309)