Same Sex Attraction

Courage is an apostolate of the Roman Catholic Church to assist adults with same-sex attractions. Endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family, Courage seeks to help persons with same-sex attractions develop an interior life of chastity and move beyond the confines of the homosexual identity to a more complete identity in Christ. Courage meetings provide members a place to share their concerns and struggles, to support one another and find support for themselves. Strict confidentiality is maintained. There is also a ministry tailored for the parents, friends and family members of loved ones with same-sex attractions called Encourage. Please visit couragerc.org/encourage/about/ to learn more.

TO CONNECT WITH A LOCAL COURAGE CHAPTER:
Chaplain: Fr. Tim Furlow
pdxcourage@gmail.com
503-222-4086

TO CONNECT WITH A LOCAL ENCOURAGE CHAPTER:
Chaplain: Fr. Eric Andersen
pdxencourage@gmail.com
971-319-0549

Five Goals for Courage

Members strive to live according to the Five Goals of Courage, which are read at the start of each meeting:

Live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality. (Chastity)
Dedicate one’s life 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. (Prayer and Dedication)
Foster a spirit of fellowship in which all may share thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone. (Fellowship)
Be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a chaste Christian life and in doing so provide encouragement to one another in forming and sustaining them. (Support)
Live lives that may serve as good examples to others. (Good Example)

Five Goals for EnCourage
1. 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;
  2. To gain a deeper understanding of the needs, difficulties, and challenges experienced by
  men and women with SSA;
  3. To establish and maintain a healthy and wholesome relationship with their loved ones with
  SSA;
4. To assist other family members and friends to reach out with compassion and truth, and
  not to reject, their loved ones with SSA;
  5. To witness to their loved ones by their own lives that fulfillment is to be found in Jesus
  Christ through His Body, the Church.

Additional resources can be found HERE.