The Gift of Courage

I was concerned because I knew in a small community the people close to this person were close to me and I found the Courage site so I could understand this person better.  I love this person and the people in his life very much.  The persons close to me suffered a little and may have been shuned because of his behavior.  I didn’t judge and do not judge him today.  As far as I know he seems as if he has come out of the style and seems to have overcome his proclivity. I don’t know I haven’t asked only observed.   Ive just prayed and (Oh yes, I did Holy Hour before the blessed sacrament.)  accepted for him and for others and for myself the shortcomings we all endure in this world.  My journey was for love and love only for everyone involved.  My hope is that I’m objective here and may give some hope and help to others.

Anyway my observations lead me to the Courage Apostolate and I found that there really is hope out there for everyone who may suffer from these gender maladies.  I’m not part of Courage but from time to time I go over to the sight and it has evolved since the first time I was there.  It has grown and I’m very proud to have observed this for people who suffer from gender problems.  My hope is that they will continue in their ministry and it finds more hope, love faith and understanding into the future.

It has helped me to understand and love the members who have been close to this issue especially in dealing with transsexuals.  They the Apostolate seem to have a faithful and secular understanding of this issue and I for one hope they evolve in time and answers will come from wisdom.  I don’t know if they will find a “cure” for everyone but maybe they will continue with the breakthroughs that I have read there.  I am not an expert only an observant spectator who has been affected in an indirect way.  My hope is that I have found understanding of this dispare that many are afflicted with.   I hope people do not condemn me but find I have some understanding of what courage is all about even if it has not directly affected me.

Growth is a word that I relate to the Courage Apostolate.  I’m told growth is healthy for everyone.  I notice that there are some very good books out their including the ones written by people in the Catholic Church and other faiths such as Protestantism and Judaism.  My hats off to their research.  This is not an easy subject with easy outcomes and answers I think.  May we all find our way in the darkness.  I hope I haven’t failed here too badly I apologize for being only a layperson.   My hat is off to everyone involved at Courage and thank you for educating me and helping me also to understand a little about human sexuality on a deeper level.  So I will end here and I will list several of the books I know of (I still need to get hold of some of these books and read.  Ive only observed and read on the Courage site so far.) and please if you need to know more visit the Courage Apostolate at Courage Apostolate or Couragerc.net:

One Man One Women by Dale O’Leary

Beyond Gay by David Morrison

Homosexuality & The Catholic Church Clear Answers to Difficult Questions  by  Father John F. Harvey, OSFS

Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality and the Power to Change by Arthur Goldberg Co-Director of Jonah

NOTE:  Encourage is the sister/brother group for families who have children with Same Sex Attraction.  Please also refer or contact the Courage Apostolate for further details.