CV NEWS FEED // Courage International, a Catholic apostolate that ministers to persons with same-sex attraction, has announced its new executive director and a new addition to its pastoral staff.
Fr. Brian Gannon of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, will be the next executive director of Courage, according to an emailed announcement from interim Executive Director Fr. Kyle Schnippel.
Along with his new position, Fr. Gannon will continue to serve as pastor of St. Theresa Parish, which is just down the street from Courage’s office, in Trumbull, CT.
Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, chair of Courage’s episcopal board, nominated Fr. Gannon for the position of executive director, Fr. Schnippel noted.
The other new addition to the Courage pastoral staff is Sr. Gilmary Kay, of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan.
Fr. Schnippel highlighted that Sr. Gilmary has served as the Delegate for Religious in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and “brings a rich background of work history that is common to sisters in her religious order: teaching, serving the poor, and working with various other populations to bring them to Jesus.”
Sr. Gilmary will help with EnCourage, Courage’s program for families, and also will assist pastoral staff member Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo, OP, in working with women who are a part of the Courage community.
Fr. Gannon and Sr. Gilmary will both be formally introduced at the annual Courage conference in Mundelein, Illinois, in July.
“As always, please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to take these leadership roles in our community,” Fr. Schnippel wrote, adding that his own time as interim Executive Director “has been a humbling and beautiful experience….”
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Courage International was founded in 1980 to provide a community and resources for persons who struggle with same-sex attraction and want to live chaste lives according to Catholic Church teaching.
According to its website, Courage has five main goals, one of which is dedicating one’s “entire [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.”
