To learn more about Courage, visit the national website: couragerc.org.

When you make contact with a Courage chaplain, you can be assured of privacy. Your story matters deeply to us, and we are honored to invite you to be part of our community. 

When you reach out, we will discuss your hopes in being part of Courage. We will share with you about our community, including the five goals of Courage.

All dates, times, and places of meetings, are only known to members. You simply share your first name or a pseudonym, if you prefer, at meetings.

If you would like to get involved with Courage in our diocese, contact one of our Courage chaplains. They are there to provide confidential, welcoming, and informative support.

Dcn. Andy Oross
Based in South Bend
[email protected]

Fr. Bill Kummer
Based in Fort Wayne
260-639-3058
[email protected]

You are not alone, You are invited to join our Courage communities. All dates, times, and places of meetings, are only known to members. You simply share your first name or a pseudonym, if you prefer, at meetings. All meetings focus on some aspect of one or more of the five goals.

SOUTH BEND AREA
For the date, time, and location, contact Dcn. Andy Oross at [email protected]. Meetings occur 3 times a month.

FORT WAYNE AREA
For the date, times, and location, contact Fr. Bill Kummer at 260-639-3058 or [email protected]

1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others.

To learn more about EnCourage, visit the national website: couragerc.org/for-families

When you make contact with a Courage chaplain, you can be assured of privacy. We are honored to invite you to be part of our community. We will discuss your relationship with your loved one(s) and the five goals of EnCourage. Know that you are not alone. We are here to offer support and encouragement as you strive to understand the experience of your loved ones more deeply and learn to foster healthy relationships while deepening your relationship with Christ.

If you have a family member or friend who identifies as LGBTQ+, and you would like some support in the context of our Catholic faith, you are invited to join EnCourage chaplain Deacon Andy Oross and others who share your want for support. Our monthly meetings focus on some aspect of one or more of the five goals, and we offer support an encouragement as we strive to understand our loved ones and foster healthy relationships while deepening our relationship with Christ.

All dates, times, and places of meetings, are only known to members. If you do not live in the South Bend area, you will be able to join the meeting via Zoom. For more information, including meeting information, contact Dcn. Andy Oross at [email protected].

If you would like to get involved with Courage in our diocese, contact our EnCourage chaplain, who is there to offer support and encouragement as you strive to understand the experience of your loved ones more deeply. Learn how to foster healthy relationships within your family and deepen your own relationship with Christ.

Dcn. Andy Oross
Based in South Bend
[email protected]

The five goals of EnCourage are:

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 who experience same-sex attractions.
3. To establish and maintain a healthy and wholesome relationship with their loved ones who experience same-sex attractions.
4. To assist other family members and friends to reach out with compassion and truth, and not to reject their loved ones who experience same-sex attraction.
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.