Courage International is a Roman Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them.

The Office of Marriage and Family Life is sponsoring an evening talk with Fr. Bochanski. This is a live presentation; however, if you are unable to attend in person, the presentation will be available via Zoom. Space will be limited for up to 100 online participants.

DATE: Wednesday, March 9, 2022

TIME: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

WHERE: St. Mark's Catholic Church, PARISH HALL, 7960 W. Northview St., Boise

COST: Free but registration required for both in-person and Zoom

REGISTER AT: Father Bochanski

QUESTIONS: Contact the Marriage and Family Life Office, Email: sboicourt2@rcdb.org or call (208) 350-7551

In this talk, Father Bochanski will explore key teachings of the Catholic Church on Christian anthropology and human sexuality. He will discuss the Church’s teaching on same-sex attraction and provide insights for the pastoral care for men and women who experience

same-sex attraction and who have made a commitment to living chastely. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers on this important topic following the lecture.

This talk is open to anyone interested in learning more about this area of pastoral care. Deacons, lay and pastoral ministers are especially welcome.

7:00 to 8:00 pm: Talk: “The Catholic Church and Same-Sex Attraction: A Radical Invitation”

8:00 to 8:15 pm: Break with Refreshments

8:15 to 9:00 pm: Questions and Answers

Click here to watch a welcome video, featuring Courage executive director, Fr. Bochanski.

Father Philip Bochanski, a native of suburban Philadelphia, studied at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1999. In addition to several parish assignments in the archdiocese, he has served as a high school religion teacher, chaplain to cloistered nuns, and a spiritual director for seminarians.

In 2009, Father Bochanski began serving as chaplain for the Philadelphia chapter of Courage International, an apostolate founded in 1980 to provide pastoral care for men and women who experience same sex attractions and who have made a commitment to living chastely. In 2015 he was appointed as Associate Director of the Courage apostolate, at which time he moved to the Diocese of Bridgeport, where the apostolate is based. He was appointed Executive Director of Courage International at the beginning of 2017.

Father Bochanski is the author of six books, five sets of audio lectures, and numerous articles and book chapters, on various topics including church history, spirituality, evangelization and pastoral care. His most recent book, Wisdom of the Desert Fathers: Ancient Advice for the Modern World, was published by TAN Books in April 2020.

Father Bochanski currently serves as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage. In December 2019, Pope Francis awarded him the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, a medal given in recognition of sustained and exceptional service to the Church.

For more information or questions, contact the Marriage and Family Life Office at 208-350-7535 or email Jay Wonacott at jwonacott@rcdb.org.