From the Pastor's Desk - June 13 and June 14, 2026
Traditionally in Catholicism, June is a month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Central to devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is prayer to “make our hearts, like his heart.” This, of course, happens through a true surrender of our hearts to his heart and through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
In our secular culture in recent years, a lot has been said about “Pride Month” during the month of June. Our Catholic Faith believes that all people are God's children, and that we are to love and support all people in their journey with the Lord. Our Catholic Faith also teaches us that all Scripture is the inspired Word of God, and because of this our Church does not support any sexual acts outside of marriage nor sexual acts between persons of the same sex. Yet that does not mean that the Church does not love people who have same sex attractions. The Church has a responsibility to minister to all people, including those with homosexual orientations.
There is an excellent Catholic ministry that is very good at accompanying those with same sex attractions in following the true teachings of the Church and Scripture, and that ministry is called Courage. Courage was founded decades ago by the late Father John Harvey as a support ministry for Catholics with same sex attractions who wish to support one another in living according to the Church's teaching regarding sexual morality. It is not a ministry that encourages or accepts sexual behavior contrary to Scripture and Tradition but rather helps those who struggle with same sex attractions to recognize the presence of God in others through chaste friendships and through support of one another in walking with God. After the founding of Courage, another ministry called Encourage was founded as a support ministry for loved ones of those with same sex attractions. If you Google search "Courage Ministry Archdiocese of Baltimore," you will find information about the local chapters of Courage and Encourage. Keep scrolling down and you will see information about how to get in touch with them for meetings. My plan is to also have information available in the North Lobby at St. Philip’s and in the back of Sister’s Academy in both English and Spanish about these valuable ministries for those affected by same sex attraction.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to meet everyone where they are and help lead them to Christ and to where Christ calls all of us to be. Let's be clear about Scriptural truth in all things, but let's share the truth with love and never be crude or hateful in our behavior towards any of God's children. The world indeed has way too much hatred today, and it needs to be pierced by Christ's love. May the heart of Jesus truly pierce our hearts and make our hearts like his heart.
God love you all,
Father Rich
In our secular culture in recent years, a lot has been said about “Pride Month” during the month of June. Our Catholic Faith believes that all people are God's children, and that we are to love and support all people in their journey with the Lord. Our Catholic Faith also teaches us that all Scripture is the inspired Word of God, and because of this our Church does not support any sexual acts outside of marriage nor sexual acts between persons of the same sex. Yet that does not mean that the Church does not love people who have same sex attractions. The Church has a responsibility to minister to all people, including those with homosexual orientations.
There is an excellent Catholic ministry that is very good at accompanying those with same sex attractions in following the true teachings of the Church and Scripture, and that ministry is called Courage. Courage was founded decades ago by the late Father John Harvey as a support ministry for Catholics with same sex attractions who wish to support one another in living according to the Church's teaching regarding sexual morality. It is not a ministry that encourages or accepts sexual behavior contrary to Scripture and Tradition but rather helps those who struggle with same sex attractions to recognize the presence of God in others through chaste friendships and through support of one another in walking with God. After the founding of Courage, another ministry called Encourage was founded as a support ministry for loved ones of those with same sex attractions. If you Google search "Courage Ministry Archdiocese of Baltimore," you will find information about the local chapters of Courage and Encourage. Keep scrolling down and you will see information about how to get in touch with them for meetings. My plan is to also have information available in the North Lobby at St. Philip’s and in the back of Sister’s Academy in both English and Spanish about these valuable ministries for those affected by same sex attraction.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to meet everyone where they are and help lead them to Christ and to where Christ calls all of us to be. Let's be clear about Scriptural truth in all things, but let's share the truth with love and never be crude or hateful in our behavior towards any of God's children. The world indeed has way too much hatred today, and it needs to be pierced by Christ's love. May the heart of Jesus truly pierce our hearts and make our hearts like his heart.
God love you all,
Father Rich