EnCourage Apostolate

- Evangelization & Outreach

About EnCourage

EnCourage is an apostolate which provides pastoral care for families and friends of people who experience same-sex attractions and/or gender identity discordance. In many cases, their loved ones have adopted the LGBTQ+ label, and may have moved away from actively practicing their faith.

Faithful to the teaching and pastoral guidelines of the Roman Catholic Church, EnCourage members support one another and their loved ones through discussion, prayer and fellowship.

To learn more about local EnCourage meetings, contact [email protected].
The Five Goals of EnCourage
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 with SSA.
3. To establish and maintain a healthy and wholesome relationship with their loves ones who experience SSA.
4. To assist other family members and friends to reach out with compassion and truth to, and not to reject, their loved ones who experience SSA.
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.
Interested in Learning More?
Chaplains of EnCourage
- Deacon Terry Bellon
  
  Deacon Assistant | St. George, Baton Rouge
  Chaplain | EnCourage
  Director |
  Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate
  
  tbellondiobr.org
- Deacon Billy Francioni
  
  Deacon Assistant |
  St. Jude the Apostle, Baton Rouge
  Chaplain | EnCourage
  
  bfrancionidiobr.org