WAUNAKEE — Youth are continually bombarded with messages of love and happiness. What is true love? How do we live it out? What are the guidelines the Church offers to assist us in reaching our full potential and navigating the sexualized culture we live in?
Three upcoming workshops on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (TOB) will explore the truth of love and chastity.
Theology of the Body
TOB is Pope John Paul II’s integrated vision of the human person: body, soul, and spirit. The physical human body has a specific meaning and reveals answers to fundamental questions about our lives.
The teachings are a collection of 129 Wednesday audiences, given between 1979 and 1984. The reflections are based on Scripture.
This series of workshops is aimed to educate parents as well as teens on issues covered in TOT.
Event on November 8
The first event in the “Revolution of Love” series, an Introduction to Theology of the Body for Teens and Parents, is on Sunday, Nov. 8, at St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Nationally known speaker Steve Porkney will address teens on TOT. Porkney is the coordinator of Catholic Exchange’s TOB channel and director of TOB Ministries.
At the same time, Roger and Kathy Chylla will address the adults on the importance of John Paul II’s message, not only for their teens, but for themselves.
Event on January 24
A Chastity Panel will be held Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Christ the King Parish in McFarland. The panel will include Dr. Michael Kloess, Fr. Eric Sternberg, Leah Stader, and Matt and Rebecca Sande.
Event on April 11
Living Out John Paul II’s TOB panel will be held Sunday, April 11, 2010, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Ann Parish in Stoughton. The panel will include Monica and Ryan Freng, Chris Gernetzke, Marissa Mastrangeli, and Brad Lipinski.
All events are free. Visit www.madisondiocese.org/youth to register. For information, contact Sarabeth Bowe at 608-838-9797 or Andy Galvin at 608-821-4517.
This series is cosponsored by the Diocese of Madison; Christ the King Parish, McFarland; St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee; St. Patrick Parish, Lodi; and St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson.
Abby Henderson is the coordinator of youth ministry at St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee.