Chastity vs. Abstinence
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 30, 2009
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Yes, there is a difference.
Letterman, Polanski, Ensign and Theology of the Body Sunday
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 27, 2009
Kevin Whelan’s Catholic Exchange column from Oct. 6:
Last week there were three significant ’sex scandal’ stories: the attempted blackmail of TV star David Letterman, the attempted extradition of film maker Roman Polanski, and the admission of an affair by U.S. Senator John Ensign. I listened with only passing interest to some of the coverage of these stories. I found some of the commentary a bit more interesting: Is Hollywood’s Defense of Polanski Justified?, Isn’t Polanski’s Crime Worse than Letterman’s?, Isn’t Ensign’s Greatest Infraction His Hypocrisy?
Then on Saturday evening as I started gathering the family for our weekly discussion of the Sunday readings, I reviewed the readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time and was motivated to declare it “Theology of the Body Sunday” – at least in my house. I explained to my children that the “TOB Sunday” designation was totally compatible with “Respect Life Sunday.” The first reading (Genesis 2: 18-24) and the Gospel reading (Mark 10: 2-16) are two of the chief texts cited in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. While others may speculate on the amazing tapestry woven by God to bring all these events to our attention, I looked at it from a more parochial point of view: we’ve got a lot of work to do.
2010 TOB Course Registration
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 27, 2009
Registration for the 2010 Theology of the Body courses at the TOB Institute is now open!
January 3 – 8, 2010
Theology of the Body II: Into the Deep Immersion Course with
Christopher West
Quarryville, Pennsylvania
Early Registration Deadline: October 5, 2009
Registration Deadline November 5, 2009
**Prerequisite: Theology of the Body I: Head & Heart Immersion Course
Download information and a registration form
Click here to register online
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
——————————————————
February 28 – March 5, 2010
Theology of the Body I: Head and Heart Immersion Course with
Christopher West
Quarryville, Pennsylvania
Early Registration Deadline November 30, 2009
Registration Deadline December 31, 2009
Download information and a registration form
Click here to register online
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The remaining 2010 Certification Course Schedule will be released soon – stay tuned!
TOB Testimony – My Love Story
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 27, 2009
Sr. Miriam James Heidland recalls her experience learning about the Theology of the Body at the TOB Institute this September:
The Head and Heart Immersion Course completely blew me away and rocked me to my very foundation. After spending the week immersed in Christopher’s genuine and passionate presentation of John Paul II’s transformational teaching, I am CONVINCED that theology of the body will heal the world. This is because theology of the body reminds us that Christ, the Bridegroom, is the ultimate answer to all the brokenness we face in this world. Christ is the answer to healing hearts, restoring dignity and setting all of humanity free to truly love because Christ is God who is love! The course helped me fall in love with Jesus all over again. I am so excited that “there is always more” with our Lord. I have never felt more strengthened in my own vocation as a Bride of Christ and my call to love.
Sexting
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 12, 2009
Alicia Baehr at The New View on Sex answers the question, “is sexting wrong since its not physically sex?”
Great New TOB Websites!
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 6, 2009
TheologyoftheBody.com: Makes it easy for you to stay up-to-date on new and exciting Theology of the Body resources and events. You can access free downloadable mp3s, training videos, preview study programs, download posters/flyers, and sign up to receive news and event updates. This site has everything you need to learn about this amazing teaching, and integrate the Theology of the Body into your daily life.
TOBforTeensTraining.com – The Theology of the Body for Teens Training Videos are a free resource provided by Ascension Press, that unpack each of the program’s 12 chapters, providing you with both the theology and practical ways to introduce the material to your teens. Presented by Brian Butler and Amanda Schneidau, this Leadership Training Series is designed to help you make your program as fruitful and successful as possible!
Do Catholics Really Believe In The Resurrection of the Body?
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 6, 2009
From Dr. Gerard O’Shea:
It is now almost thirty years since Pope John Paul II began his series of Wednesday audiences that was to form the basis of his Theology of the Body. We could even go back further and quote from the Apostles Creed, which comes from the earliest ages of the Church: “I believe in the resurrection of the body…” Still, there is a lingering sense among ordinary Catholics and perhaps Christians in general that the body somehow doesn’t count in the final scheme of things. As a teacher and principal of many years experience, I have stopped being surprised at the answers I receive just after Easter when I go into classrooms of primary school children and ask this question: When Jesus rose from the dead, did he have finger nails and hair? Almost invariably, the children are not sure, and most believe that he didn’t. They think that when He rose again, He was a spirit; He left his body behind!
The Charism of Celibacy and Concupiscence
Posted by: chelseaz on: October 6, 2009
A column from Fr. James Farfaglia at Catholic Exchange:
Because of original sin our darkened intellects, weakened wills, and inflamed passions will always move us in the wrong direction. Continual effort is necessary to control the inner movement of our ego and allow the presence of grace to take control of our thoughts, desires and actions.
The battle of the spiritual life might be compared to walking in a river against the current. If we do not continue walking or reaching out toward a rock for support, then the current will most assuredly carry us in the opposite direction.
Any serious discussion about the charism of celibacy or the sacrament of matrimony must take into consideration the seriousness of concupiscence and John Paul II, in his monumental work “The Theology of the Body,” delves into this reality with profound insights for our considerations.
Priests who live out their vocation with fidelity, enthusiasm, and joy should not be surprised that the charism of celibacy does come accompanied by a continual struggle. This struggle is rooted in the human condition.
TOB Testimony: TOB is More Powerful Than Any Artillery
Posted by: chelseaz on: September 29, 2009
A Marine First Lieutenant reflects on his experience at a Theology of the Body Institute Head to Heart Immersion Course:
My name is Matthew, and I am a 25-year-old Catholic man serving in the United States Marine Corps. Since I first heard the late Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the Theology of the Body as a junior in college, I have been praying continually for the grace to live my manhood as Christ originally intended. In January, 2009, I had the opportunity to spend a week in prayer and study on this magnificent truth in the Head and Heart Immersion Course. By the power of the Holy Spirit it was a life-changing experience, and hands-down the best week of my life.
The Head and Heart Immersion Course did many things to deepen my relationship with God. First off, it deeply affirmed a priestly calling I had been discerning since midway through my last deployment. The thought of a religious vocation was both exciting and terrifying to me. In the midst of a steady relationship coupled with a lifelong desire to marry and raise a family, the thought of a celibate vocation, to say the least, had its immediate drawbacks. With sincere prayer and the enlightening lessons throughout the course, Christ softened my heart to receive whatever vocation he called me to. I pray that when my service commitment concludes, my calling to priesthood will be as intense and peaceful as it is right now.
Praying With Our Bodies (Pt. 1)
Posted by: chelseaz on: September 29, 2009
An article on physical prayer from Joel Haubenreich:
Crucial to the understanding of the necessity of physical prayer is the fundamental Christian belief that we do not merely have bodies, but in fact are bodies. At Mass we profess our belief in the resurrection of the body, our hope in the reunification of our whole persons. Our bodies will on that day be rejoined to our souls, and we will once more be complete. Our bodies, then, here on earth must have a part in every action, even spiritual actions. We must, taking seriously Jesus’ charge to “love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind,” commit ourselves fully to his service, using every faculty given to us.
