Theology of the Body Conference:
Results and Pictures
Thank you everyone. Over 1000 people attended the Theology of the Body Conference. We are tabulating the evaluations – we received over 400 and will post a report when it is ready.
God, Sex and the Meaning of Life Ministry
Theology of the Body
Monday Morning Study Group
at St. Bernadette's Ajax
from 9:30 - 11:30
We are studying Christopher West's new book, Heaven's Song Sexual Love as it was Meant to Be - based on the hidden talks of John Paul II, using the "erotic poetry of the Song of Songs and the great spiritual contact surrounding the marriage of Tobias and Sarah." If you are interested in joining us please contact us...gsmlministry@gmail.com
Evening Study Group
We have just begun our study of the actual text of John Paul II's Audiences. It is going to both a challenge and rewarding. For more information... or the summaries
When is there a workshop in my area?
(Please click here to view our schedule)
How do I register for a workshop?
(Go to the registration page...click here)
Can I join God, Sex, and the Meaning of Life Ministry?
Please email: gsmlministry@gmail.com
The God, Sex, and the Meaning of Life Ministry started in 2006, and is approved by the Archdiocese of Toronto. GSML Ministry appears on the Archdiocesan website: www.archtoronto.org under Partners and then Lay Associates.
Our goal is to disseminate Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as widely as possible and to encourage a more in-depth study of his teachings. In order to ensure that as many people as possible are exposed to the Theology of the Body, our ministry offers workshops and other resources on this topic.
Toronto's Archbishop Thomas Collins stated in The Interim “… people [need] to study the teachings of John Paul II in the Theology of the Body…. it’s very important to popularize that, where the intense writings of the Holy Father are made more accessible to everybody.”
May his Holiness Pope John Paul II intercede and bless you!
- To disseminate Pope John Paul II’s Theology of The Body as widely as possible within Canada
- Ensure that as many people as possible are exposed to Pope John Paul II’s Theology of The Body, and to encourage a more in depth study of his teachings.
- To spread the good news through an understanding of our sexuality and its role in salvation history
- To glorify God in our daily lives
- To spread of this great message of hope with compassion.
Theology of the Body Workshops
This workshop for married couples, singles and celibates, male and female, young and old, is based on Christopher West’s DVD talks in which he unpacks John Paul II’s teachings translating them into language everyone can understand. It explores the connection between sex and the questions of human existence, including
- What is the meaning of Life?
- Why did God create us male and female?
- How do we attain happiness on earth and what joys await us in heaven?
- Why is there evil in the world and how do we overcome it?
The workshop, which is led by trained facilitators, usually runs one evening each week for 2 hours over a four week period. It can be adapted to one full day session or two half day sessions on weekends.
Theology of the Body for Teens
This workshop for teens and young adults is a positive portrayal of our sexuality as a good and essential part of love and life. During 12 weekly sessions which include activities appropriate to the age group, participants discover the beauty and purpose of their sexuality, and why it is such a major part of their ability to love. It answers questions like
- Why did God give us sexual desires?
- What is the difference between love and lust?
- What does our sexuality teach us about God?
- Can Christ bring healing to me if I’ve already “messed up”?
- How can I discover my vocation?
- How far is “too far”?
- How can teens remain pure in our oversexed culture?
- Is there any hope of overcoming lust and pornography?
More information on this course and resources can be found here....
Guiding Your Child Through the Sexual Minefield – From Toddlers to Teens
This is a presentation for parents, grandparents, teachers and all those who work with children, and is based on John Paul II’s writing on how to counteract the false messages about love and sex in our culture. It provides advice and tools for raising the very young in a loving, chaste and pure manner.
Classroom Presentation
We have a short one hour presentation suitable for the classroom.
Study Groups
We run and help organize study groups. We currently have one in our local parish. We are just starting a second one. If you are interested in joining or starting a study group, please contact us at gsmlministry@gmail.com
We have two Study Groups in Ajax at St. Bernadette’s Parish Hall at 21 Bayly St. E.
- Monday mornings from 9:30-11:30
- The Second and Fourth Mondays of the month in the evening from 7-9
Presentation Skills and Basic Theology of the Body
This workshop is aimed at showing those interested in running workshops how to do so. It covers
- Planning, arranging and conducting workshops
- Presentation skills
- Body language
- Using a microphone
- How to facilitate a group discussion
- If the sessions are to be held in your church, you can either ask the pastor for permission, or contact us and we will request permission. It is usually better for the parishioner to ask the pastor as it shows that there is an interest within the parish. Please note, we need to be invited into the parish by the pastor, regardless of who approaches him.
- If you are an organization who has a hall, or is willing to rent one, you may contact us first. Contact us at gsmlministry@gmail.com
- Our Workshops are offered free of charge by trained volunteer facilitators..
- If the workshop involves substantial travel or overnight stays, we will charge only enough to cover those expenses.
- Workbooks will be available for sale at cost price to us, which at present is $10.00, but is subject to change. Purchase of the workbook is optional
- We take to heart the words of Jesus: 'Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give' (Mt 10:8).
- Email further questions to us through our "contact us" page
- Send us your email address, and ask to be added to our newsletter mailing list. This letter is published every 2 or 3 months. Contact us at gsmlministry@gmail.com
Parents, do your kids tune you out? Regardless of the age of our children, as parents it is our daily duty to be involved in molding their morality and ethics in a Catholic manner. It is no longer enough to leave it to schools to do it for us. We must counteract the false messages about love that are rampant in our culture. This presentation will provide parents with tools to help them mould the morals and sexuality of children from toddlers to teens It is based on Pope John Paul II’s writings.
To arrange a Parent Workshop contact us .... gsmlministry@gmail.com
God, Sex and the Meaning of Life Workshops
- St. Bernadette - Oct. 2006
- St. Gertrude Jan.- 2007
- Holy Redeemer Feb. - 2007
- St. Lawrence March - 2007
- St. Bernadette - June 2007
- St. Rose of Lima - Oct. 2007
- St. Bernadette - Jan. 2008
- St. Aidan - Feb. 2008
- North Prayer Group - March 2008
- St. Isaac Jogues Apr. - 2008
- St. Gregory the Great - -May 2008
- Couples for Christ - Oct. 2008
- St. Boniface - Mar. 2009
- The Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community - May 2009
- St. Theresa Parish - Nov. 2009
- St. Margaret Mary - Hamilton - Nov. 2009
Maybe your parish in the near future check for Workshops .here...
Proclaiming the
Theology of the Body
Thank you to all the priests and seminarians who attended this wonderful event. Over 110 Priests and Seminarians attended. It was a a wonderful day.
Theology of the Body for Teens
in the Classroom
Brief Introduction to the ToB for Teens material in a class room setting. Book your class today....here
To Read More click here
Theology of the Body for Teens - Workshops
- Holy Redeemer, Pickering - Fall 2008
- St. Thomas Aquina, Toronto - Spring 2009
- St. Nicholas Bari - Fall 2009
Theology of the Body in the Classroom
- Archbishop Romero RCHS
Theology of the Body for Teens
Our program can be adapted from 12 to 6 weeks. To find out more information about ToB for Teens... click here... Please contact gsmlministry@gmail.com to arrange a Teen workshop in your parish.
Archbishop Thomas Collins on the Theology of the Body - click here
News
Presentation Training
Do you want to learn how to Present the Theology of the Body Workshops or join us? We are holding a Presentation & Training Techniques Workshop ...
We will be using Theology of the Body for Teens and Katrina Zeno's Theology of the Body from Toddlers to Teens as a basis for this training.
Click here to find out more
Theology of the Body for Teens
Will be held at St. Nicholas of Bari (St. Clair Ave. west of Dufferin). On Saturday Dec. 5, 2009
More information will follow. To register email: stbreg@gmail.com
