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 Katrina Zeno's book, The Body Reveals God If you are interested in joining us please contact us...gsmlministry@gmail.com
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
God, Sex and the Meaning of Life Workshops
- St. Gertrude, Oshawa, Jan 2007
- Holy Redeemer, Pickering - Feb. 2007
- St. Lawrence, Toronto - March 2007
- St. Bernadette, Ajax - June 2007
- St. Rose of Lima, Toronto - Oct. 2007
- St. Bernadette, Ajax - Jan. 2008
- St. Aidan, Toronto - Feb. 2008
- North Toronto Prayer Group, Toronto - March 2008
- St. Isaac Jogues, Pickering - Apr. 2008
- St. Gregory the Great, Oshawa - May 2008
- Couples for Christ, Toronto - Oct. 2008
- St. Boniface, Toronto - Mar. 2009
- The Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community, Toronto - May 2009
- St. Theresa Shrine of the Little Flower, Toronto - Nov. 2009
- St. Margaret Mary, Hamilton - Nov. 2009
- Epiphany of Our Lord, Toronto - Feb. 2010
- Holy Martyrs of Japan, Bradford - Mar. 2010
- St. Dunstan, Toronto - Apr/May 2010
- Guardian Angels, Orillia - May 2010
- St. Philip Neri - North York - Fall/Winter 2011/2012
Maybe your parish in the future check for Workshops .here...
Theology of the Body for Teens - Workshops
- Holy Redeemer, Pickering - Fall 2008
- St. Thomas Aquinas, Toronto - Spring 2009
- St. Nicholas Bari - Fall 2009
- St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Mission - Winter 2010
Theology of the Body in the Classroom
- Archbishop Romero RCHS, Toronto
- Loretto College RCHS, Toronto
- Bishop Allen Academy, Etobicoke
Theology of the Body for Teens
Our program can be adapted from 12 to 6 weeks. It would also work well for a weekend retreat. 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
Presentation Training
Our first training workshop was completed at the end of May. We hope to run another in 2011.
Click here to see the results
ToB Congress
Report & Pictures
Along with us, there were attendees from 10 countries and 39 U.S. states. They represented 111 dioceses. Two bishops, more than 50 priests, six deacons and dozens of other religious were among the more-than 450 attendees Click here for pictures
God, Sex and the Meaning of Life Workshop
St. Philip Neri, 2100 Jane Street
Jan. 16, Feb. 13 & Mar. 19, 2012
Time:7 pm - 9 pm
To register stbreg@gmail.com
Guiding Your Child Through the Sexual Minefield
- St. Bernadette's Ajax - Fall 2007 (Mini Session)
- Mother's Group Ajax - 2010 (Mini Session)
- St. Matthew's Oakville - Oct. 2010 (Full Day)
- St. James School, Ajax - Mar. 2011 (Mini Session)
- St. Bernadette's Ajax - April 2011 (Full Day)
- St. Philip Neri - North York - Oct. 2011 (Mini - Session)
- St. Philip Neri - North York - Nov. 2011 (Full Day)
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
Address:St. Bernadette's Parish
St. Bernadette's Parish21 Bayly St. AjaxSaturday Feb. 18, 2012 - Session 1Saturday Feb. 25, 2012 - Session 2 Saturday Mar. 3, 2012 - Session 3 Saturday Mar. 10. 2012 - Session 4Saturday Mar. 17, 2012 - Session 5Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
10:30 am to 12:30 pmTo view poster click here
2009 ToB Conference Toronto
Marriage Preparation - Theology of the Body Talk
- St. Jerome's Parish, Brampton - March 2011
Light Weigh:
Program starts on Jan. 10, 2012
at 9:30 am at 21 Bayly St. E. Ajax, - St. Bernadette's Parish Hall.
More about Light Weigh
For information about GSML Ministry
Theology of the Body For Teens
Study Group
- Father Leo Austin High School - Fall 2011
Theology of the Body for Teens
Study Group
A twelve week in classroom presentation of the Theology for Teens program. For more information please contact gsmilministry@gmail.com
To see what the teens said about the prgram click here
