Theology of the Body Congress attended by local Young Adults & Adults.
17 young adults and adults attend the TOB Congress. Many are from ministries & organizations such as Youth & Young Adult Ministries from the Diocese of San Jose, Goretti Group, TOBDC, Echoes of Worth, Courage/EnCourage, & the RISE Conference.
For the first time ever, the Theology of the Body Institute brought its expertise to Southern California this past Sept. 23 -25, where over 850 Catholics flooded the Ontario Convention Center 2016 Theology of the Body Congress. This year’s Congress theme was “Love, Mercy and the Gift of the Family”.
Essential topics for the modern Catholic were covered throughout the weekend by speakers like Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield, Sr. Regina Gorman, Matthew Fradd, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. According to Damon Owens, Theology of the Body Congress Chair, “Given the unprecedented challenges for our youth, marriages and families today, it’s particularly important for us as believers to gather to hear the great truths of our faith unfiltered by the media.” So what has Theology of the Body done for its participants? Klarissa Chichioco, Youth Ministry Coordinator at Queen of Apostles (Coordinator of Programming fro EoW) says, “Thanks to the Theology of the Body, I am open to receive the gift of God's love, and free to give it to others. It is a holy and authentic exchange.”
"It was as if Jesus reached out and touched each heart, calling us to the fulfillment of our each and every desire, and laying the groundwork on how we may obtain it" said Christian Amalu, a young adult from Our Lady of Peace. Over 30 presentations were given during the Congress weekend covering everything from Catholic family life to feminism in the Church to the cultural and personal threat of pornography. Speakers answered questions like “How is John Paul II’s Theology of the Body important to understanding the ministry of Pope Francis?” and “How can couples preparing for Marriage Prep learn the beauty of Natural Family Planning?”
“Especially in light of the Year of Mercy and the recent exhortation Amoris Latetia, TOB Congress interweaved the rich teachings of our Catholic faith with high regard for each individual person we encounter” said Andrew Brown, Pastoral Associate at St. Lucy parish (Exec. dir. for EoW). Marciano De Souza, parishioner of Our Lady of Peace and the Goretti Group leader shared the presentations were "Mind-blowing! All the best speakers in the world on this topic in one place. I would highly recommend going next year." Diocese of San Jose Associate for Campus Ministry to San Jose State University, Mary Gandeza, spoke, “The Theology of the Body Congress is truly one of the most formative conferences I have attended. I would encourage people to learn more about the beautiful mystery of God's will and creation.”
One of the guest presenters at the TOB Congress, Katrina Zeno, also came to the Diocese of San Jose on November 5, 2016. Zeno serves in the Diocese of Phoenix as the Coordinator of Integration for TOB within all of its Catechesis for children to adults. More info. about that event forthcoming.
For more information on the 2017 Theology of the Body Congress, visit www.tobCongress.com.
Essential topics for the modern Catholic were covered throughout the weekend by speakers like Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield, Sr. Regina Gorman, Matthew Fradd, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. According to Damon Owens, Theology of the Body Congress Chair, “Given the unprecedented challenges for our youth, marriages and families today, it’s particularly important for us as believers to gather to hear the great truths of our faith unfiltered by the media.” So what has Theology of the Body done for its participants? Klarissa Chichioco, Youth Ministry Coordinator at Queen of Apostles (Coordinator of Programming fro EoW) says, “Thanks to the Theology of the Body, I am open to receive the gift of God's love, and free to give it to others. It is a holy and authentic exchange.”
"It was as if Jesus reached out and touched each heart, calling us to the fulfillment of our each and every desire, and laying the groundwork on how we may obtain it" said Christian Amalu, a young adult from Our Lady of Peace. Over 30 presentations were given during the Congress weekend covering everything from Catholic family life to feminism in the Church to the cultural and personal threat of pornography. Speakers answered questions like “How is John Paul II’s Theology of the Body important to understanding the ministry of Pope Francis?” and “How can couples preparing for Marriage Prep learn the beauty of Natural Family Planning?”
“Especially in light of the Year of Mercy and the recent exhortation Amoris Latetia, TOB Congress interweaved the rich teachings of our Catholic faith with high regard for each individual person we encounter” said Andrew Brown, Pastoral Associate at St. Lucy parish (Exec. dir. for EoW). Marciano De Souza, parishioner of Our Lady of Peace and the Goretti Group leader shared the presentations were "Mind-blowing! All the best speakers in the world on this topic in one place. I would highly recommend going next year." Diocese of San Jose Associate for Campus Ministry to San Jose State University, Mary Gandeza, spoke, “The Theology of the Body Congress is truly one of the most formative conferences I have attended. I would encourage people to learn more about the beautiful mystery of God's will and creation.”
One of the guest presenters at the TOB Congress, Katrina Zeno, also came to the Diocese of San Jose on November 5, 2016. Zeno serves in the Diocese of Phoenix as the Coordinator of Integration for TOB within all of its Catechesis for children to adults. More info. about that event forthcoming.
For more information on the 2017 Theology of the Body Congress, visit www.tobCongress.com.
Editor's Note: This article was originally written in October and submitted to the Valley Catholic for publishing.
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