Transcript Theology of the Body for Teens

Parent Session
Theology of the Body Program
for Middle School Students
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Welcome and
Introduction
Bishop Kevin Rhoades
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
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Overview of TOB program for
school students
8 week religion unit in second semester of 7th
Grade, utilizing:
1. Ascension Press’ Theology of the Body for
Teens (Middle School Edition) program
2. 8 additional lessons developed by diocesan
Office of Family Life
Overview of TOB program for
religious education students
S 12 hours of instruction time in second semester of
7th grade
S 8 chapters of Ascension Press program
S Key concepts in supplemental lessons 1-4
S Supplemental lessons 5-8
Teacher & Catechist Selection
Each principal and DRE, in consultation with the pastor, has
designated teachers/catechists to present the TOB program
Criteria for Selection
Fidelity to Church teaching
Comfort with subject matter
Teachers and catechists have received training to teach the
TOB program through the diocesan Office of Family Life.
Parent Overview DVD
Ascension Press
Theology of the Body for Teens
Middle School Edition
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Saint John Paul II
Speaks to Young People
S “Dear young friends! Do not allow this treasure to be taken
away from you! Do not inscribe in the plan of your life a
deformed, impoverished and falsified content: love “rejoices
in the truth”. Seek out this truth where it is really to be
found! If necessary, be resolved to go against the current of
popular opinion and propaganda slogans! Do not be afraid
of the love that places clear demands on people. These
demands—as you find them in the constant teaching of the
Church—are precisely capable of making your love a true
love.” (1985, Letter to Youth)
Timeline for the TOB Program
S How to preview materials, if interested
S Dates the program will be taught
S Schedule of what will be covered when
S Method of communicating with parents
S Other important information
Parental Right to Withhold Child
S Chapters 5 and 6 and their corresponding supplemental
lessons cover more sensitive topics regarding sexual morality
S Bishop Rhoades has decided that parents will have the
option to withhold their child from attending class when
these chapters are covered, should they decide that this is in
the best interests of their child
S Students may be excused only from Chapters 5 and 6, and
this must be stipulated in writing by a parent or guardian
Ascension Press Parent Guide
Data from “Parents Matter:
The role of parents in teens’
decisions about sex”
S In two nationally representative polls of 12-to 19-year-olds,
respondents were asked about who they think is most influential
when it comes to teens’ decisions about sex.
S Fifty-nine percent of 12-to 14-year-olds reported that parents had
the most influence on their decisions about sex
S Research repeatedly shows that strong parent-adolescent
relationship quality, communication, and monitoring and
awareness of adolescents’ activities are associated with delayed
sexual initiation
The irreplaceable role
of parents
The first and most important educators
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Questions and Comments