Article Directory
The Body Matters Program
The Body Matters, based on St. John Paul’s life-affirming Theology of the Body (TOB), is a teaching tool intended to assist primary educators (parents) in forming their children, and to be inserted into already-existing curricula at Catholic schools and parish faith formation programs. In November 2015, TOBET’s Episcopal Advisory Board, led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila, confirmed the need to create an original, inspiring, age-appropriate TOB program. Despite common misconceptions about TOB, The Body Matters is not a “birds-and-bees” centered program. Rather, its purpose is to form children in the faith and to combat the destructive messages they absorb from the culture. While not addressing these controversial issues directly, The Body Matters program, infused with St. John Paul’s theology, will restore the dignity of the human person and form families and their children in the truths of the Catholic faith, precisely through a deeper understanding of the human BODY
SmartLoving BreakThrough
SmartLoving BreakThrough is a short online course that helps spouses better understand how conflict happens in a relationship. It leads them through a process of forgiveness so that they can be less reactive and more intentional in their marriage and equips them with simple strategies to improve their situation. Also available as a facilitators resource to run live workshops (approx 3 hours).
SmartLoving Engaged Online
A multimedia course that seamlessly integrates practical relationship skills, sacramental theology and couple testimony. Grounded in the Theology of the Body, every registration includes a coupon code to the Sponsor version of the course for a parish married couple to accompany the engaged (optional uptake). * videos with high production values * quizzes and final assessment, time and progression locks to ensure participation and monitor learning * imprimatur granted * includes access to Member articles and SmartLoving Fertility
Mini Marriage Course
Dr. Greg Bottaro offers couples a dose of what can help their marriage by integrating Catholic theology and spirituality with psychological research and his clinical experience with marriage therapy. The course is free and is delivered over the web. It consist of approximately 1 hour of footage on topics such as the deeper meaning of sacramental marriage vows, love languages, Gottman insights on the 4 horseman and how to argue effectively and the differences between men and women and how this impacts marriage.
Beloved Series – Finding Happiness in Marriage
Beloved is a 12 part series that provides a rich exploration of the Church's teaching on marriage and the family along with testimonies from a number of couples that highlights the practical embodiment of the teaching. This is a high quality production that also captures the thinking of some of the top US based lay experts on marriage and the family. It can be purchased in a DVD format or through a video on demand service called FORMED. Each episode has an accompanying study guide for engaged or marriage couples.
Better Together Marriage Inventory
Great communication is essential to having a great marriage. This marriage prep/enrichment inventory is a FREE questionnaire designed to celebrate strengths and highlight opportunities for growth between couples. Dynamic Catholic have partnered with Catholic psychologist Dr. Gregory Bottaro, director of The CatholicPsych Institute, to develop the inventory that encourages couples to talk about important topics to help them connect on a deeper level as they review their answers together.
CathFamily
CathFamily (Making the Home the Heart of the Church) is a database of free resources including prayers, rituals, crafts, recipes, and articles for use by parents and teachers to build a Catholic culture in the home and class room. It has a strong emphasis on relationships and the Theology of the Body informs its relationship resources. The eNews (free) is issued each week and indexes the relevant items for that week according to the church season.
Notre Dame symposium brings together theologians, social scientists to discuss family
To read original Q&A post click here This week we are pleased to feature a Q&A with a former keynote presenter at Renaissance of Marriage – Dr Gregory and
Catholic Marriage on the Rise
Despite a decline in the number of Catholic weddings in many developed countries, Catholic Marriage has enjoyed unprecedented attention in the Church. A regular theme in the homilies and speeches
SmartLoving Fertility
An online course that explores the basics of human fertility and the application of fertility awareness for family planning. Based on the Sympto-thermal method, the course includes printable charts and step-by-step instruction for those wishing to learn and apply the method. The course also includes couple activities so that husband and wife can explore their thoughts and emotions as they progress. A unique feature of SmartLoving Fertility is the 'Couple Check In' - a guided process to assist couples in discerning their pregnancy intention based on Humanae Vitae n10.
My Personal Vision of Catholic Marriage Counselling
The following script is adapted from the notes of a presentation given to Centacare Parramatta by Ray Reid, October 1st, 2010Vision of MarriageThe fulfilment of each human person comes in
The homily of Pope Francis to the Roman Rota
This week we feature the homily of Pope Francis to the Roman Rota on the opening of the judicial year. He calls attention to a number of noteworthy ideas
A Marriage-Affirming Parish
The most important part of a marriage-friendly community is cultivating an affirming and empowering mentality towards married couples. They are a tremendous resource in proclaiming the gospel. They are
Why Humanae Vitae is pretty much a feminist manifesto
In the first five years of his papacy, Saint Paul VI wrote seven encyclicals. In the final ten years, he wrote none. I’m not sure of the reason why,
The Catholic Understanding of Marriage – Part 2
This booklet has been primarily written for engaged couples who have decided to marry within a Catholic ceremony. It is hoped that married couples and single persons who read
The Catholic Understanding of Marriage
This booklet has been primarily written for engaged couples who have decided to marry within a Catholic ceremony. It is hoped that married couples and single persons who read
‘Permanent catechumenate’ for married couples
We were delighted to hear recently that Pope Francis had called for a ‘permanent catechumenate’ for married couples. It’s so encouraging to see Pope Francis giving this idea air
Belonging and Forgiving
Education for Nuptial Formation St Pope John Paul II said, “more than ever necessary in our times is preparation of young people for marriage and family life. "The Church’s
God’s Plan for Marriage
We are not spiritual beings, angels are spiritual beings. We are embodied spirits. That means we are called to love in and through our bodies. What was God’s original
Humanae Vitae at 50: The Most Controversial Church Document of Modern Times
Theology of the Body author and speaker Christopher West reflection: "Humanae Vitae: The Most Controversial Church Document of Modern Times." Recorded on July 25, 2017, the 49th anniversary of
St. John Paul II and Humanae Vitae: An Inseparable Connection
We live in a savvy, technologically-minded culture. Smart homes are on the horizon where one hardly needs to lift a finger to turn on the air conditioning, open the
Empowering Parents as Educators in Christian Sexuality
Dr Gerard O’Shea explores the topics that parents and youth educators need to cover when educating our young people in sexuality according to the mind of the Church. The
Male and Female Matters
God created us male and female in his image. Our very identity in Christ is expressed in and through our bodies, Greg will unpack further the unique nature of
Pastoral Responses in a Wounded Church
In Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis explores pastoral care of families and marriages. The document is deeply embedded in both theology and the reality of life on the ground for