Raphael Lam is one of five young people who received scholarships to attend the five-day Theology of the Body Immersion Course with Dr Christopher West later this month.
An immersion course focused on Pope John Paul II’s classic work Love & Responsibility will provide an opportunity to better understand loving relationships, according to participant Raphael Lam.
“This course will consolidate my foundation of loving authentically and sharing what is true and good about human love with fellow Christians as well as others that may not know the faith,” he said.
Raphael is one of five young people who received scholarships to attend the five-day Theology of the Body Immersion Course with Dr Christopher West later this month. The ACT Right to Life Association funded the scholarships.
The immersion course will explore themes including the dignity of the person, sexual attraction and emotion, and the nature of chastity as a virtue.
Raphael, who holds various leadership roles in local parish communities, including Alpha and bible sharing groups, said attending the course would enable him to add tremendous value to the spiritual, dating and family lives of other participants.
“Importantly, participants of the programs often come from the age bracket in which romantic relationship, marriage, rearing and educating the next generation are often high priorities,” he said.
“This is particularly relevant to the men’s group of the Holy Spirit Parish, noting the modern day society normalises a hypersexualised culture which calls for a deeper understanding, advocacy and lived examples of authentic love.”
Former ACT Right to Life president and current council member Bev Cains hoped scholarship recipients would benefit from the course and bring their knowledge back to share with others in the archdiocese.
“The basis of the teaching of the Catholic faith is such a wonderful structure for the foundation of the family,” she said.
“Society seems to be working towards the break-up and destruction of the family unit. This course teaches about the value of the sacrament of marriage and the sanctity of the body.”
Recently appointed president John Kennedy agreed, noting the attendees would gain greater insight into the significant issues of relationships and sexuality.
“Often ACT Right to Life will be faced with addressing issues that reflect what Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae identified as a ‘culture of death’,” he said.
“It is refreshing to be reminded that there are generous and enthusiastic young people ready to grow in understanding and will undoubtedly influence their friends and the culture in such a life-giving way.”
The scholarships funded $1000 of the $1900 course fee.
- The Theology of the Body: Love & Responsibility Immersion Course with Christopher West will be held from January 21 – 26 at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre in Varroville.
- Download the brochure HERE
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