God, Sex, and the Meaning of Life.

Well those are 3 words I didn't think I'd ever be saying together. But I've learned that God, Sex, and the Meaning of Life have everything to do with one another.

I grew up through 12 years of Catholic School, and sex was barely talked about in any of our Religion classes...that was mostly left for the Science room. However, what my understanding from talking about morality in Religion was simply...don't 'do it' til you're married cause it's wrong!

Nothing against any of the wonderful teachers that I had back then, but I wasn't exactly instilled with a sense of wonder and awe about how amazingly beautiful the Church's understanding of marriage and sex actually is - or that they had anything to do with God, and the Church.

I was a kid who was pretty fine with waiting til I was married, so when I was 22, I wasn't exactly that interested in a book my roomate encouraged me to read called "The Good News about Sex and Marriage;" I thought I knew what the Church taught, and was fine with it...I didn't want to read anything that told me to "stay chaste."

However, after reading the 1st chapter just to appease my roomate, I was amazed at what I hadn't ever learned about Sex and Marriage. Christopher West, the author of that book, introduced readers to what is called "Theology of the Body:" teachings based on a series of talks given by Pope John Paul the II.

Theology of the Body is amazing...it's not simply a "do this, don't do this" approach to talking about sex, but instead it talks about our bodies, sex, marriage, children, in a way that not only makes you EXCITED about living a chaste life, but also helps you understand how our bodies, marriage, sex, and children can teach us about God, the Trinity, the Church, and the Sacraments.

I finished the book and really did say, "Oh...so THAT'S the meaning of life...I get it!"

So, I am soooo excited that this year at St. Mary's, we're going to be offering a 12-week session for High School Youth: "Theology of the Body for Teens." Monday evenings, starting in December, from 6-8pm, we'll tackle this hot topic!

Parents (of any age youth) are invited to take part in a Session designed to help you undertand a little bit more about Theology of the Body, and about the Teen sessions that we'll be doing. Join us on Sunday, Nov. 14, 11:30am, OR on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 6pm. RSVP to Candice so that we can provide the correct amount of materials and refreshments.

Trunk or Treat, Smell my Feet!

It's that time of year again! Trunk or Treat at Saint Mary's! It's a fun time to gather the Parish, show off our Costumes and enjoy an evening of safe Trick or Treating from our Parishioners who have brought their front porches to us! There will be vehicles parked all over the West Lot decorated for Halloween, with Parishioners passing our goodies, games to play, and lots of friendly faces.

Wednesday, October 27, from 6:30-8pm

Donations accepted at the gate benefit the ROCKsolid ministries!

All individuals, families, or Parish/School groups are invited to help make Trunk or Treat amazing by decorating a vehicle and passing out candy. Be in the West Lot no later than 6:15pm on Wednesday, ready to pass out candy! Remember, there are prizes for the best trunks, so feel free to get creative!

If you're a ROCKsolid youth, we would love for you and your family to decorate a vehicle and pass out candy. If your family can't do it*, join us from 6-8pm and help set-up, work the gate, manage the voting, or run some games for the little ones. We'll even give you pizza, like a regular ROCKsolid Wednesday night!

*If you come without your family to help as a ROCKsolid volunteer, you are expected to help where you are assigned throughout the evening. Don't worry, you'll have time to see all the trunks and will get plenty of candy, but it is not simply free time!

Rootbeer Float, anyone?

Stay for just 10 minutes after any Mass this weekend to sip on a Rootbeer Float, meet ROCKsolid volunteers and other families that will be involved this year, play a quick, goofy game, and have a chance to register for ROCKsolid or sign up to Volunteer with the program.

Hope to see you there!