As January 2025 approaches, excitement is building among Catholic parish leaders and parishioners for the return of the Theology of the Body course featuring the esteemed Bill Donaghy from the Theology of the Body Institute.
This five-day course, “The Writings of John Paul II on Marriage, Family, and Gender,” promises to be a transformative experience for participants.
Founder of Donum Ministries, Tomasz Juszczak attended last year’s course with his wife Sarah and daughter Emilia and is excited about its return.
“The experience last year was amazing; it put things into practice and helped both me and my wife in our relationship,” said Tomasz.
Experiencing the retreat with his wife, allowed the couple to enter unchartered realms within their marriage.
Tomasz believes that getting to a stage of vulnerability with his wife, a place he had never been before, was a practical way for them to move forward.
“We were able to discuss things that that we hadn’t discussed before, either out of fear or wherever we may have been. Even though we are both quite faithful, it was able to take us to a deeper level,” he said.
The five-day course allowed Tomasz and Sarah a deeper, more immersive dive into the teachings of the great saints, fostering genuine understanding and application.
“It allows you to start to live what you’re learning, as opposed to just keeping it in your brain,” said Tomasz.
Reg and Cynthina Argana from the parish of Good Shepherd at Hoxton Park, who also attended last year, thought the course revitalised their 30-year marriage.
“It’s really different when you’re doing the course together,” said Cynthia. “We can bounce ideas off each other and inspire and share insights together. That allowed me an entry into my husband’s innermost thoughts and feelings, and how he’s being touched by Saint John Paul II and by the Lord,” she said.
Reg agreed. “It was very refreshing. It’s a particularly good way of looking at and revisiting our relationship with a fresh set of eyes,” he said.
Parishioner, Emily Jane from Bathurst believes the course is not just for married couples. As a single woman, she found many gifts in revealing who God wants her to be.
“I’m understanding who I am now in his eyes. It’s a very vulnerable place, but it’s one of the most beautiful places to be in,” she said.
Bill Donaghy, personally commissioned by Pope John Paul II to spread the church’s teachings, will bring a wealth of knowledge and a unique ability to connect the intellect with the heart.
His course will delve into crucial documents from John Paul II’s pontificate, including “On the Christian Family in the Modern World,” “On the Dignity and Vocation of Women,” and “Letter to Families.” These texts are rich with insights that address the challenges of our times.
When and where: 19-24 January at the Benedict XVI Retreat Centre.