For Joan and Declan Sally, Theology of the Body is more than a course – it’s been a wellspring of truth that continues to shape their marriage, their parenting, and their work as educators.
Having attended two retreats and eagerly anticipating the third in January next year, Joan says, “We can’t seem to get enough. We love the content, and it’s very real and relevant for married couples in particular.”
Her excitement for the return of Dr Christopher West to Sydney to helm the Head and Heart Immersion five-day retreat between 18 and 23 January next year is palpable.
“He’s the real deal. The real rock star is coming to town,” she exclaims.
As educators in the Parramatta Diocese’s pre-marriage program, Joan and Declan have seen firsthand how the teachings of St John Paul II, brought to life by Dr Christopher West and the Theology of the Body Institute, offer a foundation for couples seeking to build their lives on truth.
“We’ve been doing this for the last eight or nine years, and Theology of the Body is very relevant. I just think more people need to know about it,” Joan says.
She reflects on how the course has helped her and Declan grow together in faith, despite coming from different backgrounds.
“I’m a Catholic from birth, and he’s from Northern Ireland, where the faith was not very overt. We’re finding that as we grow old together, our faith journey is coming more to the middle, where we’re starting to understand each other’s way of practicing our faith. “We do a lot more things together because it’s important, and we just want to share it more.”
Theology of the Body has also given Joan the tools to navigate the challenges of modern parenting, especially in a world where questions of identity are front and centre.
“The whole thing around Theology of the Body is the battle in the modern world – the male and female identity.
“My son’s growing up in a world where you’ve got all of those issues. In a corporate environment, I have to navigate it.
“Theology of the Body has given me guidelines to help me identify me as a daughter of God, my son as a son of God, that you’re created male and female, and the body is a very important part of you.”
As parents to 25-year-old Matthew, Joan and Declan have learned to plant seeds of truth gently, even when faith isn’t always a welcome topic.
“When we have an opportunity, we just plant a seed, that the body is made in the image and likeness of God. So when I look at another person, I have to see them as someone created by God.”
Their experience as educators is also enriched by TOB.
“It gives us a bit more substance, because then we’ve got an understanding of context and content…when we come out of Catholic marriage with you, you know, that’s one of the topics as part of the weekend’s course.
“We are also bringing in touching on Theology of the Body, right? Man and woman coming together – that’s how God created, that was the plan, and each of those genders are very purposefully made by God.”
Joan is candid about the ongoing journey: “I sometimes feel inadequate, because even though we know it, we’re not really articulating it as much as maybe we could.
“That’s why we keep coming back – to immerse ourselves once more, so it becomes more natural in the way that we use it, and we can apply it in every situation in life.”
For Joan, the upcoming five-day immersive retreat with Dr Christopher West is an opportunity not to be missed.
“In this day and age, you need to know the truth, and we have to go back to the source of truth.
“This is a week of going back and finding out about your faith and learning more about God’s plan for you. Why wouldn’t you avail yourself of that?”
For more details or to register for Theology of the Body Head and Heart Immersion Retreat on 18–23 January at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre head to the website.
