“Discover Your Story” LEVEL I
Small Group Opportunity for Catholic School Teachers & Parish Catechists
Following a very successful inaugural Discover Your Story Level I series in Dec/Jan/Apr and more inquiries than we were able to accommodate, we are pleased to offer the same Level I series again!!
This is a small-group faith-sharing opportunity for teachers and catechists in and around the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Two concurrent groups (one virtual and one in-person) will meet four times during the month of June & July.
The “virtual group” will meet on Monday – Thursday [9:45am-10:45am] via Google Meet: June 28, 29, 30 & July 1
The “in-person group” will meet on Monday – Thursday [9:45am – 10:45am] in the Riede Room at Holy Family Parish {Poplar Level Road}: June 28, 29, 30 & July 1
The “in-person one day session” will meet on Wednesday, June 9 [9:00am – 3:00pm] in the Riede Room at Holy Family Parish {Poplar Level Road} – 5 hours of instruction (includes time for break & lunch) snacks & drinks will be provided throughout the day; *lunch – either bring your own or order the day of (bring cash or use venmo).
This series qualifies for Catechist Credit Hours through the ArchLou Office of Faith Formation.
For participants to gain as much as possible, space will be very limited and available 1st come / 1st serve. So reserve your spot today!
Here is what some teachers and catechists who recently completed the program have to say:
“I have a much deeper understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to better explain them to my students so they too can grow in their faith and be enlivened to share our faith with others.”
“It was amazing diving into Scripture Study of Genesis in light of JII’s Theology of the Body. It enhanced my sense of peace. This sense of peace helps me when teaching my students during this difficult time.”
“I gained insights on how certain Bible verses are connected, and how we can find our place and meaning God gave us…It will help me when explaining these insights to students during discussion.”
Facilitators:
Cathy Blandford (Virtual)
Cathy is a mother of five children (all boys) and the grandmother of nine beautiful grandchildren. She was a stay-at-home mom and ‘consummate church volunteer’ until her youngest son went to school.
Cathy formally began parish work in 1992 at St. Martha parish, where her children went to school. Later she served as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis Xavier (Mt. Washington) and All Saints (Taylorsville); her last 9 years she served as Pastoral Associate at St. Peter the Apostle. She retired on December 31, 2017.
She completed a two-year Ministry Formation Program and was commissioned by Archbishop Kelly as a lay minister in 1993. She received certification in Ministry Studies at Spalding University’s Russell Institute of Religion and Ministry, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Louisville, in 1996. In 2001, Cathy was awarded Master Catechist certification for the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Cathy has a long-standing devotion to St. John Paul II. From the moment in 2012 when Archbishop Kurtz and Leisa Shulz, our superintendent of schools announced that Theology of the Body would be incorporated into the middle school classrooms in the Archdiocese Cathy became an avid student of these beautiful teachings.
Along with many books, videos, and seminars, she has attended two of the 30-hour graduate level immersion courses at the Theology of the Body Institute. In 2014 she began teaching Theology of the Body at her local parish with over 200 people participating in various courses.
Cathy is devoted to spreading these beautiful teachings and generous beyond measure with her time and talent.
John Sohl (In-Person)
John is a graduate of Western Kentucky University who loves hunting, fishing, hiking, theater, videography and after a long hiatus since playing D1 baseball, he returned to the field this summer in a young adult league!
After discerning the call to the priesthood, John transitioned from seminary to the role of discipleship leader in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Some may say “youth minister,” but after five years of dedication to youth, John realized that if he’s really doing his job, he’s developing disciples. (Those who know him can attest that he’s “really doing his job.”)
John has attended & led pilgrimages to the last 4 World Youth Days: Madrid, Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kraków, Poland, Panama City, Panamá.
John serves as the only male chastity instructor in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Every school year he & one of his female counterparts teach a multi-day course at over 40 schools (Catholic, private, and public).
John has completed (8) of the 30-hour graduate level immersion courses at the Theology of the Body Institute. After completion of his practicum this Spring, John will be the first person in the Archdiocese of Louisville to receive his Master’s Certification in Theology of the Body from the TOB Institute … a major accomplishment!
In October 2019, John married his sweetheart, Crystal! They attended their first TOB immersion course together in the Fall of 2019 and are now leading intro sessions for couples.
Theology of the Body in the Archdiocese of Louisville
A few years ago, Family Renewal Project initiated a dialogue with the ArchLou Superintendent of Schools and other Agency Directors which led to the decision to add Theology of the Body as a permanent standard in the K-8th grade curriculum.
FRP’s mission is to support teachers, administrators, parents to learn and live the beautiful teachings of our Church as presented through the lens of TOB.
Click here to read the article in The Record about the addition of TOB to the curriculum.
