9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Lafayette, LA • Directions
1st-5th grade catechists and religion teachers in the Diocese of Lafayette, LA are invited to join us for a one-day program on the Theology of the Body. Explore St. John Paul II’s teachings on the Theology of the Body and how you can lead your students to understand what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, male and female. You’ll also explore ways to appropriately teach about purity, human sexuality, and other topics related to Theology of the Body in age appropriate ways.
You'll also receive a free copy of Everyday Theology of the Body, a supplemental teacher's guide packed with mini lessons and activities that will help you bring your students into a deeper understanding of the Theology of the Body.
This Workshop blends scholar presentations with interactive pedagogical sessions, giving you a chance to explore content with a respected scholar, as well as explore and simulate practical teaching strategies with ready-to-use classroom materials. Share best practices with your fellow teachers, enjoy catered breakfast and lunch, and engage in both formal and informal discussions.
Registration for this event is being handled by the Diocese of Lafayette. To register click here.
Schedule
Join us, and you'll receive…
Catechetical Formation
Engaging sessions by a catechetical scholar provide background knowledge so you can confidently engage students with our Faith.
Spiritual Formation
You'll explore your vocation as a teacher, coming to see your calling as a witness to Christ in the classroom.
Practical Application
A veteran teacher follows each scholarly presentation with research-based teaching strategies, giving you immediate ways to apply this knowledge in the classroom.
Ready-to-Use Materials
Receive a free, classroom-tested teacher's guide featuring 10-12 lessons with classroom activities and sacred art.
Presenters
Jose Gonzalez joined the team at Sophia Institute for Teachers in 2014 after more than 10 years as a Catholic high school teacher. In addition to teaching, Jose has experience working in parish and diocesan ministry. Jose has been leading Workshops in over 60 dioceses for more than 8 years, and contributes regularly to our teacher's guides and digital instructional resources. He has a BA in theology with a concentration in religious education from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and an MA in evangelization and catechesis from the Augustine Institute. Jose and his wife, Mary Beth, have four children.
Holding two Masters from the University of Dallas—one in Theological Studies and one in Humanities, Monica Ashour is an international speaker, author of 28 books, President and Director of Content Creation for the Theology of the Body Evangelization Team, known as TOBET. Named in 2010 by the Catholic National Register as one of the top six speakers on Saint John Paul’s seminal work known as the Theology of the Body, Monica and her team have completed a pre-school through 8th-grade program called The Body Matters for schools, faith formation, and family catechesis. It has been called a “game-changer.” Before becoming an international speaker, Monica served as a campus minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Texas A&M University from 1996 to 1999. There she launched the now nationwide Nun Run, in which young women travel around the nation visiting convents. Before and after her stint at St. Mary’s, Monica enjoyed 20 years teaching theology and literature in grade school and high school classrooms. Monica was the recipient of Bishop (now Cardinal) Farrell’s 2008 Pro-Life Award for Civic Action and was named to the Hall of Fame for her alma mater, Nolan Catholic High School in Ft. Worth. Monica enjoys discussion groups, exercise, bridge, and coaching softball.