Sees sexuality education as part of formation efforts

By PAT PASTERNAK- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

"I try to take the focus off sexuality as just sex or intercourse. Rather, I redefine it in terms of all relationships and part of the human condition."

That's the philosophy Sister Judith O'Brien, IHM, will bring to the Albany Diocese Sept. 28 when she presents an inservice day for catechetical and youth ministry leadership on "Sexuality as God's Gift: Information & Formation."

Sister Judith is diocesan coordinator of human sexuality education for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Everyday element

Getting to know Jesus as the model for holy sexual living will be the focus of Sister Judith's keynote address, which will stress the importance of sexuality in day-to-day life.

Her talk will also attempt to convince participants of the critical importance of understanding and integrating sexuality education into all aspects of Catholic formation, she said.

In addition, the program will present human sexuality in a way that allows participants to take a revitalized look at Catholic sexuality education and to understand the complexities of Church teachings on this issue.

God's gift

Sister Judith believes that Catholics need to educate their children in sexuality much earlier than adolescence and to see human sexuality as a God-given gift of life for all.

Through her perspective of approaching human sexuality as a lifetime gift from conception to death, rather than as just an issue teens grapple with, she hopes participants will begin to grasp what it means to be a whole sexual human being.

In her workshop, Sister Judith will also take a look at the impact of domestic violence, the media and technology on everyday life. Part of the afternoon discussion will center on the discernment of how these negative forces impact an understanding of sexuality.

"Most people don't know the Church's beautiful teaching around sexuality," she said. "I will cover what is taught and why."

("Sexuality as God's Gift: Information & Formation" will be held Sept. 28, 9:15 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Quality Inn in Albany. The program is available to anyone involved in youth education, including pastors and parish life directors. The registration fee is $15/person, payable to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, 40 N. Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203. The deadline for registration is Sept. 22.)

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