There is a Theology of the Body ministry forming at SJN to bring more programming for youth,
young adults, parents, and really anyone interested in learning more about the truth of what God wants for us!

For more information on any of the activities below or to volunteer, please contact
Paige Lynch at [email protected] or Meghan Jackson at [email protected]

Ongoing Formation and Ascension Press TOB Volunteer Training
We are currently reading St. Pope John Paul II’s Love and Responsibility over the next several months with a reading plan and twice-a-month discussion group. We will also be coordinating a training this spring for any future TOB retreat volunteers using the Ascension Press three-session program. Let us know if you are interested in joining!

Middle School Boys - “Forged” Retreat
We are in the process of creating content to guide a male formation team to put on a father/son retreat in the 2023-2024 academic year. If you would like to be a volunteer or to be on the mailing list to attend, please email us.

Second Annual Middle School Girls - “XO” Retreat
The team will be putting on a modified half-day retreat once again for mothers/daughters in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Alternative to Eanes ISD Human Growth and Development: Puberty
In May 2023 parents of fifth-grade Eanes ISD students who wish to opt out of the district-provided content given to all fifth graders entitled “Responsible Social Behavior” will have options. As outlined in TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) every district in the state of Texas is required to present instruction on Human Growth and Development: Puberty in elementary school. As an alternative, parents and their students would take part in a curriculum over those days at SJN that reflects Catholic values and incorporates Theology of the Body (TOB) concepts when these sensitive topics of puberty and sexuality are introduced to young students. More details coming soon!

Additional TOB Retreats for high school and college transition points
The team is further planning a series of additional retreats for students at various transition points. These are currently under development and we will release more details as they are available. If you are interested in being part of the formation team for these age groups, or to be on the mailing list to attend, please be in touch!

Last October we welcomed 27 attendees including middle school girls and their mothers to the first annual XO retreat. This was a day spent forming new bonds and pondering some of life’s big questions while having fun with engaging speakers. Highlights included a tea party lunch for which various parish ministries provided baked goods and volunteers to serve, and Threads of Hope contributed handmade gifts for their swag bags.

The retreat was followed by an eight-week small group formation time in which the content of the Ascension Press Theology of the Body for Middle Schoolers was covered with discussion and interactive lessons led by trained parish volunteers. We plan to offer this retreat again in the 2023-2024 academic year for all middle school-aged girls and their mothers.

We have many upcoming events and opportunities for young women and young men. Please visit our website for more information.

For more information or to take part in any of these offerings in 2023 or to join the TOB ministry team of volunteers interested in sharing this work with the parish, please contact Paige Lynch at [email protected] or Meghan Jackson at [email protected]

Please be sure to attend one or both of the other ToB speakers SJN will be having in the coming months thanks to the tremendous efforts of the SJN faith formation team:

• Jason Evert in January (for age 13 and over)

• Damon Owens in April