Daily book for young women seeking God's will in their lives!
--Jesus Speaks
--Scripture
--Advice
--To Do
--To Journal
--Prayer
--Jesus Speaks
--Scripture
--Advice
--To Do
--To Journal
--Prayer
Order here:
May 30, 2012
May 25, 2012
MOVIES: "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING"
I thought I was gonna hafta hate on this film, but lo and behold I am pretty much lovin’ on it!
First of all, this is a very well-constructed film. Excellence in filmmaking. Excellence in COMEDIC filmmaking which is NOT easy. Excellence in ENSEMBLE filmmaking which is even harder. THIS is how it’s done, people! Hollywood never ceases to amaze when they get it right.
Second of all, this is slightly more a guy/Dad’s film than a gal/Mom’s film, so I assumed the writer was male. Nope. Two chicks. I wonder if they asked guy friends “what they would say or do” in a given situation, because the guy parts are the funniest.
Why was I all set to hate on this film? Because I thought it was going to be another one of those: “Babies actually emasculate men” films. “Being married is a drag, and being a Dad is even worse” films. But, it’s not! This is a laugh-a-minute, fun ride of a film that follows several couples through pregnancies (some quite unplanned ) and births (with one adoption). Each character is more unique and well-developed than in most single-couple romantic films! Each scene is working overtime to give us lots of information and delight us with all kinds of hilarious “touches.” The acting is superb, the transitions are superb, the directing and editing, the dialogue and plot points are superb. Did I mention that the acting is superb? The cast simply out-acts each other scene after scene.
Is it crude? Oh yeah, but mostly in the beginning, and then it becomes much sweeter and realer (and stays just as funny BECAUSE it’s being so honest). I’m still surprised that women wrote this because the writing is so tough-minded—but kudos to Shauna Cross (“Whip It”) and Heather Hach (“Freaky Friday”) for a smart, tight, fine job. British director, Kirk Jones ("Waking Ned Devine," "Nanny McPhee") is scrumtrulescent.
Remember, the whole movie is about sex because it's about pregnancy and babies.
As is the custom today, things are mostly done backwards: jump in the sack immediately, have the baby, get married.
Is this a “Theology of the Body” film? Indirectly, yes. It shows the best of what’s possible in male/female relationships and the joy of being parents when both partners are “in it” no matter what. It shows taking life on the chin, the sorrows with the joys, turning lemons into lemonade, and having a healthy sense of humor about it all. Babies are called “miracles” many times, only once or twice with a hint of sarcasm.
The best part of the movie is the REAL issues, problems, and seemingly irreconcilable differences between the couples. Dilemmas that in other films (and perhaps real life) would be deal-breakers. But the “What To Expect” couples stay the course, and the big blowout arguments and all-too-typical fights are either resolved or semi-resolved in extremely healthy ways. We are served up that genuine relationships are an ongoing process of give and take. We just do NOT see this. Anywhere. And we need it so badly. Children of divorce do not know how to deal with marital conflict and they’re terrified of it. “What To Expect” handles it fabulously. Bravo.
“What To Expect” totally prepares one for the grossness and pain and “imperfectness” and uncontrollability of the whole process. It even shows how both men and women need to overcome all their false notions of being parents, but also false “expectations” of male/female relationships.
Not to be missed is the hysterical Daddy Dude Group that meets Saturday mornings in the park. Let’s just say it’s male-adaptive parenting. Emphasis definitely NOT on hovering, helicopter-parenting. Much more laid back. Guys just do parenting differently. MUCH differently.
There is warmth in this film, and it seems to be coming from a good place. The marital arrangements may be heterodox, but the “spirit of the law” is observed. Moral of the story: “When it comes to babies, there’s no such thing as ‘ready.’”
DISCLAIMER: Some feedback I got on this review said I wasn't clear enough about the wrongness of sex outside marriage. I do not believe in sex outside marriage in any form. Sex speaks the language of "you alone forever." Sex outside marriage is a kind of a lie spoken with the body. It is damaging and destructive. Sexual love is FUNDAMENTAL, FREE, FAITHFUL (marriage), FULL AND FRUITFUL.
OTHER STUFF:
--E-N-T-E-R-T-A-I-N-I-N-G.
--This movie reminded me of a time recently when I was with a bunch of home-school Moms who were trying to outdo each other in “small child ickiness” stories. They talked about having barf buckets around the house and at the kids’ bedsides (what is it with the peewees’ digestive tracts?) The Mom who won the Groddy-to-the-Max Award was the Mom who told of holding her baby over her head and the kid puked into HER mouth.
--I have friends who’ve been married 15 years. Their younger college-age friends greatly admire their marriage. But when the college students see them argue, they get scared and disillusioned: “But I thought you loved each other! But you’re fighting!” My married couple friends take this opportunity to tell them: “Yes—we’d better be fighting or our marriage isn’t real! Lovers’ quarrels!” Young people can tend to think that any kind of discord means “road to divorce.”
--“What To Expect When You’re Expecting” might be good “required viewing” for marriage prep courses!
--There are quite a few great side characters, too. All fleshed out. Well inserted, well used. Great, great filmmaking.
--Interesting how today everyone talks like a scientist: IVF, genetics, DNA, etc.
--Abortion is simply not an option. Not on the table.
--Some great affirmations of the need to man-up to fatherhood. And loving fatherhood.
--“What to Expect” gets so real. Says what people are really thinking and feeling. And it’s not the “awful truth.” It’s a pretty beautiful truth.
--It’s OK to fight and feel crappy and sick and be scared and make mistakes in this whole new world of parenting!
--Dennis Quaid!
--The golfcarts!
--Margaritaville!
--Trophy wife as heroine!
--The ovulation app.
--“Babies can smell fear.”
--I would actually watch this film again (partly to catch ALL the jokes). And I hardly ever watch films twice.
May 22, 2012
MOVIES: "FOR GREATER GLORY"
(stars Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria, Peter O'Toole, Eduardo Verastegui, Oscar Israel)
“For Greater Glory” (“Cristiada” in Mexico) is the untold story of Mexico’s Cristeros War (or “Cristiada”): 1926-1929, between the government and Catholics (the actual involvement of the Mexican clergy/hierarchy and Rome is a little murkier). The events are historically accurate, and certain characters are real personalities from the struggle.
Most Americans have never heard of the Cristeros War, and, it seems, just as many Mexicans are ignorant of it as well! Why? Understandably, it makes 33rd degree Mason President Calles and the Mexican establishment look bad, so it’s not in the history textbooks. His brutal enforcement of anti-clerical laws, expelling of foreign clergy, forbidding of Catholic Masses and sacraments, as well as the outright slaughter of many priests, nuns and laity was extreme repression and a complete denial of religious freedom. Calles thought the Catholics would bow to such pressure. No such thing. The “Cristeros” took up arms and fought back--clergy among them.
“Viva Cristo Rey!” was the rallying cry of the resisters, fighters, and all faithful Catholics. Calles set up a schismatic “patriotic Church” much like the Communists in China today. (Incidentally, Cubans echoed the same allegiance before being put to death by Fidel Castro’s firing squads—see the excellent book “Against All Hope” by Armando Valladares.)
If anyone DOES know about the Cristeros War, it’s usually because they know the story of the daring young Jesuit, Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro, who used to travel around Mexico in disguise to administer the sacraments. In a huge PR blunder, Calles had the executions of priests photographed. He thought this would terrorize and deter Catholics. It had the exact opposite effect. Martyrs were created, AND there was government-issue proof! The photos of Fr. Miguel’s execution by firing squad can easily be found on Google. Fr. Pro is not mentioned in “For Greater Glory,” but no need, there are other amazing stories of heroes and heroines to be told.
The film starts off with a light, “It can’t happen here,” “It won’t be that bad,” blasé attitude and quickly deteriorates into something much more serious. This early progression of events is well-done: swift and devastating, but then the 137-minute film drags on and on. The film begins as a kind of ensemble piece: but gradually becomes Cristero General Velarde‘s (Andy Garcia) story.
This epic’s set direction and costuming is pitch-perfect, but the cinematography—although lush—is distracting and halting with far too much hand-held: in all the wrong places. Poor direction and editing make the fine cast look bad at times—all except for my guy: Oscar Israel* (who plays Victoriano Ramirez) who, for the most part, spun gold out of dross. However, I really have to give the benefit of the doubt to the possible fact that an over-the-top-Mexican-style-melodrama-western (which Americans often find laughable) was what the filmmakers were going for.
The dialogue is extremely simplistic and on-the-nose: “We will need guns! Yes, and ammunition!” “Be careful! You could get killed! Yes! I know I could get killed, but it will be for God and country!” Characters talk mostly in cliches. Several times I almost burst out laughing at very unfunny moments: “War is chess.” (Oh! I thought it was hell!) And Andy Garcia chomping on a cigar with one foot up on a rock in the background waiting for his tough guy line was just too much to bear silently.
We are automatically supposed to feel sympathy for the Catholics and identify with them, which I don’t think was achieved except on an intellectual level. I think many non-Catholics (and even some Catholics!) will bring their “Gripes Against the Catholic Church Baggage” into the cinema with them. But I guess that’s not the filmmakers’ problem. As long as the gripers don’t root for Calles. :]
It’s very important to read the text on the screen at the beginning and end of the film or you will not understand what’s going on OR the impact the Cristiada has had on modern-day Mexico.
What “For Greater Glory” lacks in cinematic prowess, it makes up in ambitiousness to tackle a crucial and uncannily timely subject. Like “October Baby,” which had its own filmmaking issues, “For Greater Glory,” too, succeeds on certain levels and is firmly in the must-see category.
Viva Cristo Rey!
________________
*Oscar Isaac played St. Joseph in “The Nativity Story.” Remember? The guy who stole Mary’s movie? Well I didn’t recognize him in “FGG,” but I just said to myself: “Put this guy in a Western and I will be glued.” (And I don’t even care too much for Westerns.) The way he moved made me believe he was a horseman and gunman, and he’s just totally otherwise riveting.
OTHER STUFF:
--Many Mexicans say that many of the stories of the Cristeros War were handed down to them in their families. Um, nuns fared very, very badly—worse than many laywomen. If you know what I mean.
--The Catholics were called “fanatics” by their enemies.
--Auxiliary Bishop Rojas of Chicago grew up in a region of Mexico where the Cristeros War was particularly intense. He recommends a 3-volume set of books on this era by _______, whom he says gives a good, unbiased account. Yeah, sorry, missed the author’s name.
--The film is doing VERY well at the box office in Mexico (#1 against “Titanic 3D”), but there are rumors that the government wants it shut down.
--Calles pretends to be doing everything for the “dignity of Mexico.”
--Eva Longoria is really pretty here. Much prettier than in “Desperate Housewives.”
--This movie was NOT timed to come out during the religious-freedom-reducing HHS mandate stand-off with the Obama administration. It was made several years ago and got held up with typical movie-delay issues.
--Acting problems or directorial problems? Sometimes the fine actors looked like they were not in good hands and didn’t know what was expected of them. This could also be an editing problem. Cut! Cut! Switch cameras! I couldn’t stop thinking of “Meet Joe Black” (Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins). Although FGG is MUCH better than “Meet Joe Black.” Bad directing/editing can make ANY ACTOR look bad. I actually felt that by the end, Andy Garcia looked like a buffoon. Sorry, but that’s my honest opinion.
--The grandiose soundtrack did not match the action. Sweeping-landscape-type musical segments were used for intimate close-ups between characters. The same strains just ground on and on to the point of monotony, and there’s hardly any silence. Just music, music, music at high-drama setting at all moments. It’s wearisome.
--The director or editor did not seem to know how to get into a scene late and leave it early. A rule of filmmaking. Every scene was grandly set up with pauses, longshots, grand entrances, etc. A very old style of filmmaking. The transitions from one scene to another were random and disjointed which made the whole thing feel episodic, like a bunch of vignettes strung together. There is much mugging, posing and general standing around.
--There is no impetus, no feeling of urgency, no through-line in every scene, no suspense that keeps us watching (only some mild suspense within scenes). It needed DOGEWA (from film school): “What is the character DOing to GEt what he/she WAnts at every single minute?”
--United States government involvement in the war (on Calles’ side) is explicit!
--Knights of Columbus figure in big here! (“Good guys”—in case you were wondering.)
--I got bored several times.
--The intricacies of the war are handled pretty deftly by the screenwriter. Pretty easy to follow.
--Kind of twisted theology/logic at the end when General Velarde talks to warrior priest.
--Lots of gunfights and small battles, but very little gore. The “R” rating is probably for the unusual, not-in-keeping-with-the-rest-of-the-film, violent ending. Hint: Worse than “Hunger Games,” but don’t wanna spoil.
--Absolute must-read about the fierce hatred against the Catholics and the beautiful stories of the faith and sacrifice of the Cristeros, BUT this article insinuates that Popes Benedict XV and Pius XI were part of, favorable to or at least pawns of the Freemasons: http://www.catholicapologetics.info/catholicteaching/history/cristero.htm
May 14, 2012
THEOLOGY OF BODY SEX ED
2019 DVDs & workbooks: This looks VERY good! Parent-based theology & science / sex & love education by the amazing Dr. Coleen Kelly Mast (she worked on the Vatican's 1995 "The Truth & Meaning of Human Sexuality"). https://www.saintbenedictpress.com/index.php/love-ed/
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Teach Theology of Body/Sex Ed at home: www.FamilyHonor.org
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This is THE most fantastic book for age 6-10 (lots for those bright little minds to chew on):
The book below is the REAL science, studies, stats & infographics on "gender" (great for pre-teens, teens, parents, educators, pastoral ministers) spiral bound or FREE at www.GenderResourceGuide.com:
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Short article on "How To Talk To Your Kids About Sex in Our Sex-Obsessed Culture:" http://www.ncregister.com/blog/segelstein/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-sex-in-a-sex-obsessed-culture
___________
Sign up for this excellent newsletter! protectyoungminds.com
Book to read with children (different forms of book for different ages):
__________
__________
K-12 Theology of the Body curriculum
(K-8 curriculum is called "Rooted"):
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(Sr.) Hannah Klaus, M.D.'s TEEN STAR: Sexual Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility http://www.teenstar.org/
Dr. Klaus developed this wonderful program in the missions. Sexually active teens (both male and female) were given in-depth human, ethical and biological information and formation. On their own, they stopped being sexually active--realizing they weren't ready and needed to respect themselves and each other. She has since brought her program to inner cities in North America with the same results. Parents are totally involved as well.
____________
MY TWEETS:
THEOLOGY OF BODY: Catholics need do much more sex ed BUT 1) from parents 2) age approp 3) within the context of Theology of the Body because it takes into account the WHOLE person and GOD. You can't do sex ed without GOD. It makes no sense. Our sexuality is all tied up with God.
THEOLOGY OF BODY: Catholic parents who are virtually silent about sex do great harm to their kids.
THEOLOGY OF BODY: Have to hand it to Planned Parenthood: So pro-active in cranking out hi-quality vids (production values) & info from their sad, dehumanizing, murderous perspective.
(Apologies that this is such a cut-and-paste Frankenblogpost. Will make pretty one of these days.)
I think one of the main issues with sex ed is this: Each child is different. Planned Parenthood and the media try to pre-empt when parents plan to teach kids about sex (and hopefully parents ARE planning to have more than one talk with their kids at different stages--or better, have a generally healthy, open attitude toward the sacredness of body/sex), AND pre-empt when the children themselves are ready. HOWEVER, in our "media culture" and "pornified culture," it is next to impossible (even for homeschoolers) for parents to set the agenda for when their kids learn what about sex. Perhaps it has always been that way in history, but never before in history was the world swimming in porn 24/7.
OUR PORNIFIED CULTURE IS FORCING PARENTS TO LEARN, LIVE & TEACH THEOLOGY OF THE BODY TO THEIR KIDS. And this is a good thing.
With today's handheld, unbridled access to the internet (even on devices that kids use for games) and all kinds of internet porn and twisted views of sexuality, one would think that all kids have seen quite an eyeful by age 10 (age 8 is the new age when children encounter internet porn). BUT there is still the phenomenon of kids who don't know much (and may not be interested), as well as the "latency period"--a time during kids' development when they are focused on other things besides sex.
This uniqueness of each child is one of the many reasons PARENTS need to be the first teachers of their children in this vital area: they know their individual kids. One size does NOT fit all. The difficulty with using a textbook that really "goes there" (like "Theology of the Body for Teens") is that there's going to be a huge mix of kids in a classroom. Some parents/teachers feel that to be so explicit is to give kids ideas. Another contingent says: Wake up! Look around you! If we don't address the real issues, we're not doing any good--it's just a joke, and the young people know that.
Either way, parents MUST get over their own embarrassment (or feeling like hypocrites because they weren't angels when they were young) and GO THERE. If parents sincerely don't know what to say, they must educate themselves. What could be more important? If your kids get sex/the body/true love/relationships/beauty right, they've got one of the biggest chunks of life right (with eternal consequences). Some of the resources below can help greatly, too.
Your kids are starved for knowledge about the sex/the body/true love/relationships/beauty. They WILL use these resources if you provide it for them. They've heard the pretty lies. They're looking for something else. They'll see that God's way is HARD, but the most beautiful, true and worth the effort.
Yes, parents are busy with soccer practice, dance lessons, musical instrument lessons, after-school tutoring, jobs, pets, volunteering, civic involvement, kids with special needs, food allergies, etc.--all truly important and time-consuming tasks of parenting--BUT the number one job of parenting is the spiritual lives of your children (again, with eternal consequences). So parents, let yourselves off the hook! Make the mental switch that: parenting values, parenting wholesome sexuality, parenting the media (where so many values/ideologies/images/suggestions/influences/examples/models come through) is your Job #1 and all that other good stuff (pertaining only to this life) is secondary. Ahhhhhh. Don't you feel relieved already? :]
Check out this wonderful CD by St. Louis, MO, mom of 3 & gymnastics teacher, Patty Schneier (her personal testimony and advice to parents): http://onemoresoul.com/catalog/patty-schneier-colletion-p714.html ("Parents, Get Real!")
The Church (myself included) hasn't been doing enough to help parents/families in this all-important task in the face of Planned Parenthood, Howard Stern, porn, Dr. Drew, Katy Perry, and everyone else who is not afraid to teach your kids THEIR story of sex. We need to teach kids God's glorious story of sex (um, He invented it). Thank God we now have Blessed John Paul II the Great's THEOLOGY OF THE BODY which is THE answer!
WE LOVE YOU, PARENTS! WE SUPPORT YOU! WE PRAY FOR YOU! WE DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT! LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOU! EVERYTHING WE PRIESTS, NUNNIES & OTHER CONSECRATED CELIBATES DO IS FOR THE FAMILY, THE BASIC CELL OF SOCIETY AND DOMESTIC CHURCH: SCHOOL OF LIFE AND LOVE!
Please let me know of other great sex ed resources you know about. God bless.
Here's the Vatican Document on teaching sexuality to young people, "The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality":
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html
Also check out the very cool Vatican Document (yes, Vatican documents can be cool) "Charter of the Rights of the Family": http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_19831022_family-rights_en.html
Choosy homeschool Moms choose "Jiff," AND: http://www.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com/home.aspx?pagename=EngagingContent
Homeschool/Home-educator parents need to capture the world, bring it into the home in order to "de-fang" it with their kids. The media provides excellent opportunities to do this, rather than keeping kids totally away from most mainstream media.
"Media Literacy Education" is the Catholic Church's official position on media! Engage and question media! (My movie review of "Blue Like Jazz" goes more in depth on this: http://hellburns.blogspot.com/2012/03/movies-blue-like-jazz.html )
www.tinyurl.com/BestTOBresources
--There is believed to be a "latency period" in children when they are not terribly curious about sex and are spending all of their energy developing their sense of self, intensely learning and interacting with the world around them. Sex-ed does not respect this period at all but has designated "lessons" to be learned as young as eighteen months old (some government mandates now target daycare centres).
"Because the latency stage is less of a stage and more of period between stages, it may begin at any time between the ages of 3 and 7 (whenever the child goes to school) and may continue until puberty anywhere from the ages of 8 to 15." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latency_stage
"The fourth stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory, from about five years to puberty,
during which a child...prefers to associate with members of the same sex." www.thefreedictionary.com
--As every parent knows, each of their kids is totally unique and matures (in different ways) slower or faster than other kids. Parents know best what their child is ready for when.
--How do we keep kids "innocent but informed"?
--More and more, the secular culture believes different things about the most basic aspects of human sexuality and human sexual behaviour. Secular sex-ed teaches that many things are OK and even good: masturbation, artificial contraception, abortion, sex before marriage, etc.
--Sexual ideologies and behaviours reflecting the (failed) Sexual Revolution are taught.
--God permeates every aspect of our bodies and sexuality. It's impossible to teach holistic, authentic sex-ed without God.
--Even if schools are teaching "abstinence,"* if they aren't teaching Theology of the Body, "abstinence" can be a cold, unappealing, unintelligible rule or regulation.
--Sex-ed shouldn't be information about how to do it wrong, but how to do it right!
THEOLOGY OF BODY: Catholic parents who are virtually silent about sex do great harm to their kids.
THEOLOGY OF BODY: Have to hand it to Planned Parenthood: So pro-active in cranking out hi-quality vids (production values) & info from their sad, dehumanizing, murderous perspective.
(Apologies that this is such a cut-and-paste Frankenblogpost. Will make pretty one of these days.)
I think one of the main issues with sex ed is this: Each child is different. Planned Parenthood and the media try to pre-empt when parents plan to teach kids about sex (and hopefully parents ARE planning to have more than one talk with their kids at different stages--or better, have a generally healthy, open attitude toward the sacredness of body/sex), AND pre-empt when the children themselves are ready. HOWEVER, in our "media culture" and "pornified culture," it is next to impossible (even for homeschoolers) for parents to set the agenda for when their kids learn what about sex. Perhaps it has always been that way in history, but never before in history was the world swimming in porn 24/7.
OUR PORNIFIED CULTURE IS FORCING PARENTS TO LEARN, LIVE & TEACH THEOLOGY OF THE BODY TO THEIR KIDS. And this is a good thing.
With today's handheld, unbridled access to the internet (even on devices that kids use for games) and all kinds of internet porn and twisted views of sexuality, one would think that all kids have seen quite an eyeful by age 10 (age 8 is the new age when children encounter internet porn). BUT there is still the phenomenon of kids who don't know much (and may not be interested), as well as the "latency period"--a time during kids' development when they are focused on other things besides sex.
This uniqueness of each child is one of the many reasons PARENTS need to be the first teachers of their children in this vital area: they know their individual kids. One size does NOT fit all. The difficulty with using a textbook that really "goes there" (like "Theology of the Body for Teens") is that there's going to be a huge mix of kids in a classroom. Some parents/teachers feel that to be so explicit is to give kids ideas. Another contingent says: Wake up! Look around you! If we don't address the real issues, we're not doing any good--it's just a joke, and the young people know that.
Either way, parents MUST get over their own embarrassment (or feeling like hypocrites because they weren't angels when they were young) and GO THERE. If parents sincerely don't know what to say, they must educate themselves. What could be more important? If your kids get sex/the body/true love/relationships/beauty right, they've got one of the biggest chunks of life right (with eternal consequences). Some of the resources below can help greatly, too.
Your kids are starved for knowledge about the sex/the body/true love/relationships/beauty. They WILL use these resources if you provide it for them. They've heard the pretty lies. They're looking for something else. They'll see that God's way is HARD, but the most beautiful, true and worth the effort.
Yes, parents are busy with soccer practice, dance lessons, musical instrument lessons, after-school tutoring, jobs, pets, volunteering, civic involvement, kids with special needs, food allergies, etc.--all truly important and time-consuming tasks of parenting--BUT the number one job of parenting is the spiritual lives of your children (again, with eternal consequences). So parents, let yourselves off the hook! Make the mental switch that: parenting values, parenting wholesome sexuality, parenting the media (where so many values/ideologies/images/suggestions/influences/examples/models come through) is your Job #1 and all that other good stuff (pertaining only to this life) is secondary. Ahhhhhh. Don't you feel relieved already? :]
Check out this wonderful CD by St. Louis, MO, mom of 3 & gymnastics teacher, Patty Schneier (her personal testimony and advice to parents): http://onemoresoul.com/catalog/patty-schneier-colletion-p714.html ("Parents, Get Real!")
The Church (myself included) hasn't been doing enough to help parents/families in this all-important task in the face of Planned Parenthood, Howard Stern, porn, Dr. Drew, Katy Perry, and everyone else who is not afraid to teach your kids THEIR story of sex. We need to teach kids God's glorious story of sex (um, He invented it). Thank God we now have Blessed John Paul II the Great's THEOLOGY OF THE BODY which is THE answer!
WE LOVE YOU, PARENTS! WE SUPPORT YOU! WE PRAY FOR YOU! WE DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT! LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOU! EVERYTHING WE PRIESTS, NUNNIES & OTHER CONSECRATED CELIBATES DO IS FOR THE FAMILY, THE BASIC CELL OF SOCIETY AND DOMESTIC CHURCH: SCHOOL OF LIFE AND LOVE!
Please let me know of other great sex ed resources you know about. God bless.
Here's the Vatican Document on teaching sexuality to young people, "The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality":
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html
Also check out the very cool Vatican Document (yes, Vatican documents can be cool) "Charter of the Rights of the Family": http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_19831022_family-rights_en.html
If you have time while visiting Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry has an amazing "YOU!" exhibit with a whole thing about the beginnings of life in the mother's womb: models, and an incredible CGI movie. Very beautiful, respectful, scientific, pro-life. Says something like "YOU began at conception...." GOOD FOR ANY AGE--EVEN THE WEE ONES!
SEX ED CURRICULUM: There's something called "New Corinthians" series that some homeschool Moms have recommended to me. Here's an overview:
The New Corinthians Curriculum for K-8
1
Corinthians is the basis for a Catholic religion curriculum called New
Corinthians. This curriculum got its start from the
document, The
Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality from the Pontifical Council on the
Family.
The Curriculum follows Vatican Guidelines.
Four Guiding Principles
The Curriculum follows Vatican Guidelines.
Four Guiding Principles
The
Foundation for the Family intends to open the door to virtue, while closing the
door to vice, as Pope Pius XI urged in the 1930s. The best way to do this, the
Council points out, is to follow these four principles regarding information
about sexuality (TMHS §65-76):
1. Each child should receive individual instruction, so that the parent is aware of, and sensitive to, that child's individual needs.
2. Sexual activities should always be discussed within the framework of Catholic moral teaching.
3. Sexuality should always be viewed as a manifestation of love, whether in virginity or marital fidelity as a component of one's spiritual life. "...Suitable advice should always be given regarding how to grow in the love of God and one's neighbor, and how to overcome any difficulties..." (TMHS §71).
4. When introduced at the appropriate age, sexual education should be done with the utmost delicacy, respecting the privacy and natural modesty of each child.
The New Corinthians Format
To honor these instructions, The New Corinthians Curriculum (NCC) employs the following strategies:
1. Parents and Teachers use the same text. The role of the NCC is to assist parents in teaching their children about the virtues, including the virtue of chastity.
A guiding principle in the NCC has been to recognize the primary responsibility of parents for such education. "The Church has always affirmed that parents have the duty and the right to be the first and the principal educators of their children" (TMHS §5).
Parents frequently turn to educators for help in presenting the delicate matter of human sexuality, but this collaboration is "of a subsidiary nature" (TMHS §67). Any assistance must be subordinated to the wishes of the parents, and the best way to make this clear is to provide parents with the same text educators will be using. Using the NCC, they teach off the same page. This is in keeping with the Council's recommendation that parents "keep themselves precisely informed on the content and methodology with which such supplementary education is imparted" (TMHS §115).
Each lesson of the curriculum has an "At Home" component, integrating the lesson into the home life of the student. The family is "the best environment to accomplish the obligation of securing a gradual education in sexual life" (TMHS §64). Any education that attempts to cause "affective" change in the lives of students must rely on the guidance and involvement of parents as a primary resource.
2. The curriculum uses the Bible for its "student text," and is cross-referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, providing doctrinal support wherever matters of Catholic moral teaching appear.
Our generation has been blessed with the first new Catechism in 400 years. The New Corinthians Curriculum takes advantage of this great gift of the Holy Spirit and acknowledges its superiority over any other catechetical resource. Parents, teachers, and students are directed to the inspired word of God and the constant teaching of the Church to understand God's intentions for human sexuality.
3. The virtue of chastity is a habit developed in training for Christian discipleship. Therefore, the first five grades do not treat human sexuality, but show students the nature of Christian love and its demands: kindness, obedience, and the will to sacrifice for God and neighbor. The Fourth and Fifth Grade units teach the discernment of God's call and the formation of conscience, two essentials for understanding chastity.
The curriculum uses the lives of the saints to inspire and positively direct students to discern God's call and cultivate the virtues necessary to live spiritually fruitful lives. "The objective of the parents' educational task is to pass on to their children the conviction that chastity in one's state in life is possible and that chastity brings joy" (TMHS §73, our emphasis).
A child may be called to marital chastity or to the commitment of perpetual virginity. With this in mind, the curriculum respects the freedom of each child and encourages "their personal vocation... without trying to impose a pre-determined vocation on them" (TMHS §35).
4. Respecting the child's "right to chastity," the Council recommends that each be "adequately informed by their own parents on moral and sexual questions in a way that complies with his or her desire to be chaste and to be formed in chastity" (TMHS §118-119).
This means that sexual information may never be forced on children (TMHS §120) and that "Parents and all who help them should be sensitive: (a) to the different phases of development, in particular, the 'years of innocence' and puberty, (b) to the way each child or young person experiences the various stages of life, (c) to particular problems associated with these stages" (TMHS §124).
The New Corinthians Curriculum provides parents with a separate handbook a puberty unit for personally introducing matters of human sexuality to their children. This is to be conveyed when the parents feel it is appropriate, based on the mental and physical maturity of the child. The recommended time is before the Sixth Grade, but the decision on this belongs solely to the parents.
1. Each child should receive individual instruction, so that the parent is aware of, and sensitive to, that child's individual needs.
2. Sexual activities should always be discussed within the framework of Catholic moral teaching.
3. Sexuality should always be viewed as a manifestation of love, whether in virginity or marital fidelity as a component of one's spiritual life. "...Suitable advice should always be given regarding how to grow in the love of God and one's neighbor, and how to overcome any difficulties..." (TMHS §71).
4. When introduced at the appropriate age, sexual education should be done with the utmost delicacy, respecting the privacy and natural modesty of each child.
The New Corinthians Format
To honor these instructions, The New Corinthians Curriculum (NCC) employs the following strategies:
1. Parents and Teachers use the same text. The role of the NCC is to assist parents in teaching their children about the virtues, including the virtue of chastity.
A guiding principle in the NCC has been to recognize the primary responsibility of parents for such education. "The Church has always affirmed that parents have the duty and the right to be the first and the principal educators of their children" (TMHS §5).
Parents frequently turn to educators for help in presenting the delicate matter of human sexuality, but this collaboration is "of a subsidiary nature" (TMHS §67). Any assistance must be subordinated to the wishes of the parents, and the best way to make this clear is to provide parents with the same text educators will be using. Using the NCC, they teach off the same page. This is in keeping with the Council's recommendation that parents "keep themselves precisely informed on the content and methodology with which such supplementary education is imparted" (TMHS §115).
Each lesson of the curriculum has an "At Home" component, integrating the lesson into the home life of the student. The family is "the best environment to accomplish the obligation of securing a gradual education in sexual life" (TMHS §64). Any education that attempts to cause "affective" change in the lives of students must rely on the guidance and involvement of parents as a primary resource.
2. The curriculum uses the Bible for its "student text," and is cross-referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, providing doctrinal support wherever matters of Catholic moral teaching appear.
Our generation has been blessed with the first new Catechism in 400 years. The New Corinthians Curriculum takes advantage of this great gift of the Holy Spirit and acknowledges its superiority over any other catechetical resource. Parents, teachers, and students are directed to the inspired word of God and the constant teaching of the Church to understand God's intentions for human sexuality.
3. The virtue of chastity is a habit developed in training for Christian discipleship. Therefore, the first five grades do not treat human sexuality, but show students the nature of Christian love and its demands: kindness, obedience, and the will to sacrifice for God and neighbor. The Fourth and Fifth Grade units teach the discernment of God's call and the formation of conscience, two essentials for understanding chastity.
The curriculum uses the lives of the saints to inspire and positively direct students to discern God's call and cultivate the virtues necessary to live spiritually fruitful lives. "The objective of the parents' educational task is to pass on to their children the conviction that chastity in one's state in life is possible and that chastity brings joy" (TMHS §73, our emphasis).
A child may be called to marital chastity or to the commitment of perpetual virginity. With this in mind, the curriculum respects the freedom of each child and encourages "their personal vocation... without trying to impose a pre-determined vocation on them" (TMHS §35).
4. Respecting the child's "right to chastity," the Council recommends that each be "adequately informed by their own parents on moral and sexual questions in a way that complies with his or her desire to be chaste and to be formed in chastity" (TMHS §118-119).
This means that sexual information may never be forced on children (TMHS §120) and that "Parents and all who help them should be sensitive: (a) to the different phases of development, in particular, the 'years of innocence' and puberty, (b) to the way each child or young person experiences the various stages of life, (c) to particular problems associated with these stages" (TMHS §124).
The New Corinthians Curriculum provides parents with a separate handbook a puberty unit for personally introducing matters of human sexuality to their children. This is to be conveyed when the parents feel it is appropriate, based on the mental and physical maturity of the child. The recommended time is before the Sixth Grade, but the decision on this belongs solely to the parents.
WANT PORN PREVENTION & RECOVERY RESOURCES? HERE YOU GO:
For ages 4-7: "God Has a Plan for Boys and Girls," "Everybody Has Something To Give," "Everybody Has Something To Say" www.pauline.org
SEX ED AND THEOLOGY OF THE BODY FOR PRE-TEENS & YOUNGER KIDS:
There is precious little good stuff for younger kids, but I just re-discovered the awesome Coleen Kelly Mast, PhD http://sexrespect.com/ and heard her speak recently. Near the bottom of her website she has something for "PRE-TEENS." She's in the process of recording a talk for parents of pre-teens that will be made available on her website.
There's some curriculum in the works for younger students (according to Theology of the Body), but unfortunately, it's not quite out yet.
You can get this video USED on Amazon (don't know why it's not around any more)! "If You Love Me, Show Me" from CCC of America that did all those animated saint vids.
It's animated about a couple going on a date, very discreet, and comes with a comic-book style booklet also. Just about the pressures kids will face being asked to do things they don't want to do. Great for younger kids (too hokey for today's pre-teens, most likely).
There's also "The Joyful Mysteries of Life" for younger children from Ignatius Press (a book written by parents for their children).
Jason Evert is just so awesome for junior high (and high school level). He has lots of short YouTubes on his YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/JasonEvert
Check out for example: "Theology of Her Body" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLQtHHKWKws
He and his wife did a DVD series called "The Pure Life" which is fantastic--NOT HOKEY. Aired on EWTN. Sitting around in a HIP environment talking with real teens about their experiences. The teens are amazing. I highly recommend.... Not graphic, but very direct. Great stuff on how to date. Wanna really do your pre-teen/teen a favor? Just buy this whole set and hand it to them!
RANDOM OTHER STUFF:
Jason and Crystallina, his wife, have little pamphlets: "Pure Love," "Pure Womanhood," "Pure Manhood," Daily book: "365 Days of Purity"
Katrina Zeno gives talks on catechizing Theology of the Body at different age levels: http://www.wttm.org/retreats.html#talks She doesn't seem to have curriculum yet....
www.ruahwoods.org (Ohio) Theology of the Body camps for teens (education, training)
www.purefashion.org Actually CUTE, contempo stuff--not Amish!
Choosy homeschool Moms choose "Jiff," AND: http://www.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com/home.aspx?pagename=EngagingContent
TOB FOR TEENS:
(Some of the above resources for pre-teens apply, of course.)
Sr. Helena's downloadable PDF 22-chapter curriculum for teens, young adults, adults: "What Does It Mean To Be Human? Life's Questions, Theology of the Body's Answers." Includes review and reflection questions, prayers and a male & female TOB saint for every chapter. www.tinyurl.com/TOBTraining
I believe there's some confusion about the concept of "innocence." INNOCENCE is not IGNORANCE. Ignorance is not innocence. There is a terrible expression which I’m afraid is all too true: “Too innocent to stay that way.” There is a misunderstanding by many adults that keeping kids in the dark will keep them innocent/good, and that if kids have knowledge it will automatically corrupt them. They also think that just by knowing something, it takes innocence away. What takes innocence away is doing/participating in evil OR thinking good is bad and bad is good (Isaiah 5:20). And kids WILL get muddled without the proper information IN CONTEXT (2 Corinthians 10:5). Young people need to “hear it first” in the Church! Thank you. End of rant.
"YOU--Life, Love & the Theology of the Body" 2017 (which replaces "Theology of the Body for Teens"--the previous orange textbooks) by Brian Butler & Jason Evert www.ascensionpress.com student text, teacher text, DVDs.
Homeschool/Home-educator parents need to capture the world, bring it into the home in order to "de-fang" it with their kids. The media provides excellent opportunities to do this, rather than keeping kids totally away from most mainstream media.
"Media Literacy Education" is the Catholic Church's official position on media! Engage and question media! (My movie review of "Blue Like Jazz" goes more in depth on this: http://hellburns.blogspot.com/2012/03/movies-blue-like-jazz.html )
"Theology of the Body for Teens--Middle School Edition" by Brian Butler, Jason Evert & others (Gr 7 & 8) www.ascensionpress.com
Excellent beginning book for teens to read themselves: (2 books in one): "Theology of His Body/Theology of Her Body" by Jason Evert
Complete Q and A books for teens (detailed):
"Real Love" by Mary Beth Bonacci www.ignatius.com
"If You Really Loved Me--100 Questions on Dating, Relationships, and Sexual Purity" by Jason Evert
5-year-olds + the birds & the bees--good "secular" advice. Just "add" God! ("Just add God" as, like, the source and summit of EVERYTHING) http://t.co/EE26Yiv
Tweens & teens who r not ready to date. Great article w/lots resources! Just "add" God! ("Just add God" as, like, the source and summit of EVERYTHING) http://t.co/mlJQOgv
COMPREHENSIVE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY RESOURCES (NOT JUST FOR YOUTH):
www.tinyurl.com/BestTOBresources
"Beyond the Talk" (talking about sex with your youth) FREE .mp3/CD by Christopher West www.corproject.com
WHAT ABOUT "SEX-ED"?
We need good
information about sex and the body (not just about nutrition and fitness!)
Christopher West says: "We're so hungry for information about the body
that if someone doesn't spread the genuine feast for us, we'll head to the
dumpster." We need good and accurate age-appropriate information about how
smart and amazing God made our bodies to be so that we can live in harmony with
them. We need to respect the bodies that
we are and not work against ourselves by negative behaviour.
There's a false idea that if young people learn about how
their bodies work they'll engage in sex prematurely (and, of course, all sex
before marriage is "premature"). We know this is false because teens
who know very little about their bodies engage in sex. Dr. Hannah Klaus, who
founded S.T.A.R. (Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility) www.teenSTAR.org found the exact opposite to be true: when
teens who were sexually active learned more about their bodies--in a fully
human context--they realized they weren't truly ready for sex yet, and began
practicing celibate chastity in preparation and training for marriage.
The appropriate teachers about sexuality to children and
teens are their own parents. Unfortunately, many parents are too embarrassed to
say much, or just aren't terribly informed about sexual matters--and they might
not know Theology of the Body. (Quel
horreur!) But the silence and ignorance is literally killing us.
When "sex-ed" is taught in school or outside the
home, it becomes very problematic on many fronts, because we are human beings,
and there is so much more to true and full "sex-ed" than anatomy,
biology, etc. Educating about sex must
also be a full, human, moral, divine, ethical, social education to the true,
the good and the beautiful! Here are some of the problems with sex-ed outside
the home (especially if it's taught from a secular perspective, or worse, from
an incorrect and immoral perspective). Unfortunately, the so-called
"sex-ed" taught in North American schools has very twisted and
depraved roots.* It's not even true sex education. It's "sex
ideology"--that is, teaching young people that particular ways of behaving
is a good thing. Actual science is suppressed in favour of promoting this behaviour.
It's the opposite of
"health." Dangerous and unhealthy lifestyles are taught that
have known physical and emotional repercussions.
_____
*See the book: "You're Teaching My Child WHAT? A Physician Exposes the Lies of Sex Education and How They Harm Your Child," by Dr. Miriam Grossman, M.D.
_____
*See the book: "You're Teaching My Child WHAT? A Physician Exposes the Lies of Sex Education and How They Harm Your Child," by Dr. Miriam Grossman, M.D.
 |
| Must-watch video. Where the entire "sex-ed" industry came from. AVAILABLE FREE ON YOUTUBE! BENJAMIN LEVIN IS THE ARCHITECT OF THE ONTARIO REVISED "SEX ED" CURRICULUM UNDER PREMIER KATHLEEN WYNNE:  |
 |
| This DVD also has very important information about Kinsey. |
Here are some of the problems that arise when we teach
"sex ed" from a secular perspective:
--What is age-appropriate? (Each child is different!)
--What is age-appropriate? (Each child is different!)
--There is believed to be a "latency period" in children when they are not terribly curious about sex and are spending all of their energy developing their sense of self, intensely learning and interacting with the world around them. Sex-ed does not respect this period at all but has designated "lessons" to be learned as young as eighteen months old (some government mandates now target daycare centres).
"Because the latency stage is less of a stage and more of period between stages, it may begin at any time between the ages of 3 and 7 (whenever the child goes to school) and may continue until puberty anywhere from the ages of 8 to 15." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latency_stage
"The fourth stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory, from about five years to puberty,
during which a child...prefers to associate with members of the same sex." www.thefreedictionary.com
--As every parent knows, each of their kids is totally unique and matures (in different ways) slower or faster than other kids. Parents know best what their child is ready for when.
--How do we keep kids "innocent but informed"?
--More and more, the secular culture believes different things about the most basic aspects of human sexuality and human sexual behaviour. Secular sex-ed teaches that many things are OK and even good: masturbation, artificial contraception, abortion, sex before marriage, etc.
--Sexual ideologies and behaviours reflecting the (failed) Sexual Revolution are taught.
--God permeates every aspect of our bodies and sexuality. It's impossible to teach holistic, authentic sex-ed without God.
--Even if schools are teaching "abstinence,"* if they aren't teaching Theology of the Body, "abstinence" can be a cold, unappealing, unintelligible rule or regulation.
--Sex-ed shouldn't be information about how to do it wrong, but how to do it right!
Pope Pius XI (mountain climber extraordinaire) had it right:
"So-called 'sex-education' cannot be taught only as philosophical
naturalism."** Translation: You
can't do sex-ed without God. It makes no sense. We can't teach the biology of
sex isolated from all that is human and divine about sex.
In an address to Polish Bishops on the occasion of World
Youth Day, 2016, Pope Francis stated:
"'It is a global
problem: the exploitation of Creation and the exploitation of people. We are
living at a time when man as the image of God is being annihilated,' he said. Pope
Francis told the bishops of a conversation he had with retired Pope Benedict
XVI who told him, 'Your Holiness, we are living in an age of sin against God
the Creator.'
Among those sins, the pope continued, is ideological colonization, and particularly that of gender theory, which argues that male and female characteristics are not biologically determined but are malleable social constructs. 'Today, children are taught this at school: that everyone can choose their own sex. And why do they teach this? Because the books come from those people and institutions who give money,' he said.
'God created man and woman; God created the world like this and we are doing the exact opposite,' the pope said."
--CNS (Junno Arocho Estevez, Catholic News Service 8/2/2016)
Among those sins, the pope continued, is ideological colonization, and particularly that of gender theory, which argues that male and female characteristics are not biologically determined but are malleable social constructs. 'Today, children are taught this at school: that everyone can choose their own sex. And why do they teach this? Because the books come from those people and institutions who give money,' he said.
'God created man and woman; God created the world like this and we are doing the exact opposite,' the pope said."
--CNS (Junno Arocho Estevez, Catholic News Service 8/2/2016)
______
*Please remember how much Sister dislikes this word....
**"philosophical naturalism" is another word for "science"
*Please remember how much Sister dislikes this word....
**"philosophical naturalism" is another word for "science"
Sadly, the "sex ed industry" is a well-funded,
well-supported, well-organized machine to transform society starting with the
smallest children. (Communist and other totalitarian States always begin by
separating children from parents and "educating" them according to
the doctrines of the State. That way, within one generation, everything
changes.) The "sex ed industry" and "sexual license
industry" has made inroads everywhere: government, politics, education,
academia, media, entertainment, science, big business, the legal system,
foreign policy, and even religion. If we don't understand the sex-ed industry's
roots and its agenda, children, teens and adults alike will become its pawns
and victims. An ignorant person is a confused person. An ignorant person is a
silent person. An ignorant Christian is a confused Christian. An ignorant
Christian is a silent Christian.
SO WHAT'S THE SEX ED INDUSTRY'S END GAME?
It is to utterly transform society. It is to call the most
basic truths about humanity into question. It is to destroy marriage. It is to
make every kind of perverse sexuality "normal" and an undeniable
"right." Starting with your children. And make no mistake, the legalization of adults having sex with children is absolutely on the sex-ed propagandists' agenda. The content of the sex ed is clearly designed to groom children to this end.
THEOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Theological
anthropology means that the study of human beings can't be separated from
the study of God and our relationship with God.
"The body has
meaning that is not only biological, but also theological and spiritual.
'Man is called to love in his unified totality. Love includes the human body,
and the body is made a sharer in spiritual love.'" (Pope John Paul II, Familiaris consortio, 11)
'Man is called to love in his unified totality. Love includes the human body,
and the body is made a sharer in spiritual love.'" (Pope John Paul II, Familiaris consortio, 11)
"There can be no authentic 'theology of love' abstracted and divorced from the Creator’s
design of the human body and human sexuality. The body has a
meaning in the Creator’s plan for the vocation and redemption of every human person." --Carl A.
Anderson, Knights of Columbus, Columbia
Magazine, July 2015
In other words, human love and our Catholic Faith are not just "spiritual." We have DOGMAS about the body (e.g., marriage is one man and one woman, among many other dogmas) because the human person is not just spiritual. The human person is body and soul, together forever (the resurrection of the body). Human love and our Faith is real, physical, material, concrete.
This book is a must-read!
In other words, human love and our Catholic Faith are not just "spiritual." We have DOGMAS about the body (e.g., marriage is one man and one woman, among many other dogmas) because the human person is not just spiritual. The human person is body and soul, together forever (the resurrection of the body). Human love and our Faith is real, physical, material, concrete.
This book is a must-read!
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