3/8 UPDATE: Tomorrow’s Leadership Summit 3/9) on sexual identity will go on as planned.
BRIDGEPORT—On Friday, March 9th, 9 am the Diocese of Bridgeport will begin an important conversation on ministering to young people with sexual identity issues.
This workshop, open to all those who work with young people, will be held at the Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue. The day will begin at 8:30 am with continental breakfast. At 9 am, Bishop Caggiano will lead the gathering in prayer.
The featured speaker will be Roy Petitfils, an internationally sought after speaker and author who uses humor, passion, clinical and life experience to help adults connect with teens and teens to know, understand and love themselves.
Roy Petitfils is an internationally recognized expert in understanding and raising teenagers. He is a therapist at Pax Renewal Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. He holds a Masters in Mental Health and School Counseling from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. He is an expert in raising and understanding teenagers.
He has authored, What Teens Want You to Know (But Won’t Tell You), A Practical Guide to High School Campus Ministry (St. Mary’s Press, 2007), What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About the First Five Years of Marriage (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2010) and God Wears Running Shoes: Spiritual Reflections for Those Ministering to Young People (2009).
“Our presentations will focus on Christian Anthropology in which Roy will convey one of the foundational tenets of Christian anthropology: You do not have your body, but your body has you. We believe this is the first step in understanding the struggle of our young people. To differentiate one’s body from one’s personhood is a notion that is antithetical to our faith tradition.,” said Patrick Donovan, Executive Director of the diocesan Leadership Institute.
Donovan said the second presentation will focus on Authentic Catholic Teaching. What exactly does the church teach and why?
“As those who work with our young people, we cannot share the truth unless we know the truth ourselves,” he said.
The day will conclude with a conversation among attendees on the Pastoral Approach and Considerations that can accompany our ministry to, with, and for young people.
There is no cost for this event, but we do ask that you RSVP on our website here: https://www.formationreimagined.org/workshop-on-pastoral-care-regarding-sexual-identity/
