THEOLOGY ON TAP

See upcoming events and scroll down for resources from our previous talks! 

Missed our last talk? check out the links and resources below:

Dating and Discernment: Unlocking the Door to a Happy, Healthy, and Holy Relationship with Moises and Sarah Barraza

 Through the testimony of their own adventure of dating, discernment, and marriage, Moises and Sarah Barraza will share tips for how to (and how not to!) form a positive dating relationship. This talk is not just for couples, but for any young adult desiring or considering dating or marriage. Moises and Sarah have learned that God has great plans in store for every vocational journey, and sometimes that journey can take twists and turns. They are about to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on May 24, 2020 and are the grateful parents of Moises jr. "Moisito" (age 4), and Alethia (age 1.5). They are happily anticipating the arrival of Baby #3 in October.

RECOMMENDED BY SARAH AND MOISES:
Laudate app (available on the app store)
Magnificat prayer companion
Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love by Dr. Edward Sri 
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman 

Why does life matter? How do we as Catholics respond to society’s culture of discarding?  Join Abbot Austin Murphy as he shares with us "From Conception to Natural Death: Life Matters"

• The Office for Human Dignity serves as an umbrella agency integrating the diocesan efforts in the areas of Respect Life, Missions, and Justice and Peace.
• The Respect Life Ministry offers advocacy, education, and outreach in pro-life areas; in particular, in the areas of chastity, abortion and euthanasia. It endorses the following pregnancy resource centers located in the Diocese of Joliet: Birthright (Joliet),  Waterleaf Women's Center (Aurora), Caring Network, NFP (Naperville, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Darien, Wood Dale, and Elmhurst).  We support a prayerful, respectful, and lawful witness at local abortion clinics. The Diocese sponsors Rachel's Vineyard Retreats for post-abortive women and men two times per year.  Call 1-866-99-4-GIVE for more information.

Alexandra Kurator
Associate Director
815-221-6251
akurator@dioceseofjoliet.org

• Justice and Peace seeks to promote the gospel of peace and social justice through its programs and ministries, locally, nationally, and globally. Visit their website to learn more about their programs for Homelessness, Human Trafficking ,Hunger, Migration, Jail and Prison Ministry.
  
• The Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.
• Catholic Relief Services, an organization of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is a pro-life organization dedicated to preserving the sacredness and dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

 Fr. Steven Borello, Director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese, talked about relationship dynamics and healing through forgiveness and gratitude. He shared with us the following resources:

Forgiveness Makes you Free by Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga

Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe

Be Healed by Bob Schuchts

Restoring Broken Relationships by Neil T. Anderson 

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT WAYS TO ANSWER THAT MISSIONARY CALL!

 With over 180 different programs in the Catholic Volunteer Network community – you have a wide variety of service opportunities to choose from. Whether you are looking for a post-graduate service program, a summer volunteer experience, lay mission opportunity, a way for your family to serve together, or something to do in your retirement – we have what you’re looking for! Don’t be overwhelmed by all these options, we are here to help you find the right program for your needs.

https://catholicvolunteernetwork.org/choose-service/search-program/

 Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers: Empowering communities of missionary disciples to go forth in JOY to share the Good News of God's love at home, on the margins and around the world. The short-term mission trip forms the beginnings of a deep, lasting bond. In seeing a new the hopes and struggles of our brothers and sisters in the developing world, we begin to understand our role as their friends and advocates.

https://www.maryknoll.us/home/mission-trips

 Heart's Home provides young Catholics, ages 18-30, a chance to step out of their comfort zone with a radical, life-changing opportunity to serve those whom Christ loves most: the poor, the forgotten, the disabled, the sick, the imprisoned, the orphaned, and the elderly. Living in a simple neighborhood house nestled in one of the world's most deprived areas, they dedicate 14 to 24 months to serving the community through a “ministry of presence.”

https://www.heartshomeusa.org/

 In response to the Gospel Call of Jesus Christ, the Joliet Diocese Partnership In Mission seeks to form servants for the work of missions and justice as we reach out in service, relief, and friendship to our brothers and sisters around the globe.

http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/missions/sectioncontent.php?secid=8

 Catholic Relief Services is a pro-life organization dedicated to preserving the sacredness and dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Catholic Relief Services is a manifestation of love for our brothers and sisters around the globe by the Catholic community of the United States. We protect, defend and advance human life around the world by directly meeting basic needs and advocating solutions to injustice.

https://www.crs.org/