TOBIA: A Short History

Over the last several years, there have been many Theology of the Body and Love and Responsibility study groups springing up around the United States. In January 2000, my family’s Catholic media apostolate, OFWC Media (at that time known as Our Father’s Will Communications), started recording talks on the theology of the body throughout North America (with a few in Europe as well). In my travels I was blessed to meet and speak with some of the various study group leaders. In August of 2002, Jen Messing from the St. Paul, MN Theology of the Body (TOB) study group came to Denver to meet with our TOB study group, network and discuss what was going on regarding the theology of the body in the Twin Cities area, and to relate ideas for furthering the spread of the theology of the body. This meeting was sort of a "pre-TOBIA" meeting.

In preparation for her coming I contacted a few other people around the country that I knew had study groups going and were also evangelizing with the pope's message. I wanted to find out what exactly they were doing in their areas. (That is when Peter McFadden in NY convinced us to join him by holding a “Pope Day” in Denver to celebrate Pope John Paul II's 24th anniversary of election to the papacy.) My primary contacts at that time were Peter McFadden in NY; Monica Ashour in Dallas, TX; Jen Messing in St. Paul, MN; and Dave Sloan in Atlanta, GA.

In the Fall of 2002, further conversation with Peter McFadden and Jen Messing led to the decision to get together in January of 2003. The group in Dallas (TOBET - Theology of the Body Evangelization Team) graciously agreed to host the meeting. The weekend was a combination of social, prayer and meeting time so that people could meet others from around the country, network, and brainstorm. We first introduced our respective groups and briefly explained what we were doing in our particular areas.

We broke out into groups and discussed how we could implement the theology of the body in several different areas including pro-life, marriage prep, singles/young adult ministry, teen ministry, curricula, parents teaching TOB to their children, and the media. We then discussed whether we wanted to form a resource network for our groups and what that would entail.

A list of each group's talents and abilities was compiled. After the meeting a list serve e-mail list was created so that we could communicate with each other in an effective way. For example, if some one needed information on the theology of the body and teens, they could send out an e-mail asking for it and whoever had things to offer in that area could respond. This list serve has since been switched to a Yahoo Group, which is open to all TOBIA members.

Since that first meeting we have met several more times in various areas, including Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC, Minnesota, Chicago, IL, and again in Dallas, TX. Many new groups and ministries have sprung up which continue to promote John Paul II’s message in their own unique way.

Over the years TOBIA has sponsored several events which help to apply the theology of the body to various aspects of life. One such event is the National Forum on the Theology of the Body, which seeks to help those who are already familiar with the topic to understand how it can be integrated into every aspect of life. Speakers have discussed a variety of topics, including how the theology of the body relates to psychology, theology, health, science, practical aspects of male/female relationships, infertility, homosexuality, art, pornography, verbal abuse, fatherhood, dating and more. Speakers have included not only Fr. Roger Landry, Fr. Thomas Loya, Katrina Zeno, Dr. Paul Vitz, Dr. Philip Mango, Glenn Stanton, Greg and Julie Alexander and Suzanne Baars, but many others as well. (For recordings of the talks which were given at the Forums please visit www.OFWCMedia.com or www.TheologyoftheBody.net.)

TOBIA has also sponsored the NCSC - National Catholic Singles Conference (www.NationalCatholicSingles.com), a semi-annual event which emphasizes how the theology of the body can be lived as a single person. This conference has drawn over 3,000 participants at 10+ events around the United States since 2005, and has served as means for making known John Paul II’s message and strengthening the faith of many singles in the Church.

Through my work with TOBIA, OFWC Media, the NCSC, and my presentations in the USA, Europe and South America, it has become clear that people want to know how the theology of the body makes a difference in everyday life and how they can get this message across to their family and friends. The fruits of TOBIA over the last several years are too many to list, but it has indeed grown by leaps and bounds and continues to provide events, resources, and a means of communication and networking for those around the world who are working to spread John Paul II's life-transforming message.

— Anastasia Northrop, TOBIA President