In the Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis talks about the essential role of listening in evangelization and discipleship:
“We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening...is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual cannot occur. Listening helps us to find the right gesture and word which shows that we are more than simply bystanders. Only through such respectful and compassionate listening can we enter on the paths of true growth and awaken a yearning for the Christian ideal: the desire to respond fully to God's love and to bring to fruition what he has sown in our lives.”
Divorce. Broken families. Sexual abuse. Pornography. Gender issues. Everywhere we look, we find more confusion about the fundamental truths of human life. As we lose our basic understanding of the meanings of man, woman, marriage, and sex, the question becomes ever more urgent:
What does it mean to be a human being?
Understanding the basics of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, making his profound teachings on human sexuality easy to grasp and apply in our lives. You will discover a deeper understanding of your role in your family and in society, learn how to better love and be loved by your spouse or future spouse, and gain new insights on how to respond with clarity and compassion to hot-button issues on sexuality.
Our Theology of the Body sessions take the time to lay a strong foundation and delve deep into TOB as worldview. Examining hot-button issues through the lens of TOB helps participants be able to recognize the reason for the Church’s teachings even if they continue to disagree.
This integrated approach helps demonstrate how the Theology of the Body is a unifying vision that brings together all of the Church’s teachings — social justice, prayer & sacraments, discipleship, Christology, and more.
Come learn more about the legacy left behind by St. John Paul II. This introduction to his Theology of the Body will explore these questions (and more):
- What does Scripture reveal to us about who God is? About who we are?
- How is God’s Divine Design revealed in sacred art and architecture?
- What exactly is God’s Plan for sexuality?
- What does the Church really teach about sex?
View a TOB presentation given by Kristin Bird at St. Peter the Fisherman in Two Rivers on May 2, 2023
READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID...
-
SESSION I: Mission & Transformation
An exploration of the Mission of the Church in Her current context - where the Church is called and the lived experience of most Catholics today. .
Downloads
Additional Reading/Listening/Watching
Evangelii Nuntiandi: On Evangelization in the Modern World (Pope Paul VI) 
Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing & Following Jesus (Sherry Weddell) 
Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel (Pope Francis) -
SESSION II: Parish Renewal
In this session, we will dive into the three major, essential components of parish renewal (the best of human organizational and leadership principles; a deep understanding of evangelization and discipleship; the supernatural dimensions of life in Christ) and highlight the characteristics of mission-focused parishes and dioceses. This will set the framework for the rest of our time together and allow us to very practically and concretely offer tools, resources, and approaches that actually make a difference in the life of a community.
Downloads
Additional Reading/Listening/Watching
Living as Missionary Disciples
(USCCB)
Made for Mission: Renewing Your Parish Culture (Tim Glemkowski) 
Divine Renovation: Bringing Your Parish From Maintenance to Mission
(Fr. James Mallon)
From Christendom to Apostolic Mission
(Msgr James Shea)
An Examination of Conscience for Evangelizers (Burning Hearts Disciples)
A Discussion on Parish Renewal & Evangelisation (Divine Renovation Webinar) -
Session III & IV: 5 Paradigm Shifts
Introducing 5 lenses through which we can view our efforts toward renewal. We’ll analyze how parish culture can either block or foster transformation and consider the mindset shifts required for genuine renewal. Working as a large group and in smaller groups at tables, we will dive deeper into the 5 paradigm shifts and provide opportunities for the participants to consider how they apply to their parish experiences. We’ll suggest tools to analyze parish culture and walk through some of the underlying issues that prevent parishes from becoming places that make intentional disciple.
Downloads
Additional Reading/Listening/Watching
Doing the Math of Mission: Fruits, Faithfulness, and Metrics
(Gil Rendel)
Start With Jesus: How Everyday Disicples Will Renew the Church
(Julianne Stanz) -
Session V: Building Healthy Organizations
Check back after the final day of the Convocation -
Session VI: Discernment for Alignment to Mission
Check back after the final day of the Convocation
Who is the Holy Spirit introduces the Holy Spirit as the love of God personified. Participants will explore why more Christians don't experience the Holy Spirit in their lives the way he is described in the Scriptures. We explain how the Spirit empowers and enriches the life of a believer, how to recognize the action of the Holy Spirit, and examine some of the obstacles to receiving new life in the Spirit. Participants willl be introduced to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit through personal testimony and prayer.
Short Talk
This presentation can be done as a shorter talk (60-90 mins) that walks participants through the material at a quicker pace and provides handouts for them to complete reflection and prayer on their own time. Suggestions are given on how to apply the insights gained.
Retreat Day
This presentation can also be offered as a longer retreat experience (4-6 hours). The first half of the day is spent on examining the person of the Holy Spirit. The second half of the retreat looks at how the Holy Spirit interacts in our daily lives. The day ends with a prayer experience that encourages participants to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Clip from a talk given as part of a parish day-long retreat on the Holy Spirit at Corpus Christi Parish in Phoenix, AZ. Presenter: Kristin Bird, Executive Director
Testimonials
-
God used you to touch the hearts of many priests
"Thank you for your outstanding presentations. The evalulations from our convocation were very positive, and I continue to hear many comments from the preists that your presentations were refreshing, meaningful, and energized them regarding evnagelization...God used you to touch the hearts of many priests, and I am very grateful to you."
Bishop Gregory Aymond, Archdiocese of New Orleans
-
Walked along side our team developing a process to move from maintenance to mission
"Burning Hearts Disciples has helped me and my leadership team develop and communicate our vision of discipleship in the Diocese of Biloxi. They met us where we were and walked alongside our team developing a process to move from maintenance to a purpose of mission. They continue to walk with us as we work to move our clergy, Religious, parishioners, students, families, and staff to be disciples and form missionary disciples of Christ. "
Bishop Louis Kihneman, III, Diocese of Biloxi
-
A huge part of culture change in our Diocese
"Thank you for your leadership throughout the Diocese of Green Bay. I continue to hear very positive feedback about your presentations and teaching througout the diocese. You have been such a huge part of cultural change at the Diocese and a great formator of our parish leaders with the Discipleship Seminars. For you I am very grateful."
Bishop David Ricken, Diocese of Green Bay
-
Hit it out of the park!
"Burning Hearts Disciples has been able to meet every goal for our diaconate formation retreats. You challenge our deacon candidates and wives to break out of their comfort zones and assist them to be able to lead when they become deacons in their own parishes."
Deacon Jim Kincel, Diaconate Formation, Diocese of Lafayette
-
Your accompaniment has been invaluable to us!
We were blessed to have Burning Hearts Disciples walk with us as we have journeyed towards intentional discipleship on a personal & parish level for two years. Your accompaniment has been invaluable to us as we journey towards intentional discipleship. Thank you for your inspired support and spirit-filled accompaniment.
Parish Discipleship Task Force • Oviedo, FL
Book a speaker for this talk today!
Discovering Your Faith Story is an invitation for you to discover the ways that God has touched your life through your own personal history. Many of us are disposed to think that God intersecting in our lives is something unusual - a miraculous healing or a kind of supernatural energy that leaves us enraptured. We imagine that religious experiences are something that happen to others - others who pray more often, live more morally, and are inspired by the Holy Spirit more often than we do.
Yet all of us have religious experiences - moments of reflection, prayer, hope, intuition, decision, doubt, joy. These moments are indications of God working in our ordinary lives. More than just a talk, Discovering Your Faith Story is an exercise that invites you to look back at your life and see patterns, events, threads, and institutions that have composed your experiences of God and leads you to a greater awareness of God in daily life.
Short Talk
This presentation can be done as a shorter talk (60-90 mins) that walks participants through the exercise at a quicker pace and provides handouts for them to complete reflections on their own time. Suggestions are given on how to apply the insights gained.
Retreat Day
This presentation can also be offered as a longer retreat experience (4-6 hours). The first half of the day is spent on personal prayer and reflection. Participants are given time to discover the elements of their own faith journey and discuss insights gained in small groups/partners. The second half of the retreat includes presentations and workshop time equipping participants to become more confident in sharing their faith story with others.
Book a Speaker for This Talk Today!
Great for:
- Religious Education Parents
- Confirmation Classes
- RCIA Candidates & Sponsors
- Adult Faith Formation
- Care Ministry Team Members
- Catechist Inservice
- Evangelization Team Training
- and more!
Additional Suggested Resources:
Discovering My Experience of God
Frank Desiano CSP and Kenneth Boyak CSP, Paulist Press, 2009.
(Kindle Edition)
Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
Sherry A. Weddell, Our Sunday Visitor, 2012.
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us
United States Catholic Conference, 1999.
(Kindle Edition)
Our Executive Director Kristin Bird inspires middle and high school teens with St John Paul II’s teachings on the meaning of life and the purpose of love. This introduction to his Theology of the Body will explore these questions (and more):
- What does Scripture reveal to us about who God is? About who we are?
- Why do I have to go to Church? Why can’t I just pray by myself?
- What exactly is God’s Plan for sexuality? What does the Church really teach about sex?
Kristin has over 15 years experience in Middle School and High School religious education and youth ministry. She has trained numerous catechests and religious education professionals on how to incorporate Theology of the Body into their lessons and curriculums and even helped edit the high school Theology of the Body curriculum for Life Teen International.
More than Catholic "Sex Ed"
Reducing TOB to chastity education deprives students of the incredible beauty of this teaching. Theology of the Body does more than help us understanding Catholic sexual morality. It provides a ‘lens’ through which to view the whole mystery of human life, leaving no part of our world or our faith untouched.
Our Theology of the Body sessions take the time to lay a strong foundation and delve deep into TOB as worldview. Examining hot-button issues through the lens of TOB helps students be able to recognize the reason for the Church’s teachings even if they continue to disagree.
An integrated approach helps students see that the Theology of the Body is a unifying vision that brings together all of the Church’s teachings — social justice, prayer & sacraments, discipleship, Christology, and more.
View a TOB presentation given by Kristin Bird at St. Peter the Fisherman in Two Rivers on May 2, 2023
Read what others have said...