OVERVIEW:  SEXUALITY A FAMILY GIFT. God looked on his creation and was pleased.  Particularly good was the ability for creation to develop and evolve through its reproductive abilities. Because of the special human attributes,  including free will, human sexuality is a special gift and blessing. In its most profound expression within marriage it has the potential to mirror the unity of God-love as well as its creative power.  That may be the ideal, but sex and sexuality are still poorly understood as from that perspective and is often a taboo subject. At the same time the consequences of sin, disobedience, i.e. the Fall of our first parents in Genesis has resulted in situations that are less than ideal and both sex and sexuality are too often abused. 

In every aspect of creation too there are anomalies that allow mutation, growth or change and breakdown in systems. Human interference in nature also contributes to the reality that all aspects of life, including sexuality, are affected.

Every human person must learn with perseverance and consistency the meaning of his or her body.   Sexuality is not a means of gratification or entertainment it is an interpersonal language wherein the other is taken seriously in his or her sacred and inviolable dignity.  AL151. An appreciation of our body as male or female is also necessary for our own self-awareness in an encounter with others different from ourselves. We can joyfully accept the specific gifts of another man or woman, the work of God the Creator, and find mutual enrichment.   Only by losing the fear of being different can we be freed of self-centredness and self-absorption. Al285. LS155.

In assessing the environmental impact of any project, concern is usually shown for its effects on soil, water and air, yet few careful studies are made of its impact on biodiversity as if the loss of species or animals and plant groups were of little importance. They can no longer migrate or roam freely. Little attention is paid to studying their reproductive patterns.LS35

MARRIAGE WEEKS – AUGUST 21st – OCTOBER 3rd and SEASON OF CREATION – SEPTEMBER 1st – OCTOBER 4thtogether with the current monthly themes are incorporated into”MARRIAGE IN OUR WORLD OF FAMILIES” over the seven weeks. There will be a marriage focus as well as an ecological focus.

Setting the scene.   The format for the month is a parish ONGOING ADULT FORMATION SHARING GROUP using the documents AMORIS LAETITIA and LAUDATO SI.  The group is facilitated by an experienced couple, Martin and Angela with their priest Fr Brian. The team understood that it is not easy to get people to open up about sexual issues.  A social worker assists with input. The reflections themselves can be used for sharing and discussion at home, as individuals or in groups.