Theology of the Body West Michigan
We are a grass roots movement committed to help all discover the fully human person they were created to be.
Our Vision: Theology of the Body West Michigan looks to spread the message of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, which proposes a fresh view of God’s love that leads to a deep awareness of human dignity, identity, and purpose.
The TOB West MI Core Team meets on the third Wednesday of the month at HELP Pregnancy Aid in the conference room located at 705 Bridge St NW in Grand Rapids. We are always discussing and exploring creative ways to bring TOB to the community.
For more information on how to get involved email Paula Veneklase at [email protected]
A FOUR PART SERIES
Through the lens of Theology of the Body and the wisdom of St. John Paul II, we’ll uncover how our faith calls us to become a truly Eucharistic people – rooted in love, renewal, and communion.
We will explore how the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4) reveals our own path of conversion and deep relationship with him
NOVEMBER 19 | 7-8:30pm | DIGNITY, IDENTITY, PURPOSE: HOW JOHN PAUL II OPENEDU US TO A MATURE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Mary Jo Thayer, TOB Educator, speaker, and author, will present how Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body lays out God’s plan for Creation, leading us to a more personal and deeper relationship with God.
JANUARY 21 | 7-8:30pm | DIGNITY, IDENTITY, PURPOSE: WHAT GIVES US PURPOSE
Melissa Krupp, co-founder of The Abundant Catholic, podcaster, writer, and Catholic Couples Mentor, will share her conversion story when she recognized Christ’s presence in her life in learning about God’s plan for Creation
FEBRUARY 25 | 7-8:30pm | DIGNITY, IDENTITY, PURPOSE: YOU ARE SEEN
Veronica Quintino-Aranda, a TOB Institute Certified Trainer, MSW, and Spiritual Director, will present how God sees us as His beloved children of God as Jesus saw the Woman at the Well.
March 18 | 7-8:30pm | Dignity, Identity, Purpose: Jesus’ Redeeming Love Transforms Us
Barbara Scott, Spiritual Director and Master Catechist, will lead us in a reflection on Jesus’ loving redemption as part of God’s plan for Creation, culminating in the Eucharist, which in turns transforms us to participate in His plan.
Series held at the Catholic Information Center, Cathedral Square Center, 360 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
REGISTER BELOW!
MAY 6, 2026 | 6:30-9:30pm | St. John Vianney Church
4101 Clyde Park Ave, SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
*Spanish translation available
For more information or tickets email Paula Veneklase at [email protected]
Presented by Christopher West, Music by Mike Mangione
An evening of beauty, reflection , and Eucharistic revival! The heart burns with a mysterious thirst: THE WELL is an invitation to quench that thirst. THE WELL engages the imagination and the senses with live music by Mike Mangione and the dynamic presentation of Christopher West, for a revival like you’ve never experience before. Come, all who are thirsty, come to THE WELL!
Event Follow Up
Written by: Julianne Tuck, a member of the TOB West Mi Core team.
Christopher West’s “Made for More: Visions of the Promised Land” event at St. John Paul II
parish in Cedar Springs on March 11, 2025 was a huge success. The church was full of people
eager to hear the message of Theology of the Body from Christopher. There was a young group
of people that traveled all the way from Detroit to attend!
Read More >
In The Media
Fr. Jegar Fickel is the Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Big Rapids, MI and St. Paul’s Parish and established the Newman Center on the campus of Ferris State University. http://www.newmanconnection.com/
locations/detail/2201
His knowledge on the teaching of St. Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is something he is passionate about and he loves to share it with others. Listen in to his weekly homilies, so you can be inspired to make TOB applicable in your daily life.
Fr. Jegar was involved in getting our core group started and he continues to support the efforts of TOB West MI to bring awareness to the topic.
Fr. Jegar hosted a round table discussion with Bill Donaghy, a team member from the TOB Institute, and local guests. Listen in at Holy Family Radio Archives.
From 1979 to 1984, Saint John Paul II gave 129 weekly talks on human sexuality and marriage. He delivered these addresses during his Wednesday public audiences in St. Peter’s Square. The title he most often used was Theology of the Body (TOB).
In the Theology of the Body, St. John Paul II makes known: “The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine” (TOB 19). The Holy Father taught that God has built into the human body this capacity of being a sign of His invisible mystery of love and life since the beginning.
So let your journey begin….
