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]
Theology of the Body Summer Series 2026
Journey with Theology of the Body West MI: Dignity, Identity and Purpose
HELP Pregnancy | 705 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
For more information email Paula Veneklase at [email protected]
Wednesday, June 17: THE Well follow-up discussion and sharing time (English) Speaker: Susana Chapa, Susana studied Philosophy, Political Social Science, and completed the TOB certification courses, will share (Spanish) how John Paul II opened us to a mature relationship with God.
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Wednesday, July 15: Melissa Krupp, Co-founder of The Abundant Catholic, podcaster, writer, and Catholic Mentor; a personal story of finding fulfillment in Christ through the lens of TOB.
Wednesday, August 19: Veronica Quintino Certified in TOB, MSW, and Spiritual Director, will present how God sees us as His beloved children of God. (Spanish)
Wednesday, September 16: Barb Scott, Spiritual Director and Master Catechist, leads a reflection on Jesus’ loving redemption as part of God’s plan for Creation, culminating in the Eucharist.
*Spanish and English translation: Google Translator APP will be used as needed.
Event Follow Up
Written by Julianne Tuck, member of TOB WM core team
A memorable and informative evening was held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Wyoming, Michigan on May 6, 2026. Hundreds from all over Michigan turned out to hear Christopher West from the Theology of the Body Institute in Quarryville, Pennsylvania deliver a speech on his new series entitled, “The Well”.
In the Media
THE WELL
Dr. Christopher West West is the president of the Theology of the Body Institute (TOBI) and the author of multiple best-selling books as well as numerous video and audio programs.
Mike Mangione is a professional musician who has toured the world both as a solo artist and with his bands Mike Mangione & the Union and Mike Mangione & the Kin. He’s been sharing the gift of his music at TOB Institute courses and events since 2008 and is co-creator with Christopher West and Jason Clark of the Institute’s premier live events Made for More and The well. He is also host of the acclaimed podcast Time & the Mystery.
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!
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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….
