Teens and adults invited to hear from national speaker in Alton March 4 that will empower living a life of purity

By ANDREW HANSEN
     Editor

With a culture that promotes promiscuity and living a life of “if it feels good, do it,” it’s getting harder to parent teenagers and young adults to live a life of purity and authentic love. There are many questions parents and young people are facing each day that are confusing and go against our Catholic faith, but they are struggling with how to answer them or are feeling pressure to go with the culture’s side. Young people are wanting straight answers to tough questions about love, dating, relationships, and sex.  

National Catholic speaker, Jason Evert, will give a presentation on March 4 in Alton at 6 p.m. that adults, young adults, and teenagers are invited to that answers many of these tough questions and that will empower people to live a life of purity.

“We live in a culture of single people who pretend like they are dating, we have a culture of dating people who pretend like they are married, and we’re stuck with a culture of married people who seem to think they are single,” Evert said. “Everything is out of order. We live in a culture where more people hook up than hold hands. I think for young people, they are being told everything they are not supposed to do when it comes to dating and relationships, but nobody is talking to them about what they are supposed to do when it comes to dating. I think they are tired of the fear tactics and the shame and the guilt trips. What they really want to know is how to find and build authentic love. I think for the parents, a lot of them don’t even know where to begin when it comes to talking to their kids about dating and chastity.”

Evert’s talks, Purified and Gender and the Theology of your Body, takes place starting at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Alton (519 East 4^th St.) on March 4.

Purified brings parents and teens together to discover God’s plan for love and opens up an opportunity for them to continue the discussion about this important topic at home, in a healthy and easy way with resources that work. The event includes a new version of Jason’s renowned talk Love or Lust, where he mixes humor with down-to-earth practicality that removes any awkwardness, making the difficult conversations about love much easier. Your family will leave with an understanding of the good news of chastity, a healthy sense of self-worth, and the ability, if needed, to start again.

Gender and the Theology of Your Body will follow after a short break. This talk asks, “What’s the meaning of sex, gender, and the human body?” The truth of masculinity and femininity are being questioned like never before. Discover how your body as a man or woman reveals your identity and calling. This talk provides the opportunity to discuss this difficult topic facing teens and families today.

This event includes eucharistic adoration, praise and worship, and an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. This format transforms a couple of talks into a retreat for the family, allowing them to encounter the source of purity, healing, and renewal, Jesus Christ.

After Evert’s talks, the night will end with eucharistic adoration and confession, and all attendees will leave with resources that are geared toward the gender of the teen/young adult and one geared toward parents. The cost is $25 and tickets can be purchased in advance by going to chastity.com/event. For questions, call (618) 581-7055.