Education

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Education for Love A presentation on the
Learning about L.I.F.E. Program by Kathie Am
idei and
Sister Kieran Sawyer, SSND
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Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal
The Charter for the Protection
of Children and Young People U.S. Conf
erence of Catholic Bishops, 2002
Dioceses will establish safe environment p
rogramsproviding education and training for
children, youth, parents, ministers, educators,
and others about ways to make and maintain a safe
environment for children.
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• Three Principles
• The Learning about L.I.F.E. program is based on
  three controlling principles
  
• that any teaching on sexual abuse should be
  looked at in the wider context of positive,
  loving relationships,
  
• that any teaching on sexuality, positive or
  negative, should involve the parents talking with
  their own children, and
  
• c) that the teaching on sexuality should be
  permeated with faith and rooted in the moral
  teachings of the Church.

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First Principle any teaching on sexual abuse
should be done in the context of positive,
loving relationships

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L LOVE (family love) I INFATUATION (fal
ling in love) F FRIENDSHIP E EX
PLOITATION
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(No Transcript)
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Second Principle any teaching on sexualit
y, positive or negative, should involve the
parents
talking with their own children
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Family Based Programming

• Parent-child interaction is the appropriate
  setting for teaching and learning about topics
  involving faith and love, relationships and
  sexuality.
• Parental love is an untapped power that should be
  harnessed for teaching children about these
  important topics.
  
• Parents know best how to approach these sensitive
  topics with their own children.
  
• Parents want to have meaningful conversations
  with their own children on the topics of
  relationships and sexuality. They dont always
  know how to do that. They appreciate any help we
  can give them in this area.

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• It is easier for families to have these
  discussions if they are surrounded by other
  families and are given a set process to follow.
  
• The formal parent-child session structures
  Intentional Conversations that should be
  happening within each family but may not be.
  
• The formal parent-child session begins an ongoing
  conversation that can be integrated into family
  life. Once the topic is introduced, it becomes
  safe and comfortable to continue the discussion
  within the family.

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Third Principle all teaching on sexuality sho
uld be permeated with faith and rooted in th
e moral teachings of the Church.

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Faith-based programming

• God is love. God created us from love, for love,
  to love.
  
• We are created in Gods image. Every person has
  intrinsic dignity and worth.
  
• The human body is a sacred gift from God, meant
  to be cared for, protected, and treated with
  honor and respect.
  
• Family life is rooted in Gospel values, such as
  love, concern, forgiveness, and care for the
  vulnerable.
  
• Relationships are a sacred and essential part of
  human life. God wants us to care for and protect
  one another.
  
• Sexual intimacy is a treasure to be shared only
  within marriage.
  
• The churchs moral teachings concerning sexuality
  are meant to protect the sacredness of sex and
  marriage.
  

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• National Directory for Catechesis
• United States Catholic Conference of Bishops,
  2005
  
• Principles for all catechesis on human sexuality
• Family is the most suitable environment
• Parents have the primary responsibility
• The role of pastors and catechetical leaders to
  support and encourage parents
  
• Based on the dignity of each human person created
  in Gods image
  
• Promotes marital fidelity and teaches that sexual
  intercourse is reserved for married spouses
  
• Includes instruction on the immorality of all
  forms of sexual abuse
  
• Is provided in the broadest context of education
  for love.
  

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Encyclical Letter DEUS CARITAS EST (G
OD IS LOVE) by Pope
Benedict XVI
December 25, 2005 Agape (Love) Eros (
Infatuation) Philia (Friendship) Vice (Exploi
tation)
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• Learning about L.I.F.E.
• a Family-Based Program on Relationships and
  Abuse Prevention
  
• a book
• -- by Sister Kieran Sawyer and Kathie Amidei
• a parish program
• -- a parish-based program for families with
  children at six different age levels from
  Pre-K to high school
  
• training events
• -- that prepare adults to facilitate the parish
  program
  
• (Session scheduled for August 8 10,
  2008)
  
• Contact us for a training in your diocese!
• a website www.learningaboutlife.org
• -- that offers follow-up help for adults or
  children who may have been affected by
  abusive relationships
  
• -- that provides information on the program and
  training events
  
• -- that provides sample parent letters,
  bulletin announcements, etc.
  
• -- that offers additional ideas for lesson
  plans, handouts, teaching charts,
  PowerPoint presentations

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• Outline of Program Components
• Pre-school and Grades 1 and 2
• parents talk to their own children following a
  process explained by the facilitator
  
• children learn that their bodies are very special
  gifts from God to be loved and cared for
  
• children learn that most adults love and protect
  them, but some might not
  
• children learn the Big Three Rules
• SAY NO
• GET AWAY
• TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST
• the facilitator leads the children in song, fun,
  and prayer
  
• parents bless their children and pray for them
• L.I.F.E. acronym is explained to parents only

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• Grades 3 and 4
• families work together to name what is special
  about their family and each person in it
  
• the facilitator guides parents in telling
  children about abuse physical, emotional,
  sexual
  
• families discuss scenarios that exemplify kinds
  of abuse
  
• special attention is paid to bullying as a type
  of abuse
  
• Big Three Rules are taught or repeated
• abuse is contrasted with respect families make
  Respect banners
  
• all pray together the St. Francis prayer for
  peace
  
• L.I.F.E. acronym is explained to parents only

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• Grades 5 and 6
• family groupings learn together about Love,
  Infatuation, Friendship, and Exploitation
  
• facilitator guides parents in talking to children
  about these relationships as they apply to this
  age group
  
• facilitator brings children to the front for a
  presentation of the sensitive material concerning
  sexual abuse
  
• children return to their own parents to review
  the teaching on abuse
  
• children create a poster with the Big Three Rules
  and the names of people they can trust
  
• parents bless their children with holy water and
  pray for them
  

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• Grades 7 and 8
• groups of teens with their parents form small
  discussion groups
  
• groups learn or review four kinds of
  relationships, using key words on LIFE charts
  
• groups name TV shows, songs, and movies that fit
  each of the four
  
• teens come to the front for a presentation by the
  facilitator
  
• concerning the developing role of sexual
  relationships in their lives
  
• facilitator talks to teens about possible
  perpetrators of sexual abuse
  
• facilitator points out that some teens their age
  become involved in sexual activities that are
  exploitative and abusive
  
• teens discuss with their parents a handout that
  contrasts healthy and unhealthy relationships
  
• parents pray a blessing for their children

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• Grades 9 and 10
• small groups of teens with their parents discuss
  the differences between the four kinds of
  relationships
  
• facilitator explains that a teen romance is a
  combination of friendship and infatuation and
  shows how the signs of affection in such a
  relationship can be true expressions of deepening
  love or can become exploitative.
• facilitator emphasizes that sexual touch and
  sexual intercourse are to be reserved for
  marriage
  
• the reality of exploitation and abuse in teen
  relationships is presented
  
• teens discuss with their parents ways that family
  and church community can help them to live up to
  the ideals presented in the session.
  
• parents pray for and bless their children

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• Combo Session
• for high school teens who have not had the
  earlier sessions
  
• combines the core elements of the grade 7-8
  session with the core elements of the grade 9-10
  session
  
• lesson plan available at learningaboutlife.org

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What participants are saying about
Learning about L.I.F.E. Feedback from the fa
thers Hesitant and skeptical at first but found
it to be surprisingly enjoyable!
It was done in a non-threatening, non-judging
way. It was good. It opened discussion with my
son. This was a great lesson! Was very wel
l done. Well organized and very relevant for t
his age group. Gave me the words to continue t
he talking. It was good to share with my son in
a non-threatening way. Very touchinggreat ti
me together with my child. Allowed breaking the
ice with my child. Proactive.
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What participants are saying about Learning a
bout L.I.F.E. Feedback from the sons Talkin
g about it with my dad was the best part.
Good hearing experiences of others.
This setting made it comfortable to talk about
some uncomfortable issues. The one-on-one talk
with my parent was a very special moment.
It is very true. It was good at shedding some
light about the true world. I learned a lot in
this lesson. Sex isnt something you just do.

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What participants are saying about
Learning about L.I.F.E. Feedback from the mo
ms Our son talked! He never talks to usbut he
talked! Good, open, honest discussions. I th
ink more discussions will follow.
Well directedrealisticinfused learning with
laughter and reflection. Mature talk to teens.
It was very helpful looking at different kinds
of relationships. It broke the ice with my son.
It was very helpful. Great! Nice to share and
laugh. Well done! Helped me reassess my own (re
lationships) and improve them.
We had a good conversation about her
relationship with her boyfriend.
This gave me strength to continue what I have
been doing. This frank discussion will help op
en up more communication. Outstanding! I fel
t all of it was beneficial. Thanks for giving m
e this time. We need to make time for this in our
busy lives.
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What participants are saying about
Learning about L.I.F.E. Feedback from the da
ughters It makes a lot of sense. I have a
new perspective on L.I.F.E. The lesson helped m
e learn why you should wait. It was comfortable.
The part about sexual abuse was helpful.
A good experience with my mom.
Helpful. I will use this whenever I am pressured
or curious. The talk with the parents thingy wa
s helpful. I liked being alone with my parent.
Sexual abuse, its not your fault
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Learning about L.I.F.E.-- a facilitator-training
weekend Who Authors Kathie Amidei Si
ster Kieran Sawyer, SSND Program coordinator
Peggy Kober When August 8 10, 2008
(700 pm Friday to 200 pm Sunday)
Where TYME OUT Youth Center, Nashotah, Wisconsi
n (Milwaukee Archdiocese) Cost 160.00
, includes program, meals, and
dormitory accommodations Registration info
sawyerk_at_tymeout.org or Sister Kieran at 262
-334-0266
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• Also by Kathie Amidei
• The Secret Ingredient . . .Parents
• Effective Models of
• Intergenerational Faith Formation
• amideik_at_stanthony.cc

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• Also by Kieran Sawyer
• Sex and the Teenager Choices and Decisions
• Teachers Manual and Student Text
• Confirming Faith
• Teachers Manual and Student Text
• Faith Facts for Young Catholics
• More Faith Facts
• Faith Facts Study Cards (pack of 400)
• The Faith Difference youth retreat ideas
• www.tymeout.org

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