This night exploring the issue of Homosexuality completes a three week series on Matrimony, Marriage and Homosexuality.  Brad Schmidt gave this talk at the Life Night on April 6, 2014.  Sapphire Harburg shared some of her experience in regards to this issue; her brother is gay and her initial reaction, as well as others' have helped her realize just how much we can grow in this area. We're called to love everyone, and that's not always the way our actions are received. 

The handout for this talk, including the answers to the questions that were submitted by the teens, is available for download at http://www.ctkcc.net/?p=1078514

In the second in a series of talks on Matrimony, Marriage and Homosexuality Brad Schmidt talked about the current state of marriage in our culture.  He made a case for marriage being a natural institution (not strictly religious or legal, but built into human nature), the attack being waged on marriage and family from the world, the flesh, and especially the devil, and how we as Christians can respond.  

We started a short series of nights on Holy Matrimony on March 23. 2014.  This first night explores the Sacrament itself, the beauty of Christian marriage, and the effects it has on the couple receiving it.  

Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, illness and suffering have been a part of the human condition because of sin.  Jesus has given us incredible gifts in these Sacraments, allowing for our bodies - but more importantly, our souls - to be healed and strengthened.  

This "Issue Life Night" on March 9, 2014 was all about managing stress.  High school is a stressful time, but there are many things we stress out about that are unnecessary, and there are ways to reduce the stress we experience.  A panel of Core Members and Small Group Leaders presented this night including Mary Zahm, Becca Zahm, Frank Whiting, and Patrick Carroll.  After the presentation, we had a large-group discussion that gave the teens an opportunity to share some of their stresses and stress releif techniqus.

The Life Night on February 9, 2014 was all about the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders.  We talked in-depth about what the Church means when she says that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, and how the Sacrament of Holy Orders is a gift of order to the Church.  After this talk, the teens discussed ways to more fully enter into the Mass and gain an appreciation for the awesome power present in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Life Night on February 9, 2014 was all about the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.  In addition to learning more about what the Sacraments accomplish, the teens explored ways to live out the graces from those Sacraments in their daily lives.

We explored the nature of the Sacraments and the Sacramental Economy in our first Life Night in the Sacraments Semester.  

We began the Winter Semester with a night that got posponed due to weather last fall.  This "Issue Life Night" about Life Skills challenged the teens to live lives that are truly great, starting with small decisions every day.  Jeff Bachelor gave the talk, with Patrick Carroll, Mary Zahm and Alyssa Diroff contributing their advice.  The teens broke into their small groups after the talk to apply it to their lives (and reconnect after a long break).

To wrap up the Life Teen semester on the Church, we briefly surveyed the 2000 year history of the Church, highlighting evidence of the Holy Spirit's guidance and protection, even in the midst of terrible threats to her very existence.  The talk is intended to help the teens develop a deep trust in the Holy Sprirt to make the Church the place to turn to in difficult times, to trust Her guidance, and to help them remember to have hope in the midst of difficulty.  After the talk, the teens went into small groups to discuss practical applications from the talk.