Do I go, or do I stay???

Received in the mail today, my own reminder notice (I'm on the mailing list):

======================
JUST A REMINDER!

VOTFSL Workshop On Saturday. February 25
At Mercy Center Registration deadline: Feb 10,2006

Presenters:
Fran Ferder FSP A,PhD.,DMin and John Heagel , MA, JCL, LMHC

"Toward a Renewed Theology of Human Sexuality ­Reclaiming a Spirituality of Intimacy and Relationships"

This workshop is an invitation to join in the task of reclaiming our incarnational, communal, and mystical tradition with its radical affirmation of the body and human intimacy.

You may obtain a brochure & reservation form online at www.votfsl.org or call 314.258.1280 to receive one by mail
========================

What kind of "workshop" is this? Let's see what the flyer says:

There is a profound relationshlp between sex and power, relationships and justice. The clergy sexual abuse scandal has unveiled the structures of power and denial that often cover up personal pathology. But it has also revealed another urgent need in the Catholic Chufth - namely, the challenge of renewing our theology of human sexuality. This workshop is an invitation to join in the task of reclaim­ing our incarnational, communal, and mystical tradition with its radical affirmation of the body and human intimacy. If we are to become authentlc life-glvers and lovers, we must be willing to embrace human passion as a sacred energy that shapes all facets of our lives.

What does all of this mean? Will this "urgent need", the "challenge", be addressed in an authentically Catholic manner? What is meant by "reclaim­ing our incarnational, communal, and mystical tradition"? How does one embrace "human passion" as a "sacred energy"?

Checking Google for some insights, I found this:
The Redemptorist Renewal Center recently hosted a retreat by Ferder and Heagle. Interestingly, one of the topics was

"In the Beginning is Relationship", Human Sexuality as the Call to Love and Give Life.

"It is not good for the earth-creature to live in isolation." (Gn 2:18) "Increase and multiply." (Gn 1:28)

Earth-Creature? Which earth-creature? Dare I say it?.....Man?

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles also hosted them at its 2004 Religious Education Congress

So, who are these "Presenters"? The names may be familiar to some, but let's see what Our Ladys Warriors has to say:

Sr. Fran Ferder
Teaches that the homosexual life style is not a deviance, but a healthy alternative lifestyle. Presents at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. Co-director of TARA: Therapy and Renewal Associates. Co-author of the book "Tender Fires: The Spiritual Promise of Sexuality" saying that "Whether we are married or single, young or old, divorced or remarried, male or female, gay or straight, celibate by choice or by circumstance, each of us is called to make the long and arduous journey of claiming our sexuality with reverence and integrating it with responsibility" and "Spirituality without sexuality is a phantom."

Fr. John Heagle
Teaches that the homosexual life style is not a deviance, but a healthy alternative lifestyle. Presents at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. Co-director of TARA: Therapy and Renewal Associates. Co-author of the book "Tender Fires: The Spiritual Promise of Sexuality" saying that "Whether we are married or single, young or old, divorced or remarried, male or female, gay or straight, celibate by choice or by circumstance, each of us is called to make the long and arduous journey of claiming our sexuality with reverence and integrating it with responsibility" and "Spirituality without sexuality is a phantom."

TARA: Therapy and Renewal Associates
Described as an outpatient psychotherapy resource for clergy, members of religious communities, lay ministers, other professional adults, couples and families, and co-directed by dissenters Sr. Fran Ferder and Fr. John Heagle, they counsel that sodomy and a homosexual lifestyle is perfectly acceptable.

These are seriously grave concerns, if the reviews from Our Ladys Warriors are correct...and I have no reason to doubt its integrity.

There will be a conflict on February 25th since Catholic Action Network is hosting its 2006 CONVOCATION at St Stanislaus Church with Call to Action VP, Lena Woltering (and former Coordinator of the Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity (FOSIL) for ten years)...PDF Flyer

What to do, what to do....? Prepare for spring cleaning?