MODULE 2 Who Am I?

The Four Basic Truths

INPUT
All of you here have various and unique notions and judgements on who you are.

Some of these images have been formed in you by part experiences, success and failures, and by
the way other people have related to you, especially in early childhood. (E.g. parents who push
and motivate their kids to excel have made their children become hardworking, goal-oriented
and achievers in whatever field they engage in: academics, arts, sports, etc. While parents who
labeled or made their kids feel that they are losers, failures and unwanted may produce
individuals who are less confident, underachiever, incompetent, and who keep longing for love
affection and attention.)

Some of these images and judgements may affirm your true self but some of these images may
just be in conformity with the perceptions, judgements and standards of the world and of others
that are sometimes limited, imperfect, false, deceitful, and fraudulent ones which lead you to
create your own false/ego self.

There are times that you are unconscious of what you place inside your minds and what you
believe in which are course influenced by the standards of the world where commercialism,
materialism, and consumerism are very real and powerful.

Oftentimes, teenagers and adolescents like you are influenced and pressured with materialistic,
secular, consumerist culture that define the value or worth of the person based on what she or
he possesses (latest cellular phone, expensive car, signature clothes, etc.)
As individuals who search for your authentic identity and who you are as a person, it is
fundamental that you will be able to ground yourselves in foundational truth that cannot be
won over and influenced by the changing affairs of the world. There are times that your sense of
identity is challenged and influenced by what the changing world considers and defines as
acceptable, meaningful and what is important. And with the pressure, you failed to hold what
are essential and non-negotiable in your search for your identity.

St. Ignatius of Loyola in his spiritual exercises has stressed the authentic value of persons. St.
Ignatius has discovered in his spiritual journey the essence and true identity of human person
regardless of age, sex, status in life.

He challenged that you as pilgrims will discover and ground yourselves

in four (4) basic and fundamental truths about our self.
a. God made us in His image and likeness.
b. God loves us and wants us to enjoy life.
c. God has plans and desires for you.
d. God wants you to know the truth and the truth will set you free.
 MODULE 03 – Understanding My Sexuality

Deepening Points:

 SEX

o refers to the biological characteristics w/c defines humans as either male or female
o this is FIXED – based on chromosomes, biologically determined but these realities
point to potentials and possibilities
o refers to parts of the body/part of a system that makes up our body

 GENITALITY

o The capacity for erotic sensation in genitalia.

o Possession of full genital sensitivity and capacity to develop orgasmic potency in
relation to a sexual partner of the opposite sex
o arousal, presence of urges/appetite

 SOME NEGATIVE NOTIONS:

o Sex is Earthly
 Part of our lower natures
 Sex arouses carnal desires, the degrading aspects in the person
o Sex is Sin
 Touching our bodies for pleasure is wicked and sinful
 Parts of our bodies that seem to give us the most pleasure must be kept
hidden and not discusssed
Sex is Dirty
 Genitals are simply organs for excretions; ergo sexual pleasure is dirty or
unnatural
 Bodies are dirty or unclean
 Bodies get disgustingly dirty
 Have terrible odors which must be sanitized with deodorants and perfumes
 Perform distasteful functions which must be done in private and never
discussed

o Sex is Trouble
 Genitals cause embarrassment (e.g. Erection, arousal of desires)
 Can dishonor the family, ruin our lives

 ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEXUALITY

o All people are sexual and they express their sexuality in various fronts.
 o Sexuality is a reality, hence, must be discussed objectively and healthily as a fact of
life.
o Being sexual is not only about sexual acts, it also includes thoughts, attitudes, and
feelings;
o Being sexual means being alive.
o Sexuality does not only include biology but must be seen within the social,
economic, cultural and political context.
o Sexuality is affected by belief systems, hence; validate which one gives life and
which one kills.
o Sexuality is a gift… Rejoice!

 BECAUSE IN THE END… SEXUALITY IS:

o Totality of a person in terms of embodiment
o Totality of our being male and female (inclusive of sex and gender)
o Our relational power or way of connecting with or separating from people
o The entire range of feelings and behaviors of persons
 Expressing relationships to themselves and others
 Through look, touch, word and action
 CORE VALUES IN SEXUALITY

o CHOICE. Making choices about one’s sexuality freely, without coercion, and with
access to comprehensive information and services, while respecting the rights of
others.

o DIGNITY. All individuals have worth regardless of their age, class, gender,
orientation, preferences, religion and other determinants of status.

o DIVERSITY. Acceptance that women and men express their sexuality in diverse ways
and that there is a range of sexual behaviors, identities, and relationships.
o EQUALITY. All women and men are equally deserving of respect and dignity, and
should have access to information, services, and support to attain sexual well-being.
o RESPECT. All women and men are entitled to respect and consideration whatever
be their sexual choices or identities.

 The primary purpose of our sexuality is not procreation, rather it is to teach us how to
love, how to have fellowship; and when we slough off the cocoon of sexuality, we emerge
as creatures fully able to contemplate God, fully able to have fellowship with Him and with
each other.
Our sexual urges force us to be social creatures, for without it we would be content as
hermits, never learning the joy of fellowship, never learning the give-and-take of love or
friendship, never practicing upon each other the skills we need to be in full fellowship with
God.
“Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If
anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that
temple.”

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (New International Version)

 “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each
of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in
passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (New International Version)

MODULE 4 – Embracing Our Graced History

INTRODUCTORY POINTS:
 Families come in all shapes and sizes.
 There is not one better than the other.
 The family unit has changed much over the last several years.
 Find ways to strengthen your family, because you are all interconnected.
 In its most basic sense, the family is where our identity is rooted.
 Who we are is highly influenced by our family history and origin, together with the impact of our
family members who belong to a generation different from us. How we interact and relate with
them expressed the family values that has been partly influenced by these family members.
 It is important to note that our concept of family especially for us Filipinos does not only limit to
our biological family but also includes those who have been dear to our hearts.

DEFINITION of a FAMILY
Family = An individual, or a group of people bonded by marriage, blood, or other means who have
established a household.
Home = One’s physical residence that serves as a source of shared energy for family members.
The family is the soul of the home.

FAMILY FORMS
 Adoptive
 Blended
 Couple
 Extended
 Legal Guardian
 Foster
 Nuclear
 Single-parent
 Single person

FUNCTIONS of the FAMILY

 Care giving
 Providing shelter, clothing and food
 Learning traditions
  Guidance
 Teaching language and social skills
 Providing stimulation
 Learning how to have fun, enjoy life
 Model positive parenting skills

CHANGES IN FAMILY LIFESTYLE

 Women have joined the paid labor force in great numbers.

 Couples postpone marriages until they are older and more established in careers, etc.
 Single-parent families have become common.
 The divorce rate has been as high as 50% in the West. And here in our country,
the DIVORCE BILL is already on its first reading in the Lower House.
 Women are not as likely to desire large families.
 Stereotypical roles for men and women have changed.
 Teenage girls are having more babies.
 Filipino children are raised in poverty.
 The rate of child abuse and neglect has risen.

BENEFITS of a STRONG FAMILY: “A nation is only as strong as its families”

So what are the benefits to a strong family?
• Supports each other emotionally, physically, and financially.
• Provide training in values, work ethic and responsibility.
• Provide companionship and friendship.

Who we are is highly influenced by our family history and relationships.

 No family is perfect. Even Jesus’ own family tree/genealogy was composed of imperfect persons.
 Our capacity to make “homes” is not limited to our very own family but we have the power to
extend our “families” where no one is forgotten and left behind, where others can find home in
us and we can find home in them.
 Our family is a part of our life journey.
 Learn their values and preferences, and share with them your values and preferences.
 As communication progresses, it is important to begin to embrace the differences, as each person
from each generation brings a valuable perspective to any situation, family or otherwise.