Lafayette’s Newman Association opened its doors to the public on Thursday, February 27th, welcoming anyone in the Diocese to attend their three-part series on St. John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the Body.’
The first event in the series featured Cassie Boccardi – a Lehigh Valley native who received her certification from Christopher West’s Theology of the Body Institute. Boccardi holds a BA in Theology & Religious Studies from the Catholic University of America and is graduating with an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May, 2025. She also works with Live Vertical, a ministry founded in the Lehigh Valley and backed by Bishop Alfred Schlert.
Boccardi’s passion for ‘Theology of the Body’ and her gift for public speaking was evident during the one and half hour event. She was accompanied by Father Nikolai Brelinsky, ordained last year and serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Orefield.
Boccardi began the evening by introducing the ‘Theology of the Body’, explaining the truths revealed in the text as an anthropology of the human person, who is made in the Image of God. She held the audience captive as she broke down complicated theological concepts into digestible and relatable information.
“The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God, and thus be a sign of it.” - St. John Paul II, Theology of the Body, 19:4
She adeptly explained how the human person is a body-soul unity, pressing out into the world the Image of God through masculinity and femininity. It is through this God-given nature that mankind is able to be in communion with one another and begin to grasp at the relationship of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
An ideal counterpart to Boccardi’s passion and relatability, Father Brelinsky would frequently chime in with further clarity on Church teaching. The duo served as a perfect example of the evening’s topic: the complementary of masculinity and femininity.
The atmosphere of the event was compassionate yet direct, allowing attendees to feel safe asking difficult questions during the Q&A portion. Questions on the Church’s standing on in vitro fertilization (IVF), contraception, and same-sex attraction were answered by Boccardi and Father Brelinsky with understanding and clarity.
The series will continue to address our culture’s most pressing issues, with this week’s topic centering on gender identity and sexuality.
Session 2: Thursday, March 6th, 6:30-8pm
Session 3: Thursday, March 27th, 6:30-8pm
Location: Colton Chapel at Lafayette University.
Please register here for the upcoming events.
