Speaker talks to Denison youth about morality
By Tavia Malone, Globe staff writer
Posted February 28, 2002

Oftentimes, speakers are brought in to individual parishes to share their ideas, thoughts and leadership skills with teens and adults. Some of these speakers come from the Diocese of Sioux City or are national speakers. St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison brought in a speaker from the Archdiocese of Denver, Colo. to share her experiences and thoughts as part of a confirmation retreat.

Celeste Thomas, of the Archdiocese of Denver, came to St. Rose of Lima Parish on Feb. 8 and 9 to present a retreat and a speech for parents in the parish. Thomas has spoken at various places in the U.S., including Idaho, Louisiana and Colorado.

Carolyn Von Tersch, DRE and youth minister for St. Rose of Lima, invited Thomas to come after a parishioner recommended her. The parishioner had moved from the Archdiocese of Denver to the Diocese of Sioux City and knew about Thomas's experience speaking around the country.

"The speech and retreat were very good," said Von Tersch. "She came on Feb. 8 and we invited the parents to a home to hear her speak." The parent speech focused on issues of morality and sexuality.

The big event was the four hour confirmation retreat held on Feb. 9. Some 50 youths and 15 adults attended the event. Junior high and high school students were invited to attend. "We titled her talk 'Solution to Moral Pollution'," said Von Tersch. "She talked on chastity and human relationships versus sexual relationships."

Thomas discussed how males respond differently to various stimuli than females. She also spoke about modesty in dress and about how females' dress affect males.

Von Tersch said that the teenagers really responded to Thomas's points she made in the retreat. "A lot of it was stuff they hadn't heard or didn't necessarily want to accept," she said. "But I think it affected them. You could tell they were soaking it up."

Von Tersch said that Thomas brought many "goodies" with her. Stickers, pens, candy, pins, prayer cards and medals were among the many items that Thomas brought and shared with the group. She also had some cards about different saints, so the students could learn more about them.

The retreat was held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and included lunch, ice breakers and talks with Thomas. "The parents commented a lot about trying to get Thomas back to speak in the diocese again," said Von Tersch. "I suggested her to Pat Rinker [director of youth and young adult ministries for the Diocese of Sioux City] for a keynote speaker for the youth rally."

Thomas also spoke on her call to the single life. Thomas felt pressure to be married like many other females her age, including her sisters. At 28 years old, she thought she had found a man who she would be happy with, but felt the need to change him. In the end, Thomas did not get married to this man because she knew it wasn't right.

The entire group really enjoyed Thomas's retreat. "She was one of those speakers that opens you up to things you've never thought about," said Von Tersch.