Who ever thought that MyFaith would publish a sex issue? 

When I was a teenager, I watched many TV shows that depicted how “normal” young adults lived a sexual life. Not only was hooking up depicted as normal, but healthy as well, as long as condoms and birth control were readily available.

But based on research I did for my article on page 3, I discovered that, contrary to popular belief, hooking up is not at all the way it is often portrayed in movies and on TV. Not only are you in danger of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, but even more importantly, your heart is in jeopardy of being broken and used up. It’s just not worth it.

Pope John Paul II understood that young people had to know why they shouldn’t have sex before marriage, which is why he taught “Theology of the Body.” Through his teachings, he conveyed that sex shouldn’t be taken lightly - not because it’s bad, but because it’s so intrinsically good.   

When I was younger, things used to be so clear to me. I knew what I wanted to do with my life (graduate from high school, become a fiction writer, meet the man of my dreams, get married and have babies). However, obviously that wasn’t the direction in which God pointed me. And you know what? Had I actually done that, I would have been miserable. For one thing, going to college opened a whole world of opportunities for me that I never even knew I wanted. 

Another thing I’ve discovered is that you know absolutely nothing about life when you’re a teenager. That’s why we have the Catholic Church to help us follow God’s path for us. It may seem as the though the church is out of touch or against the norm sometimes, but believe me, when you begin to understand what the church is teaching about sex - and why - you’ll appreciate it.

A big thank you to the young adult group Café AduroC at St. Monica Parish in Whitefish Bay, who so graciously helped us understand how important this topic is. You inspired us to devote the time and space to it that it deserves. Without you we never would have gotten as far as we did! You rock!

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