Simply ‘irresistible’: JPII center

By Mary Moore
The Catholic Sun

After more than a year in the making, the John Paul II Resource Center for Theology of the Body and Culture has officially begun promoting the teachings of the late pontiff.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted gathered with supporters at the Diocesan Pastoral Center April 4 to bless the center that will foster Catholic morality and family values in the diocese.

“God has been putting the pieces of this together for some time now,” said Katrina Zeno, director of the John Paul II Resource Center. She asked those gathered for prayers.

The center will integrate the teachings of John Paul II into catechetical programs for interested groups, from singles and marriage preparation ministries to parenting and confirmation programs.

More than 15 groups have already taken advantage of the resource center by booking Zeno as a speaker. She is anxious to spread the word to others that the center is open.

Bishop Olmsted told supporters he believes that the work of the center will be part of late pope’s continuing influence on the diocese begun during his 1987 visit.

“I have no doubt that it was the providence of God that led John Paul II to come to Phoenix,” the bishop said.

“What we have is a little effort, and with God’s grace an influential effort, to have a ‘virtual center’ that can move about and which will lift up the treasures and riches that the Holy Spirit inspired in John Paul II,” he added. “It’s a great way for us to say thank you to God for his coming to visit our diocese, the only successor of St. Peter to do so.”

Bishop Olmsted said that in working with John Paul II at the Vatican, he saw the pope strive to persuasively present the theology of love.

“What he wanted was to find something that is both true and that is good news, something beautiful and attractive that we cannot resist,” the bishop said.

The teachings of the late Holy Father available through the new resource center, he said, are just that: irresistible.