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Join our mission at TOB CLE!
You are loved unique redeemed
Encounter the truth and beauty of your humanity.
Our modern culture gives us sand to build our lives on. Unhealthy expectations. Shallow relationships. Broken promises.
But there’s more to this story. YOU have a purpose because God created you, knows you, and loves you.
“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus.” – St. Pope John Paul II
events
Upcoming Events
The Screwtape Letters
A 6-week book study, led by TOB CLE’s Jen Ricard 2/18 thru 3/25 Morning Session: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM // Evening Session: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cuyahoga Falls $35/person
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Poustinia Retreat
Retreat will be held at Loyola retreat house in Green, Ohio. Optional formation meeting: 7 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, February 19th (location TBD) $185/person includes speaker, priest stipends, lodging, & meals. Click here for more info
Clinton, OH 44216 United States
Behold Mother/Daughter Retreat
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” (LK 1:38) A mother-daughter retreat designed specifically for adult and teen women in the spirit of Mary's fiat. Spend the day strengthening the relationships with the special women in your life through focused reflections and inspiring conversation on the feminine mind, body and spirit. This year’s theme is “Behold Friendship.” Lunch, snacks and drinks provided. The retreat will close with the Sunday vigil Mass at 4pm celebrated by Fr. Damian Ference. Mass is open to the public. All teens must be accompanied by an adult. Event date: Saturday, March 21, 2026 10am to 4pm Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Rd., Euclid, OH 44117 Tickets: $40 per person Scholarships available, please reach out to Maria at mwancata@tobcle.org Lunch Provided The Behold Retreat is a collaboration between the Diocese of Cleveland’s Office of Marriage and Family Ministry and TOB CLE.
Euclid, OH 44117 United States
This Is My Body Given Up For You – One Day Course at Our Lady of the Angels
Join us for this one day retreat covering Pope Saint Paul the Second's teachings on what it means to be human. -Engaging Lectures from TOB experts -Small group discussion -Q & A sessions -Holy Hour study materials -Breakfast and Lunch provided $45/person includes book and refreshments Registration closes 4/4/2025
Cleveland, Ohio 44111 United States
To the Heights Father/Son Retreat
A retreat in the spirit of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, designed to bring fathers and sons these men closer both to each other and to the Lord. For Fathers and sons in 7th-12th grade This year’s retreat will be April 26th, 2026, at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, OH. Our guest speaker will be former professional quarterback and Super Bowl winner Elvis Grbac Event date: Sunday, April 26, 2026 11am to 4pm Location: Center for Pastoral Leadership, 28700 Euclid Avenue, Euclid, 44092 Tickets: $35/person, scholarships available. For questions or for scholarship information, email Rafe Lewis at rlewis@tobcle.org Lunch Provided
Wickliffe, OH 44092 United States
We’re a ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland
that witnesses to the truth, beauty, and goodness of our humanity. Our mission is to equip teenagers and adults with an informed understanding of what it means to be human, rooted in the teachings of the Theology of the Body
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Events
Who Supports TOB CLE
“I am proud of the work TOB CLE does to share the Gospel and its fundamental truths of creation. The group’s efforts to teach the beauty and sanctity of the human person as God’s sacred handiwork, is a testament to the plan and purpose God has for each and every one of us. May we take to heart their message of living our lives according to the Lord’s design, and thereby draw closer to him.”
Bishop Edward Malesic
Bishop, Diocese of Cleveland
TOB CLE is a true blessing to Northeast Ohio. Jen Ricard and her talented team are on the front lines of evangelization and education, reminding people who and whose we are in this new apostolic age.
Fr. Damian Ference
Vicar of Evangelization, Diocese of Cleveland
“A good disciple helps make more disciples. TOB CLE does this very well. Through showing The Lord’s plan for union etched in our very bodies TOB CLE faithful communicates the gospel in engaging ways to men and women of all ages”
Fr. Ryan Mann
Priest, Diocese of Cleveland
Listen in!
New TOB CLE Features
St Basil the Great Catholic Church Podcast
602. Hope Does Not Disappoint …Oh Really? Fr. Ryan Talks to the Cleveland Catholic Women’s Conference
We are told to hold onto hope and believe in the goodness of Christ. But sometimes our reality feels hopeless, so what are we to do then? In this talk to the Cleveland Catholic Women’s Conference, Fr. Ryan speaks into the lies that we are alone, that God does not care, or that there is no hope, and shows us how Christ gently speaks to us in hard places.
Fathom the Heart
019 – Jen Ricard, Executive Director of TOB CLE
We are joined by Jen Ricard, Executive Director of TOB CLE (Theology of the Body – Cleveland) as she shares her story of how deep encounter with the Sacred Heart of Jesus brought her from reluctant Catechist, unsure if she was even at home in the Catholic Church, to passionate evangelist of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as communicated through the rich teaching of Pope St. John Paul II.
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We’ve Also Been Featured In
Pope St. John Paul II delivered 129 talks between 1979 and 1984, collectively known as the Theology of the Body (TOB). These talks weren’t about revealing new truths of the Catholic faith. Instead, they present a new structure to answer fundamental questions. Why were we created? What is our life’s purpose?
At its heart, TOB is about understanding the vocation of life, and how we are called to participate in God’s divine life.
TOB CLE takes these profound teachings on human dignity, relationships, and sexuality, and turns them into a life-changing educational experience for youth and adults.
We invite you to discover the beauty of the human body as a reflection of God’s love. This isn’t just about learning; it’s about transformation. It’s about deepening your faith. It’s about living out authentic love. And it’s about witnessing that love to the world.