Welcome to
Theology of the Body Conference Cape Girardeau 2026
12-13 September 2026 at Catholic Campus Minister, SEMOSEMO Students come free.
Early Bird price of $30 for regular admission until August 15. After August 15, the price is $50.
Conference
Schedule
Saturday September 129:00 Mass at Catholic Campus Ministry chapel - Fr. Patrick Nwokoye
9:40 Registration
10:00 Talk 1 Introduction to Theology of the Body - Nick Koeppel
11:00 break
11:30 Talk 2 Genevieve Scherer: Made for Love
12:30 Lunch break
2:30 Madeline Doucet
3:00-4:15:Small groups - men and women groups
4:15 Dinner Break
6:00 Talk 3 Deacon Thomas Schumer: “The Grace of Unitive Love”
7:00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
8:30 Finish with Social and DanceSunday September 13Breakfast at home/accomodation
9:30 Sunday Mass at CCM
10:30 Brunch together (Meal provided)
11:00 Talk 5: Deacon Alvin Stoveriink: “Life in Grace: Intimacy with the Bridegroom”
12:00 Q and A Panel with all the Speakers
2:00 Finish
Featuring
Nicholas Koeppel
Nicholas Koeppel grew up in southeast Missouri, USA. After attending seminary for 4 years, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2014, and “discerned out” of seminary and went to study a Masters of Marriage and Family studies in Austria at the International Theological Institute, graduating in 2019. He worked for 4 years in Youth Ministry at Parishes in Missouri. He worked for half a year as the Manager of the Family Life Office at the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. Since 2020, he has served on the leadership team for “Theology of the Body Educators” seeking to teach and share Theology of the Body all over the world through online and in person talks, conferences, courses and retreats. He has taught semester-long courses in Theology of the Body for college students in Lviv, Ukraine at Ukrainian Catholic University and the Pontifical John Paul II University in Krakow, Poland. In 2025, he began working fulltime for TOB Educators as “Executive Director” and “TOB Missionary” living in Krakow, Poland seeking to share the message from St. John Paul II with people anywhere in the world. He obtained his Theology of the Body certificationfrom the TOB Institute in USA in 2025.
Featuriing
Genevieve Scherer
Genevieve Scherer graduated from Marquette University in 2023 with a Bachelors in Exercise Physiology. She originally entered a direct admit physical therapy program, expecting to graduate in 2026 as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. After a deep encounter with Christ over a summer of formation, in which she learned of Theology of the Body, she dropped out of the program to serve as a missionary. Due to her love of JPII, she discerned to work as a missionary for The Culture Project right after graduation. In this ministry, Genevieve spoke to middle school, high school, young adults, and parents about topics surrounding Theology of the Body such as the dignity of the human person, pro-life/abortion, social media, our sexual identity and others. Her team also contributed to various retreats for high schoolers and college students. Since leaving the Culture Project in June of 2024, she has worked for the St. John Henry Newman Center at Southeast Missouri State University as a campus missionary forming young adults through bible study and discipleship. As of the fall of 2026, she has accepted the role of Campus Minister and hopes to integrate the teachings of Theology of the Body with the mission of the Newman Center.
Featuriing
Deacon Tom Schumer
After living his dream career as an entrepreneur, prayers and discernment over time led Tom to trust that God had called him to a “higher cause” of full-time Christian ministry as a Permanent Deacon. Since his Ordination on June 29, 2013, for the diocese of Springfield-Cap Girardeau, Deacon Tom served for twelve years as the Executive Director of Catholic Campus
Ministry at SEMO University as well as a pastoral associate at St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Cape Girardeau, MO. Additionally, Tom is a Spiritual Advisor to the local Cursillo movement and has completed Spiritual Director certification via the Holy Family School of Faith in the Archdiocese
of Kansas City, KS. Through the primary work of Divine Providence with the help of Deacon Tom’s leadership, a campaign to build a new Catholic Center at SEMO University was completed with the new St. John Henry Newman Chapel and Student Center on the SEMO campus being consecrated by Bishop Rice on August 22, 2021. Tom has been married to Debbie
for 38 years and entrusted by God with four children and ten grandchildren.
Featuriing
Madeline Doucet
Madeline Doucet is currently working on an MA in Theology from Ave Maria University in southwest Florida after having received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Theology of the Body began shaping her life over ten years ago, influencing her formation in a religious monastery and later in academics and personal interactions. These teachings of St. John Paul II are a lens through which she has learned to encounter others and the world around her.
Along with her MA in Theology, she is currently enrolled in the Certification Program under Christopher West at the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, hoping to complete it in 2028. Future academic endeavors involve a Doctorate in Psychology concentrated in the theology of Marriage and Family. In the meantime, since 2021 Madeline has been sharing her TOB studies and research through speaking events both in person and on zoom as well as assisting in retreats and group studies for celibate priests, married couples, and young adults. Traveling and connecting both nationally and internationally, she aims at integrating TOB with psychology for a wholistic approach to research and pastoral care within the Church.
Featuring
Deacon Alvin Stoverink
Married to Carol (at St. Vincent’s Parish, Cape Girardeau, MO, August 6, 1977)
-6 children and 6 grandchildren
Ordained May 26, 2018 (same anniversary as son Fr. Joseph, ordained in 2017)
Serves at Immaculate Conception Parish, Jackson, MO, with primary activities being
assisting at Parish Liturgies, Preaching, Communion visits to Nursing Homes, and
Project Coordinator for new church project.
Serves as Chaplain for the Diocesan Chapter of Courage and EnCourage.
Serves as a Certified Spiritual Mentor
Serves as a Assistant Spiritual Advisor for Cursillo Weekends.
Serves People of God in varied and sundry ways as the Holy Spirit calls.
Formerly served in his secular career in city management for 17 years, in university
facilities management for 21 years, and with Habitat for Humanity for 2 years.
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Catholic Musician: Anna Essner
