Saturday, April 04, 2009

New Blog

This weekend I taught Catholic social teachings to deacon candidates in the diocese of Evansville, IN. It was a great weekend and I thought the men were just marvelous. One of them, John McMullen, is among other things a writer and has a good blog that I want to recommend. Here it is.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Good, beautiful, tears

St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes was a Carmelite who died at the age of 19 in the early part of this century. I'm reading a book by and about her called God the Joy of My Life (Hubertus, WI: Teresian Charism Press, 1994). The editor, Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D., is discussing the struggle we all experience to attain holiness because of the divided nature of our hearts. It is a commonplace to talk about the necessity of the Cross before the Resurrection, but the description here gives a very concrete example in a young soul of how this works. The final paragraph of the section reads:

It took this lively young Chilean girl a long time to overcome her inclination to anger and to gain dominion over these disorderly forces in her life. And it was not easy. After describing the depths of her struggle, she expressed her discovery that "the good and the beautiful always cost tears."


The last line become especially poignent for us who are beginning to age and are still fighting many of the same demons that plagued us as youth, some of which we have only recently become aware of. The depths of our depravity keep revealing themselves. We can only hope that in some way the beauty and truth are beginning to shine through in our lives more.

Monday, March 30, 2009

The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
Invites You to its 2009

Academic Retreat for Teachers

“Truth and Joy in the Catholic School”

IMAGINE a week of uninterrupted time to:

  • Explore the foundations of Catholic education with colleagues from around the country
  • Discuss the history and integration of Western education, the Trivium, Mathematics, Science,
  • Literature, Theology and Music
  • Read and discuss authors such as Newman, Dawson, Shakespeare, Euclid, John Paul II and more
  • Discuss these writings with an intimate group of peers
  • Refresh and revitalize your sense of wonder and joy of learning!

THIS is truly an Academic Retreatlike none other...
REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE NOW!!!Register and Pay by Check Now!

DATE: July 12-17
LOCATION: University of St. Francis - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Questions? Call 805/625-1817
COST:EARLY BIRD (by June 1): Registration Only $450
AFTER June 1: $495
Includes room, board and materials—

What made this experience unique was that we did more than simply talk about the merits of a classical curriculum, we experienced them for ourselves, first hand.... I am writing to thank you for putting together a wonderful and carefully thoughtout conference. It provided a much-needed respite from the stress and chaos of becoming assistant principal at a new high school.—Peter Fletcher, Assistant Principal,St. Michael the Archangel, Baton Rouge, LA

To sign register online, click here, or write to:
Summer Academic Retreats
Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
PO Box 4638
Ventura, CA 93007