Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Matthew Alderman Studios

I suppose if I were a better capitalist I would charge Matt for this. Matt Alderman has just announced the opening of his new online architecture and art studio. On it you will find information about his architectural design, ink drawings, writings, and talks.

Matt, if you want to pay me for the plug, you know my number.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

New comments policy

From now on any anonymous comment will be deleted. I left the one on earlier because it is an interesting contribution to the conversation, but I don't like people who won't in some way make themselves known. I don't really like pseudonyms, either, but for now the policy only applies to "anonymous" posts.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Freddoso on Notre Dame

Alfred Freddoso, distinguished professor of philosophy at Notre Dame, recently gave a talk at the St. Thomas University in Houston about last year's dust-up over the honorary degree given to President Obama. It includes a list of proposals for how to promote genuine Catholic intellectual formation in the future. HT a Jesuit friend of mine.

I like his characterization of ND as "a national private university that is more open to Catholic faith and practice than any other national private university I know of." This is quite true. Any student who goes there with a strong, integral faith will certainly have ample opportunity on campus for it to be even further strengthened. Both my sons have had lively Catholic lives on campus and have grown and flourished as "JPII/B16 Catholics." This is not true of other nominally Catholic colleges and universities where there is hostility towards JPII/B16 Catholicism. I have seen it first hand from high administrators. Many of these schools are a desert for Catholics who believe in and try to put into practice the entirety of Catholic teaching and practice, especially when it comes to issues of sexuality. I think all Catholic colleges and universities have to figure out, and quick, that there is no future in Catholicism that doesn't run through the achievements of these pontificates. I hope bishops continue to communicate this more and more strongly to them.

The most moving passage in the Lord of the Rings

I know that is a tall order, since there are several places where one is brought to the brink of tears, but this is definitely my choice for the one that moves me the most:
Aragorn knelt beside him. Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak. At last slow words came. "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo," he said. "I am sorry. I have paid." His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at least lay there. "They have gone: the Haflings; The Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them." He paused and his eyes closed wearily. After a moment he spoke again.

"Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed."

"No!" said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!"
I'm tearing up just typing this.