The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
- As I think our readers are aware, we are big fans of Thomas More College in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Imagine our excitement when it was announced that Anthony Esolen would be joining the faculty! And now it can be told that our very own Chief is also going to be there: “Beginning next Monday, in addition to my work on the Catholic Culture site, I will be joining Anthony Esolen and William Fahey to launch (what is now called) the Center for the Renewal of Christian Culture at Thomas More College.” I hope that you will check it all out!
- I would definitely have shown this interview with Anthony Esolen to my older child, on the writing process — so different for everyone, but find your own way.
- Habou really got a kick out of this idea (raised to the nth level by having everything in the shape of the map of Michigan):
- Too many just don't have a basic education in economics; this lack creates a mental environment in which unrealistic ideologies can take root. But good reading can overcome deficiencies! Start here with Samuel Gregg's article on Wilhelm Röpke. A smart senior in high school could read Röpke's book for sure.
- A moving memoir from David Warren on his grace-filled days covering the death of Mother Teresa, 20 years ago.
- Maybe you read about the confirmation hearings for law professor Amy Bartlett, in which Senator Diane Feinstein memorably told her, “the dogma lives loudly within you.” She meant this as a criticism, implying that dogma represents an authoritarian statement of belief that a religious person unthinkingly adheres to, to the detriment of fairness in, say, the exercise of the duties of a judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Dogma is often pitted against the romance and drama of faith, which is seen as more of a matter of the heart. Is that a fair characterization of “dogma” — at least, for a Christian? Dorothy Sayers explains, in a fantastic essay: The Greatest Drama Ever Staged, “No — the dogma is the drama!”
- Also for your high school curriculum, if you are augmenting a packaged one or making your own: Lots of resources (including questions *and answers* for important readings) here on St. Peter's List.
- Lovely appreciation of the great Russell Kirk's library at Piety Hill, his ancestral home in Michigan.
From the archives:
- We are putting some [ahem, most] of our features on hold, but do, do peruse the archives. For instance, our book recommendations in the Library Project had begun to include a “read this, not that” style of post, and I think you'll find many great suggestions there for books (and what to avoid!) and don't forget the ever-helpful comments.
- Peas and bees — here we are, puttering around one spring… (we are just about to harvest honey around here now!) (It always amazes me, in the late summer's wild weediness, to see garden pictures from the springtime. So neat. So tidy. So promising!)
Today is the feast of St. Peter Claver, inspirational helper of bodies and souls — he ministered to slaves in dire conditions, and didn't hesitate to teach and baptize them immediately. I always think of his tender devotion and zeal for souls whenever people insist that sacramental preparation for converts take months and even sometimes years!
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Paula says
Being from Michigan originally-love the mitten chair!
James Anderson says
Hi, the link for “Habou really got a kick out of this idea (raised to the nth level by having everything in the shape of the map of Michigan):” appears to be missing.
Janet says
Re: the Diane Feinstein comments, I am seriously considering a T-shirt or bumper sticker saying “The Dogma Lives Loudly Within Me!”
Lisa G. says
I like what Anthony Esolen said about only reading for instruction or delight. I guess this is what I’m already doing, but I’m glad to be enouraged in it. 🙂