I'm going to keep it quick here so that you can read these links, let me know what you think, and get back to your prep. I have to as well. How did it get to be December already? HOW??
- Some Advent reading — not by any means all that could be said about this Season we are living now, but edifying thoughts for the end of this first week: Msgr. Pope (always solid) on Four Reasons We Need a Savior; a Meditation on a text from Isaiah.
- The Tao of Boyd: How to Master the OODA Loop. I love things that are a different slant on old things (in this case, the Four Cardinal Virtues, especially Prudence and Fortitude). Call me crazy, but I think a mom could learn a thing or two from this article, even though it's definitely pitched at men.
- The Suppression of Roche Abbey — How a vivid eyewitness account reveals the shocking speed and scale of destruction of Roche Abbey after the Suppression of the Monasteries in England – and the fragility of human goodness.
- Have you ever seen a book like this, with a painted scene hidden in the gilt edges?
- You just have to read this little piece regarding an exhortation to those about to be married, read to every Catholic couple at the start of the wedding (this was before Vatican II). Maybe share it with your pastor…
- Teaching or learning music theory? This song might help!
- A theology of kneeling, from then-Cardinal Ratzinger's The Spirit of the Liturgy. I kind of want to do an online book club reading of this book, but it's long. But it's amazing.
- Seeing education through the lens of a favorite author: Charles Dickens’ Hard Times: The Usefulness of Useless Things
- This one isn't particularly new, but I came across it recently: Mallory Millet writes on the destruction wrought by feminists like her sister, Kate Millet. Marxist Feminism's Ruined Lives: The horror I witnessed inside the women’s “liberation” movement.
From the archives:
- I posted an article (this one) on Facebook this week that got people talking about a popular homeschooling writing program, pro and con. Rather than delve into that dispute, I will give you my posts from the past on teaching your children to write. It's easier than you think, but you have to learn something too. Get started (with books to buy for Christmas gifts, because the key is good books); mechanics (especially for Advent); sorry: you will have to learn a few things about writing; get your kids to write — but STOP TORTURING THEM; playing and writing; A Good Sentence (or what to do when you're not panicking about teaching your kids to write); and a Tried and True Method for teaching writing (that doesn't cost anything).
Upcoming: Remember that Tuesday is a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States — our patronal feast of the Immaculate Conception.
If you are nearby here in New England, I recommend either of these events:
At Thomas More College, Fr. Jacques Philippe will be speaking. His book Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart is a spiritual must-read. I've come to think of it as the “official LMLD spiritual text” so maybe it deserves its own post, but in the meantime, maybe we will see you in Nashua?
And if we could bi-locate (working on it, because I detest when I have to choose between two amazing places to be), we would be at the Solemn High Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Gregory the Great Church in Stoneham, Massachusetts (at St. Patrick's Church, confusing, I know). The music promises to be fabulous and the worship will be all it should be. I wish I could see you there! I will be going to an early Mass and will miss, boo.
Enjoy your day!
Carol Kennedy says
That little bit about Roche Abbey just goes to the point that sin is sin, in every age. And people fall into the same sins over and over again. Did anybody picture recent looting in some American cities by the local citizens? Can’t you hear them say “Why shouldn’t I profit from this like everyone else?”
Kim F. says
Just an FYI to your readers (and maybe you, too)…Father Philippe will also be at Parish of the Resurrection on Broad St. in Nashua on Wed. night and St. Patrick’s Church in Pelham, NH on Thurs. night. So there are three opportunities to hear this amazing priest speak!
Laura Jeanne says
Wow, that article by Mallory Millet was shocking and saddening for me. I had no idea that there were people, decades ago even, who were openly talking about the destruction of the American family as a worthy goal. It’s very eye-opening. Thank you for sharing.
Katie says
Agreed, wow. Sad and scary. Thanks for posting.
Will Bloomfield says
Father Philippe was in Lansing last Wednesday. I attended. He was very good. I’ll have to read some of his books.
briana says
I think I might have said more than a few times, “Is there a POINT to this story?”
Becky says
This doesn’t directly relate to the articles but I thought might be of interest. I was with my home group from church and the other parents were sharing how exhausted they were from Christmas activities and how stressful decorating was and you would not believe the looks of relief I got when I said, “You know, Advent is actually a penitential season, sort of like Lent. So, you don’t actually need to have the decorations up, yet.” We then launched into a great discussion about Epiphany and King’s Day and how some people wait until then to open their presents.
Which isn’t to make me sound saintly. We did some Christmas this weekend, ourselves- we’re Protestant so it’s a little less clear cut in the teaching. But, we haven’t gotten to decorating and I really feel ok with it this year instead of guilty as there is some intention about it. Although, admittedly, it’s not fully intentional…
Kristi says
Thanks for the links — always interesting. Does anyone know if Mallory Millet’s account of those pre-NOW meetings at Lila Karp’s home has ever been corroborated by anyone else? I tried to look into this a bit myself but couldn’t find another resource. I was shocked while recounting a bit of her linked article to my husband, and he noted that it sounded a bit “boogeyman-ish.” I think he meant that perhaps we have heard it said before that militant feminists in the 60s were out to “destroy the family,” and what they viewed as the patriarchy, but the account of them actually stating this in a meeting, and reciting it as part of a back-and-forth “litany,” along with their direct pledge to destroy monogamy by promoting promiscuity, prostitution, etc., sounds a bit … I don’t know if these are the right words … unreal and farcical? I’m certainly not saying that it didn’t happen, it just reads as so outrageous and theatrical.
On a different note entirely, your Advent series is so fantastic and grounding. I look forward to each new post. Thank you so much for it!
Leila says
Kristi, interesting point. I don’t know. Usually I have my antennae up for that sort of thing, and maybe they weren’t up when I read this, but also I’d say that it didn’t strike me as that unreal. I spent my teenage years reading MS. Magazine and various hard-core feminist texts — I once read a book, and this was maybe 1976, in which an abortion is proudly photographed by the father of the child being destroyed. I often notice today some shock at videos of this sort, but it was happening from the get-go. The account of a sort of para-liturgy amongst these gals did not surprise me, but I have no corroboration for Millet’s memory. It’s always good to be a little skeptical, perhaps.
Becky says
I can’t speak to what was happening in the 60s and 70s but I can say that I find it frustrating that the knee jerk assumption from women of my mother’s generation is that every girl was discouraged from pursuing the maths and sciences. In fact, only last week, a woman of slightly before my mother’s generation told me she had been an engineer. I told her that I didn’t think I could ever see myself doing that. She immediately stated (didn’t even ask), “Oh, because they told you girls couldn’t do math.” To while I replied, “No, I’m dyslexic. I can’t think of anything that would have made me more miserable.”
Becky says
To “which,” not “while.
Kristi says
Thanks for the additional insights, Auntie Leila. Wise words as usual. 🙂 This reminds me of a book I recently heard of that I think was on a related subject, I think it’s called “Subversion.” (This isn’t a plug for the book as I haven’t actually read it yet!) Anyway, many thoughts on this, but will stop there so I don’t hijack the comments section. 😉