Areopagus during Advent

Greetings,

    The Areopagus during the Advent season was quite successful. I’m sure the Areopagites one and all thank the Kucels for their generosity is hosting the meeting. There was an unexpectedly large number of questions in the box this month, which was wonderful.

Here are some of the questions that were retrieved from the depths of Ulysses-the-Box during the meeting:

When I say my examination of conscience at night, do those sins go away after saying the Act of Contrition if you are sorry?

How do I make my brother become stronger in his faith instead of leaving the Church because his wife is not Catholic and they go to different churches?

Are you supposed to chew the Holy Eucharist when you receive it, or let it dissolve?

What do Catholics who have left the Church need to do to come back? What happens to them if they know the Church is right, but will not “officially” rejoin because of family conflicts?




Why are some Bible passages interpreted literally and some metaphorically?

Is it moral to go on dangerous rides such as roller coasters and extremely high swings?

How vast is the universe? Are there other habitable planets? Is it possible that God created aliens?

Were Indian marriages lawful?

Should Catholics marry someone whose parents are divorced?

How far does a person’s moral obligation go in defending unborn life?

May a person be anointed after death?

Is it bad if a priest always wears lay clothes?

Will Pentecostals, Lutherans, Baptists, etc. go to Heaven? If so, why does it matter what type of Christian you are?

    In January, we will be meeting at the Ren house.  The address is: 15824 Hough Rd. Allenton, MI 48002.  I hope everyone will be able to come!  If you have not been receiving emails from me lately, or you would like your email address to be added to the list, please let me know.

In Christ,

Lois Gagnon

Art Credit: The Nativity, by Gerard van Honthorst, from http://christianityinview.com/

Nifty November

Salutations,


    The November Areopagus was terrific! Thank you again Peters family for hosting us; you did a wonderful job. Fr. Ward opened this month’s meeting by continuing to read from a work by St. Cyprian. As usual, I have listed the questions that were pulled out of the box and discussed after the stimulating opening topic so that those of you who could not make the drive can ponder them at your leisure.



In catechism class, the instructor said that all Creation is good. Does this mean abortion is good?

Is it a sin to steal money from terrorists even if they were going to buy weapons with it?



above: Aristotle

Is early Christian spirituality Platonic? If so, is Christianity authentic, or just mixed up with Greek stuff?

Is it stealing to give your friends copies of music you like on CD’s?

Does God have opinions?

How do you feel about nuns who don’t wear their habits?



   Next month, we will meet at the Kucel’s house. Their address is 14565 Cornell, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. Hopefully everyone will be able to make it. If anyone would like their email address to be added to my list, please let me know. Don’t forget to bring some food for snacking.

In Christ,
 
Lois

photo credit: essentialthinking.wordpress.com

Outstanding October

Fellow Areopagites, philosophers, and sundry,


    We all wish to extend our thanks to the Romstad family for allowing us to convene at their house. Fr. Ward opened the meeting with a few words from a work by St. Cyprian. Then, once again, the Areopagites came, defined, and conquered some of the most confounding conundrums of our day. For those who could not join us, these puzzling questions included:

If your dad has mental issues, and you tend to be violent with him, in what ways can you control your anger?

Is there any way for a Catholic stuck in China to go to Mass?

I’m trying to get my little sister to leave my stuff alone, especially my journal. What commandment is this sin is against?

How could Jesus be of the line of David if Joseph was not His father?



If someone was a Catholic, but later became immersed in another religion such a buddhism, what does he have to do to come back into the Church?

What is a good way to show a parish that they are not following what they are supposed to do, especially regarding the Mass?

What exactly is wrong with “Lord of the Dance” and “Amazing Grace?”

Is it sinful to listen to music with swearing or blasphemy in it even if you skip those parts?

An email said that Olive Garden and other restaurants support Planned Parenthood. Can we still eat at those restaurants?

Is it wrong or immature for girls to go after every new boy that comes along or is that just how a girl is?

Why are psychics and fortunetellers bad?

    The Peters family has generously volunteered to host Areopagus next month. Their address is 402 S. 6th Street in St. Clair.  As always, come with your questions, queries, comments, trivial matters, and good jokes. Don’t forget the snacks!

In Christ,
 
Lois
 
Art Credit: The Holy Family stained glass window from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Wyandotte, MI, from fisheaters.com

Spectacular September

 Greetings Areopagites and friends,

    Our September meeting was fantastic!  It would have been better if more had been able to attend, but there was a reasonably-sized group nonetheless.  We are all extremely grateful to the Manteys for letting us congregate at their house; they deserve special thanks for the delicious caramel apples!  This month, Fr. Ward read part of an English translation of Pope Benedict's homily at World Youth Day.  This excerpt concentrated on faith.  Then, Odysseus the Box having made his rounds, we discussed the burning questions of our times:

Is it a sin to imitate Gideon and other great men by smashing idols, (such as any of the 300,000,000 hindu gods?)

 Is it sinful to insult Muslims and politicians?

Is there moral objectivity when it comes to music - can you draw a line between good and bad?  On the same line - can you do the same with everything?

Should teenagers wear chasitity rings?

When  Pope John Paul II said "I charge you to profess your faith" what does he mean?  Does it mean to go out of your way to quote the Bible to random people?

lastly (and most importantly)
 Did you know that ATM's have braille on the buttons for all those blind drivers?

As usual, we had a great time.



Pope Benedict XVI at World Youth Day in Madrid

    Next month, Areopagus will be held at the Romstad's house.  The address is 249 N. Force Road, Attica Mich 48412.  We will be meeting on the usual 3rd Friday this time, which is the 21st of October.  Remember to invite anyone who you think may be interested in attending the meetings.  Also, if any of you have not been receiving the reminder emails lately, please let me know.  Don't forget the snacks!

In Christ,

Lois



Gideon and his men rout the Midianites

Art credits:
http://zayzay.com/news/pope-in-spain-for-world-youth-day/
http://www.textweek.com/art/gideon.htm

In the Second Week of September

Greetings fellow Areopagites!


The next Areopagus meeting will be held on September 9th, the second Friday of that month. The date was changed from the third Friday to the second Friday because Fr. Ward will be out of town on the 16th, and will thus be unable to assist us in our quest for the truth at that time. The September Areopagus will be held at the Mantey’s home. Their address is:

2834 Oakview Dr.

Dryden, MI 48428

I hope everyone will be able to make it to this meeting. If you have met anyone who is interested in coming to Areopagus or if your email address has been updated, please let me know so I can make the necessary adjustments to my mailing list. See you on the 9th, and don’t forget to bring plenty of snacks!

In Christ,

Lois

Summer Break

Odysseus the box has been found at last!  He was able to join us for the gathering on Fr. Ward's patio yesterday.  HUGE thanks to Fr. Ward for allowing us to meet at the Rectory for this month's Areopagus!  The location of September's meeting is still undetermined, and there will be no Areopagus during August, giving us a short break.
For those of you who weren't there, (physically, or mentally for that matter) Fr. Ward started the evening off by reading the sixth part of a letter from the Pope to the youth of the world, warning of temptations from within ourselves as well as from the world around us.
A short summary of the questions asked yesterday evening:
-What does Gollum represent allegorically, and why did Frodo choose him over Sam in the movie?
-What is eternity, and can it be defined with making reference to time?  Is time a human concept?
-Is is a big deal if you swear as long as you aren't swearing at anyone in particular?
-Can a good angel become bad and turn into a fallen angel?
-What are the conditions for receiving a partial indulgence?
-Is sabotage in wartime acceptable?
-If euthanasia is wrong, then why is it all right to kill someone in prison who has received the death penalty?
-Where do dinosaurs come into creation?
-A catechism teacher said it's not a sin to attend Protestant services.  Is this true, and if so, is it all right to attend SSPX Masses?
-Will people have personality traits in Heaven?
- Is there a personal demon assigned to each of us as described in the Screwtape Letters?
- Why are some of the prayers of the Mass said quietly?

I know I still don't have a complete email list, and I am still wrestling with the addresses I have being bounced.  It would be very helpful if you would tell me if you know of anyone who did not receive an email so I can add them or edit the address I already have.  Thank you!
Great meeting everyone, see you next time!

Lois

Picture credit: http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/giotto/padova/3christ/scenes_1/chris
Web Gallery of Art
Two Archangels1002-19
Gold and precious stones
Musée de Cluny, Paris

Areopagus at the Parish

Our next Areopagus is on July 15, 2011, here at the parish. If the weather cooperates, we can gather on the back patio, which is splendidly arranged right now. Come with munchies, questions, and great topics of conversation so we can grow both as Catholics and Philsoophers.

I lost Ulysses the Box again! Anyone know where he went? To Ithaka, probably...

Special thanks to the Ianuzzi family for the spendid hospitatlity!