A New Year With New Questions

Thank you to the Kucels for hosting a wonderful talk last night; it was a great way to usher in the New Year!

A little recap of the evening:
-What is trust?
-What is your position on drinking?
-Are the Harry Potter books sinful to read?
-Is hypnosis a sin?
-Why is it that when we make the Sign of the Cross we go from left to right?
-What does it mean if you are Lutheran?
-Why do we pay money to light a candle at church? Are we paying for the donation of the candle? Or for the prayer intention?
-How does one handle a sister who is slowly leaving the Church and is rebellious to what people tell her?
-How do you explain the Immaculate Conception and deep devotion to a Christian that believes we are worshiping Mary as a God?
-Mark 15:32 says that both two criminals beside Christ during the crucifixion reviled Him, as well as in the book of Matthew. But in Luke 23:39-43 it says one criminal reviled Christ while the other one rebuked that criminal.
-Is it sinful to "bootleg" music? People justify it by saying , "it's sharing, not stealing."

The next order of business is our upcoming meeting. Father is going on a spiritual retreat for awhile, and has informed me we will be meeting in March next time. So, we're looking for a host for the 18th of March most likely. Please contact me if you're interested!

Photo Credit: Immaculate of Soult by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.
Through her Immaculate Conception, Our Lady was the perfect vessel who brought our Lord and Savior into the world. Let us pray that  Our Lady will continue to bring great blessings into our new year, and pray that she will continue to bring our Lord to us every day of our lives.

To The Kucel's House We Go

 Once again, just to thank the Pilarskis for the wonderful meeting at their home last month. It was a wonderful way to spend a Blessed Advent day, firing up our Areopagites with fervor for the truth. This month we'll carry that fervor over into the New Year with a meeting on January 14th, at 7:00 on the dot. The Kucel's have generously offered their home to us this time. Come with a snack to share and an abundance of curiosity! Please don't hesitate to contact either the family or myself for directions.

A little recap of that truthful fervor of last month:

- Why must Catholics be married in a church? We have Mass outside; why is this any different?
- Is cloning animals a sin?
- Why did Jesus say such things to Peter, who He just named the visible head of the Church? (Matthew 16:21-23)
- Should everyone study Aristotle?
- Why do some Catholics believe that the Blessed Mother had no labor pains during the birth of Christ? In Revelations 12:2 it seems to explain it does.
- What do you do when your mom or dad makes you mad? They never let you argue with them (and of course, rightly so).
- How do you pronounce "ë" that is found in some Tolkien names? (This question in particular revealed some serious fervor in some of our Areopagites. Catholic symbolism in The Lord of the Rings or the Silmarilion, anyone?)


Photo Credit: Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi (1423)
This month's photo was chosen with the Feast of the Epiphany in mind. The Magi traveled far for the truth; let them be an example to us in our own lives. No matter how long or difficult the journey, let the truth of Jesus Christ guide us safely on our way. Also, I thought it was very relevant considering a certain wise man we all know and love who travels all over Michigan, guiding us in our search for the truth. ;) Here's to our very own Dionysius!

An Advent Areopagus

We thank the Pilarskis for inviting us to their home! If you need directions, please contact Gabby, & she can get you there.

I hope you're in the mood for cake, because word on the street is that it is Carmel's birthday, and someone is bringing a happy-birthday cake! Don't let that discourage you from bringing some other munchies to share...

Art: Giotto (Giotto di Bondone, 1267 - 1337), 1304-06, Nativity: Birth of Christ, Fresco, 200 x 185 cm
Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua, Italy.

Pre-Thankgsiving Philosophy

Well, we got it all figured out: this next Areopagus discussion will be held at the Caputos. Gabby is our new "in charge," but she might not have all of the addresses yet, so if you need an address, you might want to still contact Hilary. Pray for me, so I remember to bring Ulysses the Box. Remember the date and time: Nov. 19, 7pm.


Our last meeting at the Vrazos went very well, and we had these great questions, plus a few oral ones:

• Is it wrong to attend a college or university with a mission and morals that contradict the Catholic Faith?
• How can you tell you are doing what He has called you to do?
• I have a cousin, who I are about very much, who voted for Obama. I was wondering if there was anything I could do to tell him what he did was a sin.
• How did JP II die?
• When someone is criticizing another person or group and being very hostile, what is the best way to correct that person? Even if they are right.
• Does God know our eternal Fate before we are created? If God knew someone would go to Hell, why would He create them?
• Is it okay to go to haunted barns or hayrides for Halloween?

I  will also continue commenting a little about the Pope's letter to the Youth of the World on the occasion of World Youth Day 2011. See you then, and please bring a munchie to pass!

To the Vrazo's

Thanks again to the Peters' for a delightful evening, and some great questions from our young philosophers. (Apologies for going on a bit late...)

The Vrazo's offered their home for next month. You can ask Hilary for an address and directions.

I hope to get the list of last month's questions posted.

Off to St. Clair

On Friday, September 17, we'll all meet in St. Clair: the Peters have offered their home to us, for which we are all very grateful. Don't forget to come with questions, friends and a snack to pass. We'll start punctually at 7pm.
Since everyone is enjoying the otium, or liesure (in it's highest sense) of returning to studies, I figured I'd post a famous image from a piece of Greek pottery of a student with a stylus... very appropriate for intelligent Areopagites!...

The Longhouse

Some of the Areopagites are also Trailblazers. The Trailblazers of 2009 know what a "longhouse" is, namely, the communal living quarters of the Hurons. Why would they know such a strange piece of trivia? Because our last pilgrimage was to the Shrine of the Jesuit Martyrs in Midland Ontario. The Jesuits converted the first native North American Indians to the One True Faith... and eight of them paid for it with their lives. These martyrs dwelt in the longhouses with the Hurons, while they explained to them the faith.

Well, it's my hope that the Areopagus' visit to the house of the Long Family ("Longhouse") on Friday, August 20th, will be an opportunity for growth in the faith and the building of saints. I also hope no one treats me like the Hurons eventually treated poor St. Jean de Brebeauf!!!!! If you need directions, like always, contact Hilary, who's doing a great job keeping us all networked while we plan our monthly meetings.

I can't wait! See you then!