Marvelous April Areopagus

    Huge thanks go to the Peters family for hosting April’s amazing Areopagus.  As usual, we discussed a myriad of topics, ranging from the Wise Men of the East to a quote from G. K. Chesterton’s Ballad of the White Horse.  For those of you who were unable to make it, some of the questions and concerns we addressed and debated are listed below.

Which St. Michael prayer is right, “St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our safeguard…” or “ St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection…”? If a mother had a baby and it died before it was baptized, would it go to Heaven?

What should you do if your cousin ignores you when you come over by playing video games, internet, etc.?

What was the religion of the Wise Men, and where did they come from?

How should a boyfriend and a girlfriend act towards each other?

Can it be proven, using the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that all direct transgressions of the Ten Commandments constitute the matter of mortal sin?

Can a Greek Orthodox priest or and SSPX priest give Extreme Unction in case of emergency?

If a woman hears that her husband is lost at sea, but she is not sure that he is dead, can she remarry?

When non-Catholics die, will they go to Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell if they lived a good life and do not know about the true Faith?

    The Kray family has offered to host the May Areopagus at their home at 7:00 pm.  The address is 4572 Merrick Drive Dryden, MI 48428.  Please bring your concerns, trivial matters, a light jacket, and a snack to pass.

In Christ,

Lois

Awesome March Areopagus

Salutations Areopagites!

    Thank you Kostiuk family for hosting us in March!  Here are some of the thought-provoking questions that were introduced and discussed by our group as Fr. Ward led us on yet another adventure through the issues and arguments that face us as Catholics.

Is there any value to the practices of the Charismatic Movement?

Does a retired priest have to say daily Mass and read the Breviary?

Is it sinful to do yoga even if you just do it for the exercise and don’t do the spiritual part?

How can one prove to a Protestant that Mary is sinless?

What kind of prayers would be helpful for someone who is discerning his/her state in life?

Is it a sin to make fun of someone’s nose?

If a baby that was just born died, would it go to Heaven?

Is flirting a sin if it is not impure and if you genuinely like the guy/girl?

Is it all right to relax in Lenten penance on Sundays?

What is meant about laughter in the verse “Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep?”  What is the difference between good and bad laughter?  For instance, is it permissible to laugh during movies?

The Peters family has again taken up the torch, and will be hosting the April Areopagus at their house.  Their address is 402 S. 6th Street in St. Clair.  As always, the meeting will begin at 7:00.  Bring your questions, comments, and a snack to share.

In Christ,

Lois Gagnon

Fantastic February Areopagus

Greetings Areopagites,
    We would all like to extend a warm thanks to the Rochon family for hosting the February Areopagus. Fr. Ward started the meeting by reading an excerpt from a book about the life of St. Catherine, and astounded us with her her amazing deeds (don’t try them at home!). After Odysseus-the-Box made his rounds, we began yet another discussion of diverse topics. There were a lot of questions asked, both live and from the box; here are some of them:

Can a priest hear confession over the phone?

How old should someone be to start courting?

What is the rapture, and is it a theory held only by Protestants?

What is the definition of love?

What are the guidelines for modest dress?

When speaking with friends on spiritual matters, what should a Catholic do if his/her mind goes blank?

Why don’t the Chinese have very many children?

Should one celebrate Fat Tuesday by eating a lot of food and going to dances, or by prayer and preparation for Lent?

Are Catholic restaurant owners required to remove meat from the menus on Fridays (especially in Lent) or just provide meatless choices?


The Scourging at the Pillar

The March Areopagus will be hosted by the Kostiuk family. They live at 6503 Sterling Rd. in Yale. The meeting will be at 7:00 pm on the third Friday, which is the 16th. Please come with you questions and concerns. If you know of anyone who might want their email address added to the list, or if you have changed your email address, please let me know. Have a blessed Lent!

In Christ,

Lois Gagnon

Art Credits: http://www.catholicsource.net/rosary/scourging.html

Jovial January

    Thank you Ren family for hosting Areopagus this month’s fantastic meeting! I’m sure everyone had a great time debating the many topics that came up this month. We even found time to celebrate Rachel I’s birthday. Some of the questions that arose this month were:


Why is the Glory Be prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours different from that in the Rosary?

Is it morally right for the FBI to confiscate private property?

Is it acceptable to attend a Christmas party in Advent?



The Holy Family (Claudio Coello)
What should you say to a person who claims that Catholic homeschoolers are “indoctrinated?”

Who are Jehovah's Witnesses, and do they celebrate any holidays?

Is it sinful to watch reality shows like American Idol?

How can you combat laziness?

What prayers should one say while in Adoration?

When is breaking the Fourth Commandment a mortal sin?

    The next Areopagus will be on February 24th, the fourth Friday of the month, at the Rochon residence. The address is 15303 Crescentwood, Eastpointe. There is parking allowed across the street on Crescentwood facing Gratiot (eastbound). I hope many of you will be able to come with your questions and comments; don’t forget to bring a snack to pass.

In Christ,
 
Lois Gagnon
 
Art Credit: http://www.churchyear.net/holyfamily.html

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