Main Page

From cathwiki.org: The Catholic Encyclopedia and Directory

January 2010

In the afterglow of the Feast of the Epiphany, let us all remember the example of the Wise Men, who used their knowledge to discover the most important things in life and to seek them with all their hearts. This is what led them to the stable in Bethlehem.

We should use our intellect and also our learning (including tools such as the Internet) in the same way: to lead us to the truth. Two thousand years on, wise men everywhere are still seeking, and finding, the Christchild.

Thinking ahead to the summer, because it's in the bleak midwinter that we start already to make plans for the sunnier days, why not make you summer holiday a moment of Epiphany, where heart and soul and intellect are all refreshed and reinvigorated?

Two suggestions, back to back, both in August, in rural France, near Nantes. It's a part of France, called the Vendee, which resisted the revolution, in favour of 'Altar and Throne'. US writer Denis Boyles hosts seminars for would-be writers at his Brouzils Seminars. This year at theTurner-Tripp workshops, prospective creators of childrens' fiction, film or TV can learn how it's done from two expert writers. The experience culminates with a Family Film Festival, held at Chavagnes international College (an international Catholic boarding school for boys.)

Chavagnes is organising, for the second time, a now annual GREAT BOOKS SUMMER PROGRAME (or PROGRAM, if you are from across the Atlantic ...) Under the mentorship of Professor Anthony O'Hear (University of Buckingham, UK), author of The Great Books (published by ISI and Ikon last year) a variety of speakers will speak on the theme Renaissance to Revolution: French literature in an age of change (1500-1800). As well as talks, there will be cultural outings and entertainment to make the experience into a kind literary house party, lasting one week from 16th to 21st August. for more details, visit http://greatbookschavagnes.wordpress.com/

Ferdi McDermott, Cathwiki.org Director.