St. Catherine of Siena Lecture

Today, Monday, April 26th, at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Thomas Hall at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP will present the annual St. Catherine of Siena lecture. Her presentation is entitled, "St Catherine of Siena, Beloved Daughter of the Church". A reception in the hall will be held after the lecture. The presentation is open to all in the community.

UPDATE: CONCERT CANCELED BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER (posted February 5, 2010)

On Friday, February 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., the Catholic University of America (CUA) Chamber Choir and conductor Leo Nestor will perform a free a concert. The concert will take place at St. Paul's Memorial, 1700 University Avenue. (This is across from the Rotunda.)

The concert will include performance of works by Jakob Handl, Monteverdi, Howells, Britten, David Hurd, Gerald Near and other contemporary American composers. The choir is conducted by Dr. Leo Nestor who is the Justine Bayard Ward Professor of Music and Director of the Sacred Music Institute at CUA.

The concert is sponsored by the St. Anselm Institute for Catholic Thought, the UVA McIntire Department of Music, and the Alonzo McDonald Foundation.

For more information, visit the St. Anselm Web site.

The St. Anselm Institute will host a lecture on Thursday, October 22nd at 5:00 p.m. at Minor Hall at the University. The lecture, entitled "The Poetry of Fr. Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ", will be presented by Paul Mariani. Mariani is a professor at Boston College, and an authority on British and American poetry and literature. His latest book is Gerard Manley Hopkins, A Life (Viking, 2008).

This is the second lecture in the 2009-2010 St. Anselm Institute lecture series.

Minor Hall can be found on this map of the grounds.

The St. Anselm Institute will host a lecture on Wednesday, September 30th at 7:00 p.m. at Minor Hall at the University. The lecture, entitled "Holy Icons - Holy Churches", will be presented by Rev. Brendan McAnerney, OP. Fr. McAnerney is a Dominican priest with an additional grant of priestly faculties in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. He is also an artist in the Byzantine tradition, an art historian, and a former director of art galleries.

This is the first lecture in the 2009-2010 St. Anselm Institute lecture series.

Minor Hall can be found on this map of the grounds.

Christendom College is a Catholic College which is just up the road from Charlottesville in Front Royal, Virginia. The school, which was founded over 30 years ago with the motto, "To restore all things in Christ", is a coeducational, liberal arts college committed to faithfulness to the Magisterium of our Church.

During the summer, the college offers several summer programs for high school students and adults.

First, for rising high school seniors, the college offers three sessions (two one week session and one two week session) for the students to experience Christendom. The program includes a mix of academics, devotion, recreation, and social activities in order to give students a taste of life at Christendom College. More information, including a video, can be found on the College's Web site.

Second, the College offers a Latin Immersion Program for high school students. The program gives students the opportunity to quickly progress in their ability to speak and read Latin even without any prior knowledge of Latin. There are two one-week sessions available in July. More information is available on the Christendom Web site.

Finally, for adults, Christendom College offers the 20th Annual Summer Institute. During the Institute, attendees have the opportunity to hear major speakers discuss our Faith and provide practical applications of the Church's teaching to our daily lives. This year's Summer Institute will be held on June 26-27 (Friday evening and all day Saturday).

The Summer Institute has been scheduled to coincide with the conclusion of the Year of St. Paul (June 28, 2008 - June 29, 2009) which Pope Benedict XVI declared last year to honor the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul. Accordingly, the focus of the Summer Institute will be St. Paul and the topic is, "St. Paul: His Spiritual and Scriptural Contributions to the Church." For more information, see the College's Web site.

The St. Anselm Institute will host a lecture on Wednesday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. at Minor Hall at the University. The lecture, entitled "Modern Physics, Ancient Faith", will be presented by Stephen Barr. Mr. Barr is a theoretical particle physicist at the Bartol Research Institute. He is the author of Modern Science, Ancient Faith and an essayist for First Things regarding the philosophy of science and religion. His lecture will focus on clarifying the misunderstandings about the tension between religion and science and how those misunderstandings can be replaced by ways that both can speak to each other.

This is the fourth lecture in this year's St. Anselm Institute lecture series.

Minor Hall can be found on this map of the grounds.

On Wednesday, February 10th at 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas parish will host the annual St. Thomas Aquinas lecture. This year the lecture will be presented by Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P., S.T.M. He will present a lecture entitled, "The Soul You Lose May Be Your Own: Historical Reflections On The Task of the Theologian".

Fr. Thompson is a Dominican priest of the Western Dominican Province. He currently is a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. He is also an editor of a blog on Dominican Liturgy.

The lecture was originally scheduled for January 28, 2009, but was canceled due to inclement weather. For any possible schedule changes due to inclement weather on February 10th, check the St. Thomas Aquinas Web site.

The Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th. The first installment of the 2008-2009 St. Anselm Institute lecture series focuses on this very popular saint.

On Wednesday, October 8th at 5:30 p.m., Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P. and UVa Professor of Religious Studies and History will speak on his latest and most luminous work: "In Search of the Historical St. Francis of Assisi." Fr. Thompson is the author of the widely acclaimed Cities of God: The Religion of the Italian Communes, 1125-1325 (2005), numerous articles on medieval Italian history, and the translator of several important medieval texts, including The Medieval Canon Law of Marriage. The talk is open to the public and will be held at Minor Hall Auditorium at the University of Virginia. Please consult the map for the location.

On Wednesday, March 26th, the St. Anselm Institute will present a lecture entitled The Fall of Constantinople and the Fall of the Twin Towers presented by Lamin Sanneh. The lecture will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Newcomb Hall, Commonwealth Room , on grounds at the University.

Lamin Sanneh is D. Wilis James Professor of Missions and World Christianity at Yale University. He is an editor-at-large of the ecumenical weekly, The Christian Century, and serves on the editorial board of several academic journals. He is the author of over a hundred articles on religious and historical subjects, and of several books, including Piety and Power: Muslims and Christians in West Africa, The Crown and the Turban: Muslims and West African Pluralism, Abolitionists Abroad: American Blacks and the Making of Modern West Africa, Whose Religion is Christianity?: The Gospel Beyond the West, and, most recently Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity.

This is the fourth and final lecture in a series of lectures hosted by the St. Anselm Institute during the 2007-2008 academic year. For more information, about this year's lecture series or the lecture on Wednesday, click here.

For a map of the University, click here.

On Wednesday, February 20th at 8:00 p.m, a lecture will be given by Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The lecture entitled How Can the Dream Survive? will be presented at the University in Room 1020 of McLeod Hall.

Free parking is available next to the building. For more information, contact Diane Baltz at diane.gigantino.baltz@gmail.com.

For more information about Dr. Alveda King and her work, click here.

For a map of the University, click here.

On Wednesday, February 20th, the St. Anselm Institute will present a lecture entitled What Makes Music Sacred? presented by William Mahrt. The lecture will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Monroe Hall, Room 110, on grounds at the University.

William Mahrt is Associate Professor of Music at Stanford University, President of the Church Music Association of America, and editor of Sacred Music. He specializes in the theory and performance of Medieval and Renaissance music and has written on Gregorian chant, Troubadours, Medieval Performance, Machaut, Dufay, Lasso, Dante and English cathedrals.

Professor Mahrt's lecture will be accompanied by a performance by Zephyrus, a local vocal ensemble.

This is the third in a series of lectures to be hosted by the St. Anselm Institute during the 2007-2008 academic year. For more information, about this year's lecture series or the lecture on Wednesday, click here.

For a map of the University, click here.

On Wednesday, January 30th at 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas parish will host a lecture by Fr. Basil Cole, O.P. The topic of his lecture will be "Music and Spirituality: Notes Inspired by St. Thomas Aquinas". There will be a reception following the lecture.

Fr. Cole, formerly a professional jazz pianist, is currently a professor of moral and spiritual theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

The next gathering of the Philosophy Club is Sunday, January 6th at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level. Come share dinner and discussion with others on this intellectual journey. It is highly recommended that everyone reads Plato's "Phaedo" and, if anyone feels inclined to reread, "The Allegory of the Cave" in Book VII (514a-520a) of "The Republic". Both of these can be Googled (or click on the links above).

For more information, contact Matt Starnowski.

The Philosophy Club will meet Sunday, December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level. Please join the interesting discussion which will be based on the question, What is the relationship between language, culture, and reality?

If you need more incentive, here is the warm-up problem:

As a favor I am going to write the truth. Consider it an early Christmas present. Use it to save the world, impress your friends or whatever you like. Here it is:

The statement below this is true.

The claim above this is false.

I guess I answered the question for our next gathering too. Right?

For more information, contact Matt Starnowski.

Father Tom DiLorenzo will lead a Life in the Spirit Seminar on November 30th and December 1st at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. The seminar will begin with the 5:15 p.m. mass on Friday followed by a light soup supper. On Friday eventing, the seminar will conclude at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, the seminar will begin with the 8:30 a.m. mass and end at 4:00 p.m. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. A five dollar donation is suggested in order to cover the cost of the food.

On Wednesday, November 14th, the St. Anselm Institute will present a lecture entitled God and Nature in Natural Law presented by Mark Murphy. The lecture will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Monroe Hall, Room 110, on grounds at the University.

Mark Murphy is Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. His research interests include moral, political, and legal philosophy and the history of early modern philosophy. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and several books, including Natural Law and Practical Rationality, An Essay on Divine Authority, and, most recently, Philosophy of Law. (From the St. Anselm Institute)

This is the second in a series of lectures to be hosted by the St. Anselm Institute during the 2007-2008 academic year. For more information, click here.

For a map of the University, click here.

Our bishop, the Most Reverand Francis DiLorenzo, along with the bishop of Arlington, the Most Reverand Paul Loverde have issued a document entitled Voting as Followers of Christ. The purpose of the document is to highlight the election resources which are available and to instruct the faithful on their obligation to participate by voting from a moral framework which is consistent with the teaching of the Church.

On Tuesday, November 6th, citizens of our Commonwealth will determine all 140 members of the General Assembly. In addition, many elections for local offices will be decided on Tuesday. To assist us in voting as followers of Christ, the two dioceses have provided voting resources. One of these resources is based on a 16 part questionnaire that was provided to all candidates for seats in the General Assembly. The answers from the candidates who responded to the questionnaire are provided in the resources.
Click here for more information.

To find out what your House and Senate districts are, click here.

The Philosophy Club will have its next meeting on Sunday, November 4th at 6:00 p.m. The topic will be How does a Philosopher Search? The suggested readings are Euthyphro and Apology by Plato. Click here for a free copy of both readings. Note, the readings are only suggested; it is not necessary to have read them in order to be able to participate in the discussion.

Pizza and drinks will be provided. For more information, click here to view a flier with a synopsis of the last meeting and more information about the next meeting on Sunday. You can also contact Matt Starnowski for more information.

The prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Francis Arinze, is using the latest technology to spread the Gospel. On the Cardinal Arinze Webcast site, you will find podcasts and videocasts in which the Cardinal teaches the Faith.

A recent article in Zenit described this apostolate.

The Cardinal Arinze Webcast aims to clarify Church teaching. It is produced by the Ohio-based Apostolate for Family Consecration, founded by Jerome Coniker and his wife, Gwen. Gwen's cause for beatification is now being considered.

The site explains: "Just when you'd think the confusion surrounding religion, God or truth is at its highest, we are helped by technology to plug directly into the Vatican where, in a webcast, Cardinal Arinze will tell you just what the Catholic Church really is about and what her true message is on living a joyful and fulfilling life."

Using both podcasting, which is audible, and webcasting, which includes video footage, the 74-year-old cardinal discusses such topics as theology of the body, Benedict XVI's encyclical "Deus Caritas Est," the Second Vatican Council, family, and the liturgy.

This coming weekend, October 12th and 13th, the 12th annual Rosary Congress will be held at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond. This event which is hosted by the Benedictine monks of the abbey will have the theme, "The Renewal of the Family and Religious Life". On Friday, mass will be at 7:00 p.m., and it will be followed by the Rosary and all night adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Saturday will begin with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. followed by guest speakers throughout the morning and afternoon. Mass will be at 11:15 a.m., and at 7:00 p.m., there will be a Eucharistic procession. Admission is free.

Click here for the full schedule. Call (804) 360-2359 or (804) 784-3509 for more information. Call by October 9th for room and meal reservations.

The first meeting of the Philosophy Club will be Sunday, October 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the first floor conference room. The topic for discussion will be Why Philosophy? You are invited to come share your thoughts and insights with others as you ponder this question and discover to what other questions it leads. Pizza will be served; donations to off-set its cost are appreciated. Contact Matt Starnowski for more information.

On Wednesday, September 26th, the St. Anselm Institute will present a lecture entitled The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life presented by Mother Assumpta Long, O.P. The lecture will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Monroe Hall, Room 110, on grounds at the University.

Mother Mary Assumpta Long, O.P. is the Prioress General and one of four founding members of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Community has grown from four to 73 sisters since its foundation ten years ago in February 1997, and presently has sisters teaching in three dioceses. Mother Assumpta holds a S.T.L. in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. She has formerly served as President of the Forum of Major Superiors and has also served on various boards, including the Institute on Religious Life. (From the St. Anselm Institute)

This is the first in a series of lectures to be hosted by the St. Anselm Institute during the 2007-2008 academic year. For more information, click here.

For a map of the University, click here.

This past spring during Lent and Easter, videos by Fr. John Corapi on the Catechism of the Catholic Church were shown as part of Adult Formation. If you enjoyed those videos and would like to see them again or you have heard about them and would like to view them, you might consider the Catholicism 101 group at St. Thomas Aquinas:

CATHOLICISM 101: A study group on the Catechism of the Catholic Church with video presentations by Fr. John Corapi meets selected Saturdays at 10 AM in the Community Room of St Thomas Aquinas Church. The next sessions will be "Virtue and the Reality of Sin" on the 15th of September and "Sin and Human Vocation" on the 6th of October. For info contact sackandpam@comcast.net.

For more information on Fr. John Corapi, visit his Web site by clicking here.

St. Thomas Aquinas is hosting a Catholic Bible Study which traces salvation history from Genesis to Revelation. The study is a 24-week course that uses Jeff Cavins' Bible Timeline course. The study provides the opportunity to learn about Sacred Scripture using video, workbooks, and discussion. Click here to view online information about the materials in the Bible Timeline course.

The Scripture Study will meet Mondays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Community Room. The first session will be on Monday, September 17th.

For more information, contact Charlotte Burns via email at charliefburns@hotmail.com or by phone at (434) 975-1132.