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Presented as a paper at the annual conference of the C.S. Lewis and the Inklings Society: Extending Lewis’ thoughts about the development of epic form (in Preface to Paradise Lost) into his own Space Trilogy – the form of epic in the shadow of the Cross.
A public lecture for Signs of Life bookstore in Lawrence, KS: An introduction to the life and works of Dorothy Sayers.
For the Midwest Regional C.S. Lewis Association Conference: Life Lessons from Lewis’ Preface to Paradise Lost.
Given as pre- and post-reading workshops for several different book study groups: the original Cupid & Psyche myth, recurring themes , difficulties, the Incarnation as the end of myth, the context of the book within C. S. Lewis’ own life and spiritual growth.
I have discussed different aspects of this work with parent educators, spiritual seekers, the Catholic Creatives Salon, and as a book study overview. It is a rich source of insight into the life of the artist, of the human person, and into literature’s capacity to be a vessel for truth.
Poetic Reading is not just reading poetry! Poetic Reading cultivates the wholeness of the reader, because it engages her whole being. It is, first of all, ordered to leisure, to freedom, to the context rather than the content of reading. Poetry, intellect, delight, sensory experience – I help readers develop an integrated approach to all different kinds of reading material.
An overview of the book, and its implications for those who would love God with whole minds.
Presented to the Catholic Creatives Salon: An overview of the work, with key excerpts for reflection and discussion.
I love it when book groups adopt my own book for discussion! I thoroughly enjoy presenting it in various formats, tailoring it to the needs and ages and interests of each group. Some study group participants are following as I give my own answers to all the SAR Study Guide Questions at soulsatleisure.com. That site should be helpful to group leaders preparing for chapter-by-chapter discussions of Souls at Rest.
A mom is the caretaker of a huge, wonderful, potentially beautiful, critically important place! She, herself, this actual, unique person, is the single most important ‘environment’ in the lives of her children. Like Mary, like the Church, she is an atmosphere. She is an atmosphere of affection. This is not just warm, fuzzy feelings, but […]
I love Dorothy Sayers’ book The Mind of the Maker, and enjoy taking people through it to share her insights into the creative mind of God. She and I are both struck by the strange truth that, though God is (above all things?) a Creator, and we are made in His image, there is not […]
Catholic Artists Conference in Omaha Here’s the abstract from the talk I was scheduled to give (sadly, the conference was cancelled).
The 2016 Dare Something Challenge turned into a book! I hope if you missed the year’s encouragement to dare your something, you’ll check out the extended book version. Blessings to all who dare!
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to the, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast […]
I once asked a friend who calls herself a Jewish-Catholic if it had been hard for her to accept Mary’s role in Salvation History. She laughed and said, “Heck no! Every Sabbath was begun by a Jewish mama’s prayers! I’d have been suspicious if Lord Sabbaoth hadn’t come through a woman.” Jewish women welcomed Sabbath […]
For Groundhog Day, I imagine Catholic bloggers everywhere are weighing in about the movie by that name. It’s so Catholic! How can we resist? I love this movie,
The Catholic Creatives Salon invites you to read the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins together in Season 14. Love, love, love his poetry…can’t wait to share it!
On my living room wall you’ll see the painting, A Drawing In, by Peggy Shopen.
Berlinghieri’s St. Francis appears behind the altar of San Francesco in Pescia, Italy. It is an excellent example of art ordered to divine worship.
Link to the whole talk on YouTube, here.
For Groundhog Day, I imagine Catholic bloggers everywhere are weighing in about the movie by that name. It’s so Catholic! How can we resist? I love this movie,
Since my middle name is Elise (German for Elizabeth), I asked God to help choose from the various Saints Elizabeth an appropriate patroness. As an adult convert, I hadn’t had one chosen for me by my parents, but trusted He would find a way to introduce me to just the right one. I met St. […]
You may not think of yourself (or me!) as ‘an intellectual,’ but you should still read this book! Sertillanges does a great job of proposing intellectual development as a) integral to a Catholic spiritual life, b) within the capacity of most every person, and c) enjoyable. He gives suggestions for life-long learning, self-discipline, balancing study […]
