Busy July for Areopagites

Ok, superheroes, there's lots going on in the next couple weeks:

1. The Trailblazers retreat, July 10-11.

2. Areopagus at the Rochons, 7pm on July 17. If you don't know where they are or how to get there, please contact Hilary. It might be a long drive for many of you, but it will be worth it! It's been two months - at least for me, I know the Mahers had a fun afternoon in June when I was gone - so there's much to discuss.

3. Bike hike! Everyone is invited, on July 30, for an evening at the Krays. Mr. Kray will take us on a big long bike ride to who knows where. We set out at 2pm - bring water and sun screen! - and when we get back, we'll have a potluck dinner and some rec time for the rest of the evening. I'm rather nutty about biking, so I can't wait!

1. Mahers, Fri. June 12 THEN Rochons, Fri July 17

Wasn't it great seeing the Kray's house without three feet of snow burying it? I'm happy to announce, also, that our team won the soccer game!

For next month, there's no Areopagus, but Mr. Maher invited everyone to his house on Friday, June 12, for a "sports day at the Mahers." I encourage everyone to attend. Then we're back to our philosophical and theological discussions in July, on the third Friday as usual (the 17th). Then we'll meet at the Rochons. If ever you came down Gratiot and saw the cow on the roof, they live right around there. The Kots are in August (Just after our Trailblazers pilgrimage), and then we'll start a new year.

The questions at the Krays were:

1. I read that it is Church law to deny Christian burial to those who knowingly and deliberately commit suicide. At what point do priests discern that state of mind?

2. Can you talk about the Head of Homeland Security’s recent comments that retired war veterans, pro-life advocates, etc. must be considered possible terrorist threats?

3. I heard the Vatican was discussing the topic of multiple universes. Do you know anything about that?

4. What is freedom?

5. Are there different or new Holy Days of Obligation the Tridentine rite of the Mass?
What is the best way to explain what a scapular and its purpose is?

May 15 at the Krays

We'll meet at the Krays on May 15. Weather permitting, we'll have a soccer game starting at 5pm.

A cordial "Thank You!" to the Simpsons for our April Areopagus. We have one more left of this school year, and we'll meet at the Krays. I have never seen their home, unless it was under three feet or so of snow! In June, we won't meet, but some families have been talking of a meeting anyway. In July, the Rochons will host us for an outdoor event, and the Kot family has offered another outdoor Areopagus in August.

April's questions were:
1. What do you do with scapulars and rosaries that are broken or worn out? I know that we can't throw them out; should we burn them?
2. What are your thoughts on Little Persons in the circus? (Intelligence sources identify Henry behind this question... a question, may I add, right up there with "Why does Hilary love turtles?")
3. Can you have more graces by having a Tridentine Wedding?
4. If a girl sees a guy touching some of her girl friends in a way that isn't particularly impure, but is unecessary and shouldn't be done, what should she do? Tell him to stop? Pull his hands away? Tell the girls parents? Do nothing because the friend should handle it on her own, even if she doesn't know what she should do?
5. What are the conditions for breaking your Lenten promises? Can you say a rosary to make up for it?
6. What do you think the world would be like if Jesus did not die for us? Would we be able to practice our Faith as freely?
7. If all venial sins are forgiven at communion, why do people go to confession after receiving communion at Mass? (assuming no sacrilege was committed)
8. Is it wrong to lie to someone if you are saving their feelings from being hurt?
9. My mom said that taking too much time dwelling on our appearances is vanity which is sin. For instance: taking too much time fixing our hair, painting fingernails, being concerned about our clothing not being an "in" brand or designer... Is she right? Would people who don't wear makeup, or aren't concerned about appearances be maybe holier? I don't remember anything about saints taking time for such things, what is your opinion?

These were great questions, and many more await us on May 15. We're planning a soccer game at 5pm, to wind us up for the discussion session.

So, on May 15th, the Krays' house: (810) 796-4049; Their address is: 4572 Merrick Dr., Dryden, MI, 48428. (Click here for a Google Map)

The Simpsons on April 17

The Rens hosted a great Areopagus for us, for which we are all very grateful. Not far from them, the Simpsons will host us on April 17. Only two more "units" of Ben Stein's Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed remain, both shorter than our previous clips. The address of the Simpsons: 16040 Pytleski Drive, Allenton, MI 48002.

The questions for March were these, even though many still remain in the box:

• What was your childhood nickname? (...ahem... I dodged that one...)
• What is the difference between courting and dating?
• Why are matrimony and Holy Orders sacraments, yet it is not a sacrament to become a nun?
• When there is matter of sin, by which I mean a person does a wrong thing but is not mindful of it (for example, it was a Friday in Lent, he forgot and ate meat, or again, he forgot it was a holy day and missed Mass), is it venial? Does it need confessing?
• How do I explain to friends that certain books, such as the Twilight series, are wrong from a moral standpoint? I am able to explain why they are not good from a literary standpoint, but they write off the moral issues of the books saying that it is okay, since they are just entertainment. What should I do?
• What does the Catholic Church say about getting a Facebook account even if your mom does not trust Facebook?

Image: The Wedding of Joseph and Mary, Giotto di Bondone (c. 1267 – January 8, 1337), in the Capella degli Scrovegni.

Last time's questions

Albeit a bit late, here are the questions from February. For the March 20th, 2009 session, see the last post, below.

1. If a husband and wife decide to have more kids, then the wife becomes pregnant and has an abortion and never tells the husband anything... is that reason for an annulment?
2. Does God love the people in Hell?
3. Did Jesus have a guardian angel?
4. Why/How would we recognize God as THE creator if we can now "create" (clone) humans? [How would we argue with somebody who says this]
5. I have heard that the birthday of the Church is on Pentecost, and also at Calvary. Which is the actual birth of the Church?
6. Where does abortion stand in regards to the just war?
7. A friend told me that a friend told him... that confession is only valid in a confessional. Is there any truth to this?
8. We know that God is omnipresent. Thus we know for sure that we are always present to God. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I am in your midst"?
And Hilary's personal favorite:
9. How do you embalm a dead body? Ew.

Silly me, it's not the "Wrens" (that's the bird!) but the REN's!

We're up for another in-depth evening on our "third Friday" at the Rens. Be there: Friday, March 20, 7pm. The address is 15824 Hough Rd., Allenton, MI 48002. For questions and whatnot, contact Hilary. I found some fascinating stuff to contribute to our study of the question of evolution! I can't wait to share it. Blessings!

Next meeting: March 20, the Rens

Thanks again to the Pilarskis for another great session of Q&A, Mr. Stein, and good munchies. We'll meet at the Ren's on Friday, March 20, at 7pm. Come back later to get the update on their address and how to get there, or just contact Hilary to get direction. I'll be on retreat soon, so you won't find new posts for a few days. Have a holy Lent!