In his insightful and now classic book about St Thomas Aquinas, G.K. Chesterton reflects on the cultural and religious importance of saints at certain points or epochs of history. Chesterton calls these heroes of holiness powerful “antidotes” against the moral, intellectual and spiritual diseases of their times. He writes: “Indeed that is why the saint is…
Anna is taking a break from the newsletter this week, so we’re sending through a simple bulletin letting you know what we’re up to. Concerning our recent activities, the first thing to note is that we’ve posted four videos to our YouTube channel. These include Mark’s interviews with Dr Brian Coman and Keith Wheeler, as well as two talks…
The Olympic Games in Paris are teaching us many things. One thing is clear: that the moral, historical and artistic language and symbolism of Europe’s secular elite are clearly incoherent and bankrupt. The notorious “drag supper” tableau on the river Seine has been called out by many, including Bishop Robert Barron, as a sleazy mockery…
It has been so refreshing to spend time with the fresh and nimble-minded young people at the YPAT retreat some weeks ago. It was especially delightful to have some donors and mentors from the earlier Thomas More Centre (TMC). TMC is uniquely blessed with this intergenerational continuity of interest and affection. This week we want…
1. What is Paideia? It was a great honour to be one of the speakers at an engaging colloquium entitled, “Authentic Humanism and the Crisis of Culture”. The day-long event on July 6 took place in the Italian Club in Hobart, and was hosted by Dr David Daintree and his team at The Christopher Dawson Centre…
There is a word, originally of French derivation: élan. That word captures well the people and the atmosphere at this year’s week-long YPAT program, which concluded on Monday, July 1 in Campion College, Sydney. Élan conveys a sense of fresh energy, confident style and a certain flair and competence. The root of the word is related to…
In the New Testament, the Greek word oikia is used to encompass several important social realities. The word can mean dwelling place but it also captures the immediate context of our social belonging; our household along with its cultural and religious matrix. The term reaches back into the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus speaks in Matthew 13:2…
I played an amusing game with the AI (artificial intelligence) search function on my computer yesterday. I asked the ghosts of the ether a bland question: “What is the role of G.K. Chesterton?” About a quarter of a minute later the nifty little digital elves came back with answers which we all know: English novelist,…
I have a vivid and decades-old memory of this day: the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. It is of a plain parish school hall with bare floorboards and hard seats. A whole school of primary children heave to their collective feet, enthusiastically billowing out little flowers of visible breath and anticipation. Despite the…
The month of April and May in Western Australia are important for pro-lifers as this is when the prayer vigils during Lent commence and when abortion was legalised in WA. In keeping with this theme, the Thomas More Centre in Perth decided to focus their youth-based activities on the dignity of the human person. In…