feminine-genius

DVD available

A recent hour-long episode of Living His Life Abundantly has been made available online. It is airing this week, though you need to find it on the ewtn schedule in your area. I enjoyed the conversation, despite my serious face. Always trying to keep up (mentally) when age is offering a serious "push-back" I simply had to focus in order not to lose track.

Heading out

Date: May 3, 2008
Celebrating the Dignity And Vocation Of Women: A Day of Reflection

Location: Cardinal Keeler Conference Center, Harrisburgh, PA
Sponsor: Diocese of Harrisburg
Details: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Celebrant and homelist; Helen Alvare and Genevieve Kineke presenting.

Any good souls with the time to comment on an essential topic, please help out Amy here.

Rome presentation

The text of the talk that I gave in Rome with Dale O'Leary is on the Vatican site here. We had a discussion afterwards, which touched on these topics:

• We must continue to engage the public square
• We must be aware of addiction to technology
• We must allow room for the Holy Spirit to work through catechesis
• Do not  be afraid to parent -- we don't need so many professionals
• We must be aware of our tendency to worship youth
• There is a tendency to look for "guru" on a variety of topics
• Most people engage their children in too many activities
• Parenthood is no longer seen as natural, but a choice
• We have to have a better sense of our time constraints
• We must teach children to pray; we are called to evangelise them
• We must focus on education in virtue
• We all must commit to evangelisation, and influence the media when possible

Then we came up with the following priorities for all women (especially those feeling overwhelmed with the disintegration of the family and the degradation of the culture):

• Read to your children, engage in eye-contact as much as possible
• Exploit-proof our children -- which is different than just sheltering them
• Focus on how abortion truncates motherhood
• Be the voice of moral interject (Helen Alvare explained this as the "motherly voice" in a child's head that he carries always, that exacerbates the guilt about bad choices. Heh.)

Other presentations are assembled here. Enjoy!

Heading south

Am headed to EWTN to tape a show. Will post date of its airing as soon as I know. Mulieris Digntitatem, of course! Have you put together your plan to honour the document?

Alert

Will be on AveMaria Radio shortly (9:30-10am segment) with Teresa Tomeo. Segment here (second half). The article she references on Catholic Exchange is here.

And remember, it's never to late to start studying The Document!

Heading out

I'll be leaving for Rome in a few days to participate in this program. (I'm offering a paper on Saturday, after papal audience that morning -- yay!) The Pontifical Council for the Laity (the sponsor) offers this explanation:

It is an established fact that, twenty years after Mulieris dignitatem, the language and contents of the magisterium of John Paul II have not only been assimilated but they have also generated a perspective of renewed appreciation of women and a keener awareness of the importance of reciprocity between men and women. John Paul II laid the foundation for a new feminism and his reflection has brought a breath of fresh air to a culture often hurt by antagonistic tendencies in the man-woman relationship, a theme that was later developed in the Letter to the bishops of the Catholic Church on the collaboration of men and women in the Church and in the world published in 2004 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The bright side is that much of the Church has assimilated the thought of JP2; the darker side is that the secular world seems farther from that beautiful truth than ever. I look forward to this tremendous gift -- meeting so many lovely women from around the world, hearing the presentations, and praying together for a renewed femininity as we depart and bring the message home. Prayers appreciated -- we are integral to the New Evangelisation, not by our doing but simply Being Women.

[Btw, I have a piece in the February issue of Catholic World Report.]

Welcome to pod-ville

Lisa Hendey of Catholic Moms graciously took the time to interview me on this week's segment of Catholic Moments. Thirty-five minutes of interesting stuff--definitely a medium to keep track of. Conversation with yours truly begins a little after half way.

Radio visit and an article

For those interesting in hearing a little more about the anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem (c'mon, you know you want to!) I'll be talking with EWTN-Radio's Teresa Tomeo on Wednesday, the Feast of the Assumption, at 9:45am EST. Please tune in!

Also, an "Edgy" approach to the matter here.

Attn: Boston students

There will be a lovely event called "Women of Worth" this coming Saturday (March 31st) at Boston University, details here. I will be presenting with the amazing Sister Olga of the Eucharist, who has a remarkable personal story and an dynamic apostolate at the Boston University Newman Centre. [Dom has more on her here!]

UPDATE: for those who say the details are not clear, the event runs from 9am to 6pm, Mass and lunch are included, and all women are welcome (though it will be geared primarily to students -- both undergraduate and graduate). Application and contact info here.

Ferrago

I just found out that an interview I had with Renee LaReau has been posted online here. It revolved around the question, "did I consider myself a feminist?" You'll find some other recognisable names therein, and I think she did a nice job.

I'll be on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 next Wednesday (5:20pm) to talk to this fellow. Looks kind of nutty, but should be fun.

This weekend I'll be in Denver. Email me for details if you're in the area.