2008 January archive at Cornell Society for a Good Time

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Archive for January, 2008

Can the Stork Method be immoral?

I’ve had a question concerning Natural Family Planning rattling around in my head for awhile, and a conversation I had today with a non-Catholic persuaded me to finally post it. It’s always a little dangerous getting into these controversial waters, but this is an angle of the topic that we’ve never discussed before, and indeed, I haven’t found much discussion of it anywhere. So I thought I might as well open a thread.

To begin, I should define the ‘Stork Method’ for those readers who haven’t been following all our blog discussions since the winter of ‘05. It is a term coined here at the Cornell Society for a Good Time for a method of family planning that involves, basically, learning nothing about fertility, engaging in marital relations as circumstance and personal whim dictate, and accepting whatever children happen to be conceived thereby. It is recommended by certain members of our Society as the most virtuous means of building a family. Not knowing exactly their mind on the subject I cannot promise to accurately summarize their reasons for endorsing the Stork Method; certainly one interest is to shun utterly any possibility of using NFP as a means of pregnancy avoidance without sufficiently grave reasons. I think, though, that the idea may go deeper than this, and entail a rejection of the idea of ‘family planning’ generally. Proponents of this plan like the idea that children come in God’s time and not ours. They are affronted by the idea that they themselves should assume control over such a sacred event as conception (which does, after all, bring a new soul into existence.) Thus, the Stork Method endeavors to leave the matter in God’s hands.

Published by Clara January 31st, 2008 47 Comments

Bad news: Dueling not allowed

Over the past few days I have been leisurely perusing the writings of Pope Leo XIII. I do this partly out of general interest; I seem to hear his name thrown around quite often by liberal Catholics wishing to enlist his support for various liberal causes, and I would like to be able to respond intelligently to those claims. Also, I intend to write a post, perhaps later this week, responding to Vicki’s claim (which I still think erroneous) that Ron Paul is the rightful intellectual successor of Pope Leo. I always hesitate to charge into thorny questions of economics and political theory, mainly because they are so devilishly complicated, and my education (which has primarily been philosophical) hasn’t equipped me to discuss such things with much sophistication. Nonetheless, discuss them I shall, in a forthcoming post which shall also reopen the question of Dr. Paul and his fitness for our nation’s highest political office. For today, however, I wish to address an easier topic: dueling.

Published by Clara January 29th, 2008 15 Comments

2008 Summer Symposium: Gardone Riviera

We recently received details about the Roman Forum’s 2008 annual summer symposium in Gardone Riviera, Italy. It will take place June 26th to July 7th. I have the distinct pleasure of saying that I will be able to attend this year for the first time.

These Ruins are Inhabited
Catholic Emergence From the Rubble of Two
“Iron Ages” (The Tenth and Twentieth Centuries)

The great Catholic civilization of the High Middle Ages arose from initiatives developed in the Tenth Century. This was popularly known as an “Age of Iron” and filled with tales of ecclesiastical collapse and social confusion. Can a new Catholic civilization arise from the ideological and social rubble left by the Twentieth Century’s Iron Age? What signs of hope and warning bells must we Twenty-First Century Catholics heed in attempting to “restore all things in Christ”? What does the example of the Tenth Century teach us in our efforts to rebuild Christendom? These are the questions to be addressed by our expanded, European-American faculty in the 2008 Summer Symposium, in a program dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI and offered in gratitude for his motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum. Why not join us for ten days of living, learning and praying in a microcosm of traditional Christendom.

Among others, there will be talks given by the following faculty, clergy, and musicians:
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Published by Iosephus January 27th, 2008 2 Comments

Solemn Candlemas in New York City: Feb. 2

We were sent this announcement by one of our correspondents, who happens to have volunteered his very able services for my and C.S.’s nuptial Mass, and who will likely be serving at the Mass in question:

On February 2, there will be a traditional Solemn Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel in New York City. The church is located at 230 East 90th Street, between 2nd & 3rd Ave.

The traditional blessing of candles will start at 1pm. There will then be a procession inside then church before the beginning of the Solemn Mass.

Fr. Richard Trezza will be the Celebrant, Fr. Matthew Talarico (ICK) will be the Deacon and Fr. James Miara will be the Subdeacon.

All are welcome to attend! And may I say that Candlemas, or the Feast of the Purification, is the end of the Christmas season, and I can think of no better way to close out this holy Season of our Lord’s Birth than by attending such a celebration.

Published by Ambrosius January 25th, 2008 0 Comments

For our fantastically wealthy readers

The Doctor and I were having a conversation the other day about university buildings and the donors who pay for them. As university people ourselves, we’re grateful to those wealthy alums who help ensure that we have adequate facilities for our work. There is, however, one unfortunate thing about the use of donor money for building. The building is generally named for the person who underwrote the building of it, or in some cases for somebody else designated by the donors. Hence, our university buildings tend to bear the random names of wealthy alums, or perhaps friends or relations of theirs. I can’t say it’s unreasonable that a person who gives 20 million dollars to put up a building should get to pick the name. But for good (and wealthy) Catholics, wouldn’t it be nicer to name buildings for saints, or at least illustrious Catholics whose lives we should admire?

Published by Clara January 24th, 2008 2 Comments

Secular Saints

Today is a Federal holiday in the United States — the only one in the American calendar designated in honor of a single individual. That individual, of course, is Martin Luther King, Jr., the most famous black leader to come out of the Civil Rights movement, and the closest thing Americans have to a national hero. Cornell is certainly doing its part to honor King’s memory. Earlier today I received this email from our esteemed president, David J. Skorton:

Published by Clara January 21st, 2008 30 Comments

Feast of St. Agnes

Today is the birthday of a virgin; let us imitate her purity. It is the birthday of a martyr; let us offer ourselves in sacrifice. It is the birthday of Saint Agnes, who is said to have suffered martyrdom at the age of twelve.

The cruelty that did not spare her youth shows all the more clearly the power of faith in finding one so young to bear it witness. There was little or no room in that small body for a wound. Though she could scarcely receive the blow, she could rise superior to it. Girls of her age cannot bear even their parents’ frowns and, pricked by a needle, weep as for a serious wound. Yet she shows no fear of the blood-stained hands of her executioners. She stands undaunted by heavy, clanking chains. She offers her whole body to be put to the sword by fierce soldiers. She is too young to know of death, yet is ready to face it. Dragged against her will to the altars, she stretches out her hands to the Lord in the midst of the flames, making the triumphant sign of Christ the victor on the altars of sacrilege. She puts her neck and hands in iron chains, but no chain can hold fast her tiny limbs.
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Published by Ambrosius January 21st, 2008 2 Comments

Living Liturgy

Many of you will have already read (and if not you can follow the link the Ephemeris at the left) that reports have gone out that the Holy Father will soon be changing the prayer for the conversion of Jews in the Good Friday liturgy. The prayer will not be omitted, and it will still be for the conversion of Jews. But it will probably leave out the reference to “blindness” (and, for any who were wondering, I’m pretty sure it won’t re-insert the adjective “perfidious.”)

Many traditional Catholics are upset about this news, seeing it as a capitulation to the evil forces of liberalism etc etc. They’re looking at it all backwards. In fact, this should be seen as an exciting development. The Holy Father is affirming in the most basic and practical way that the Traditional Latin Mass is a living liturgy. It can gradually change and grow as time and circumstance demands. This is how liturgy has always been. The fact that the Holy Father is taking pains to rewrite one of the prayers is a sign to everyone that this Mass cannot be regarded as a fossil. It is a part of the Church today, living and nourishing her faithful.

Published by Clara January 20th, 2008 3 Comments

A parent’s blessing

For those of you out there who are parents, as I now am, I thought that this was something good to pass along:

THE PARENTAL BLESSING: In an address before the sixteenth annual convention of the National Catholic Conference on Family Life in 1949, the Rt. Rev. Archabbot Ignatius Esser, O.S.B., recalled an incident that was very striking. He said that several years previously there was a headline in our Catholic papers which read, “Bishop Kneels for Mother’s Blessing.” He continued, “It was the Most Reverend F. T. Roch, D.D., Bishop of Tuticurin, India. He met his mother at the railroad station and there, in the presence of a multitude of people, he `knelt before his mother to receive her blessing, and the grand old lady placed her wrinkled hands on the head of her illustrious son and blessed him’.”

Many of our fathers and mothers do not know that they have this privilege. In our times, especially in this country, the custom has fallen into disuse. This is one custom which by all means should be fostered. There should be no difficulty in reintroducing it. Young parents will find that, if the practice is started early in their family life, there will be no trouble in keeping it up. And the parents of older families will surely not refuse to bless their children, even if grown-up, if they ask the blessing of them.

Published by Iosephus January 18th, 2008 6 Comments

Single-Issue Voters

I don’t really want this blog to get too wildly political, especially this early in election season (but then, now is rather a critical time too) but I was about to frame an extensive answer to comments posted by Johnboy on an earlier thread, and I realized that, if we were going to argue about politics, I might as well make it a head post where everybody could see it. It doesn’t make sense to hide a controversial argument on a thread that probably nobody is reading anymore.

The positions stand thus. In my post on Mitt Romney last month, I mentioned in passing that, among the Republican candidates, I am somewhat partial to John McCain, (though certainly not without some reservations.) I would also be tolerably happy with Romney as the GOP candidate. McCain seems more honest and adult to me, but Romney has, among other things, a slightly more attractive position on stem cell research. In any case, I think I would be tolerably satisfied with either one. I would also probably vote for Fred Thompson in a general election, though it doesn’t look as though I’ll get the chance. I will not, under any circumstances, vote for Rudy Giuliani or Ron Paul. I haven’t decided whether or not I would cast a ballot for Mike Huckabee, but I will say right now that I would be seriously displeased if he were chosen as the GOP candidate for the 2008 presidential election.

Published by Clara January 17th, 2008 46 Comments

Thoughts on a Chaldean Confirmation

A very engaging reflection on the Sacrament of Confirmation from our indefatigable reporter in the land of the Turks:

Reflections on Confirmation

Recently I had my four kids, ages 6, 4, 2 and newborn, confirmed in the Chaldean rite by the Chaldean Vicar in Istanbul.

Earlier last year, in a phone conversation with our FSSP priest in the USA, he told me to take advantage of my proximity to eastern rite Catholics and get all of my children confirmed. He said that the age of confirmation in the USA had progressively risen higher and higher, and that children today need the graces of Confirmation at a much younger age.

I didn’t need to think much about it. My priest, whom I trust, gave me advice, and my wife and I started to make plans for the Confirmation.

Fortunately for me making arrangements with the local Chaldean clergy was not a problem. My father was baptized in the Chaldean rite, as was his father, and so on going back at least 500 years. My grandfather was knighted by Pius XII for building a Chaldean church in Cairo. My great-great-uncle, Timothy, was a famous bishop of eastern Turkey. So, the Chaldean vicar in Istanbul welcomed the proposal immediately.

Published by Iosephus January 15th, 2008 19 Comments

Personal Dilemma

I rarely appeal directly to our readers for personal advice, but I’ve been chewing on rather an odd dilemma this evening of a sort that might interest you. So I thought I might put it here and ask for suggestions. Here it is: I sing in a local community choir. It’s one of those choirs that’s organized by the city, and that forms the counterpart to the local symphony, so that we each do certain concerts on our own, and then we join together a few times a year for larger productions involving choir and orchestra. I enjoy it. I haven’t been exactly thrilled with the music selections so far this year, but they’re okay. For the spring we’re supposed to do the Berlioz Requiem together with the symphony, and I’ve never sung that one before, so that’s something fun to look forward to. And anyway, it’s nice to get out of the house and do something on my own one night a week. (The Doctor spends that same evening playing basketball with the Knights of Columbus, so we both get a little recreation.)

Published by Clara January 15th, 2008 3 Comments

Reflections on an Ecumenical Christmas

For a convert, Christmas is necessarily an ecumenical affair. My husband and I illustrated this well this year as we traveled around the country exchanging Christmas greetings with our various relations, among whom there are: lots of Mormons and Pentecostals, an Orthodox, an atheist, lapsed Lutherans and Baptists, and two members of the “I AM” faith, as well as a few odd individuals who would probably check “undecided” if asked on a survey to identify their faith. Among this crew there is also one (somewhat lapsed) Catholic, though unfortunately we didn’t get to see him this year. God bless America.

Published by Clara January 11th, 2008 5 Comments

A Helpful Suggestion

Some of you may already have seen this, but I wanted to say something about this story about the difficulties of getting divorced after “marrying” someone of your own sex. Such a pretty pickle it is, too! Most of you probably see the problem already, but for those who don’t I’ll sum it up in a nutshell. Under the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, individual states are permitted to legalize same-sex marriage, but other states are not required to recognize these same-sex marriages. The result of this, obviously, is a class of people who are legally married in some states but not in others, and this makes for all kinds of legal messes, as for example when the couples in question want to divorce. A state that doesn’t allow same-sex marriage will naturally have no provisions for same-sex divorce. This really turns into a nightmare when it comes to tax returns, not to mention custody arrangements for children, many of whom have been co-adopted by both homosexual partners. And, for an even more colorful problem, I would ask: what happens when a person who couldn’t get out of a same-sex “marriage” wants to legally enter into a heterosexual marriage in a state that didn’t recognize their same-sex marriage in the first place? Will he then be legally married to different people in different states? Does that make him a bigamist?

The article ends with this paragraph:

Published by Clara January 9th, 2008 4 Comments

Cherubim on the Loose

Home at last! And there are a number of posts I’m hoping to write, but first I wanted to throw out this little oddity that the Doctor and I were discussing this afternoon, relating to cherubim. As I understand it, the cherubim belong to the highest choir of angels, and are supposed to be the chariot-bearers of God. The name itself, I believe, signifies “ones who are close to God” or something to that effect, indicating that cherubim can be personal attendants of various kinds, or can merely stand near the Almighty singing Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus. But it would be quite surprising to find them removed from the presence of God, even for some holy purpose.

Why is it, then, that God sets cherubim with a flaming sword, to guard the garden of Eden and prevent mankind from re-entering there? Archangels would seem more fitted to the task, they being the ones normally engaged to perform various jobs on God’s behalf. The only thing I can think of is that cherubim might be seen as appropriate bodyguards for the Most Holy, as we see from the way they are depicted on the Veil of the Tabernacle, on the panelling of the Temple, and on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant. So, the cherubim not only stand in God’s presence, they also guard the holy places so that unworthy mortals cannot enter therein. In each of the above cases, however, a thing of great supernatural significance was contained inside the thing that was guarded. Eden, by contrast, was to my understanding a place of great natural goodness (though perhaps the tree of life is an exception, thus explaining the presence of the cherubim?)

Published by Clara January 8th, 2008 6 Comments