Category Archives: beauty

Improvident but Cheerful: A Defense of the Unplanned Family

Posted on February 18, 2017 by

When Benjamin Bunny grew up he married his cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful…as there was not always quite enough to eat,- Benjamin used to borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother, Peter Rabbit, … Continue reading →

Posted in ad libitum, beauty, Solon, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Open Letter to My Daughter(s)

Posted on January 18, 2017 by

Is there anyone who was not profoundly touched by the flurry of open letters that loving parents wrote to their daughters concerning the recent election of our new president? (for example here and here and here) Ms. Sallie Krawcheck consoles her daughter after the … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, classical education, education, Fine Arts, Grammar, Homer, Liberal Arts, Seven Fine Arts, Uncategorized, Virgil, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Posted on August 30, 2016 by

I have often repeated the words of a wise teacher, who has now passed on from this dusty earth straight to heaven. (nonetheless I will still continue to send prayers up for his soul in grateful memory of the benefits … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, liberal education works, Sacred Music, slavery, summer vacation, Work | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Resurrexit! 2016

Posted on March 29, 2016 by

Happy Easter 2016!  

Posted in beauty, Dinner, Easter, Feasts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by

This morning I attended a simple daily Mass along with 60 students in grades 6-12. Let’s see, that places them somewhere between the ages of 11 and 18. So given that there were only 70 people in the church – … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Do You Actually Participate at Mass?

Posted on March 5, 2016 by

As a parish Music Director, like Garrison Keillor’s Guy Noir Private Eye, I find myself trying to find answers to one of life’s most persistent questions: How can I contribute to that “full, conscious and active participation in the ceremonies” that the fathers … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Glimpsing God’s Grace Off Broadway

Posted on February 26, 2016 by

Last weekend my wife, Stephanie, and I found ourselves sitting in the Manhattan Theater Club on West 55th Street in New York City. Why? Well, to watch John Patrick Shanley’s (of Tony, Academy Award, and Pulitzer Prize fame) latest Off-Broadway hit about … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Fine Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Easter and Beef Wellington.

Posted on April 6, 2015 by

Easter is a red meat celebration. And what food could be more indicative of Christ’s Resurrection from the dark tomb than Beef Wellington – in which a delicious thick succulent tenderloin is hidden inside a beautiful puff pastry phyllo dough … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Dinner, Easter, Feasts | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Easter Brunch – Resurrexit!

Posted on April 5, 2015 by

Happy Easter to all! Easter Brunch 2015! I will let the photos tell the story.

Posted in beauty, breakfast, Easter, Feasts, Fine Arts | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Posted on March 22, 2015 by

I’m not so certain that I want to be king of Scotland anymore.   After reading The Tragedy of Macbeth with my students, I am having a difficult time shaking off a sense that life is meaningless when worldly ambition is the governing … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, classical education, Literature, Seven Fine Arts, Shakespeare | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment