Casagrande Interfaith Institute 2012

The 13th annual Casagrande Interfaith Institute, held October 26-28, 2012, focused on "Martyrdom: Why Some Die."  In the group photo are presenters Sister Judith Clemens, SND de Namur, Mahmoud Ayoub, PhD, and Prof. Yehezkel Landau with Sister Rosemarie Greco, DW.

Bramble and Bramble : Remnants, Glyphs, and Palimpsests

In late September, we opened a new exhibit in the Marie Louise Trichet Gallery of the works of Pamela and Frank Bramble. Here are some photos of the exhibit, artists' talk, and reception. 

Excerpts from the video of the artists' talk can be accessed at http://www.bzmedia.bz/wisdom_house.htm and also the Arts page http://www.litchfield.bz/arts/.  Our gratitude to Doug Parker, editor of Litchfield.bz, for filming the video.

Exploring Catholic Culture: Vatican II - An Unexpected Revolution

 

 

This year's Exploring Catholic Culture program zeroed in on the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of Vatican II.  Input concerning the history of the Council, the new role the laity was to play in the life of the Church, and the pastoral implications for Church leadership at that juncture in our history were some of the themes addressed by presenters, Maureen Sullivan OP, Paul Lakeland, and Bishop Peter Rosazza. The engaging conversation engendered between presenters and attendees at the conference was stimulating and encouraging.

Wisdom Award 2012

This year Wisdom House honored Robert and Jeanne Fitzgerald of Litchfield as Community Visionaries and Brian Mattiello of Torrington as a Servant of the Common Good.

View some photos of the preparation and celebration of this year's Wisdom Award evening.

 

 

50th Anniversary of Vatican Council II

Fifty years ago on October 11, 1962, the then-Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council, an ecumenical gathering of Catholic bishops, observers from a cross section of other Christian religions, and laity from around the globe. It was to be a gathering asking input on the lives and faith of Catholic Christians in order to update the Church.

It was a landmark experience for the Catholic Church in the 20th Century whose vibrations we are still feeling today! The following is an excerpt from the Opening Message to all gathered: 

"Coming together in unity from every nation under the sun, we carry in our hearts the hardships, the bodily and mental distress, the sorrows, the longings, and hopes of all the peoples entrusted to us... Let our concern focus on those who are poor and weak - weighed down with hunger, misery, and lack of knowledge. We want to fix a steady gaze on those who still lack the opportune help to achieve a way of life worthy of human beings."

 

The Peanut Pumpkin

This light colored winter squash is covered with warts that look like peanuts. These were first grown in 1883 in the Bordeaux region of France and were known as "embroidered warts."  The squash tastes like pumpkin mixed with sweet potato.

 

This and other pumpkins and gourds displayed at Wisdom House are from Hogan's Cider Mill, Rt 4, Burlington, CT.  Owner Theresa Dunlop can give you great explanations!

Visit  www.hoganscidermill.com 

John Dominic Crossan on "The Greatest Prayer"

"Give us this day our daily bread."

During his lectures on  the Lord's Prayer, Crossan noted that this prayer, coming out of a patriarchal society, naturally has Father as the head of the household.  This "Father" is not a "judge" but is the one who cares for the Household.  As such, "Father" is responsible to make sure everyone in the household gets enough and has what is needed to survive.   Basically, the Head of the Household takes care of the good running and good organization of the house so that everyone in it (family household and house of the cosmos) has enough to live.  For more about John Dominic Crossan, visit  www.johndominiccrossan.com.

John Dominic Crossan at Wisdom House

Sisters Rosemarie Greco and Jo-Ann Iannotti are pictured with John Dominic Crossan, one of the foremost historical Jesus scholars of our time, who spoke at Wisdom House on his recent book "The Greatest Prayer: The Lord's Prayer." This seminar, co-sponsored with St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Litchfield, took place on September 21-22, 2012.

Hear Crossan in this video interview: http://youtu.be/JxuR4MemXUI.