On Wednesday evening, September 24, students gathered in the glen behind St. Catherine Hall for the first of Professor Michael Brown’s Fireside Chats.  Prof. Brown began the Fireside Chats some years ago, and they are always well attended by students throughout the grades.

     The evening began as Prof. Brown always starts them-with song and smores for all.  Joseph Long, ‘12, brought his bazooki, an Irish instrument, to lead everyone in favorite songs such as “Wagon Wheel” and “Whiskey in the Jar”     The highlight of the evening was Dr. John Cuddeback, who has been a Fireside Chat speaker several times in the past.  He presented a brief but insightful talk on “The Silence of St. Thomas Aquinas” that many students were captivated by. 
     “Silence has no purpose other than to enable you and me to hear the word of God,” explained Dr. Cuddeback.  “To cultivate silence is literally to cultivate the ability to hear the word of God.” 

     He also discussed the practical application of silence in daily life.  “If we see our day as ordered around the one thing that’s necessary—hearing the word of God—and if the main way that we do that is in prayer, then we simply put prayer first in our day.  Period.  Exclamation point.  End of sentence.” 

     Dr. Cuddeback also challenged the students to consider replacing entertainment with recreation.  “I think you’ll find it’s not a rigorism to say, ‘You don’t need entertainment,’ because often what we’re looking for when we go to entertainment is to fulfill a craving that really is only filled in recreation,” he explained.  “Something like what we’re doing here this evening, other than this talk—meaning singing together, and so forth—is a good example of recreation.  This isn’t entertainment.  It’s rich time together.” 

     After his talk, Dr. Cuddeback fielded questions from the students, and concluded by singing “Eileen Aroon,” the English translation of the beautiful Irish song, “Eibhlín a Riún.”  When asked about the talk, Karina Johnasen, ‘12, declared, “It’s something I’ve really been needing to hear.”  “It was so good.  I want to be holy now,” said Angela Sus, ‘11.

     The Fireside Chats will continue to be held once a month throughout the semester.