When times grow very dark and dreary, false prophets approach and dazzle us with words and ideas.  Sometimes we believe their messages because of the manner in which they are delivered and presented or because of the personality of those who delivered them.  Sometimes we believe the false prophets because they know how to describe our own problems.  However, describing the problem should not dazzle us; finding the solution, the correct solution, ought to do so. 

"Progress should mean that we are always changing the world
to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision."

There was one prophet, a long time ago, who stood against all of the false prophets.  He did dazzle people; but not because he could diagnose the problem, which he always did, but because he found the right solution, the common sense solution, when others sought only the practical or convenient answer.  His search for common and just solutions to the ills of the world led him to find the ultimate solution in the Catholic Church.  And this man, who loomed large in life and literature, had the name of G.K. Chesterton. 

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting;
it has been found difficult and left untried."

It may be that he lived long ago (b.1874-d.1936), but all of his work is as timely as ever.  G.K. Chesterton’s writings spoke to issues of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, but they get to points of the challenges that face us a century later. 

"The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues
has today all the exhilaration of a vice."

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If you are searching for God, a good quote, or maybe an answer to a question posed by one of you skeptical friends, try G.K. Chesterton.  He says:  “If you think wrong, you go wrong.” In other words, conform your mind to God, and the rest will seem much clearer.  So, please, join us in our efforts to think clearly. 
 

“And at night we win to the ancient inn       Where the child in the frost is furled, We follow the feet where all souls meet       At the inn at the end of the world.”                         From “A Child of the Snows”                                      --G.K. Chesterton

NEWS FOR ALL MEMBERS:

For the ’09-’10 SY, here is the revised mission statement of the Society:

                                     MISSION_STATEMENT.

**THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE FIRST MEETING**

The date for our next meeting will soon be decided, BUT:

Send any suggestions that you may have for the next meeting's discussion.

IN THE NEWS AS WELL...

A Journey of Some Sort to Chesterton Square
in Ponchatoula, Louisiana
14 October 2009

This is a meeting hall that was constucted by Dr. Robert Benson,
a resident of the town. It is utilized for several events
such as weddings, conferences, and receptions.

Many thanks to Dr. Benson, a fellow Chestertonian!!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRAVEL TO PONCHATOULA
TO VISIT CHESTERTON SQUARE, EMAIL THE
NEW ORLEANS CHESTERTON SOCIETY

   ALSO!!!  INDEPENDENT STUDY

 LOOK UP CHESTERTON ON YOUR OWN, TALK WITH PEOPLE UNFAMILIAR WITH CHESTERTON AND TRY TO GIVE THEM
A FEEL OF HIS PHILOSOPHY, FIND SOME GOOD QUOTES
THAT YOU LIKE WHICH RELATE TO A CURRENT EVENT.

*****STUDY THE APOSTLE OF COMMON SENSE****