Summer School and Summer Holidays

I spent the day at Ardingly College, an independent school in the rolling Sussex countryside, not too far from Gatwick. Notable old Ardinians include Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye. Anyway this week it is the home of the St Catherine's Trust Summer School, which aims 'to support Catholic families in the education of their children in the Catholic Faith. In an educational environment increasingly hostile to the Faith, both home-schooled and conventionally educated Catholic children can benefit from a week’s genuinely Catholic school environment. Focusing on the humanities, students have an opportunity to reflect on our great Catholic heritage of literature and art, on the role of the Church in history, and on Catholic philosophy.'

Each day includes EF Mass, rosary, chant/polyphony classes and sung compline. I was invited to give my usual talk on the English Cardinals, which I enjoyed doing despite the miserable heat. I was very encouraged by the 55 (or so) children who are attending the course and by the professional way it is organised - parents are encouraged to look at the website and consider sending their teenagers next year!

Tomorrow I'm off to Lombardy and the Italian Lakes for a few nights, followed by some time at home with my parents - so no posts for a while.