Philosophy and Purpose

The Philosophy Of the Wyoming School of Catholic Thought

In a homily Pope John Paul II gave at World Youth Day 2002 in Canada, he told the world's youth "that they must choose between a depersonalized and mechanistic approach to life, which leads toward the 'culture of death,' and a Christian affirmation that begets new life." He then warned them not to be trapped by "the spirit of the world," which "offers many illusions and many parodies of happiness." Specifically, he cautioned them "the greatest deception and the greatest source of unhappiness is the illusion of finding life by excluding God, of finding freedom by excluding moral truths and personal responsibility."

Only true Christian evangelization and the authentic restoration of Catholic culture will defeat the siren call of "the spirit of the world," as our Holy Father has so eloquently stated during his entire pontificate. This restoration can only occur in our country if Catholics throughout our nation are willing to serve as Christian witnesses in bringing the "Good News" to our secular society. But, in order to do this, they must be cultured; that is, well-formed individuals, for how can you give someone what you yourself do not possess, as St. Bernard of Clairvaux reminded us so long ago?

Thus, we have designed a program that is a small but necessary step in the acculturation of Wyoming Catholics, which we hope will bear great fruit in Wyoming and perhaps in our nation at large. The School will be held at the Lion's Club Allen A. Stewart Camp on Casper Mountain. This will enable the participants to experience the beauty of God's nature as they walk around the campus and hike through the mountain woods, which will invigorate both body and soul. The good, even excellent, food they eat will nourish them so they can ponder their shared ideas while engaging in conversations, which will build new friendships.

The faculty will cultivate students' imaginations and intellects by teaching them the great truths of faith and reason, which are so necessary to understand if a true cultural restoration is to take place.

Most importantly, the liturgy, Eucharistic Adoration and prayer will inspirit and nourish participants' souls so they will return to their everyday lives refreshed and filled with the "grandeur of God," as the poet says.