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Celebrating art and spirit at St. Jerome's The First Annual St. Jerome's Festival of Art and Spirit will present a tapestry of music, words, images, and dance on July 4 and 5. "It all began rather simply," says Michael W. Higgins, St. Jerome's President. Last year, at the opening of the new St. Jerome's University Art Gallery, Higgins commented that most people experience the transcendent "not by means of reading an academic text, poring over a theological disquisition, or even listening with focused attention to an inspiring homily or sermon," but through art music, painting, sculpture, fiction and poetry, and dance. To which Chancellor Richard Gwyn replied that St. Jerome's should do more than just talk about the relationship of spirituality and creativity. "A year later," Higgins concludes, "here we are in the festival business." Everyone is welcome, says organizer Danine Farquharson, a professor of English at St. Jerome's. "Anyone interested in art and in creativity should find something to whet their appetite at our festival." The gala opening on the evening of Friday, July 4 features a multimedia performance by Kevin Burns, entitled Some Mystery Must Remain. Burns explores the links between musical creativity and spirituality with short scenes by Canadian writers Tomson Highway and Timothy Findley, writings on creativity and purpose by mystic Thomas Merton and conductor Leonard Bernstein, a riff on the Temptation of St. Anthony (for Flaubert and Freud a central metaphor for the artist, an isolated person fighting his demons in a cave), and an anthology of quotations and excerpts from the works of contemporary composers such as Arvo Part, John Tavener, and Keith Jarrett, as well as live music by Toronto songwriter John Dawson. The main events on Saturday, July 5 are two sessions of readings by Canadian novelists, short story writers, and poets: Dennis Bock, author of The Ash Garden; Erin Noteboom Bow, Ghost Maps--in press; Pier Giorgio DiCicco, We Are the Light Turning; Anne Michaels, Fugitive Pieces; KD Miller, Holy Writ; John S. Porter, Spirit Book Word; Gloria Sawai, A Song for Nettie Johnson; and David Waltner-Toews, The Fat Lady Struck Dumb. Readings are followed by conversations hosted by KD Miller and John S. Porter. The afternoon concludes with a discussion on creativity and spirituality led by CBC Radio host Michael Enright. Other events include a special screening of Saint Monica, with director Terrance Odette present to answer questions, a performance by Carousel Dance Theatre, and a closing performance by the Halifax-based contemplative jazz trio Sanctuary, led by Peter Togni. An exhibit of art from the Peter Warrian and Margret Hovanec Collection, St. Jerome's Art Gallery, and a book fair sponsored by Words Worth Books will run throughout the festival. L For more information, visit www.sju.ca/events/festival.html St. Jerome's University SJU News Patrick Flynn, BA '68, a member of the Board of Governors of St. Jerome's, was appointed to the bench of the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice in October 2002. He has practiced law in Kitchener since 1980. • In January Doug Letson, English, was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, for his outstanding record as a volunteer in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, including his advocacy for the Walter Bean Trail. He was one of 15 people locally and 40,000 across Canada who were recognized for distinguished service to their communities with this medal created to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's reign. In addition, three other St. Jerome's people also received Golden Jubilee Medals either by virtue of being in the Order of Canada (Chancellor Richard Gwyn) or by virtue of their leadership positions (Deborah Pecoskie, Chair of the Board of Governors, and Michael W. Higgins, President and Vice-Chancellor). • A history of the Roman Catholic Church in Bermuda by James Wahl, C.R., History, was published by the Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda, marking the 50th anniversary of the Congregation of the Resurrection's undertaking the pastoral care of the Bermuda church. Planting the Banner of Christ on the Isle of Devils (the title refers to an early belief that Bermuda was an abode of demons) covers the Catholic history of the island over the last 450 years. Wahl plans a book on the history of the Ontario-Kentucky Province of the Congregation for 2007. • A book series for the Culture PLANTING THE THE ISLE of DEVILS The History of the Roman Catholic Church in Bermuda