Notes from IHM conference - Laura Berquist, MODG

The IHM Catholic homeschooling conference in Virgina was wonderful again this year! What an effort they put into this finely tuned machine! I was happy to "retreat" there for the entire conference and hope to share notes from many of the speakers. I will first start with Laura Berquist, author of Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum and Mother of Divine Grace Curriculum.

I came in a little late to Laura Berquist's talk but it was similar to the one she gave the year before and connected much to her writings in Teaching Tips & Techniques . (This is a great resources.) Unfortunately, it appears that I did not take many notes for her talk. (I did order all the conference talks on CDs - my husband LOVES them!) However, I did write this quote, "Self-control rewards the one who has it." Berquist was speaking about reading certain classics at times when their message and values are needed by our children. For instance, there is a time and age and personality when SENSE & SENSIBILITY needs to be read.

What also sticks with me was what WAS different in this talk and that was her endorsement of the book, HAYSTACK FULL OF NEEDLES by Alice Gunther , the exceptional blogger of Cottage Blessings.

Mrs. Berquist pined that there wasn't much she'd change about all of her years of homeschooling EXCEPT wishing she had read this book back then. She said it centered around socialization but not in the usual ways, it discussed new ideas and offered much reflection. She spoke about this book not just off-handedly but for awhile, really recommending it.

She was her kind, adorable self, trying (but not succeeding) to end her talk without choking back tears, working her table at Emmanuel Books and talking to people. She went to hear Father Fessio of Ignatius Press speak on the Latin Mass and Our Pope's writings to encourage it, the Moto Proprio and Spirit of The Liturgy from when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. She remained afterwards in a line to speak to him personally. I understand her alma mater and the college her husband is affiliated with, Thomas Aquinas College in California (TAC) now offers a DAILY Tridentine Mass! Smartly, no classes are scheduled during Mass times to encourage the students to a Sacramental life, I'm impressed.

She is a fine advertisment for her curriculum. She remarks that her children are all successful and happy and she speaks credibly and intelligently. It is always nice to see her, even if much of the talk is familiar.

Stayed tuned for more notes from Fr. Scalia's talk, Fr. Euteneuer's talks, Fr. Fessio's talks and Dr. Reyes' talk. They were my favorites, if the depth of my excited note-taking is any measure! :)