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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper December 2017 Page 43
Mount Professor and Author Featured at Local “Chat with an Author” Event

Anita DiGregory

Have you found that the abundance of digital Photo Courtesy of Hannah Smarsh, Seton Shrine Aquinas. However, the reader should not be
technology available today has led to continual intimidated, as the authors do an excellent job of
distractions and interruptions and even hindered making the information relatable and attainable.
your ability to get more accomplished throughout The “Questions for Reflection” at the end of each
the day? Do you struggle trying to keep your tweens section are a favorite element for self-reflection.
and teens from spending too much time on devices Having held the positions of “Top 5 of Catholic
or video games? Have you found yourself thinking Self Help” books and “Number 1 New Best Seller
that the quality of life or family time has dwindled in Catholic Self Help,” the book has proved both
as a result of digital technology? If so, you are timely and important. The book and its authors
not alone. In fact, local resident and Mount St. have been featured on different radio shows and
Mary’s University professor Joshua Hochschild has podcasts. Additionally, the book was also the focus
not only taught a class on the subject, he has co- of a Mount campus retreat.
authored a book regarding this topic. In his recently On Sunday, November 12, 2017, Hochschild
released book, A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an and his new release were featured in the premiere
Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction, Hochschild “Chat with an Author,” an innovative series, hosted
and Christopher Blum offer concrete advice and Pictured are (left) Mount Professor John Mark Miravalle and (right) by the Seton Shrine in an effort to introduce talented
encouragement on reclaiming interior peace and author and fellow Mount Professor Joshua Hochschild. and inspirational authors to the community. Hosted
order. in the Shrine’s Visitor Center Theater, the event was
“Chris contacted me in Spring 2016, and we talked about how classical moderated by fellow Mount Professor John Mark Miravalle. The talk centered
spiritual wisdom could address modern social challenges,” said Hochschild. “He around key elements of the book and was followed by the opportunity for
sensed there was an opportunity to give people a way to highlight the challenges audience members to ask questions and share observations. Immediately after,
of technology and digital media and cultivate a sense of interior peace. Together, Hochschild took time to meet with different attendees and sign copies of his
we wanted to offer classical Christian wisdom to help people renew the order of book.
the soul that can negotiate today’s distraction-filled environment.” With regards to the first Chat with an Author event, which was both well
Because the writing of the book coincided with Hochschild’s Mount class attended and received by the community, Rob Judge, executive director at the
“Friendship and Contemplation in the Digital Age,” he was happy to involve his Seton Shrine stated, “Josh has a compelling solution to the busy, distracted lives
students, allowing them to both read the manuscript and offer timely feedback. we’re all living, and we’re excited to have him here and help people begin to
He noted that his students recognized the habits developing around digital media refocus their lives to return to a sense of peace.”
and even opted for self-imposed fasting in different forms from these digital The Seton Shrine will be highlighting more authors in the future. On
distractions. February 11, 2018, Stephanie Calis, author of Invited: The Ultimate Catholic
Released in August, A Mind at Peace offers wisdom from authors, Wedding Planner, will be featured at the next Chat with an Author event. On
philosophers, and great thinkers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Saint Thomas April 29, 2018, local mom and author Colleen Duggan will be highlighted.

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