Catholic Literary Arts will honor University of St. Thomas' professor, James Matthew Wilson, at its inaugural, one-of-a-kind fundraising event dubbed "The Dinner Party" on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Our Lady of Walsingham's St. Jude Hall, 7809 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, TX 77055.  Sponsorships and tickets are still available. To purchase a ticket or table, guests can visit www.catholicliteraryarts.org/fundraising and download the underwriting form.

At the event, Wilson will share his thoughts on creating a culture of beauty anchored by Scripture and great literature; how truth, beauty and goodness are the portals to reach God; and how writing is one of Christianity's most important ardent expressions of man's search for God.

Wilson is the pioneer of Catholic cultural revival in creative writing in America and a crucial supporter of Catholic Literary Art’s young scholars of sacred writing.

He serves as UST's Cullen Foundation Chair in English and founding director of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. Wilson is the author of 12 books and has been called "one of the most gifted poets alive today" by The American Conservative's Rod Dreher.

President and founder of Catholic Literary Arts, Sarah Cortez, notes that funds raised from the event will "continue to teach creative writing to children, teens and adults within a Christ-centered world view. The guests’ generosity will ensure that deserving youth will be mentored and taught the skills of self-expression through poetry, fiction, personal essay and sacred story.”

For several years, Catholic Literary Arts has offered the Fearless Catholic Writing Camp on UST's campus in June. Her one-week boot camp for kids between third and twelfth grades teaches them to hone their creative skills while crafting works inspired by God's grace.

Serving as Chairman of Catholic Literary Arts is UST board member and President of the Scanlan Foundation, Larry W. Massey, Jr.  Catholic Literary Arts is an organization supported by the Scanlan Foundation. Last year, Massey collaborated with UST to celebrate inspired Catholic arts. The inaugural Catholic arts event was Sacred Art Live, held on campus last February. In addition to supporting the MFA program, the Scanlan Foundation also supports UST’s Performing and Fine Arts Society and the Master of Sacred Music.

For questions about the event or Catholic Literary Arts, call 713-331-9342 or email cathla.org@gmail.com.