23rd Farmers' Meeting: Our land is a great gift and responsibility

A renowned philosopher from Princeton University has converted to Catholicism after years of searching for evidence regarding the existence of God, Christianity, and the Catholic Church. Noah McKay, a doctoral student in philosophy at Princeton, made the decision following extensive research into questions related to the existence of God, Christianity, and the Catholic Church. His conversion was significantly influenced by evidence of miracles linked to Catholic teachings. "I have never been an atheist and I don't think I ever was an agnostic either," McKay told EWTN News. He had encountered uncertainties since high school and later during his undergraduate studies, particularly concerning issues such as evil and divine hiddenness. Additional considerations arose from questions about the reliability and interpretation of the Holy Scripture. Coming from a Protestant background, some of his close friends were taken aback by his decision. However, McKay encourages those considering converting to Catholicism or returning to the faith to engage in personal search and prayer. "Pray!" he emphasized. What led him to believe in God? McKay explained that arguments regarding the design of the universe, stemming from its precise conditions necessary for life's emergence, along with empirical evidence of modern Christian miracles, played a crucial role in his belief in God's existence. Additionally, arguments about consciousness (human ability to experience, think, feel, and self-awareness), moral knowledge (ability to distinguish between good and bad and recognize certain moral truths), and natural beauty contributed significantly to his beliefs. The role of Catholic miracles in his decision McKay highlighted evidence for miracles associated with specific teachings of the Catholic Church. According to him, these evidences are "as good or better than evidence for more general Christian miracles," which he already believed in, as stated in an interview with EWTN News. For those contemplating Catholicism or returning to the Church, he recommended thoroughly studying the evidence behind these miracles. Due to the need for consistency, he decided either to accept all Catholic miracles or reject them all. He noted that researching miracles alone wasn't the sole reason for his conversion, but it encouraged him to study the Catholic Church in greater depth from historical and theological perspectives. In doing so, he found "very strong" evidence supporting Catholic faith. Two philosophers in two months This year, McKay became the second philosopher from Princeton to publicly speak about his conversion or return to Catholic faith. Before him, Joe Schmid announced his return to the Catholic Church. Schmid, known through his YouTube channel advocating agnostic positions, later mentioned that arguments based on contingency convinced him to reconsider the existence of God. Agricultural gathering honors Bl. Anton Martin Slomšek On October 12, 2026, the 23rd agricultural gathering took place at the shrine of Bl. Anton Martin Slomšek, patron of farmers, Slovenian agriculture, and rural literature, in Ponikva and Slom. Organized by the Agricultural and Forestry Association of Slovenia, the Parish of Ponikva, the Municipality of Šentjur, and numerous volunteers, the event focused on the theme "Our country is a great gift." In his homily, retired Bishop Stanislav Hočevar of Belgrade emphasized the importance of living in harmony between heaven and earth, body and spirit, work and contemplation, science and experience, history and eternity, present and permanent. He highlighted how our ancestors in Carantania lived in this balance and urged everyone who wishes to serve the community to value land and Creator, community and work. He noted that where these principles are respected, life flourishes. The gathering traditionally begins with a midday Mass. This year, retired Bishop Stanislav Hočevar offered the Mass and emphasized the example of Slomšek in relation to creation and community. He stressed the need for the entire spiritual and national community to deepen their relationships with Earth: nature itself; the calling of farmers; their place and role in society and history. "Following Slomšek, we should embrace the idea that our country is a great gift we have received and thus a great inspiration and responsibility. We cannot approach this gift without deep admiration and gratitude," Bishop Stanislav Hočevar added. A farmer serves Life! Wisdom was also shared by former Bishop Leon Novak of the Evangelical Church in Slovenia: "One does not serve God only when praying, reading the Bible, or sitting in church. One serves God even when honestly performing one's job, caring for family, helping neighbors, and responsibly treating those dependent on one's work. A farmer producing food serves Life. A farmer woman, with her knowledge, perseverance, and care, preserves the home. The field is a space of service to God, the barn a space of responsibility, the home a space of love, and helping a neighbor an act of faith." Even this year, the liturgy was marked by the offering of gifts. For the sung parts of the Mass, the Parish Choir of Ponikva under the leadership of Maria Klančar was responsible. The traditional part of the Mass was the offering of gifts brought by local queens and farmers from all four corners of the Slovenian homeland. At the end of the Mass, the pilgrims received a blessing placed on their hearts by farmer Damjan Zore from Upper Pirnič: "Producing food is something exceptional. Whenever I look over the furrow I plow, the animals I care for, the grain swaying in the spring wind, I am amazed at everything created. This fills me with satisfaction, just as Saint Francis was inspired by creation, seeing animals and plants as his brothers and sisters. He was kind to them and loved them. This kindness and love we bring home and perform our mission with goodwill." A social afternoon continued at the Slomšek house courtyard. Traditionally, the gathering continued with an academic session at Slomšek's birthplace in Slom, where the mayor of Šentjur, Silvia Koželj, greeted all attendees.