The words of the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi are perfect for those still searching for a New Year’s resolution – or those looking for a way to change themselves for the better at any time of year. Trying to live out even one of these concepts, instead of just lamenting what’s wrong with the world, will add God’s light to the darkness. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow... Read more
Every year when the Christmas season comes around, singer-songwriter JJ Heller is transported back to her childhood when she and her family would decorate the tree, drive around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, and open gifts on Christmas morning. And all those memories include music. As an adult who is a popular indie artist, JJ wanted to create an album that could serve as the soundtrack to other families’ Christmases and also ensure that the message of Christ remains... Read more
“How can I be a Catholic reporter when I hate God?” In Juliann DosSantos’s impressive debut young adult novel “Jesus on the Scene,” that’s a pivotal question asked by the main character, Amy Roberts, as she pursues a job she needs even though she isn’t really as Catholic as she makes herself out to be to her prospective boss and co-workers. Juliann herself, on the other hand, doesn’t hate God. In fact, she’s an award-winning journalist who writes for Catholic... Read more
While eating lunch on Saturday, I stumbled upon Andre Rieu’s latest PBS special, entitled “Waltzing Forever” (though internationally, it’s known as “Falling in Love in Maastricht“). Rieu has a gift for inspiring his audiences to dance in the aisles, but he also included professional ballroom dancers in this concert. To my surprise, several of the dancers, both men and women, in a couple of segments were in wheelchairs. Highlighting what people with disabilities are capable of doing is a praiseworthy... Read more
Laura Schroff could have easily ignored the 11-year-old boy begging for spare change on the streets of New York City, but there was something compelling about his words, “I am hungry.” A God-given instinct prompted her to offer to buy him lunch. It was an instinct she could have ignored – and that she might not have even noticed had her mind been too wrapped up in other matters at the time. But she did stop that day in 1986... Read more
(The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Jesus: The Light of the World.” If you’d like a pdf or hard copy, see the end of this post.) “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” — Psalm 36:9 We all likely pray that we get through life without times of darkness, but the reality is that they’re unavoidable. That doesn’t mean we can’t overcome the darkness or move past it, however.... Read more
“It’s important to be able to enjoy and be entertained by stories of faith, stories of miracles, stories of people rallying and coming together.” So says country music superstar Jennifer Nettles about her role in the NBC TV movie “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” (Nov. 30, 9E) in which she reprises her role as Parton’s mom Avie Lee. The first movie in the series, based on the hit song “Coat of Many Colors,” drew blockbuster ratings... Read more
Dear Christopher Friend, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4 While there may be a lot of anger and division in our world today, we at The Christophers also see an extraordinary amount of goodness waiting to come to life! That goodness is often awakened in people’s hearts by the word of God, as the above quote from the book of Matthew suggests. For over 70... Read more
Most people in the United States didn’t know anything about Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio until 2013, when he was elected to lead the Catholic church and became known as Pope Francis. The world slowly came to respect this humble and charismatic man who asked people to pray for him, paid his own hotel bill, and reached out to the most marginalized in society. Christopher Award-winning author, Mark K. Shriver found himself captivated by Pope Francis as well and set out... Read more
“Take care of my son.” When six-time Emmy Award-winning ESPN producer Lisa Fenn sensed the voice of God giving her that message while covering a story, she didn’t know exactly what it meant. But as someone who gave her life to Christ as a junior in high school, she felt compelled to pursue the matter. That’s the story she documents in her memoir, “Carry On: A Story of Resilience, Redemption, and an Unlikely Family.” Interestingly, the story she was covering... Read more
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