(Photo of Rev. Clementa Pinckney from website of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.) The nine murders that took place at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charles, SC, on Wednesday shocked the country and the world. The fact that they occurred in a house of worship during an hour of prayer and Bible study just adds to the horror. While we all mourn and pray for the victims and their families, we should also look at the two divergent worldviews... Read more
When I interviewed writer/producer Brian Bird a few months ago about his Hallmark Channel series “When Calls the Heart,” we also discussed his upcoming feature film “Captive.” Starring Kate Mara and David Oyelowo, it tells the true story of Ashley Smith, a young mother who was taken hostage by escaped murderer Brian Nichols in 2005 and how she got him to surrender by sharing ideas from Rick Warren’s God-centered best seller “The Purpose Driven Life.” The trailer for “Captive” is... Read more
Inside the Villa Loretto Nursing Home in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, Sister Stephen Bloesl gathers the staff in the room of a dying woman whose daughter sits by her side. Everyone, from nurses and administrators to those who mow the lawn and deliver food, circle around her bed and begin singing the hymn “How Great Thou Art” as a gesture of love for the woman whose earthly journey is nearing its end. When they’re finished, Sister Stephen leans over the patient... Read more
Can an angry letter to a priest result in a friendship that also has a positive impact on the world at large? Yes, it can, and it’s part of our history here at The Christophers that I just learned about. This year marks the 70th anniversary of our founding by Maryknoll priest Father James Keller who used the media as a means of encouraging people toward faith and action, toward lives that reflect the motto, “It’s better to light one... Read more
(Photo of retired Major Gen. Mark Graham property of U.S. Army. Other photos property of the Graham family.) “I knew our son was sad, but I didn’t know he could die from being too sad,” recalled retired Major General Mark Graham about his son Kevin’s suicide on June 21, 2003. Kevin was an ROTC cadet who had always been a straight A student, but feelings of loneliness and depression had started getting the better of him. He received some counseling... Read more
(Picture courtesy Paul Schneck. l to r: The Christophers COO/VP Mary Ellen Robinson, POV Communications Manager Brian Geldin, Directors/Producers Jason DaSilva and Alice Cook, The Christophers’ Tony Rossi) The word “hope” gets tossed around a lot, and some people may see it as a saccharine sentiment or unrealistic happy talk. In some contexts, that may be true. But one of the ideas I was left with after this year’s Christopher Awards is that real hope doesn’t come cheap. It is... Read more
(Moderate spoilers ahead) On an old episode of “Cheers” in which Sam and Diane consult a relationship counselor before getting married, he tells them to call off the wedding because they’re too different. They respond with the old truism that opposites attract. The counselor, played by John Cleese, responds that the only thing opposites attract is divorce – at least people who are as “opposite” as Sam and Diane. I was reminded of that scene while watching the screener of... Read more
The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Staying Positive Around Negative People” (which was written by a freelancer). If you’d like a pdf or hard copy, see the end of this post: No matter how hard we try to maintain a positive perspective on life, there’s no getting around negative people. They’re out there—in the next cubicle at work, behind the fence in the backyard, around the family table on Thanksgiving, in the bleachers at Little League... Read more
The fact that Pope Francis hasn’t watched TV since 1990 made the news yesterday. According to Catholic News Agency, he said it stems from “a promise I made to the Virgin of Carmel on the night of July 15, 1990.” It sounds like there’s a backstory there that, for now, remains untold. Since he’s a sports lover, maybe he gave up TV as a sacrifice for a higher purpose? Some may applaud the Pope’s decision because they see television as... Read more
For anyone interested in watching segments of the 2015 Christopher Awards ceremony, we now have them posted on Youtube. Click on the category you want to see below and enjoy. Books for Adults category: Books for Young People category: James Keller Award – Patrick Donohue, advocate for children with traumatic brain injuries: Feature Film category: TV/Cable category: Christopher Spirit Award – “NY Med,” the ABC News documentary series: Closing Comments with Ernie Anastos and Father John Catoir: Read more
Christopher Closeup
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In