(The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Humor for the Soul.” If you’d like a pdf or hard copy, see the end of this post.) “Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.” — G.K. Chesterton In his stand-up comedy routine before hundreds of thousands of people awaiting Pope Francis’s visit to the World Meeting of Families, Jim Gaffigan said, “Do me a favor in the audience. I know when I’m done, you’re going to be... Read more
What do a nine year old girl, a 40-pound cabbage, and 100 vegetable gardens have to do with ending hunger in America? Well, Katie Stagliano’s story will connect the dots. When she was a third grader in Summerville, South Carolina’s Pinewood Preparatory School in 2008, Katie’s teacher gave her a cabbage seedling to plant in her backyard for a class project. She cared for that seedling, and it kept growing and growing until it reached 40 pounds. If you’re like... Read more
It was April 10, 2012, and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He and his team were sent to an area to check for IEDs (improvised explosive devices), and according to the minesweeping device they used, there was nothing dangerous in the ground. Mills, therefore, took off his backpack and put it down next to him. Then, his life changed forever. The minesweeper had been wrong. A hidden IED exploded, ripping... Read more
There was a lot of hubbub over the fact that Starbucks released plain red cups for the holiday season last year, with some people (though many fewer than the controversy made it seem like) claiming they were being anti-Christian. Since Starbucks cups never included actual Christian symbols, the argument rang hollow to many. But apparently Starbucks paid attention. Their new commercial for their red holiday cups points out that their customers designed various versions for 2016, including one with a... Read more
Yesterday, before any election results came in, actress Kristen Bell, a vocal Hillary Clinton supporter, tweeted, “Tomorrow morning, when we wake up from this bad dream, can we all be friends again?” Needless to say, the election didn’t go the way Bell wanted, but I credit her for tweeting later on, “No matter who wins- my offer still stands- can we PLEASE all be friends again in the morning?” It’s the right sentiment, but getting there will require work on... Read more
Bill Murray was in the news last week because his beloved Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series after 108 years. But he also earned some other recognition recently when he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, in a ceremony that aired on PBS. While there were plenty of funny stories told that night – especially about Murray’s propensity to do zany things or pop up at people’s weddings – the most poignant story came from David... Read more
As the time for writing and mailing Christmas cards quickly approaches, the U.S. Post Office today released its 2016 Nativity stamp, featuring a stunning silhouette of the Holy Family. I was not aware that an actual dedication ceremony takes place for this kind of event, but it was held today at St. Paul Church in Washington, D.C. Here is the press release with more information about the event that served as an affirmation of faith for many Americans. The U.S.... Read more
Dr. Chuck Dietzen grew up wanting to be St. Francis of Assisi. In a way, you could say that he achieved his goal because “where there is despair,” he brings “hope” – and “where there is darkness,” he brings “light.” At the same time, he shuns any self-praise because he believes this is something that all of us can do. That message is clear in his powerful memoir “Pint-Sized Prophets: Inspirational Moments That Taught Me We Are All Born to... Read more
(The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Leadership in Mercy.” If you’d like a pdf or hard copy, see the end of this post.) “Go out into the world today and love the people you meet.” — Mother Teresa In his book “The Name of God is Mercy,” published during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in the Church, Pope Francis writes, “I hope that the Jubilee will serve to reveal the Church’s deeply maternal and merciful side,... Read more
According to the U.S. government, human trafficking is a $150 billion a year industry around the world and often involves children or minors being forced into prostitution. It’s a problem in which human beings are treated as property to be used, abused and disposed of – and it’s going on all around us, even in communities right here in the United States. The movie “Priceless” (opening Friday October 14) aims to raise awareness about that topic and motivate viewers to... Read more
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