Freedom of Religion, the Common Good and the Pretty Frump Girl: A Review of “The Hypothesis of Giants: Book 1”

Last updated on: June 24, 2013 at 9:12 am By Tony Rossi

Though it occurred inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City’s iconic Catholic house of worship, the last stand for religious freedom included members of many faith traditions. They didn’t all agree on theology, but they were united in believing they had a right to practice their religion without fear of government interference. The government, however, with the consent of its citizens, now decreed that was not the case. No one had the right to practice any religion anymore – and... Read more

Man of Steel: Bigger and Bangier Doesn’t Mean Better

Last updated on: June 21, 2013 at 8:17 pm By Tony Rossi

Back when I was in college and in the waning days of my active comic book reading, I remember a conversation with my friend Brian in which we both agreed that we were tired of comics that spent eight to ten pages on fight scenes that didn’t amount to much other than a few bruises for the participants and lots of damaged property. We’d rather have more content that moved the story forward or presented the characters in an engaging... Read more

Music’s Healing Power for Premature Babies

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:49 am By Tony Rossi

“Music can name the unnameable, communicate the unknowable,” said Leonard Bernstein. That quote that was cited at the beginning of this ABC News report about a new study showing music’s power to dramatically bring healing to babies who have a hard time eating and breathing because they were born prematurely. This therapy is now being used in neonatal intensive care units. ABC News reports: Studies conducted by Dr. Jeffery Perlman, chief of newborn medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian, Komansky Center for Children’s... Read more

Lt. Col. Mark Weber’s Operation True Grit: A Husband and Father’s Final Legacy

Last updated on: June 14, 2013 at 10:27 am By Tony Rossi

(Editor’s Note: My interview with Lt. Col. Mark Weber was recorded a few weeks ago, but held until Father’s Day week. Unfortunately, Mark passed away yesterday. Our deepest condolences to his family. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.) When Minnesota resident, Lt. Col. Mark Weber, was diagnosed with Stage IV gastrointestinal cancer... Read more

Spirit and Guts: Revisiting the Dennis Quaid/Jim Caviezel Movie “Frequency” for Father’s Day

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:50 am By Tony Rossi

Anyone who’s seen the Aurora Borealis either in pictures, on video or in person knows the beauty these “Northern Lights” can produce. But they’ve rarely produced anything as beautiful as the time they allowed John Sullivan to reconnect with his long-dead father and try to save his life. That’s the premise of the film “Frequency,” released in 2000, written by Toby Emmerich and directed by Gregory Hoblit. The story begins in Bayside, Queens, October 1969, a few days before firefighter... Read more

A Christopher Prayer for Father’s Day

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:50 am By Tony Rossi

Heavenly Father, Today we ask You to bless our earthly fathers for the many times they reflected the love, strength, generosity, wisdom and mercy that You exemplify in Your relationship with us, Your children. We honor our fathers for putting our needs above their own convenience and comfort; for teaching us to show courage and determination in the face of adversity; for challenging us to move beyond self-limiting boundaries; for modeling the qualities that would turn us into responsible, principled,... Read more

Wisdom Doesn’t Always Wear a Suit: NBC News’s Bob Dotson on the Power of Ordinary People

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:51 am By Tony Rossi

“The one overriding theme I found is that wisdom doesn’t always wear a suit.” Considering that NBC News correspondent Bob Dotson has traveled more than four million miles during his 40 year career covering American stories, you can trust that he knows what he’s talking about. In fact, his “American Story” segments have won a record six Edward R. Murrow Awards for the best-told news stories on television. He’s now sharing many of those stories in the New York Times... Read more

A D-Day Hero Who Put His Trust in God

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:51 am By Tony Rossi

The following column was written by The Christophers’ Jerry Costello: He didn’t like the “hero” label, and he thought “the greatest generation” phrase is tossed around a little too much. But Joseph Vaghi Jr. qualified as a genuine D-Day hero when he served as the Navy’s youngest beachmaster in France, and “the greatest generation” tag fit him like a glove. Vaghi, of Bethesda, Md., died last year at 92, and the obituary by Mark Zimmermann in the Catholic Standard of... Read more

Choosing Your Words Wisely: Insights on Improving Communication Skills

Last updated on: June 5, 2013 at 8:59 am By Tony Rossi

Considering how often poorly chosen words can lead to friction and arguments between family, friends or even strangers, we could all brush up on our communication skills – and even invite God to take part in our conversations. To help with that, here’s the text of the Christopher News Note “Choosing Your Words Wisely:” And God said, “Let there be light: and there was light.” —Genesis 1:3 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man... Read more

Depth, Mystery and Authentic Friendships Keys to Evangelizing Young People

Last updated on: June 3, 2013 at 8:51 am By Tony Rossi

This article was originally posted on Patheos in January 2011: Chances are that the leaders in your parish have asked the question, “How can we get young people more involved in the church?” As part of a Catholic Young Adult group myself, I know that question doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. However, two guests I’ve interviewed on Christopher Closeup had suggestions they’ve seen work. The first is Bob Lesnefsky, also known as the award-winning Christian rapper Righteous B. Though he... Read more