CBS’ “Blue Bloods” and PBS’ “Medal Quest: American Athletes and the Paralympic Games” To Receive Special Christopher Awards

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 at 12:59 pm By Tony Rossi

NEW YORK, May 1, 2013 — The Christophers will honor a television series and an online documentary with special Christopher Awards during their 64th annual ceremony on May 23rd. The CBS television series Blue Bloods will receive the 2013 Special Christopher Award – and the PBS/WGBH online documentary series Medal Quest: American Athletes and the Paralympic Games will receive the 2013 Christopher Spirit Award (Medal Quest is the first online project to ever win a Christopher Award of any kind).... Read more

Country Legend George Jones Dies: How He Found God Toward the End of His Life

Last updated on: December 26, 2014 at 10:58 am By Tony Rossi

In 1985, country music legend George Jones released a song called “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?” asking what new singers would replace the veterans once they passed away. Well today, Jones became one of those who passed on himself – and it’s probably safe to say that nobody will ever fill his shoes. The singer with a teardrop in his voice, that could be heard on classics like “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” lived a hard-drinking, hard-partying life filled with... Read more

The Immortal Sacrifice of Four Chaplains

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:58 am By Tony Rossi

The following column was written by Jerry Costello: It’s been 70 long years since the Four Chaplains made their immortal sacrifice in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, and it will be 70 more years–and then some–before their heroic act is even in danger of being forgotten. As a crowd of several hundred proved recently in a northern New Jersey town, enough good people are determined to keep their memory alive. And so they should. The story of the... Read more

Hard Times Come Again No More

Last updated on: December 26, 2014 at 10:59 am By Tony Rossi

In light of last week’s bombings in Boston, explosion in West, Texas, and all the other troubles going on around the world, we could use a little beauty and harmony in our lives. The harmonies of the young Stella Sisters – Lennon and Maisy, from the TV series “Nashville” – convey exactly that kind of beauty. With a sound reminiscent of The Peasall Sisters, their pure and innocent voices touch the heart and soul and are a welcome injection of... Read more

What Are You Putting Between Yourself and God? Unmasking the Idols in Your Life

Last updated on: April 24, 2013 at 8:48 am By Tony Rossi

Though we modern folk believe we’re much smarter and less gullible than, for example, the Israelites who lived thousands of years ago and built themselves a golden calf to worship, we are in fact just as willing to bow down before false gods as they were. Our tendency to do so may be even more dangerous, however, because we’re usually clueless about what we’re doing. In that sense, Elizabeth Scalia’s new book – “Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols in Everyday... Read more

Holy Women of the Church

Last updated on: April 22, 2013 at 9:03 am By Tony Rossi

The following is a text copy of the new Christopher News Note, “Holy Women of the Church:” Since its beginning, the Church has benefited from the strength, courage, faith, and determination of holy women. After all, it was a young woman, a girl, really, whose “yes” to God set the Incarnation in motion, making Mary not only the Mother of God but Jesus’ first disciple and a role model for men and women through the ages. Walking in Mary’s footsteps... Read more

Terror and Fear Do Not Have to Win Out

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 10:58 am By Tony Rossi

In response to the inevitable fear and stress that people may be experiencing in the aftermath of this week’s violence in Boston, our friends at “Verily” magazine posted an excellent piece today by Amanda Fazzio called “Regaining Peace After the Boston Marathon Bombing.” Here’s an excerpt: When bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon this week, a coworker turned to me and said, “There’s going to come a time when people just stay inside.” Fear that we can’t go out in... Read more

“Groundhog Day” in Reverse: A Review of Hallmark Hall of Fame’s “Remember Sunday”

Last updated on: June 3, 2015 at 8:22 am By Tony Rossi

There may be some people in your life that you wish you could forget, but Gus Gillenwater (Zachary Levi) in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s “Remember Sunday” (airing Sunday April 21 on ABC at 9/8C) has the opposite problem. As the result of a brain aneurysm he suffered in 2009, his long-term memories remain intact, but going to sleep makes him forget everything that happened the previous day. In essence, he’s experiencing Bill Murray’s “Groundhog Day” in reverse (an observation also... Read more

Grace, Gold & Glory: An Interview with Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas and her mom, Natalie Hawkins

Last updated on: December 26, 2014 at 11:01 am By Tony Rossi

One of the most impressive things about Olympic gymnast Gabrielle Douglas’ memoir “Grace, Gold & Glory” is that even though it’s her life story, she doesn’t make it all about herself. The teen readily acknowledges that if it weren’t for the support offered and sacrifices made by her mother, brother, and sisters, she would never have won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics. During an interview with me on Christopher Closeup about that book and her latest one... Read more

The Way the World is Meant to Work: Heroic Sandy Hook Teacher Kaitlin Roig Discusses Her New Initiative

Last updated on: April 16, 2013 at 9:15 am By Tony Rossi

The darkest experience of former Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Kaitlin Roig’s life has motivated her to start a project that will add a little light to the world by teaching children about generosity and compassion. Many people were introduced to Kaitlin on Dec. 14, 2012 when ABC’s Diane Sawyer interviewed her following the Sandy Hook school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 20 children and six teachers dead. When the first-grade teacher heard gunshots, she immediately moved her 14... Read more