“In the modern media world and the modern American pop culture world, we know the names of Kardashians more than we know the names of U.S. troops who have been killed fighting a war, ostensibly for us.” That’s one of the reasons that CNN anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper wrote “The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor,” a book that has garnered praise from both liberals and conservatives. In 2009, Tapper, then with ABC News, was in... Read more
The following is an excerpt from the Christopher News Note “The Power of Humility.” Humility is something that Christians are supposed to strive for, and yet it is a difficult subject in modern-day America. Our culture often seems obsessed with fame, so we may assume that people who downplay their talents and accomplishments are actually doing so because they want praise and a better reputation. On the other hand, some people may turn themselves into doormats believing they’re being humble... Read more
I grew up watching repeats of Abbott and Costello movies on WPIX in New York City every Sunday. One of my favorites was their first film, “Buck Privates,” which also featured The Andrews Sisters performing their classic World War Two-era song, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Patty Andrews (pictured center above), the final remaining member of the three Andrews Sisters, died today leaving behind a rich show business legacy and a song – “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” – that was named... Read more
A few days ago – January 26, to be precise – World War II survivor Louis Zamperini celebrated his 96th birthday. You may recognize his name because he was the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling and Christopher Award-winning biography, “Unbroken: A World War Two Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption.” In honor of Mr. Zamperini’s birthday, I’m reposting this piece about him from August 2011. May God continue to bless him with health and happiness: All of us have gone... Read more
Via Patricia Heaton (who you really should follow on Twitter because she’s a font of these types of stories): From The Daily Mail: A couple from Missouri has seen their family more than double after they adopted five orphaned siblings from Peru who had sent them an email imploring: ‘We need a mommy and daddy.’ Yhonson, 17, Gerson, 15, Betsi, 12, Joel, 11, and Sibila, nine, are now settling into school and home life in Blue Springs, where they saw... Read more
Walter Bishop (John Noble) asked for a sign that God would forgive him. Specifically, he requested a white tulip because it didn’t grow during that time of year. Receiving one would be an unusual-enough occurrence to signal a miracle of sorts. Why was Walter asking God’s forgiveness during this season two episode of the sci-fi TV series “Fringe?” As a formerly atheistic, ends-justifies-the-means scientist who worshiped his own intellect – once even declaring, “There’s only room for one God in... Read more
The following column was written by The Christophers’ Jerry Costello: She’s been there, done that. She left her rural home in the Midwest, went to New York, moved in with a boyfriend, had a couple of abortions, survived a suicide attempt. This all happened years ago, in the early 1970s, when Jeanette Meyer was just a young woman. Now she’s 63–old enough to remember it all, young enough to turn her life around. And that’s just what she did. I... Read more
I’ve documented previous acts of kindness by “Dark Knight” actor Christian Bale, so I wanted to post this one as well. It’s a video of eight-year-old AML Leukemia patient and huge Batman fan, Zach Guillot, talking with the actor on the phone. As is usual with these instances of Bale’s kindness, he doesn’t seek publicity himself. Zach’s family posted the video online. Well done, Master Bruce. Well done. Read more
In this week’s edition of “The Tablet” – the diocesan newspaper for Brooklyn and Queens, New York – Editor-in-Chief Ed Wilkinson writes about the work of the New York Life Center, a non-sectarian facility for “pregnant women and young mothers” run by Catholics to help women of all faiths. It helps these women choose life by offering them material, emotional and spiritual support both before and after their children are born. The diversity of people helped at the center offers... Read more
Christopher Closeup Podcast – Guest: Mary DeTurris Poust (This post is part of Mary DeTurris Poust’s “Cravings” blog tour.) Like a lot of people, Mary DeTurris Poust was a multitasker, used to mindlessly eating breakfast while reading emails on her laptop or focusing on the New York Times crossword puzzle. Then, while on a retreat that didn’t allow reading, writing, or talking, she was confronted by the mealtime dilemma, “It’s just me and my corn chowder. I’ve got to figure... Read more
Christopher Closeup
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