If you could get a hold of Santa’s ‘naughty or nice’ list which reveals the misdeeds of everyone who’s ever done you wrong, wouldn’t it be great to get revenge against them? In principle, that’s the question asked by the new Hallmark Channel Christmas movie “Naughty or Nice.” Perpetually aggrieved Krissy Kringle (part of the reason she’s aggrieved is her name) who lives on Candy Cane Lane (another source of aggrievement) is fired from her job as an ad executive... Read more
Salesian Sister Colleen Clair, FMA, whose online nickname is “HappyNun,” posted this video on Facebook of her fellow Sisters and Aspirants having a little Gangnam style fun. If you’ve ever thought nuns lead dry, boring lives, this video should show you that loving Jesus and acting joyful are not mutually exclusive. And if you have any interest in the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco – who are dedicated “to the service of the young and the disadvantaged in all... Read more
Over at his site today, fellow Patheos blogger Deacon Greg Kandra calls an episode of “Cheers” the best Thanksgiving episode ever. Though I’m a big “Cheers” fan, I counter his assertion with my pick for best Thanksgiving-themed TV episode ever. It’s from the 1970s show “WKRP in Cincinnati” in which radio station boss Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson comes up with an idea to generate publicity for the station. However, he keeps his idea a secret from the staff. Read more
I’ve seen the following Thanksgiving Day prayer by Samuel Pugh in various places over the years, so I’m posting it here as well if you need one for around the family table this holiday: “O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; When I have work, help me to remember the jobless; When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all; When I am without pain, help me to... Read more
The following column was written by The Christophers’ Jerry Costello: It’s never “just another Thanksgiving,” of course. The holiday is so ingrained in us as Americans that each one is a day unto itself–a day given over to family, to abundant feasting, and, to be sure, an acknowledgment of the special graces that flow our way. And yet there is something extra-special about Thanksgiving Day 2012. We’re on the verge of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the first... Read more
Bob Brody never got along with his mother-in-law – and he let the whole world know it in a 2011 column he penned for New York’s Daily News. His specific problems with Antoinette “Nettie” Chirichella of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, were that she talked too loud and too much, was an incessant worrier, and tended to focus primarily on all the negatives in the world. Brody wrote, “The woman got under my skin more than acupuncture.” He prided himself, though, on restraining... Read more
A few weeks ago I posted pictures from an upcoming episode of “The Middle” which featured two real-life Marines portraying Marines on the show. This week, that Thanksgiving-themed episode aired and – in this sitcom geek’s opinion – provided the best writing, performances and laughs in “The Middle’s” four season history. The show opens with a wonderful visual gag based on Frankie Heck’s (Patricia Heaton) unwillingness to pay the new fee of 10 cents per shopping bag to pack her... Read more
Congratulations to former Christopher Closeup guest Andrea Roberts for getting her international Down syndrome orphan ministry, Reece’s Rainbow (named after her son Reece), featured in People magazine. An excerpt: Andrea Faris Roberts figured her new son, born in 2002, got his almond-shaped eyes from her husband, Rich. But when doctors confirmed that Reece had Down syndrome, “I couldn’t stop crying,” says Andrea, whose prenatal tests were normal. “I thought, ‘What’s tomorrow going to be like?’ ” The answer: Reece has... Read more
Though summer tends to be a time of vacation for most people, my July and August were largely spent working on The Christophers’ new “Three Minutes a Day” book. As Volume 47 in the series, it continues the tradition started by our founder, Maryknoll Father James Keller, of sharing inspirational stories and reflections for each day of the year, along with an accompanying Scripture quote and short prayer. As I learned while putting the book together this year, “Three Minutes... Read more
When you watch a movie on the Hallmark Channel, especially a romantic comedy, the important thing isn’t the destination but the journey. In other words, you know the film will likely have a happy ending and the couple who doesn’t like each other at the beginning will fall in love by the end. Therefore it’s the execution of the story that matters most. Are the characters entertaining? Are the actors convincing? Does the dialogue have some sparkle? Being a sucker... Read more
Christopher Closeup
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