Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to highlight a Christopher News Note called “Secrets of a Successful Marriage.” In case you’re not aware, Christopher News Notes are pamphlets on various spiritual or social issues that we’ve been using to stay in touch with our supporters via direct mail for more than 60 years. Individual copies are sent out free-of-charge, while some churches get them in bulk in return for a donation that helps offset... Read more
Christopher Closeup Podcast – Guest: Christopher West Christopher West admits that, when he was in college, he bought into the common belief that sex is just a fun, recreational activity without any inherent purpose. He says, “I had eaten from what I call ‘the fast food gospel of the culture’ which promises us immediate gratification for all our desires. But by eating the fast food, I ended up like the guy in the movie ‘Super Size Me.’ He ate McDonald’s... Read more
In this “Light One Candle” column, The Christophers’ Jerry Costello recalls the struggle for civil rights that Black History Month calls to mind: The civil rights struggle of the 1950s and 1960s is something fresh in my memory, and at times it’s hard to realize that not everyone shares those recollections. The fact is, I have to keep reminding myself, that for many young people what they know of those events comes mainly from history books. It’s one of those... Read more
Christopher Closeup Podcast – Guest: Joe Ehrmann You might think that a former defensive lineman for the Baltimore Colts and Detroit Lions would believe a coach’s job—especially a coach of young people—is to teach them to win games. Joe Ehrmann, however, says, “The greatest crisis in America today is a crisis of masculinity…A coach’s responsibilities include helping young people to confront and comprehend the toxic culture that is trying to seduce and shape them.” Ehrmann came to that belief due... Read more
How far would you go to get revenge on someone who hurt a person you loved? That’s the question at the heart of a 2011 episode of the CBS series, “Person of Interest” titled “Cura Te Ipsum,” a Latin saying which translates to “Heal thyself.” In case you’re not familiar with “Person of Interest’s” premise, Harold Finch (Lost’s Michael Emerson) is the creator of a machine that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes.... Read more
Since The Anchoress already posted Kelly Clarkson’s excellent rendition of the National Anthem at last night’s Super Bowl, I’m highlighting the gorgeous harmonies of Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton singing “America the Beautiful:” Read more
The countdown to the release of Audrey Assad’s new album, “Heart,” continues with the video of a live performance of the song “Blessed Are The Ones.” You deserve to end your week on a high note and start your weekend in a good (and spiritually thoughtful) mood. This song will do that for you. Read more
Today is Groundhog Day which calls to mind the great Bill Murray comedy in which his character has to live the same Groundhog Day over and over until he learns a lesson about making choices in his life that will help him become a better human being. I thought of that movie last week as I was reading coverage of the March for Life in the Catholic blogosphere. It wasn’t that the people at the March needed to make better... Read more
Christopher Closeup Podcast – Guest: Kathy DiFiore In 1981, Kathy DiFiore reached a defining moment in her life. The NYU graduate with an MBA and a successful career as a Wall Street executive was feeling spiritually unfulfilled. Raised in a Catholic family, Kathy was especially influenced by her grandmother who always taught her to keep Jesus at the center of her life. One day, Kathy asked for God’s guidance while praying the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (“Lord, make... Read more
Autism, Down syndrome, Tourette’s and ADHD are just some of the intellectual disabilities that special ed teachers Mike Kersjes and Robynn McKinney deal with in their classroom of students at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But where others may define the students by what they lack, Kersjes believes in their potential to push beyond their boundaries and accomplish great things: specifically, to take part in NASA’s rigorous and demanding “Space Camp” program for gifted young people.... Read more
Christopher Closeup
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