Former assistant fire chief aims to create ‘sense of hope’ in 9/11 memoir July 15, 2022By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Books, Feature, News, World News Joseph W. Pfeifer’s book, “Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir of 9/11” (Penguin Random House), published last year, won a Christopher Award in June. The awards, first presented in 1949 by the Christophers organization, founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, are presented annually for works that embody “the highest values of humanity.”
Young adult Catholics discuss need to promote climate change efforts April 29, 2022By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, World News Catholic leadership should not neglect climate change in favor of social issues including abortion, a Georgetown University panel concluded April 27 in an online discussion about how to apply Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”
Knights’ councils in Ukraine, Poland help those fleeing Russian assault March 9, 2022By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, News, War in Ukraine, World News The Knights of Columbus established a small presence in both Ukraine and Poland a few years ago, but now Knights councils in both countries have sprung into coordinated action with help for refugees since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24.
Biden urges a return to political civility in remarks at prayer breakfast February 3, 2022By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News President Joe Biden, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 3, called for a return to the political civility he said he’d known as a freshman U.S. senator from Delaware.
Annual March for Life still on this year in Washington January 7, 2022By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life, World News The 49th annual national March for Life — with a rally on the National Mall and march to the Supreme Court Jan. 21 — will go on as scheduled this year amid a surge in the omicron variant in the nation’s capital.
Movie Review: ‘American Underdog’ December 23, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews Cheerful as a dance floor boot scoot and livelier than a touchdown drive, the sports-themed, faith-tinged biopic “American Underdog” (Lionsgate) goes light on matters of religion, focusing instead on the steep challenge of building a career in the NFL.
Movie Review: ‘Being the Ricardos’ December 9, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews The set of “I Love Lucy” was a toxic workplace. At least, that’s how it’s portrayed in writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s biographical drama “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon).
Climate, migration among issues Catholics hope Biden, pope will discuss October 28, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Ahead of President Joe Biden’s Oct. 29 meeting with Pope Francis, panelists in a webinar offered mostly praise for Biden’s sincerity and what they said is his commitment to his Catholic faith.
Kidnapping in Haiti prompts worries about other church workers’ safety October 21, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News As Christian missionaries and family members, some as young as 8 months old, were still being held for ransom in Haiti by a gang notorious for group kidnappings, other charities and religious groups examined how they can remain safe while delivering humanitarian aid.
National Catholic Prayer Breakfast speakers emphasize evangelism, unity September 15, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Evangelism and Christian unity were the main topics at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Sept. 14, an event which often puts more emphasis on politics and pro-life advocacy.
Speakers say Equality Act ‘overly broad,’ will harm religious liberty March 26, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, U.S. Congress, World News A March 22 online webinar on the Equality Act focused on criticism that the legislation is so vaguely worded it would harm religious liberty and obscure biological reality.
Movie Review: ‘The Father’ March 18, 2021By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews, News, World News “The Father” has nothing new to say about the challenges of dementia.