Culture
Books on saints, secrets, Mary for your children’s summer reading
See reviews of eight books -- including a collection of short stories, poetry, illustrated tales and on Marian consecration -- to keep school-age youngsters and teenagers busy reading on summer vacation.
Will documentary on Fred Rogers make you cry? It ought to
The new film "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" on the gentle children's television host who taught kindness and empathy to millions of children will likely elicit strong emotions from viewers.
Fred Rogers’ ministry was on TV to kids, says documentarian
Fred Rogers was ordained for the Presbyterian Church, but instead of a clerical collar, he ministered wearing a red cardigan sweater.
Catholic disability group sees danger, opportunity in Netflix series
Season two of "13 Reasons Why" might lead some young people to behave in dangerous and self-destructive ways, according to a May 31 open letter by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability.
Priests urge mutual respect in church dialogue with LGBT community
Two recent books by U.S. Catholic priests encourage a welcoming, respectful relationship -- a two-way street -- between the church and gay and lesbian Catholics or the entire LGBT community.
Survival against the odds becomes job 1 in ‘Adrift’
Fighting the elements while struggling to stay on course and sane is the time-honored formula of lost-at-sea adventures. While there's little new of that here, it's enjoyable to watch the main character find her inner strength to save the day.
Graphic gore obscures poignant AI/human conflict in ‘Upgrade’
The main character gets an artificial intelligence "upgrade" to make him a superhuman fighter. But it also pits his will against the voice inside his head that urges him to increasing savagery.
Social scientist addresses question of why people are religious
"Most humans believe (and hope) that life has meaning." That affirmation appears in the list of basic propositions that form the core around which Rodney Stark, a widely known sociologist of religion, builds his new book, "Why God?"
Priest: ‘Ninja’ show a way to proclaim Gospel using his God-given talents
An Arkansas Catholic priest is taking his ninja name "Father Flex" national as a contestant on the new season of the NBC reality show "American Ninja Warrior," debuting May 30.
Caped Crusader goes to Japan, with a bang, in ‘Batman Ninja’
Brace yourself for this animated direct-to-video effort from DC Comics. It may be unlike any movie of the genre you've ever seen. It's confusing and flimsy, but also eye-popping with gorgeous vistas and over-the-top action.