Archive for the ‘Entertainment’ Category

A prolific writer and the cultural editor for America Magazine, Jesuit Father James Martin also frequently contributes to the Huffington Post‘s Religion section and appears on the late night satirical talk show The Colbert Report.

Fr. Martin is a best selling author of books like “The Jesuits Guide to Everything” and “My Life with the Saints.” This month, Martin’s latest book “Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life” is hitting bookshelves and ereaders across the country. In this latest book, Martin explores the intersection of faith and humor and why being spiritual and being serious don’t always go hand in hand.

Martin took the time to speak with us by phone for this month’s NJN podcast. You can listen below:

Jesuit Father Rick Curry was born without a right forearm. But that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a professor, best-selling cookbook author, and founder of the country’s only known theater school for the physically disabled. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1962 as a Jesuit Brother, but in 2009, he decided to pursue priestly ordination. CBS’ 60 Minutes recently caught up with Father Curry, featuring his various and unique ministries.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7380125n#ixzz1XqgM1EoX

In the mid-1600s, a small band of Jesuit missionaries set out from Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a settlement in Ontario, Canada, to work among the Indian tribes of the Huron in upstate New York and the territories in Canada. The Jesuits’ goal was to bring Christianity to the Huron but they found themselves in the precarious position of not being trusted by them as there was conflict and wars between the Huron and the neighboring Iroquois. It was this mistrust that resulted in eight of them being killed between 1642 – 1649. Today, in Auriesville, New York, the Shrine of the North American Martyrs is dedicated to the Jesuits who sacrificed their lives and remain the only canonized martyrs of the United States.

Tonight on EWTN, the four part “Footprints in the Wilderness” miniseries highlights one of these Jesuit martyrs, Saint Rene Goupil, a Jesuit brother who was captured and killed by the Iroquois as they believed he was a spy for the French. With interviews with Jesuit author and artist Father William Breault, the series was filmed in three countries on two continents with insights from French, Canadian and American experts, and delves into the experience of Goupil in this new land.

The series starts tonight at 6:30pm Eastern Time. Check your local listings to find ETWN on your television and check out the promo for “Footprints in the Wilderness” below.

In the mid-1600s, a small band of Jesuit missionaries set out from Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a settlement in Ontario, Canada, to work among the Indian tribes of the Huron in upstate New York and the territories in Canada. The Jesuits’ goal was to bring Christianity to the Huron but they found themselves in the precarious position of not being trusted by them as there was conflict and wars between the Huron and the neighboring Iroquois. It was this mistrust that resulted in eight of them being killed between 1642 – 1649. Today, in Auriesville, New York, the Shrine of the North American Martyrs is dedicated to the Jesuits who sacrificed their lives and remain the only canonized martyrs of the United States.

Tonight on EWTN, the four part “Footprints in the Wilderness” miniseries highlights one of these Jesuit martyrs, Saint Rene Goupil, a Jesuit brother who was captured and killed by the Iroquois as they believed he was a spy for the French. With interviews with Jesuit author and artist Father William Breault, the series was filmed in three countries on two continents with insights from French, Canadian and American experts, and delves into the experience of Goupil in this new land.

The series starts tonight at 6:30pm Eastern Time. Check your local listings to find ETWN on your television and check out the promo for “Footprints in the Wilderness” below.

Hearts on Fire, a Catholic young adult retreat program, is storming cities across the Northwest this summer.

No, “this is not the world’s most perfectly cut diamond,” joked Jesuit Father Phil Hurley, referring to a popular line of engagement rings. The priest is the national youth and young adult director of the Apostleship of Prayer, a Jesuit association leading the Hearts on Fire retreats.

The retreats are for young adults ages 18-39, married or single, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius and the spirituality of the Apostleship of Prayer.

“It’s a crucial time for people in their lives,” Fr. Hurley told Catholic News Service, “they are at a place in their life that they can make decisions soon and take action on it right away and make a big difference.”

Hurley explained that the retreat is focused on trying to connect faith to everyday life. Participants learn about the Apostleship of Prayer’s idea of making a morning offering, living the Eucharist throughout the day and ending the day with an evening review.

The retreat also leaves time for young adults to socialize with one another during meal times and a coffeehouse social.

Read more about the Hearts on Fire Retreats at Catholic News Service and find out if the retreats are coming to your city by visiting apostleshipofprayer.org/heartsonfire.html.