The Harvard Study of Adult Development has found that deep relationships are a key to long term emotional well-being. As I read their findings, I found myself wondering how many people would include a relationship with God as one of the deep personal relationships of their lives.
Jim McDermott
Jim McDermott writes about pop culture at jimmcdermott.substack.
Posted inArts & Culture, Film
Review: Meeting Steven Spielberg, after all these years, in ‘The Fabelmans’
At this point what could Steven Spielberg possibly have to offer? The answer, it turns out, is himself.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
What the Catholic Church can learn from the resurrection of Barnes & Noble
After years of contraction, missteps and premature obituaries, Barnes & Noble is unexpectedly thriving. Here are three lessons from the bookseller’s turnaround for the U.S. church.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Mel Gibson and the dangers of Catholic antisemitism
Mel Gibson’s past history of antisemitic remarks and behavior means holding him up as a leader is not only wrong, it’s dangerous.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
A God who doesn’t need you to be polite
A Reflection for Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, by Jim McDermott, S.J.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Pope Benedict XVI’s secretary, advocate and confidant: What you need to know about Georg Gänswein
Archbishop Georg Gänswein is publishing a memoir of his years with Pope Benedict. But the archbishop is a compelling figure in and of himself.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Eulogy vs. homily: When should you talk about the deceased in a Catholic funeral?
When someone dies, it is only right that family and friends be given a chance to share their memories of their loved one. But the balance between pastoral care and logistical realities can be a tough one to strike.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Winter storms, travel nightmares and Covid-19: Lessons on letting go from a chaotic Christmas
What happens when the first “normal” Christmas since 2019 turns into a sitcom-level celebration in which everything that can go wrong does go wrong?
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
My Top TV shows? Who cares—here are the Top 10 lunches I had this year.
Instead of focusing on what some critic or pundit has to say about what was important from the last year, what would it be like if we went through our own calendars and credit card statements and made top 10 lists of our own?
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
Is ‘Joy to the World’ really right for Christmas?
Something has started, something good, and we are going to be a part of it. But what is it exactly? Wait and see.