Catholic Fire

1. I hope you had a Happy 4th of July!  Here are a couple of photos of me wearing my Lady Liberty t-shirt and of a cool, sugar-free dessert I made for Independence Day. 2.  This has been a short, but very busy week! Let's take a look at a book I have been reading -- Jeannie Ewing's From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph . I highly recommend it! Read my review. This is my only bumper sticker. 3. I am already getting a Study/Rosary Group together for the Fall. This is what we parish ministers/ stewards work on during the summer. I have been doing lots of reading and research for the group. 4. It's not too late to start the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel , which began on Thursday. Her feast date is July 16. 5. How does my garden grow? Check out the photos below. May 20, 2016 June 7, 2016 Here is the first blooming gladiola from our garden, which is falling over. 6. Now a word from o...

My favorite films for 2015 include the following: Family 1. Paddington (PG) 2. Cinderella (PG) 3. The Peanuts Movie (G) 4. Inside Out (PG) 5. McFarland USA (PG) Mature 1. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (PG 13) 2.  Do You Believe? (PG 13) 3. Far From The Madding Crowd (PG 13) 4. Where Hope Grows (PG 13) 5. Woman in Gold (PG 13)

Bishop Robert Barron comments on "The Revenant" :

1. January seems to be a popular month for catching a cold and it's my favorite month for cooking good old-fashioned homemade chicken soup. Here's my new stockpot for cooking soup. I just can't resist cooking when I get a new pot or pan. Here I made Lemon-Chicken Orzo Soup , but there was no orzo anywhere! What's a girl to do? I simply replaced it with brown rice pasta shells. 2. The aroma of the chicken broth / lemon mixture by itself is enough to clear out the sinuses and titillate the tastebuds, but we won't stop there. 3. We're not done until we've added the chicken, the carrots, onions, celery, garlic, pasta, and the baby spinach. Voilà! This is not only a cure for the common cold, but a nutritious and sumptuous meal! Fra Angelico's "Last Judgment" : "dancing with the saints" 4. Of course you have heard of the TV show Dancing with the Stars , but wouldn't you much rather be "dancing with the saint...

The highly anticipated “Heaven is for Real” movie, based on the true story of Colton Burpo, who visited heaven during a near-death experience, will be released in theaters on April 16, 2014.

I just finished watching a powerful pro-life film online entitled Volition. Here is the description: "The act of making a choice. Sometimes the choice of inaction has consequences stronger than we could ever imagine. Throughout history, men have been faced with difficult choices in a world that makes it easy for them to conform. This film explores the hope that lies behind every decision made in the face of adversity; the hope that is buried in the heart of those that look beyond themselves and see something bigger worth fighting for." It's not long and is well worth watching. Go here to see it in its entirety. ~ Via American Papist and Jill Stanek.

The film is set to be released May 8, 2009 and stars Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy.

Just a reminder.... FIREPROOF is coming this weekend! As FIREPROOF prepares to open in more than 800 theaters nationwide on Friday, September 26, people in the Church are excited about the impact this film could have on marriages. Catholic Endorsements for FIREPROOF Dozens of key Catholic leaders are endorsing FIREPROOF and encouraging the Catholic faithful to see it on opening weekend. Opening weekend for FIREPROOF (September 26-28) will determine how long it will play in the theaters where it's opening ... and how many additional theaters it might come to. "FIREPROOF follows the difficulties of a married couple who have decided to divorce. The movie is infused with evangelical Christianity's sense of marriage as a covenant, and Catholics can share that and complete it with our understanding of marriage as a sacrament. I don't see many movies, but this was one I watched and was moved by." ~Cardinal Francis George, Archdiocese of Chicago "FIREPROOF is a remar...

Coming to theaters October 3rd... The American spirit is celebrated in the outrageous and totally irreverent comedy An American Carol from David Zucker, the master of questionable taste (Airplane!, The Naked Gun, Scary Movie 3 and 4). In An American Carol a cynical, Anti-American Hollywood filmmaker sets out on a crusade to abolish the 4th of July holiday. He is visited by three spirits who take him on a hilarious journey in an attempt to show him the true meaning of America.

30 Second Television Ad The official Movie Trailer for Citizens United's upcoming feature length documentary on Barack Obama. About the Movie Citizens United Productions examines the phenomenon that is Barack Obama. HYPE: The Obama Effect examines the Junior Senator from Illinois and his record. Is he the new Kennedy or recycled Jimmy Carter? Is he the one who will finally change Washington, or will challenges like the Tony Rezko trial reveal politics as usual? Is he the uniter the country begs for, or a liberal divider? HYPE: The Obama Effect seeks the answers. Including interviews with political leaders, media experts, and social commentators, HYPE provides the in-depth analysis that can only occur in a full-length feature documentary. HYPE goes to Illinois and interviews those who know the Senator's record as a state legislator. Go on the road with the campaign and experience the enthralled crowds as they are consumed by the HYPE. Washington insiders analyze Senator Obama...

A new Catholic website ( www.soulfoodcinema.com ) has been launched with the aim of educating and evangelizing through the medium of the movies. Soulfoodcinema differs from other faith and film websites, in that the focus is on providing education and insights for those that are curious after having watched a film, rather than providing extensive ratings and reviews for those that are curious before watching a film. Learn more about it here.

Which 'Narnia' Character Are You? You are Peter, who became the High King of Narnia. You are a born leader who everyone naturally gravitates to for guidance and inspiration. You often feel the burden of responsibility, but you always do what's right because you possess strong morals. Blessed with a golden heart, you always want to help others seek justice.

I found this on a wonderful new blog A Song A Day , by Catherine. It features a song a day -- 366 songs every American should recognize. Be sure and check out all the music there.

1. Into Great Silence - I predict that it will be a spiritual classic and be loved by audiences for many years to come. Into Great Silence answers the most frequently googled question, "Who is God?" as well as "How can I find Him?" It also answers, "How can I find true happiness?" All this is explained using minimal dialogue, but just by watching the way these monks live their lives. This is a must - see movie for everyone! The DVD is now out. 2. Bella is a beautiful film that has had a powerful impact on our culture! As a result of this film, lives have been saved. Bella was responsible for the birth of seven babies. And, this was all possible through a grassroots effort -- promoted by the culture of life. 3. Amazing Grace is a movie which emphasizes character, Christian values, and yes, even virtues – something that you rarely see in Hollywood films nowadays. 4. Ratatouille - Like a great recipe, this film has all the right ingredients – humor, d...

Peter Jackson has agreed to make the Hobbit into a new movie. H/T to Marcel at Aggies Catholics. The Curt Jester also posts on this. Read more here: 'The Hobbit' Is Back On With Peter Jackson Producing Peter Jackson to make 'The Hobbit' as feud settled

Prince Caspian is coming to theatres May 16, 2008. Watch the trailer here. The four Pevensie children return to Narnia, only to discover that hundreds of years have passed since they ruled there, and the evil King Miraz has taken charge. With the help of a heroic mouse called Reepicheep, and the exiled heir to the throne, Prince Caspian, they set out to overthrow the King, once again with Aslan's help. The movie is currently in production in Prague and New Zealand. It will premiere in theaters on May 16, 2008. Learn more about The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian H/T to Leticia at causa nostrae laetitiae .

As most of you know, I am an avid movie watcher, so I couldn't resist this meme from Julie D. at Happy Catholic. Go to the AFI Top 100 list and pick: 1) Your favorite five movies that are on the list. Singin' in the Rain (1952) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) The Sound of Music (1965) Doctor Zhivago (1965) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 2) Five movies on the list you didn't like at all. Amadeus (1984) I love Mozart, but didn't like this film, which portrayed him as a buffoon. The Graduate (1967) - sleazy Psycho (1960) Bonnie and Clyde (1967) M*A*S*H (1970) I like the TV version, but didn't care for the movie at all. 3) Five movies on the list you haven't seen but want to. I have seen all the movies on this list that I want to, which is 90 of them. 4) Five movies on the list you haven't seen and have no interest in seeing. Taxi Driver (1976) Shane (1953) City Lights (1931) Modern Times (1936) The Wild Bunch (1969) Your favorite five movies that aren...

Youth can get free tickets to see "Bella" A generous donor has given Bella's producers a large sum to make it possible for 10,000 Catholic youth to see this movie at no cost nationwide. MORE H/T: causa nostrae laetitiae