a column of benevolent gossip

The late Great — Of all Pope John Paul II’s words of wisdom, which one to choose at this moment in history? Perhaps from his 1988 encyclical “On the Vocation and Mission of the Laity:” “Humanity is loved by God!…Each Christian’s words and life must make this proclamation resound: ‘God loves you, Christ came for you, Christ is for you ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life!’” Or perhaps his words to the Brazilian Bishops in 1995, “The Church counters the culture of death with the culture of love.”

In remembrance — The new “Life is Precious” bracelet takes a stand for Life using the popular rubber band, like Lance Armstrong’s “Live Strong” bracelets. Colored white, these bands are perfect for starting a conversation about the sanctity of human life. They include the debossed shape and size of an unborn baby’s feet at 10 weeks gestation with the phrase “Life is Precious,” which applies to any age. Heritage House has them for $1.95 + shipping, (928) 536-7705 or www.heritagehouse76.com.

She’s a ‘Jewel’ — Two-time Emmy winner and author, Patricia Heaton of “Everyone Loves Raymond,” is honorary chair of Feminists for Life and a courageous person. She’s been in hot water recently with those who approve the starvation death of Terri Schiavo in Florida. Heaton has opined on the facts of the case on the FFL Web site (www.feministsfor life.org) and outlined the stand of Feminists for Life. She concludes by stating, “Feminists for Life opposes the killing of a disabled woman under a so-called ‘right’ to die. We believe there is no justification for the deliberate destruction of human life. FFL opposes all forms of violence, including euthanasia, as they are inconsistent with the core feminist principles of justice, nonviolence and nondiscrimination.”

Calling visionaries — Maura Smith of New York City is making a documentary about the Blessed Mother. She wants to film people who have had visions of Mary, prayed for visions, or received special blessings from God through Mary. If you’re willing to be filmed, contact her at (212) 613-5462 or e-mail to: [email protected].

Parish potpourri — Everyone chipped in at St. Eugene Parish (W. Foster) and the “Baby Bottle” fund-raiser for the Women’s Center, netted $9,012.40. The problem pregnancy center desperately needs baby cribs and anything else you can think of for babies. Each year more than 1,500 women decide against an abortion and get a helping hand at one of the Women’s Center’s three sites. Call (773) 794-1313.

Reporting for duty — Archbishop Fulton Sheen is comforting the men and women in our military serving in Iraq. Although he died in 1979, his powerful words are back in today’s reprint of “Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book.” Originally circulated in World War II, the plan is to get at least 100,000 copies into service men’s and women’s hands as a spiritual “weapon” for the soul. The book is being circulated free, especially through military chaplains, as an apostolate of the Archbishop Sheen Foundation, Catholics in the Military and Sophia Institute Press.

Makes sense — Actress Emma Thompson will be the recipient of DePaul University’s 17th annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts prize on April 19 at the Four Seasons Hotel gala. If you’ve seen “Sense and Sensibility,” “Wit,” “Love Actually,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” or her other fine films, you recognize her range and will applaud the choice with both hands. The black tie soiree benefits the Theatre School Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $300. This month Thompson begins filming “Stranger Than Fiction” in Chicago; script by Theatre School alumnus Zach Helm.

Save ‘Joan’ — You yearn for “better” TV programming? Then start watching the award-winning “Joan of Arcadia” before it bites the dust. Why? Cause it’s the only drama on TV with God as a recurring character! Secondly, because the program is often profound, meaning, it ain’t “Desperate Housewives.” Seen on Fridays at 7 p.m. on Ch. 2, it is facing cancellation if viewer numbers don’t pick up. When Joan’s gone—the replacement might curl your hair.

Available at amazon.com — Alexian Brother Eugene Gizzi, aka “Brother Gene,” 74, composes “poetic reflections.” During 55 years as a religious, he’s made and distributed thousands of bookmarks and cards with original prayers and drawings. They are now in book form, “Sensing Transformation,” echoing his love of God and nature. Years ago he pioneered the Alexian ministry in the Philippines. . . . Father Dave Straub, at St. Zachary’s (Des Plaines), has penned a sequel to his first novel. This former news reporter says you don’t have to read the original to enjoy “A
Playground Reunion.” Now that
the cruise ship Endless Pleasure has
docked, life will never be the
same for its 19 characters.

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Movies at a Glance
Capsule reviews of movies from the U.S. Catholic Conference's Office for Film and Broadcasting, judged according to artistic merit and moral suitability. Go to reviews