His novel asks the question:
What are our kids learning from us, right now, about the kinds of communities we want to build?
COVER STORY—Early readers are telling Dave Larsen that they are recognizing themselves and their families in this compelling new novel that asks the question: What are we teaching our kids right now by the decisions we are making in our communities? Those readers also are telling Larsen that they see themselves and their own families in this book—and they are eager to talk about this book with friends and in their small groups. Please enjoy this cover story—which features both an interview with Larsen and some fascinating resources to learn more about divisions in our neighborhoods today—and then share a link to this story with friends. You may discover that you can spark a welcome conversation.
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A Truly Global Catholic Church Gathers to Elect Pope Francis’s Successor
FIRST, WE’VE GOT OUR OWN NEWS-ANALYSIS, this week, focused on the diversity Pope Francis brought to the election of his successor. That story is headlined: “Don’t let the rows of scarlet cassocks confuse you—this is a truly global Catholic gathering to elect Pope Francis’s successor”
FOR A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, we recommend a new column from our friends at the Reformed Journal online magazine. This analysis was is by Wes Granberg-Michaelson, the General Secretary Emeritus of the Reformed Church in America. Wes’s column is headlined: “What Pope Francis Wanted to Change.”
THEN, FOR A THIRD POINT OF VIEW, we recommend this column from our friends at The National Catholic Reporter, headlined: “This is the deciding factor in picking the next pope”
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Holidays & Milestones
50th anniversary of Vietnam War’s end sparks tragic—and hopeful—memories
1975 also was the birth of vibrant Hmong American communities
THIS WEEK, we’ve got two stories marking this huge milestone in American life.
FIRST, we have a Holidays, Festivals & Observances story about the end of the war—which includes the headline: While a tragic era ended, vibrant new Hmong communities also were born among hard-working refugees in the U.S. This story also includes a fascinating video overview of the April 30 anniversary—thanks to CBS News for sharing this video clip.
THEN, in our Front Edge Publishing column this week, MSU’s Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm writes about our collective efforts to help raise awareness of this remarkable community within the U.S. Joe’s story includes both a video of a Hmong-American woman talking about their migration, as a people—and Joe also shares links to a helpful book we hope you can share with others to tell the story of Hmong-Americans. That story is headlined: End of Vietnam War 50 years ago also was bitter-sweet birth of American-Hmong communities
If you are among our thousands of readers nationwide who care about lifting up the stories of America’s diverse array of religious, cultural and racial communities—one way to help in that effort is to read Joe’s column, order copies of that MSU Hmong-American book he recommends and then share those books with friends.
And the same is true of the next news item in our Holidays & Festivals section this week.
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The U.S. speaks in mixed messages in this new powwow season
THIS WEEK, MSU Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm also reports on mixed messages from U.S. officials as the nation’s annual biggest powwow—the Gathering of Nations—was marked by the release of four colorful commemorative postage stamps. Meanwhile, the Trump administration cut a program to help preserve the history of the atrocities committed across more than a century of boarding school programs that imprisoned Native American children. Both news stories unfolded this month.
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AND AS APRIL TRANSITIONS TO MAY—our Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton is helping us to wish “Happy Ridván!” to our Baha’i friends and neighbors. Stephanie explains why this is known as “King of Festivals” to Baha’i families around the world.
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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com
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Faith & film
Joining a group just might save your life
THIS WEEK, we welcome author and financial consultant Jonathan Grimm with his review of a remarkable documentary, based on Robert Putnam in Bowling Alone. The film is conveniently streaming right now on Netflix.
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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.
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