Literally rising from the ashes—

COVER STORY: After surviving the now-infamous “Night that Altadena Burned,” along with his wife and their children, Jonathan Grimm is on a mission to help others find the resilient resources they need to survive catastrophes that lie ahead for millions of Americans. In this column, we’re highly recommend that you connect with Jonathan’s story—and the free resources he’s offering—as a way to encourage our families and friends to get involved in building healthy communities. And, if you agree after reading this column, please share (via the convenient social-media sharing buttons) with your friends online.

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And here’s more good news

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic changes surrounding us?

This spring, let master storyteller Dave Larsen take you to his ‘Green Street’

WHAT WE ALL NEED RIGHT NOW IS A GOOD, PAGE-TURNING NOVEL WITH CHARACTERS WE LOVE. Are you feeling overcome by the turbulent changes swirling all around our communities right now? Then, this spring, please read Dave Larsen’s Green Street in Black and White—a new book coming soon from Reformed Journal Books. The novel explores how community upheavals in the lives of parents in a modest Chicago neighborhood will forever affect the lives of an 11-year-old boy and his friends.

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We’re helping veterans to tell their stories

THIS WEEK, veterans are all over the news—TV stations, newspapers and online magazines—for their coast-to-coast protests of potential cuts to the VA system on which millions of veterans rely. In this Front Edge Publishing story, Joe Grimm recommends a book in which veterans came together to tell readers about their lives—and to clear up many ways that non-veterans may misunderstand or stereotype their lives. It’s timely news you can use this week—and you can tell friends about this inexpensive resource to learn more about the millions of veterans and their families living among us.

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Holidays & Festivals

Why We Cover These Stories

EDITOR’S NOTE: The ReadTheSpirit community of writers is proud to find ourselves among the “keepers of living memory” about the special religious and cultural observances that shape the lives of billions of men, women and children around the world. If you feel the same, please share Stephanie’s columns with friends, each week, via social media or email.

 

St. Patrick’s Day

Columnist Stephanie Fenton writes this week about the annual holiday celebrating Irish culture as well as the historic St. Patrick’s wisdom. Her column includes links to three versions of St. Patrick’s famous Breastplate prayer—a major part of his spiritual legacy to this day.

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A season of fasting—and special foods

Ramadan is also about sharing food

FOR A UNIQUE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON RAMADAN please click here to visit the website hosted by our friends at the International Association of Religion Journalists, who have posted this story from Malaysia about the importance of food in that Asian Muslim nation during Ramadan. We want to say “Thanks!” to Zurairi AR in Kuala Lumpur for this fascinating story about how journalists in Malaysia are covering these stories this year.

AND WE ALSO SUGGEST LOOKING BACK WITH US, for a moment, to this 2021 overview of the many helpful resources we publish to help readers “meet our neighbors,” which has never been more important. This Front Edge Publishing column is headlined: Ramadan is the perfect month to learn more about our Muslim neighbors.

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And then:
How many Christians follow fasting traditions during Lent?

AND WHAT DOES “FASTING” MEAN? Holidays & Festivals expert Stephanie Fenton reports on these fascinating questions and, of course, she also provides links to delicious recipes that are a distinctive part of this season.

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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

 

White Lotus

What does the popular series look like for folks living in its destinations?

THAT’S THE BIG QUESTION RAISED THIS WEEK by contributing columnist Daniel Kidder-McQuown.

We last featured one of Dan’s columns in January, headlined: Healing Wisdom from a Hospital Night Chaplain

Dan recently moved to Hawaii—and launched a new personal website called A Year in Waipahu to chronicle his adventures and reflections on the islands. His first post, called simply Introduction, was posted in February.

THIS WEEK, then, Dan wrote a reflection on the hit TV series The White Lotus, since Season 1 was set in Hawaii. In his column, Dan argues that the TV series actually has little to do with the realities of life in Hawaii, however—in a couple of ways—the series does raise fascinating questions that we should consider.

 

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 will 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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He’s got a message of hope and compassion for all of us!

THIS WEEK, we welcome back Shining Brightly author and inspirational speaker Howard Brown with news that—despite dire news reports about him a month ago—he is still alive and now expects to triumph over his latest aggressive cancer. In addition to the good news that a team of cancer specialists at Harvard are giving Howard a new chance at life—there are 4 important reasons Howard wanted us to publish this story right now. Want to know what they are? Well, please read this Cover Story to find out—and share it with friends. This kind of inspirational news can bring a warm smile to folks you know.

(And—here’s a hint! One of the 4 reasons is that today, March 10, is his birthday. If you’re among our many readers who follow Howard’s work, an easy mitzvah “good deed” today is to take a moment and wish him Happy Birthday!)

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And more good news

Hmong families celebrate a 50th anniversary—

We’ve got a timely book about that community

MSU BIAS BUSTERS PROGRAM FOUNDER JOE GRIMM writes our Front Edge Publishing column this week about a fascinating book that helps us to understand more about our Hmong-American neighbors.

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And, on the Homefront—

MANY OF OUR WRITERS AND READERS have thanked us in recent months for publishing links to their columns about human rights, diversity, interfaith understanding and the belief that peace is possible in our world. So, we will continue to highlight these values as they relate to weekly headlines by sharing some of the links you’ve sent to us.

Remembering Martin Marty (1928-2025)—

SINCE THE DEATH OF THIS GIANT AMONG SCHOLARS, we’ve been inundated with notes, tributes and links to columns about Martin Marty. When our publishing house was founded in 2007, Marty was among our mentors encouraging us to establish a publishing house dedicated to fair, accurate and balanced coverage of religion. Here are several links to stories about Marty’s life that are well worth revisiting:

• Here’s a link to the official New York Times Obituary, published on March 2, 2025.
• Here’s a wise, funny and heartfelt tribute from Marty’s son Peter in The Christian Century.
• And even though this final piece was published way back in 1986, it’s worth re-reading because it was written by a one-time “dean” of religion writers Richard Ostling for TIME and opens with perhaps the best-known joke about Marty’s prodigious energy as a writer.

Looking for Clarity in Our American Maelstrom

MARTIN DAVIS—author of our Thirty Days with America’s High School Coaches—wrote this editorial, headlined “These are trying, and promising, times,” for his FXBG Advance newspaper.

TOM FOX—a contributing writer in the book National Catholic Reporter: Beacon of Justice, Community and Hope—this week, wrote the commentary “Hope emerges from visible, widespread, undeniable betrayal” in The National Catholic Reporter.

JEFF MUNROE—author of Telling Stories in the Dark—wrote “Trump, Musk and the Gulf of America: Lessons in Irony” in his online magazine, The Reformed Journal.

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Holidays & Festivals

Why We Cover These Stories

EDITOR’S NOTE: The ReadTheSpirit community of writers is proud to find ourselves among the “keepers of living memory” about the special religious and cultural observances that shape the lives of billions of men, women and children around the world. If you feel the same, please share Stephanie’s columns with friends, each week, via social media or email.

Holi certainly is colorful!

LATE THIS WEEK, millions of men, women and children with roots in Indian faiths and cultures are likely to be expressing themselves in a colorful way! Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story for us.

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A season of fasting—and special foods

Ramadan is also about sharing food

LET’S START OUR COVERAGE OF THIS THEME by jumping over to the website hosted by our friends at the International Association of Religion Journalists, who have just posted this story from Malaysia about the importance of food in that Asian Muslim nation during Ramadan. “Thanks!” to Zurairi AR in Kuala Lumpur for this fascinating story about how journalists in Malaysia are covering these stories this year.

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And then:
How many Christians follow fasting traditions during Lent?

AND WHAT DOES “FASTING” MEAN? Holidays & Festivals expert Stephanie Fenton reports on these fascinating questions and, of course, she also provides links to delicious recipes that are a distinctive part of this season.

 

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Preparing for Purim with a fast?

OBSERVANT JEWS AROUND THE WORLD also will be fasting for one day in mid-March in preparation for the joyous celebration of the holiday Purim. 

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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

Citizen George

For a time such as this, it’s hard to imagine a more helpful film

THIS WEEK, author and international peacemaker Daniel Buttry reviews a documentary about his long-time friend George Lakey.

 

 

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 will 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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‘This book is an adventure!’

Douglas Brouwer invites us into ‘a profound voyage of spirit’

OUR COVER STORY THIS WEEK FEATURES THE FIRST GLIMPSE of a book that’s coming just in time to connect with our restless desire to get moving again across North America—as spring beckons, followed by summer opportunities to travel. This book—The Traveler’s Path—is so new that it just popped up on Amazon for sale. If you read our Cover Story (including a 1-minute video introduction from the author), you can click over to Amazon right now and ensure that your copy will be on its way when it officially ships to readers later this month.

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And—from Suzy Farbman—

The miracle of memory

IN HER GOD-SIGNS COLUMN THIS WEEK, Suzy Farbman writes about the power of things from our past—smells, tastes and perhaps even an old hat—to summon powerful memories.

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Holidays & Festivals

Why We Cover These Stories

EDITOR’S NOTE: The ReadTheSpirit community of writers is proud to find ourselves among the “keepers of living memory” about the special religious and cultural observances that shape the lives of billions of men, women and children around the world. If you feel the same, please share Stephanie’s columns with friends, each week, via social media or email.

Did you know this is a global season of fasting?

2.4 Billion Christians Are Entering the Lenten Season

But, how many people actually are fasting during Lent?

AND WHAT DOES “FASTING” MEAN? Holidays & Festivals expert Stephanie Fenton reports on these fascinating questions and, of course, she also provides links to delicious recipes that also are a distinctive part of this season.

Wish a friend—‘Ramadan Mubarak!’

At sunset on February 28, 2 billion Muslims around the world began the annual fasting month of Ramadan. Do you have family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who are Muslim? Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has this important and timely overview of Ramadan that you can share with others.

Baha’is also are fasting

STARTING ON FEBRUARY 28, AS STEPHANIE FENTON reports in this column, Baha’is around the world will began a traditional fast as well.

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Preparing for Purim with a fast?

OBSERVANT JEWS AROUND THE WORLD also will be fasting for one day in mid-March in preparation for the joyous celebration of the holiday Purim. 

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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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And, on the Homefront—

MANY OF OUR WRITERS AND READERS have thanked us in recent months for publishing occasional columns about human rights, diversity, interfaith understanding and the belief that peace is possible in our world—if we continue to respect and care for each other and our planet. So, we will continue to highlight these values—as they relate to weekly headlines.

First: ‘Who holds the cards?’

IN THE CONFRONTATION THIS WEEK between President Trump, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian leader Zelensky—in which Zelensky resisted being brow-beaten into signing an agreement—President Trump tried to sway Zelensky with a metaphor of playing “cards.” Zelensky rejected the metaphor, as you can read in transcripts from the meeting. In the wake of that meeting, political leaders around the world are wondering whether such life-and-death issues really amount to a game of cards for the new U.S. leadership.

FOR A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE on this metaphor, check out the book Critical Conversations as Leadership: Driving Change with Card Talk, by Michigan State University Distinguished Professor of Communication William Donohue. And, to be clear, Donohue is not a political partisan. But he does provide wise background on how communications theory can be understood through the metaphor of “cards” we can use as resources to reach a consensus even n difficult situations.

Check out this Front Edge Publishing column about Donohue’s book that explains: “The goal Donohue describes in this new book is not adversarial—it’s collaboration and successful cooperation as an organization.” Whatever our political party may be, we certainly can agree on that basic goal.

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Second: ‘Is it true that we just stopped funding polio, HIV and malaria programs?’

SO MANY HEADLINES HAVE BEEN FLOWING FROM WASHINGTON that it is difficult to keep up with all of the issues unfolding around the world. As of this March 3, 2025, issue of ReadTheSpirit magazine, some court challenges are trying to restore portions of USAID that were cut. But, so far: Yes, as of this week, “the projects terminated include HIV treatment programs that had served millions of people, the main malaria control programs in the worst-affected African countries and global efforts to wipe out polio.” That’s according to a February 27, 2025, Washington Post article that includes a list of examples illustrating the far longer list of 5,800 programs that were cut.

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Third: So, who are the ‘writers’ raising these issues?

ACROSS THE RELIGIOUS SPECTRUM, writers are raising these issues—both in emails and other messages sent to our home office and in their own blogs and online magazines. Here are six examples from this week:

JOURNALIST BILL TAMMEUS is the author of Love, Loss and Endurance. His recent columns include:

• What ‘Love Your Enemies’ cannot possibly mean
• When trauma and joy compete in your soul, do mundane things

CHRISTIAN ETHICIST DR. DAVID GUSHEE is the author of Introducing Christian Ethics. His latest column:

• Winston Churchill on Appeasement: In honor and in defense of the people of Ukraine

CATHOLIC: We also publish The National Catholic Reporter: Beacon of Justice, Community and Hope. Recent NCR columns include:

• JD Vance ‘surprised’ by pushback from Pope Francis, US bishops on immigration
• Faith groups’ environmental projects halted by Trump’s climate funding freeze

PROTESTANT: We are in the process of publishing four books with The Reformed Journal. Recent Reformed Journal columns include:

• In the Aggregate
• Good Order and Discipline

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Faith & Film

Curious about the coming Catholic Conclave?

Beyond the movie—we’ve got a more accurate book about this!

Curious about the coming Catholic Conclave? This month, many of our writers and readers have told us that they are closely following the declining health of Pope Francis—and millions around the world are praying for him on a daily basis. In addition to this popular, Oscar-nominated film, we publish a book that’s packed with fascinating information about the past few conclaves. It’s great for individual reading and small-group discussion.

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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 will 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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What do the Iliad, silent films, science fiction and folk music have in common?

COVER STORY—Are you feeling disoriented, anxious and even—as one writer puts it this week—”disenfranchised”? Then this is the story for you! Pour a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, because Editor David Crumm is inviting you to come along with him for conversations he’s had this month with folks from the fields of ancient Troy to the colorful realm of Ray Bradbury’s imagination.

Then if you like this story, please take a moment to share it with friends on social media or by email. You can use the convenient social-media buttons that are adjacent to the story. Sharing good news, as you will see, is a creative act of hope.

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And Speaking of Creativity Sparking Hope—

Here are two more writers sharing stories of wonderment and joy

Ruth Everhart on rediscovering giraffes

ONE OF THE BEST EMAILS WE RECEIVED this week was from author, pastor and social-justice activist Ruth Everhart, who is widely respected among journalists covering religious diversity because of her three books and countless articles in publications like Sojourners and Christian Century. Ruth has used her pen and voice, over many years, both in defense of those who have suffered sexual abuse—and in support of women’s empowerment. Her email, this week, explained why she has not been writing much over the past year or so—but also promised that she feels a new creative energy to write about sources of joy in our world. And, now, her first major burst of “joy” is this column on Ruth’s website about her experiences with giraffes. She calls this story simply: Giraffes and Joy.

Bill Tammeus on the wondrous treasures in houses of worship

BILL TAMMEUS, A “DEAN” AMONG RELIGION JOURNALISTS, has been thinking along similar lines over the past month or so, which is illustrated in the kinds of columns he has been publishing in his website. Bill is no stranger to eras of global trauma. One of his most inspiring books is Love, Loss and Endurance, written in the aftermath of the “9/11” attacks. Right now, like a lot of our writers, he is reminding readers of “the basics” we still share—spiritual resources we have near at hand. Here are two of his recent columns that are well worth sharing with others:

What are stained glass windows trying to tell us? 

AND: Faith communities remind us we belong together in person

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Holidays & Festivals

Why We Cover These Stories

EDITOR’S NOTE: IN KEEPING WITH OUR COVER STORY THIS WEEK, our ReadTheSpirit community of writers is proud to find ourselves among the “keepers of living memory” about the special religious and cultural observances that shape the lives of billions of men, women and children around the world. Over the past month, the federal government has erased scores of educational resources about these diverse holidays and festivals—removing entire websites, videos, histories and learning resources that once were maintained by federal agencies. And now, that campaign to erase these resources is spreading out toward libraries, schools, public media and health-care networks. In the past, all of these institutions have enjoyed sharing such information with their communities.

That’s why it is so important that our Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton continues her work. We’ve learned over the years that Stephanie’s work is shared through at least some health care institutions’ chaplaincy and HR programs, through some schools and some public media channels. In 2025, our ReadTheSpirit community is well aware that our nearly two decades of work in covering Holidays & Festivals is a unique and vital resource.

If you feel the same, please share Stephanie’s columns with friends, each week, via social media or email.

This week, remember to wish friends: ‘Ramadan Mubarak!’

At sunset on February 28, nearly 2 billion Muslims around the world will begin the annual fasting month of Ramadan. Do you have family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who are Muslim? Are you thinking ahead to this month when they will be abstaining from food and drink throughout the day? Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has this important and timely overview of Ramadan that you can share with others.

Did you know this is a global season of fasting?

CHRISTIAN FASTING—BY EARLY MARCH, the world’s Christians—East and West—will all be part of the Lenten period that leads toward Easter. That’s traditionally a period that calls for fasting, which is why millions of Americans think of “giving something up for Lent.” However, for Eastern Christians, a much stricter form of fasting still is common. And, this year, because of the movement of various religious calendars—multiple faiths are converging on this practice of giving up food and drink to deepen spiritual reflections. If you care to learn more about the Eastern Christian preparations for fasting, Stephanie Fenton has this story about the “Meatfare” and “Cheesefare” Sundays that help Eastern Christian communities prepare for the stricter fasting that is to come.

BAHA’I FASTING—THEN, AS STEPHANIE reports in this column, Baha’is around the world will begin their fast on February 28.

Maha Shivaratri

AND, HINDUS around the world also have a traditional fast this month—and they may also keep prayerful vigils on the “Great Night of Lord Shiva.”

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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

Curious about the coming Catholic Conclave?

Beyond the movie—we’ve got a more accurate book about this!

Curious about the coming Catholic Conclave? This month, many of our writers and readers have told us that they are closely following the declining health of Pope Francis—and millions around the world are praying for him on a daily basis. In addition to this popular, Oscar-nominated film, we publish a book that’s packed with fascinating information about the past few conclaves. It’s great for individual reading and small-group discussion.

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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 will 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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Is your heart still moved by e pluribus unum?

COVER STORY—For nearly two decades, our online magazine has published stories, reviews and columns about religious and cultural diversity, focusing on values we share around the world. We do that because we believe peace is possible by recognizing that—out of many, we may be one.

Do you remember: e pluribus unum? Does it still move your heart?

So, this week, we are proud to present this new “song”—a reflection on e pluribus unum—by retired immigration lawyer Alan Pampanin. Please, consider sharing Alan’s column with friends via social media. (Even the illustration with this column is offered for readers to freely share.)

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And speaking of inspiring songs …

We’ve simply got to sing along with master songwriter Allen Toussaint this month!

MSU BIAS BUSTERS FOUNDER JOE GRIMM writes our Front Edge Publishing column this month, which continues the musical metaphors reflecting on this “e pluribus unum” theme—because Joe is celebrating the astonishingly creative career of all-American composer Allen Toussaint.

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Holidays & Festivals

Are you already thinking ahead to Ramadan?

NEXT WEEK, at sunset on February 28, nearly 2 billion Muslims around the world will begin the annual fasting month of Ramadan. Do you have family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who are Muslim? Are you thinking ahead to this month when they will be abstaining from food and drink throughout the day? Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has this important and timely overview of Ramadan that you can share with others.

Did you know this is a global season of fasting?

CHRISTIAN FASTING—BY EARLY MARCH, the world’s Christians—East and West—will all be part of the Lenten period that leads toward Easter. That’s traditionally a period that calls for fasting, which is why millions of Americans think of “giving something up for Lent.” However, for Eastern Christians, a much stricter form of fasting still is common. And, this year, because of the movement of various religious calendars—multiple faiths are converging on this practice of giving up food and drink to deepen spiritual reflections. If you care to learn more about the Eastern Christian preparations for fasting, Stephanie Fenton has this story about the “Meatfare” and “Cheesefare” Sundays that help Eastern Christian communities prepare for the stricter fasting that is to come.

BAHA’I FASTING—THEN, AS STEPHANIE reports in this column, Baha’is around the world will begin their fast on February 28.

Maha Shivaratri

AND, HINDUS around the world also have a traditional fast this month—and they may also keep prayerful vigils on the “Great Night of Lord Shiva.”

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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

Honoring Black History Month

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 will continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

Recalling Spike Lee’s Prophetic Films

TO HONOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2020, Ed McNulty wrote a short column recommending that readers go back and see three especially prophetic Spike Lee films—all of which, in Ed’s view, were under-appreciated by both the public and other film professionals at the time. One of the three movies was Do the Right Thing. Read Ed’s short column to discover the other Lee films that Ed hoped his readers would watch again.

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Last week, we highlighted 4 by Ryan Coogler

RYAN COOGLER was born in Oakland California in 1986 and was beginning his career in 2009, when Oscar Grant III was shot by a police officer on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. That incident was the subject of Coogler’s first film, titled “Fruitvale Station.” Here are four films by Ryan Coogler that Ed recommended to our readers:

FRUITVALE STATION—Ed strongly recommended this film back in 2013, when Coogler’s film debuted—but Ed’s advise is just as timely today.

CREED—Even though Ed publicly was an opponent of boxing as a sport, he nevertheless praised this film released by Coogler two years after Fruitvale Station.

BLACK PANTHER—Coogler’s work with Marvel super hero was simply “spectacular,” Ed concluded.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH—By 2021, Coogler returned to the genre of historical fiction with a far more complex story—the rise and eventual killing of Black activist Fred Hampton. Ed gave this film 5 stars and described it as both nuanced and passionate.

 

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In a century and a half, St. Joseph’s confronted many of the big questions congregations are facing today

COVER STORY—Over the past two years, veteran journalist Bill Mitchell has worked with our publishing house to complete the landmark history of The National Catholic Reporter (NCR), titled Beacon of Justice, Community, and Hope. We were inspired to publish that book because NCR’s many challenges and creative solutions over the past 60 years are relevant today.

In this week’s ReadTheSpirit Cover Story, Bill is recommending another very timely history, Faith, Hope and Paris: English-Speaking Catholics in Turbulent France. You’ll find lots of contemporary questions sprinkled through Bill’s overview of Tom Heneghan’s book—plus there’s a fascinating photo gallery at the end of Bill’s story.

If you enjoy this cover story, please share it with friends via social media or email, this week.

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Holidays & Festivals

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?

Did you know we’re spending $27.5 billion this year?

HOLIDAYS EXPERT Stephanie Fenton has lots of news about this big day! Of course, that includes helpful links. Regular readers tell us that they particularly enjoy the way Stephanie’s columns often serve as gateways to more information about upcoming observances. This time, she’s found several “best gift” guides online, plus a special letter to couples from Pope Francis and delicious holiday recipes, as well.

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Prayag Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest peaceful gathering.

Stephanie Fenton also reports on the complex issues involved in this Hindu gathering that already has topped 100 million people and is expected to continue growing before it ends in late February.

 

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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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From our writers—

Meet Christy Berghoef

Spiritual practices can bring solace in troubled times

Christy Berghoef is a writer, speaker, scholar and worship leader based in Michigan whose upcoming book is called, Rooted: A Memoir of Homecoming, and will be published by Reformed Journal Books this spring. We are recommending that our readers get to know Christy’s work right now—because all of us can use the kind of spiritual solace that she is offering.

This link will take you to Christy’s website for a 5-minute video and a short column titled, “Divine Pulse.” She describes this as “the first meditative video in a series based on my upcoming book, Rooted.”

Stay tuned to ReadTheSpirit magazine for news about Christy’s columns—and her new book. If you haven’t already signed up for our free weekly newsletter, please use the green button in the upper-right corner of our front page to get those newsy emails.

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Stumbling over theology

2 perspectives on VP Vance’s preaching

THANKS TO our contributing columnist Ann Worley for alerting us to a couple of perspectives on Vice President Vance’s recent well-publicized pronouncements about how he believes Christian teaching undergirds the new policies in Washington D.C. Americans certainly are free to hold—and to talk about—their own religious beliefs but the Vice President’s claims about enjoying political support from Christian tradition have sparked critiques by both Protestants and Catholics.

From Baptist News Global: Headline “Theologians push back on JD Vance’s view of ‘ordered love’”

From The National Catholic Reporter: Headline “Vance wades into public theology. He is in over his head.”

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Faith & Film

Honoring Black History Month

4 Thought-Provoking Films by Ryan Coogler

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, much like the ongoing Roger Ebert website, we will continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work an sometimes by welcoming other writers.

THIS WEEK, we are recommending links to four great films by director Ryan Coogler, whose work Ed followed and generally praised over many years. Coogler was born in Oakland California in 1986 and was beginning his career in 2009. when Oscar Grant III was shot by a police officer on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. That incident was the subject of Coogler’s first film, titled “Fruitvale Station” to recall the BART station where Grant was killed.

Here are four films by Ryan Coogler that Ed recommended to our readers:

FRUITVALE STATION—Ed strongly recommended this film, because he wrote that we all need to be reminded that “racism is still a strong force in our society.” Ed wrote that movie review in 2013, when Coogler’s film debuted—but Ed’s advise is just as timely today.

CREED—Even though Ed publicly was an opponent of boxing as a sport, he nevertheless praised this film released by Coogler two years after Fruitvale Station.

BLACK PANTHER—By 2018, Coogler’s work with Marvel super hero was simply “spectacular,” Ed concluded.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH—By 2021, Coogler returned to the genre of historical fiction with a far more complex story that had international connections—the rise and eventual killing of Black activist Fred Hampton. Ed gave this film 5 stars and described it as both nuanced and passionate.

And here’s an indie documentary worth seeking out

LEAP OF FAITH—Gail Brookshire encourages all of us who care about bridging the chasms in American culture to learn more about the documentary Leap of Faith—no, not that old 1992 comedy by Steve Martin. This is a relative new, indie film by Nicholas Ma and Morgan Neville and it’s well worth the effort to find—or to schedule—a showing.

 

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