‘Blue Nuns’ become an international model of Green living

COVER STORY—The nostalgic photo, above, summons deep memories for millions of Americans who were taught by nuns. But make no mistake! Patricia Montemurri’s new book about one of the most influential orders to serve American families makes it clear that these sisters—brilliant pioneers in many fields—are now a global model for Green living.

Yes, their numbers have dwindled—and their ages have risen—but a few women still are joining the order. Most importantly, even as they have aged, these pioneers have focused their ministry on what the can control. That includes a multi-million-dollar transformation of their enormous Motherhouse in Michigan into a global model of green systems.

Please, read Patricia Montemurri’s cover story this week; consider ordering your own copy of her book (either from the convenient Amazon links or through a special direct-order link we have included to maximize the revenue going to IHM ministries from book purchases). And, of course, share this news with friends! Remember, millions of Americans have memories of the nuns who once taught them—or shaped their lives in other important ways. (For example, did you know White Stripes co-founder Jack White was a student of IHM sisters?)

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SISTERS WEEK

MARCH 8-14—Did you know that, in recent years, this special week encourages people nationwide to celebrate the powerfully progressive work of Catholic nuns in this country (and around the world as well). Patricia Montemurri’s Cover Story includes IHM-related background on this festival. And, you can learn more at the official Catholic Sisters Week website, which includes additional resources plus news about regional events.

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RECALLING FOND MEMORIES?
CONSIDER PRODUCING YOUR OWN BOOK!

Patricia Montemurri also wrote a fascinating column for our Front Edge Publishing blog about her ongoing work with Arcadia Publishing. Especially if you are interested in Catholic history and culture, by reading that Front Edge column, you’ll learn about her two earlier books on Catholic themes—plus an upcoming fourth book. Got a Catholic on your gift list this year? These make terrific gifts that spark lots of memories—and can inspire future spiritual reflection.

And there’s more: Are you a journalist, a regional writer or a history buff? Patty also explains in her column how Arcadia caters to such professionals, helping them finally to produce those local books they’ve hoped to see in print.

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Holidays & Festivals

MAKE IT A MEMORABLE LENT

A PERFECT YEAR FOR ‘OUR LENT’—Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton reported on the start of Lent recently for 2 billion Christians: “With Lent quickly approaching and Easter on the horizon, Western Christians enter the season of repentance.” (Click to read more.)

The annual observance of Lent—the season of spiritual reflection leading to Easter—is growing across the U.S. Around the world, 2 billion men and women mark Lent as a part of the Christian calendar.

If you’re looking for an inspiring book to read day-by-day along your own Lenten journey this year, we recommend Our Lent: Things We Carry. 

These 40 daily stories by David Crumm highlight 40 “things” that Jesus and his followers encountered in the final days of his life, which is the biblical story Christians remember as Easter approaches. Then, each chapter connects the Bible lesson with our own daily lives—as well as the lives of men and women who are celebrated in our culture, including the spiritual writer Thomas Merton, the actress and singer Judy Garland, the country musician Merle Haggard and even the beloved Cat in the Hat.

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Purim

MONDAY EVENING the festivities, masquerades, plays and sweet treats of Purim recall the ancient victory of the Jewish people due to the courageous Esther. Stephanie Fenton has the story—along with a delicious recipe for Hamantaschen cookies by Bobbi Lewis.

Holi

HINDU COMMUNITIES around the world also are celebrating the colorful festival of Holi. Stephanie Fenton writes: “Termed the Festival of Colors, Holi calls all participants to set aside castes and manners for the day so that young and old, rich and poor, men and women can all gather to welcome the joy of spring.”

Care to see all of our Holidays & Festivals columns? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the address InterfaithHolidays.com

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And Now for Something Completely Different …

GOD SIGNS—Week after week, Suzy Farbman brings us inspiring and sometimes downright funny columns about the remarkable men and women she meets in her travels. Well, this week, she invites us to meet—yes, some lovable cats! In a column guaranteed to make you smile, Suzy also has added a number of great cat photos.

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THANKS TO PETER WALLACE and DAY1 RADIO!

LISTEN IN! If you haven’t discovered Day1 radio, we invite you to visit the Day1 website this week and learn more about a broadcaster near you—or about ways to stream Day1 online. Founded in 1945, Day1 Radio began as “The Protestant Hour” and has evolved under the direction of author and broadcaster Peter Wallace into a source of inspiration from some of America’s greatest preachers and teachers. Since we founded ReadTheSpirit in 2007, Peter and his team have been mutually supportive in many ways. (Stay tuned! Later this year, we’ll have a Cover Story about Peter’s latest book.)

Day1 has consistently encouraged its audience to pick up a copy of Duncan Newcomer’s new 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln—Quiet Fire. This week, you can read a free sample chapter from Duncan’s book on Day1’s website.

Also this week, Day1 is promoting a major fundraiser in Georgia with our author, the standup comic Rabbi Bob Alper, who is co-branding a special appearance of his Laugh in Peace Tour with Day1. You’ll see the details on Day1’s front page, if you happen to be in Georgia. Care to laugh a bit this week? Check out Bob Alper’s Life Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This or his Thanks. I Needed That.

 

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FAITH & FILM 

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:

• ONWARD—Ed writes, ” Pixar continues to live up to its reputation for being the most creative studio in the U.S. The film is a funny celebration of bothers, who though they may be totally different from each other, will always come through for each other.” (4.5 out of 5 stars)
• THE INVISIBLE MAN—“Leigh Whannell’s is truly a creepy film that will hold you in suspense from the very first scene.” (4 stars)
• CALL OF THE WILD—“Director Chris Sanders and scriptwriter Michael Green have transformed Jack London’s 1903 novel from a parable of Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” into one that teaches kindness as a way of life.” (4 stars)
• BAD BOYS FOR LIFE—”Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are older, and at least one of them a bit wiser.” (3 stars)
• THE PHOTOGRAPH—”Released in time for Valentine Day, director Stella Meghie’s film is a good date film for those who want a love story a little more complicated than a Hallmark film.” (4 stars)
• HANK WILLIAMS: THE SHOW HE NEVER GAVE—Ed reaches back to 1980, this week, to recommend a movie about the tragic life and the musical legacy of Hank Williams. The film currently is available to Netflix subscribers. (5 stars)
• BURDEN—You’ll have to look for this indie film, based on true events, but Ed McNulty says it’s well worth the effort. He writes, “Set during the 90s, this is an amazing story that will remind you of last year’s The Best of Enemies, which also told the story of how a KKK member and a black activist became friends.” Although the film was shot in 2016 and first shown at film festivals in 2018, only now is it appearing in more cities across the U.S. (4.5 stars)
• THE GENTLEMEN—You may want to skip Guy Ritchie’s new action comedy, which Ed says is “stuffed with killers and drug dealers and a blackmailer.” (3 out of 5 stars)
• SONIC THE HEDGEHOG—Ed writes, “Along with its zany action, which the kids will love, there are plenty of funny lines.”

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