5 minute read
Arts & Entertainment
28 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
catholicnewsherald.com | April 22, 2022
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In theaters
Hard-edged yet deeply moving dramatization of the life of Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg). With the continuance of his somewhat successful boxing career rendered too dangerous by a medical condition, he moves to Los Angeles and tries to reinvent himself as a Hollywood star, winding up instead as a directionless supermarket clerk. But things begin to turn around for him when he falls at first sight for a devout CCD teacher (Teresa Ruiz). To please her, he goes through the motions of becoming Catholic, his conversion only becoming real after a near-death experience that also sets him on an unlikely path toward the priesthood, much to the consternation of his emotionally abusive father (Mel Gibson) and caring but unbelieving mother (Jacki Weaver). A tribute to a future cleric who showed dogged determination and grit in the face of a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, writerdirector Rosalind Ross’ profile also showcases his unconventional but effective approach to preaching the Gospel. Some physical violence, a bloody accident, offscreen premarital sexual activity, profanity, pervasive rough language.
CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R
In this follow-up to the film franchise’s 2020 kickoff, their mix of animation and live action makes no more demands on its audience than a session of playing the Sega videogames on which both movies are based. Lip service may be given to the need for enduring connections with others since the title character (voice of Ben Schwartz) is a cosmic expat always looking for a permanent home. Yet pride of place goes to hyperkinetic instant travel, explosions and slapstick as he embarks on a quest to find a magic emerald that grants whoever possesses it immense powers. Intense action sequences, a single scatological reference. CNS: A-II (adults); MPAA: PG
Crime drama centers on an Afghan War vet (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who gets caught up in a bank heist masterminded by his mentally unstable adoptive brother (Jake Gyllenhaal). When the crime goes awry, they hijack an ambulance in which a paramedic (Eiza González) is struggling to treat a policeman (Jackson White) the ex-soldier accidentally shot. A few mild oaths, pervasive rough language.
CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R n Friday, April 22, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “The Martyrs of La Florida.” The extraordinary faith of the Spanish priests and Apalachee natives that were killed while evangelizing and defending their Catholic faith in La Florida.
n Saturday, April 23, 4:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Beatification of Sister Faustina.” Devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus came from war-torn Poland through the message of Sister Faustina. On April 18, 1993, millions gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Faustina and to proclaim her feast day as Oct. 5. Relive this historic event.
n Saturday, April 23, 6 p.m. (EWTN) “Explore with the Miracle Hunter: Assisi.” The Italian city of Assisi gave rise to two of history’s most celebrated saints. “Miracle Hunter” Michael O’Neill follows the trail of St. Francis, the first to bear the stigmata, and St. Clare, his wonderworking follower. n Sunday, April 24, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Regina Caeli with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis recites the glorious prayer to Our Lady Queen of Heaven: The Regina Caeli. n Wednesday, April 27, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Heart of a Missionary: The Story of Pauline Jaricot.” To mark her beatification, an inspiring documentary explores the life of Pauline Jaricot. Expert interviews, archival footage and dramatic recreations tell the story of this remarkable French laywoman who faithfully served others. n Friday, April 29, 5 a.m. (EWTN) “St. Catherine of Siena.” Discover the prolific work and life of one of the Doctors of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena, as told through interviews and reenactments in this EWTN original docudrama, filmed on location in Italy. n Saturday, April 30, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Holy Sepulcher.” In the heart of Jerusalem, see how archeology, history and religion converge in this fascinating look at the famous Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, long a major pilgrimage center for Christians all over the world.
n Saturday, April 30, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Barbara.” A cinematic look at St. Barbara, who became a Christian and suffered martyrdom in the early Church.
BOOK COVER ART PROVIDED BY MEGHAN HADER A local Catholic school teacher’s experiences with generosity inspired her to pen “The Story of One,” a children’s book which illustrates just how far one small act of kindness can go.
One act of kindness
St. Gabriel teacher pens children’s book about being kind
SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
CHARLOTTE — It took over seven years for St. Gabriel School fifth-grade teacher Meghan Hader to pen her first children’s book, “The Story of One.” “It started out as a poem, and then more and more stanzas and ideas came to me,” Hader says. As with any good book, there is a story behind the story, and this book is no exception. Hader, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been teaching at St. Gabriel School for the past 14 years. She shares “Feel Good Friday” videos with her class each week that offer inspirational or funny stories highlighting a positive message.
During the 2014-’15 school year, she shared a video about a Cincinnati Bengals football player, Devon Still, whose daughter, Leah, had just been diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer.
“At the end of the video, it showed that the Cincinnati Bengals were selling Still’s jersey for $100, and all proceeds were going to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital,” Hader recalls. “One of my students raised his hand and said, ‘I think we should get one for the class.’” Hader says the student went to his lunch box and pulled out roughly $2. A few other students followed suit, and by the end of the day the class had about $9 toward the jersey. “Without prompting, the students must have talked after school because the next day, over $130 showed up on my desk,” Hader recounts. “I still proudly have our class jersey displayed behind my desk from that class of 2014-’15.” Hader believes that this simple act of giving on behalf of her students, in helping a child they would never meet, prompted her story writing. “I just wanted to illustrate just how far one small idea can go,” she explains. “It was easy to fill in the rest of the pages (of my book) from other wonderful things I have seen through teaching, through my family, and just in everyday life.”Hader Hader says she doesn’t plan on a second book but hopes the universal message of doing or giving “just one” continues to carry on. Get a copy
Meghan Hader’s book, “The Story of One,” is available online from Amazon or Warren Publishing, or in Charlotte at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, in the Park Road Shopping Center.
On TV
