Media Reviews

SURVIVING DEPRESSION: A CATHOLIC APPROACH BY KATHRYN J. HERMES, FSP Pauline Books and Media

Sister Kathryn Hermes, FSP, wrote the first edition of Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach back in 1993, when the taboo of mental illness was only beginning to be replaced with the acceptance of the importance of mental health. Now in its third edition, this book is even more important as the number of individuals grappling with depression—many of whom are practicing Catholics—continues to grow.

In Surviving Depression, Sister Kathryn acknowledges the profound benefits of seeking medical help and advocates for counseling and medication, but she also ties in Catholic teaching and Scripture that readers will find both helpful and comforting.

STAY CONNECTED: SEEKING PEACE BY ALLISON GINGRAS Our Sunday Visitor

This timely journal for Catholic women seeks to help readers move from a place of worry to one of trust and deepened faith. Author Allison Gingras offers seven ways for women to discover how to build and nurture trust in God.

Scripture passages and prayers bolster each chapter, and space to journal is interspersed throughout so that readers can pause, reflect, and put their thoughts and feelings to paper.

ICONS

THE KID’S BOOK OF PRAYERS ABOUT ALL SORTS OF THINGS BY ELIZABETH HELLER AND DAVID HELLER, PHD Pauline Books and Media

Many of us have kids or grandkids who are cooped up at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though prayer might not be the first thing on their list of things they’d like to do in their free time, The Kid’s Book of Prayers about All Sorts of Things shows how praying can be (gasp!) fun and easy—not to mention rewarding.

Geared toward children in middle school, this book is interactive, with spots to write and even draw, and includes prayers about different emotions, being grateful, and problems the world is facing. The prayers on health and feeling lonely might be of particular value for kids struggling with isolation due to the quarantine.

BLESS MY GRANDCHILD: A CATHOLIC PRAYER BOOK FOR GRANDPARENTS BY JULIE CRAGON Ave Maria Press

Sometimes grandparents worry as much as parents do about passing on the Catholic faith—maybe even more. But their worry is also often outweighed by a deep and abiding joy in having a role in their grandchildren’s lives. Julie Cragon’s book covers both the anxieties and delights of grandparenting, including prayers for the wise use of technology, gender identity, and a marriage blessing for adult grandchildren.

Dr. Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation MasterClass (MasterClass.com)

I’ve always wondered how Jane tives. Chimpanzees mourn the deaths Goodall can live so boldly and talk so of family members, engage in vicious quietly. Her soothing voice, with that power struggles, and use tools. Her gorgeous English lilt, should be used decades-long research shook primatolin meditation apps. But don’t let the ogy to its foundation. Her legendary calm delivery soften the power of her mentor, Dr. Louis Leakey, once wrote, message: Goodall, 86, is a powerhouse “We must now redefine man, redefine primatologist with decades of lessons tool, or accept chimpanzees as human!” to share. For this

First, a lesson in MasterClass, MasterClass. When Goodall channels it launched in 2015, those lived experithis online learning ences into a singular platform set the tone focus: conservafor how e-learning tion. But this is should be rendered. no starchy lecture. And people took Goodall teaches notice, with one through storytelling. report stating that Her blackboard is 30,000 people signed her memory. And up for courses when her work in this it went live. Now, field is unmatched: luminaries from In 1977, she Simone Biles to founded the Jane Annie Leibovitz to Goodall Institute, a Wolfgang Puck have worldwide leader in signed on to share protecting primates their experiences “Only if we underand their habitats. and wisdom in their stand, will we care. And because we, too, various crafts. As a Only if we care, will are primates, part of learning platform, we help. Only if we her institute’s efforts MasterClass is peerless. Now, a crash course in Dr. Jane help, shall all be saved.” —Dr. Jane Goodall goes toward bettering the lives of girls in Africa. It isn’t often that Goodall. When this spirituality and brilliant, curious, seemingly benign science can coexist so peacefully, but young woman entered the Tanzanian there’s something inherently spiritual jungles of Gombe Stream National about Goodall. In a past interview, Park in 1960 to study chimpanzees, she alluded to a higher power guidthe world was not prepared for what ing her work, and it’s impossible not her field research would unearth—and to believe it. Without saying it in this the scientific community scoffed at class, Goodall’s life seems touched by her analysis. But she didn’t let gender the divine. Her sole focus is protectdiscrimination deter her. Goodall ing imperiled primates—members of discovered stunning similarities God’s creation. Somewhere, St. Francis between humans and our closest relais smiling.

Class Is in Session

At MasterClass, there is no shortage of classes, themes, and instructors to choose from. Here are three to check out.

Jodie Foster

Teaches Filmmaking While filmmaking is perhaps too lofty a career goal for most of us, that shouldn’t deter the curious from taking Foster’s class. As an instructor, you could do worse: With two Academy Awards on her mantel and some 50 years in the film industry, Foster knows her way around a film set. Brilliant yet wholly relatable, in this setting, Foster soars—and her enthusiasm for a story told well is infectious.

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I’ve never been fond of the celebrated English chef. And after taking his MasterClass on cooking, I’m still not a fan. But even Ramsay’s naysayers must yield to his understanding of the culinary arts and his (overcooked?) enthusiasm for food. Ramsay demystifies cooking and breaks it down into tasty morsels. Dig in!

Anna Wintour Teaches

Creativity and Leadership As the longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue, Wintour is a polarizing figure (read: The Devil Wears Prada). But you won’t find an editor in the industry today with more grit, stamina, and steely intelligence than Wintour. In this class, she teaches that, in leadership, data is useful, but instincts and experience are fundamental.

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