Media Reviews

Now That I’m Catholic

Blog

In the swirling, ever-expanding media uni- delves into the subject of the Rite of Christian verse, blogs might seem dated or not as Initiation of Adults and explores fundamenappealing as a new, flash-in-the-pan social tal questions such as “How much does RCIA media app. But blogs have stuck around cost?” (it’s free) and “Do I have to finish the despite the constantly shifting sands of the program once I’ve started?” (no). digital environment. It might have something Johnston mixes a practical approach to to do with the staying power and popular- nuts-and-bolts-type questions with more ity of journaling. Or perhaps it’s the niche reflective blog entries on questions such as interests that well-written blogs home in on. “Why was Jesus baptized?” He also has a keen Whatever it might be, blogs have persisted, interest in the history of the Catholic Church and, for Catholics and Catholic practices. and those interested Johnston’s entry titled in Catholicism, there “The Nicene Creed: is no shortage of Introduction” delineblogs to engage with. ates not only the what, In fact, there are so but also the how and many that it might be the why behind the hard to know where oft-repeated creed as a to start. After scroll- response and repudiaing through a dozen tion of various heresies or so Catholic blogs, that threatened the one that stuck out in direction of the early terms of its quality and Church. strength of voice was History buffs will Now That I’m Catholic find a kindred spirit (NowThatImCatholic. in many of Johnston’s com), written by a Charles Johnston stands with Bishop Thomas Olmsted blogs, but he also keeps man named Charles outside the Sts. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix. things current. At the Johnston who lives in outset of the COVIDthe Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. 19 pandemic, he was quick to post a blog urg-

Johnston had converted from an evangeli- ing people to stay home from Mass if they felt cal Protestant denomination to Catholicism, unsure or unsafe. This was prior to the major and he felt the call to share his newfound shutdowns that occurred last spring. Other Catholic faith with others as it had been timely content on Now That I’m Catholic shared with him. Evangelization is not always includes posts on holy days and feast days, a strong suit for Catholics, but those who have such as “Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord” converted from other denominations or reli- and “St. John Ogilvie.” Along with the written gions often bring with them an enthusiasm to word, click around Johnston’s website to find spread the word about Catholicism. Johnston links to podcasts, videos, and social media is a perfect example of this phenomenon, and channels. Wherever you land on his website, his blog reflects both his energy for the faith you will find this blogger striving to meet the and an interest in deepening his knowledge of high bar set in his blog’s subtitle: “Exploring Church history and teaching. His post from the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Church January 14, 2021, titled “What Is RCIA?,” Christ founded.”

ICONS

Becoming

Disney+

Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker is pictured in a game against the Minnesota Lynx. Caleb McLaughlin, seen here at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con, is known for his role in Stranger Things. Julianne Hough, pictured here in March 2009, gained fame on Dancing with the Stars.

The path to becoming a celebrity is often blurred in the WNBA star Candace Parker’s episode takes viewers on muddy waters of mainstream media. It’s common to an emotional roller coaster that touches on elements of her dismiss the hard work and dedication that go into becoming tumultuous life, including the loss of mentors, sickness, and an A-list celebrity, from humble beginnings to the place of injury as well as overcoming odds, celebration, and victory— prominence they occupy today. Becoming, a 10-part series on all in 30 minutes. The immediate dive into the dramatic ebbs Disney+, sets out to tell the stories of actors, athletes, musi- and flows of the celebrities’ journeys to fame creates a pull cians, dancers, and comedians—and how they worked for on the viewers that is hard to break. their accomplishments. The series does not cease In brief 30-minute episodes, the lifetime journeys of The immediate dive into the to inspire those who watch it. Through these notable names, stars such as Adam DeVine, dramatic ebbs and flows of the we learn to have persistence in Colbie Caillat, Ashley Tisdale, celebrities’ journeys to fame creates a pursuing our goals. Julianne Rob Gronkowski, and Anthony pull on viewers that is hard to break. Hough, for example, found Davis are retold, stemming herself moving across the from their first dance lesson, world to pursue her dream of football practice, or commercial all the way to the spotlight. dancing. We learn determination from Caleb McLaughlin, With the diversity of talent across these episodes, you’re who landed the role of Simba in Broadway’s The Lion King bound to find one that speaks to you. for two years, ultimately setting himself up for a break-

The brevity of the episodes is worth mentioning. The through role on Netflix’s Stranger Things. The people probrief length could be a downside because it does not allow filed in this series put the power of dreams into perspective. for a full, in-depth walk through each one’s life, but rather a While we may be aware of the work of many of these time line of the highest highs and the lowest lows. In other celebrities, Becoming allows us to see firsthand that their jobs ways, the length of each episode could be a selling point, as it are more than athlete, singer, or entertainer; rather, they are allows viewers, who might not find themselves interested in a masters in the profession of inspiration. This new series can topic or individual, the opportunity to learn something they motivate viewers to go out and chase their dreams, however didn’t know. big they might be.