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Summer movie season starts with spring kick-off

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By Catholic News Service
NEW YORK (CNS) – The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.
“Can we please stop saying sex?” a character asks in the ensemble romantic comedy “Book Club” (Paramount). The answer, in a word, is no.
In fact, there’s hardly a line of dialogue in director and co-writer Bill Holderman’s film, penned with Erin Simms, that doesn’t contain an innuendo, a smutty pun or some other tiresome joke. A listless cat’s visit to a veterinarian and the refurbishment of a motorcycle are both made the occasion for extended off-color wordplay, while the use of Viagra in ill-chosen setting results in a series of cringe-worthy visuals.
Such elements are all the more embarrassing given the movie’s stellar veteran cast. That these pros are going to find themselves flailing around in a morass of bad taste becomes apparent as soon as the premise is known: A group of friends, all ladies of a certain age, find their interest in amour renewed after their book club takes on E.L. James’ sadomasochistic “Fifty Shades” trilogy.
And so, they’re off to the races, each in her own way. Timid recent widow Diane (Diane Keaton) who suffers from fear of flying, falls, ironically enough, for wealthy pilot and aeronautics researcher Mitchell (Andy Garcia). But Diane’s path to happiness is blocked by the patronizing attitude of her duo of over-solicitous daughters, Jill (Alicia Silverstone) and Adrianne (Katie Aselton).
Promiscuous, emotionally detached hotel owner Vivian (Jane Fonda) reconnects with Arthur (Don Johnson), the ex whose proposal she long ago turned down. Though she increasingly regrets her decision, reintegrating the physical and emotional aspects of love may take some work.
Buttoned-up federal judge Sharon (Candice Bergen) has yet to get over her divorce from Tom (Ed Begley Jr.), despite the fact that it’s been 18 years since they split. But, apparently inspired by the kinky connection she and the others have been reading about, she tries an online dating service and promptly meets George (Richard Dreyfuss). He’s so obviously her soulmate that they follow up their first meal together by going for it in the back seat of her car.
Meanwhile, married couple of many years Carol (Mary Steenburgen) and Bruce (Craig T. Nelson) struggle to reignite the faltering flames of their mutual passion.
“Book Club” crusades relentlessly for an aging woman’s to satisfaction in the bedroom – or the back seat – without regard to marital status or any other circumstance. Only Vivian’s tilt away from her licentious past and Carol and Bruce’s commitment to fidelity partially retrieve the lowminded proceedings.
The film contains a misguided view of human sexuality, an offscreen premarital encounter, implied cohabitation, pervasive sexual humor, including an extended tasteless sight gag, several profanities and milder oaths and at least one rough and a couple of crude terms. The Catholic News Service classification is L – limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Black Panther” (2018)
Sprawling, energetic but ultimately overlong Marvel Comics adaptation from director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. The young sovereign (Chadwick Boseman) of an imaginary – and secret – African kingdom where the use of a super-powerful mineral has enabled the population to achieve both prosperity and a range of technological wonders unknown to the outside world must cope with two principal threats to his realm. The first involves a South African arms dealer (Andy Serkis) who has managed to infiltrate the nation and make off with a stock of the mineral which he aims to sell to the highest bidder. The second concerns the ongoing consequences of a long-ago family conflict (involving Michael B. Jordan). The king is aided by his tech-savvy sister (Letitia Wright), the woman (Lupita Nyong’o) he would like to make his queen, the leader (Danai Gurira) of his army’s band of fierce female warriors and, eventually, by a CIA agent (Martin Freeman). Real-world political preoccupations are incorporated into this sci-fi tinged action adventure while plot developments weigh vengeance against justice and violent revolution against peaceful reform. Possibly acceptable for older teens. Nonstructural religious ideas and practices, much stylized violence with minimal gore, several crude and at least one crass term, an obscene gesture. Spanish language and titles options. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)

“Mastermind” (1976)
Comedy misfire filmed in Japan with Zero Mostel as a Kyoto police inspector investigating a series of murders involving an android doll (Felix Silla), Nazi war criminals, Israeli agents, an American spy (Bradford Dillman) and a nightclub owner (Keiko Kishi). Directed by Alex March, the disjointed proceedings make little sense, the comedy is flat and the inspector’s recurring daydream of being a samurai superwarrior is tiresome. Stylized violence and sexual innuendo. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G — general audiences. All Ages Admitted. (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)

“Samson” (2018)
Spirited biblically based drama in which the super-strong champion (Taylor James) of the oppressed Israelites skylarks with his younger brother (Greg Kriek), romances a Philistine gal (Frances Sholto-Douglas) but also tangles with the wicked prince (Jackson Rathbone) who embodies that people’s tyrannical and exploitative rule over the occupied Promised Land. As Samson mows down his foes, with femme fatale Delilah (Caitlin Leahy) waiting in the wings, director Bruce Macdonald follows the formula of golden-age Hollywood adaptations of the Good Book with large-scale battles, a love angle and an effete villain. Though some of the necessary expansion on the Old Testament account fails to convince, this is generally an enjoyable riff on the Hebrew he-man’s story. While not suitable for the youngest viewers, it can provide a fine introduction to the subject for teens. Much combat violence with little gore, a scene of torture, references to prostitution and womanizing. Spanish language and titles options. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)

“First Reformed” (A24)
This drama about a Protestant minister (Ethan Hawke) in upstate New York has quite a bit to say about religious belief, environmentalism, grieving, alienation, rage, the power of love and the corruption of religion by money and power. Writer-director Paul Schrader does not condescend to belief, but is interested in launching discussions about what faith means and what actions best express it. Some gore, mature themes, fleeting scatological references. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R – restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Life of the Party” (Warner Bros.)
Anemic comedy in which middle-aged mom Melissa McCarthy (who also co-wrote the script) is dumped by her husband (Matt Walsh) in favor of the hard-edged real estate agent (Julie Bowen) with whom he has been having an affair and decides to get a fresh start by returning to the university she dropped out of in order to have her now-grown daughter (Molly Gordon) who is also currently a student there. Her kindly, upbeat manner makes her the toast of her daughter’s sorority and wins her the heart of a handsome fraternity brother (Luke Benward). Everything about director and co-writer Ben Falcone’s star vehicle for his wife McCarthy rings false, including its affirmations of maternal and filial affection and its rounds of mutual feminine confidence building. Frivolously treated offscreen nonmarital and marital sexual activity, some of it in semi-public places, unintentional drug use, comic brawling, sexual and anatomical humor, a couple of crude and numerous crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Calling all graduates: we need your photos

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Mississippi Catholic is starting work early on this year’s Graduation Special. If a student in your parish is the Valedictorian or Salutatorian of his or her high school or if someone in your parish is receiving a special honor, we would like to include them in the edition. Similarly, if your parish honors its graduates, we would love a photo with names and schools for this edition. Send all information to Maureen Smith, editor at maureen.smith@jacksondiocese.org by Friday, May 25.

Click here for examples

Black Panther author visits Holy Family School

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By Laura Grisham
HOLLY SPRINGS – Author Jesse Holland, a Holly Springs native, came back to visit his hometown recently and made a special stop at Holy Family School. An uncle to three of Holy Family School’s students, Holland was excited to make an appearance and encourage the children on their future paths.
The author was tapped by Marvel to write the novel for the new blockbuster movie “Black Panther.” The film has shattered box office records and has taken in more than $1.3 billion dollars worldwide to date.
Holland has been an avid comic book fan since childhood. When Marvel called him about the Black Panther project in 2016, he jumped at the opportunity.
“Being a Black Panther fan, I didn’t have to do much research,” he said. “I just had to re-read the stuff I already had.”
Holland confessed that he had a stash of original comic books in the basement of his home, which he had since childhood. “I had to do more research on real African traditions and real African words,” he explained.
Holland told students that his manuscript, which took six months to complete, was 90,000 words.
Holland, employing his nieces and nephew to assist with microphone duties, fielded questions from the children. He took the opportunity to share tips on completing school assignments and setting goals. He also emphasized the importance of education, looking at it as a bridge to future opportunities.
Before his Black Panther fame, Holland also penned several other novels, including “Black Men Built The Capitol: Discovering African-American History In and Around Washington, D.C.” and “The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African-American Slavery Inside The White House.”
Jesse confessed that “The Invisibles” was his favorite writing to date. And it was “The Invisibles” that opened the door to an exciting new project, a book in the Star Wars franchise.
Holland explained how a member of Disney Lucas Films reached out to him after reading “The Invisibles.” There was a new character in a ‘Star Wars’ movie called Finn, and the character needed a history. Holland was commissioned to write a book called “Star Wars: A Force Awakens, Finn’s Story,” and it paved the way to his Marvel success.
Although both parents were teachers, it was his mother’s profession as an English teacher at H.W. Byers that inspired his career path.
“I think I got the writing bug from her. I started working at my town newspaper, ‘The South Reporter’ in Holly Springs, Mississippi,” he shared. “When I went to school at the University of Mississippi, I majored in journalism and English, and I’ve been working as a journalist ever since.”
Holland, in addition to his novel endeavors, is a race and ethnicity writer for the Associated Press and teaches creative nonfiction at Goucher College in Maryland.
Graciously staying well beyond his allotted time at the school, he answered every question that the children could craft. Before saying his goodbyes to the staff and student body, Jesse took the time to sign autographs for everyone at the school and make pictures with a host of fans, both young and old.
(This story is reprinted with permission from the Sacred Heart Southern Missions newsletter.)

HOLLY SPRINGS– Jesse Holland, author, journalist and Holly Springs native, stopped at Holy Family School to speak to the students. He was tapped by Marvel to write a Black Panther novel. (Photos by Laura Grisham)

St. Patrick school’s Irish Festival

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MERIDIAN – A volunteer helps St. Patrick School student John Henry Wilkinson play one of the many games at Irish Fest. The annual event was held on Saturday, April 21. Students and community members could “dunk” their pastor, play games and enjoy a day together. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)

Photos by Helen Reynolds)

Charlie Brown hits the stage in Greenville

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GREENVILLE – Saint Joseph school Presented “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” April 25-29. Charles Schulz’s beloved comic became a broadway musical written by Clark Gesner. Two casts of students alternated at performances, bringing the whole gang from the comics to life: bossy Lucy was hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder; perfectionist Sally mocking blanket-toting Linus; Snoopy was in the doghouse, and “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown. In photo above, Linus, played by J.R. Duncan, extolls the virtues of his beloved security blanket. The cast also included Zack Woodard as Charlie Brown, Olivia DeAngelo (pictured) and Cecilia Azar, both playing Snoopy, Rebecca Jones (pictured) and Gracie McGaugh as Sally, Carsen Mansour( pictured) and Sarah Tonos as Lucy and Ethan Morales as Woodstock. (Photos by Missi Blackstock)

Vacation Bible Schools

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Parishes offer Vacation Bible Schools
CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of Clarksdale, “Shipwrecked” June 18-22. Join the fun by helping with decoration and set-up, facilitating a group or donating items. Volunteers are needed. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, “Camp Catholic” June 11-13. Join us as we prepare to camp in God’s creation. Adult volunteers and youth fifth graders and older are needed to help transform our spaces into our Camp Catholic campground and to serve as camp counselors/helpers. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be in the back of church. Sign-up for attendees will begin in May. Details: contact Karen Worrell at kworrellcre@hotmail.com or church office (601) 856-2054.
GREENVILLE Sacred Heart, June 4-8. Ages 5-11 years or K to sixth grade. If you just finished the 6th grade you can register. Details: church office (662) 332-0891.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Come aboard the “SS St. Francis” and sail to the island of Vacation Bible School, June 18-22 for pre-k-fourth graders. Volunteers are needed by May 20 to teach, assist, lead our music program, decorate, work in the kitchen, babysit and prepare. Details: Mary Catherine at mc.george@stfrancismadison.org to volunteer.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, “Shipwrecked” June 4-8, 8-11:30 a.m. Ages three (must have completed PreK3)– fifth grade. Fees: $20 per child and $10 for each additional child. Details: jessicastubbs@gmail.com, church office (601) 445-5616 or https://vbspro.events/p/events/stmarynatchez to register.
PEARL St Jude, “Around the World in 5 Days!” June 11-15, 9 a.m. – noon, Campers: ages three years – rising 6th grade. Suggested donation: $5 per child. Young adult and adult volunteers needed: rising 7th – 12th grades. Details: Stacy Wolf, ccd@stjudepearl.org, (601) 939-3181, or follow on Facebook at St. Jude Catholic Church.

Spring Sacrament Edition

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Mississippi Catholic will publish a Spring Sacraments edition in July. This means we need your First Communion and Confirmation photos. This is your only chance to submit posed group photos to Mississippi Catholic by email to editor@mississippicatholic.com. The final due date for submissions is Friday, July 6.

PEARL – St. Jude celebrated First communion Sunday, May 6. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

Clinton couple named Knights of Columbus Family of the Year

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BILOXI – Mississippi’s Knights of Columbus gathered on the coast for their 114th annual convention the last weekend of April this year. Bishop Joseph Kopacz joined Bishop Louis Kihneman of Biloxi to concelebrate a memorial Mass at St. Michael Church. Diocese of Jackson chaplain for the Knights, Father Scott Thomas, joined them.
Among the honors the Diocese of Jackson councils brought home, Bill and Carolyn O’Connor of Clinton Holy Savior Parish are the family of the year for the state. The couple serve in multiple ministries at their parish and are known for their willingness to do whatever is needed.
The convention gives the knights a chance to participate in workshops and trade ideas as well as renew their commitment of service to the church.

Photos by Juliana Skelton, Gulf Pine Catholic

Fun and fresh book appeals to hipster Catholics with spiritual swagger

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By Regina Lordan
“The Catholic Hipster Handbook: Rediscovering Cool Saints, Forgotten Prayers and Other Weird but Sacred Stuff” by Tommy Tighe. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Indiana, 2017). 206 pp., $15.95.
“Catholic Puzzles, Word Games and Brainteasers” by Matt Swaim. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Indiana, 2017). 64 pp., $9.95.
“Christian Labyrinths: A Celtic Coloring Book” by Daniel Mitsui. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Indiana, 2017). 64 pp., $10.95.
Are you a Catholic hipster? Are you a bespectacled foodie, black skinny jeans and Chucks-wearing Catholic “sneaking a peek at your breviary app during your work meeting,” as the book teases?

These are the covers of “The Catholic Hipster Handbook: Rediscovering Cool Saints, Forgotten Prayers and Other Weird but Sacred Stuff” by Tommy Tighe; “Catholic Puzzles, Word Games and Brainteasers” by Matt Swaim; and “Christian Labyrinths: A Celtic Coloring Book” by Daniel Mitsui. The books are reviewed by Regina Lordan. (CNS)

Then yes, you are a Catholic hipster, and yes, “The Catholic Hipster Handbook: Rediscovering Cool Saints, Forgotten Prayers, and Other Weird but Sacred Stuff” by Tommy Tighe is for you.
Does this stereotype annoy you and does the whole idea of a Catholic hipster seem odd? It doesn’t matter, this book is still for you.
Just as the world is saturated with stereotypes about hipsters and Catholics (and perhaps now Catholic hipsters?), the market is saturated with books for Catholic moms, grieving, spirituality, history, the saints and the Gospel. It is not exactly overflowing with literature that purposely identifies with Catholics with a certain type of spiritual swagger.
This book will speak to the Catholic who is ready to appreciate the absolute coolness of Catholicism: It is countercultural, it’s ancient (more ancient than those ancient grains on your avocado toast), and there is so much to celebrate, discover and explore within the faith to deepen spirituality and life.
“The Catholic Hipster Handbook” augments these glorious features of the church and organizes them into ways to rediscover the church’s attitude, stuff, life and the attraction. The aptly called rediscoveries are explained and unfolded by interesting laypeople, as well by a Salesian sister and diocesan priest. Each topic is given a saint, prayer and activity. Hipsters love homework, right? Well no one really does, but this homework is easy, meaningful and involves pilgrimages, simple matching games, art projects and praying.
With chapters like “Catholic Weird on Twitter,” “What About Beards,” “Taking Pope Francis to the Farmers Market” and “The Local Craft (Catholic?) Brewery Scene,” there is no wonder “The Catholic Hipster Handbook” appeared on several top books lists floating around the internet.
Fresh and original, fun and clever, the book is laden with authentic church teaching, beautiful prayers, meaningful reflections and spiritual refreshment. In “O Scapular, My Scapular,” Sarah Vabulas, author and podcast host, discusses the meaning behind her beloved scapular. On one side is the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on the other is an image of Mary.
Vabulas said wearing the scapular almost daily has given her the opportunity to answer curious questioners about the relationship between Mary and Jesus. She notes the history of the scapular and its symbolism to live a life focused on Jesus through prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation.
Lisa Hendey’s contribution includes practical applications to keep Catholics focused on Catholicism by sharing her favorite Catholic apps. Author and founder of the popular CatholicMom.com, Hendey also reminds readers about the importance of silencing technology to “simply be in the astounding presence of the greatest designer the world has ever known.”
Her cool saint is St. Eligius, who “would have been an app designer had he lived in modern times.” This patron saint of gas station workers was a priest, bishop and skilled metalworker who used his access to royalty to help the poor. Her activity? Spend some time with an elderly person and help them learn something new about their technology.
Written by Tommy Tighe, founder of CatholicHipster.com, with the help of contributors including Leticia Ochoa Adams from Sirius XM, musician and comedian Matt Dunn and Salesian Sister Brittany Harrison, the voices are diverse and bring something very interesting to the (brunch?) table. Try it out and reinvigorate your faith life with a breath of fresh air.
In the mood for more alternative ways to engage your faith life? Try out “Catholic Puzzles, Word Games, and Brainteasers” by Matt Swaim and “Christian Labyrinths: A Celtic Coloring Book” by Daniel Mitsui, both published by Ava Maria Press.
“Catholic Puzzles” is collection of mind-bending but fun quizzes, code scrambles and letter games. The games will hone your Bible and Catholic fact skills as well as provide several hours of entertainment.
“Christian Labyrinths” is a coloring book that marries a love of coloring with intricate tile patterns and Bible verses and prayers. Interestingly, each page contains a hidden mistake adding to the challenge and intrigue of this unique collection of coloring pages for adults.
(Lordan has master’s degrees in education and political science and is a former assistant international editor of Catholic News Service. She is a digital editor at Peanut Butter & Grace, an online resource for Catholic family catechesis.)

Water and Spirit

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GUEST COLUMN
By Bishop John M. Botean
I was an undergrad in philosophy at The Catholic University of America when I had the opportunity to attend an off-campus lecture by Rev. Alexander Schmemann, dean of St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary in New York and one of the most eminent English-speaking theologians in the Orthodox world.
His lecture was based on what was then his newly released book, “Of Water and the Spirit: A Liturgical Study of Baptism.” The book became a major text, found on the required reading list in at least one course in CUA’s School of Theology by the next year. Together with the lecture I was about to hear, “Of Water and the Spirit” was foundational for me, dramatically affecting my later approach, as a priest, to all the sacraments.
After an introduction given by Cardinal William Baum, then the archbishop of Washington, Father Schmemann opened by relating a story about an ecumenical event he once attended. He had found himself seated alongside the Episcopal delegation. Asking how this came about, he was told that it was because the Episcopalians, like the Orthodox, had a strong tradition of liturgy. His reply: “Put me next to the Quakers. They love the Holy Spirit.”
I don’t recall the reaction of the crowd, but a light certainly went on in me. Father Alexander lectured on, his deep bass voice outlining what I took to be an entirely revolutionary approach to baptism, as well as a powerful, creative approach to its celebration that involved the entire eucharistic assembly, rather than (as he put it) a small family group in the dark corner of an empty church. I was struck by the vivid images he presented, speaking of the apparent innocence of an infant belying the cosmic struggle between good and evil already taking place in that innocent’s life, on account of which the church would step in powerfully in Christ’s name through the sacraments of Christian initiation.
In the Byzantine world, Catholic as well as Orthodox, the sacraments (or “mysteries,” to use Byzantine terminology) of baptism, chrismation (confirmation), and Eucharist are all celebrated together. Neither the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit (chrismation) nor participation in the Body of Christ (Eucharist) is separated liturgically from immersion into the life, death, resurrection, and immortal life of Christ through the waters of baptism.
So, what does this have to do with Quakers?
Traditional worship in the Society of Friends, or Quakers, involves sitting in silence, awaiting the work of the Holy Spirit. When someone is moved, or “inspired,” to speak, he or she speaks the word he or she has received. Without this inspiration, nothing happens.
There is a somewhat similar emphasis in the Byzantine theology of the Trinity: it is the Spirit who completes, perfects and personalizes everything that God does in Christ. The Holy Spirit is never left out of the conversation when talking about the sacraments, the life of the individual Christian, or, indeed, the entire Christian dispensation. Among the very purposes of Christ’s redemptive suffering is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into the world. As Jesus himself says, “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7-8)
Through Christ, the world has entered the Age of the Church, what Byzantines refer to liturgically as “time after Pentecost,” since Christians, by their baptism, are bearers of the Spirit in the world.
All of the mysteries (sacraments) include an epiclesis, an explicit invocation of the Holy Spirit to carry out, perfect and personalize the work of sanctification in the sacrament. In baptism itself, the Holy Spirit is called upon to sanctify the water and give it the power to bring about the rebirth of the person about to be baptized in it: baptismal water is not blessed in advance but consecrated for each celebration. Immediately after the triple immersion of baptism, the newly baptized is anointed with holy chrism, sealing the new Christian personally with the gift of the Holy Spirit as the pledge of eternal life.
The emphasis given to the Holy Spirit in Byzantine theology is thus explicit, and yet different from that found in the charismatic movement. When, then, I am asked if Jesus Christ is my personal savior, I think of Father Schmemann’s tongue-in-cheek humor and answer with a bit of my own: “No. Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. The Holy Spirit is my personal savior, because ‘no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the holy Spirit.’” (1 Cor. 12:3)
As Quakers – and Byzantines – would say, without the Holy Spirit nothing happens.

(Romanian Catholic Bishop John M. Botean of the Eparchy of St. George in Canton, Ohio, is a member of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Communications.)