Book traces history of religious cinema

(CNS photo/courtesy BearManor Media)

By Nancy L. Roberts | Catholic News Service

The life story of Jesus Christ has fascinated filmmakers for more than 100 years. It’s not surprising that more movies have been made about Jesus than about any other subject, but the variation among these portrayals is stunning.

We see the classic, miracle-performing Son of God in epics such as “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965) with its all-star cast of Max von Sydow as Jesus and Charlton Heston as John the Baptist. This film achieved success as “an intellectual epic that carefully unfolded the power of Jesus’ ministry,” writes the author of “Jesus Christ Movie Star,” Phil Hall.

Dog stories highlight God's presence

(CNS photo/courtesy Howard Books)

By Regina Lordan | Catholic News Service

“Dogwinks” is a collection of remarkable short stories highlighting that nothing is impossible with God, and that sometimes His blessings are even more apparent with dogs along life’s twists and turns.

Written by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, authors of the best-selling “Godwinks” series, the book features tales of heroic canines, second chances and seemingly serendipitous encounters. Each true story represents a wink from God, an acknowledgment that He is present in the lives of humans.

Catholic influences guide bestselling romance writer

(CNS photo/ courtesy Nicholas Sparks)
Nicholas Sparks

By Mike Mastromatteo | Catholic News Service

Best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks’ most recent book, “The Wish,” presents a plot common to many of his successful books.

Told through flashback and reflection over a 24-year timespan, the story follows the life of 40-ish New York City photographer Maggie Dawes, who as a teenager was sent to live with her Aunt Linda — a former nun — while she prepares to give birth to an unplanned and unexpected child. 

‘Buen Camino’ -- Deacon’s book shares a good journey

(Photo provided/ Deacon Ron “Willie” Williams)

By Amanda Hudson | News Editor

Deacon Ron “Willie” Williams of St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles is a retired literature, composition, and history teacher who is also a three-time Camino de Santiago (Pilgrimage of St. James) walker. 

He has been married 46 years, has five children and six grandchildren and enjoys taking the kids on “Papa adventures.”

Ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1994, he works as a corporate chaplain, leads church missions, prison retreats, and serves at homeless shelters and as a spiritual director/counselor. He has been a member of St. John Neumann Parish for 35 years.

Thriller draws Vatican archivist into intrigue

(Photo provided)

By Sharon Boehlefeld
The Observer

“Gods in the Ruins,” which came out last spring, is the first in Msgr. Eric Barr’s Vatican Archives Thriller series. 

As the book opens in 2003, an 8-year-old boy, Daniel Aziz, receives a gift from Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. The boy, the son of a Catholic archeologist, is surprised by the gift, but not nearly as surprised as he is years later when his father discovers a mysterious artifact in a tomb in Babylon, an artifact that is written in an ancient language – all except for a date in modern English that is said to be the day when the world will end – Nov. 1, All Saints Day in the liturgical calendar.

Filipina-American author debuts with cozy mystery

(Photo provided)

Reviewed by Sharon Boehlefeld | The Observer

For some traditional Filipinos, it’s already Christmas time.

“In the Philippines they have the longest running Christmas season,” says Mia P. Manansala. They celebrate during “The ‘ber’ months — September, October, November, December.”

Manansala, who is a Filipina-American, launched her debut novel, “Arsenic and Adobo,” the first of her Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series, last summer. 

French couple sets example for faithful lives

(Observer photo/S. Boehlefeld)

 For readers with a little imagination, it will be easy to envision the scenes in “Salt and Light” by Bernadette Chovelon as part of a mid-20th century Technicolor movie extravanganza. 

With a backdrop of Paris during La Belle Époque at the turn of the last century, this tale of two lovers and their journeys of and toward faith come to life amid balls, worlds fairs, travels in Europe and North Africa, and more.

Chovelon’s book, however, is not a novel. It is a well-told recounting of the lives of Elisabeth and Felix Leseur, translated into English by Mary Dudro.