The CatholiCity Message
Volume II, Number 29 – August 4, 1998
Dear CatholiCity Citizen,
Hi. We don't have any major items this week, other than to say that our special intention for last week's Saint Joseph Novena is coming very, very close to being granted. We'll keep you posted. Keep praying! Let's go...
1. MOVIE REVIEW
We went to see "Saving Private Ryan" last night. This is Steven Spielberg's film about the horrors and heroism of the American soldiers who invaded Normandy Beach on D-Day. It was moving, non-political, and extremely violent in its realistic portrayal of modern warfare. We do not recommend this film for children or anyone with a weak stomach. For the rest of you, go see it. You will never glorify war again, and you will come away with an idea of the sacrifices and horror that combat soldiers endured then and are willing to endure now for our sakes. We've always held the utmost respect and gratitude for the men who served in our Armed Forces in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and other conflicts. This movie, despite its violence, and because of its realism, reinforced that respect in a way that we find impossible to put into words.
2. BOOK REVIEW
We recently read Michael O'Brien's novel, "Eclipse of the Sun." It is the story of how a totalitarian regime attempts to destroy the minds and hearts of those who love God in Canada. We're not literary critics, so we won't give a "technical" review, but we do heartily recommend this book. It's a real page-turner, and at times, very disturbing precisely because, like "Saving Private Ryan," it is realistic. It's available in Catholic bookstores everywhere, and directly from Ignatius Press at 800.537.0390. As an 850 page hardback, it's not cheap, but as Michael told us, if you don't like it, it also makes for an effective and handsome doorstop. Available online:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"There are no galley slaves in the royal vessel of divine love–every man works his oar voluntarily."
Jean Pierre Camus
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Two vagabonds are walking on a railroad track. The lead vagabond says in a voice filled with exasperation and fatigue, "Marvin, this is the longest staircase I've ever tried to climb!"
Marvin, the second vagabond, trailing behind the first, awkwardly has his hands on the steel tracks as he struggles to crawl from wooden tie to tie, replies, "It aint the stairway making it hard! It's these stupid HAND RAILS that bother me!"
Pretty awful joke, eh? Have a great week.
Yours in Christ,
Your Friends at CatholiCity
