INTERNET
The Congregation of Holy Cross recently re-launched holycrossvocations.org, offering tools designed to introduce potential candidates to life as a Holy Cross priest or Brother and help lead them through their discernment process.
Catholic TV offers short pro-life videos, created in October for Pro-life Month but available year-round at catholic-tv.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-pro-life-month.html.
MyConsecration.org is a Catholic apostolate formed by an alliance of Catholic groups that share a common concern for the saving of souls and strengthening of the Catholic Church through the Total Consecration to Jesus Though Mary. The website offers free resources about the Rosary and total consecration.
Fatimafortoday.com, developed by Ignatius Press, offers study guides and films related to the miracles at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.
TELEVISION & RADIO
The Hallmark Channel continues to provide many original and family-oriented movies for the holiday season, including A PRINCESS FOR CHRISTMAS (Dec. 3), ANNIE CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN (Dec. 10), THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT (Dec. 11), CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO CANAAN (Dec. 17), and CHRISTMAS MAGIC (Dec.18).
Sports fans may be interested in tuning in to EWTN Radio for Blessed2Play, a weekly Catholic sports talk show that airs Fridays at 2:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4:30 p.m. on Sirius Channel 130 or online at ewtn.com/radio.
FILM
Meryl Streep does a masterful job as Margaret Thatcher in THE IRON LADY (Dec. 16).
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as Holmes and Watson in SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (Dec. 16).
Kids should enjoy the Chipmunks’ return to the big screen in ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, CHIPWRECKED (Dec. 16).
Steven Spielberg directs the computer-animated motion picture TINTIN. Based on the classic comic strip, this is the first of a trilogy featuring the voices of Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis, and Jamie Bell (Dec. 21).
WE BOUGHT A ZOO tells the true story of a widower (Matt Damon) who purchases a zoo in order to bring his family back together (Dec. 23).
EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE follows the journey of a 9-year-old boy as he looks for a lock that matches a key he found in his house after his father was killed on 9/11. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock star (Dec. 25).
DVD
David Ranghelli’s award-winning documentary THE CALLING has been making the rounds at World Youth Day and at college campuses and parishes. The film shows the joys and anxieties of those who are drawn to Religious life. For information or to order, visit thecallingdocumentary.com.
National Geographic releases THE FIRST GRADER, based on the true story of an 84-year-old Kenyan who fights to go to school after the country introduces universal education (Dec. 27).
THE HELP focuses on a story by a young white woman in 1960s Mississippi who becomes interested in the plight of the black domestic servants who work for the local families (Dec. 6).
VEGGIE TALES: LITTLE DRUMMER BOY teaches kids about the joy found in giving your best gift — your talents and forgiveness.
TYBURN CONVENT GLORIA DEO, a 90-minute documentary that tours the Benedictine nuns’ nine convents and profiles their prayer life and vocation stories, is available at tyburnconvent.org.uk.
