Fifth Sunday of Lent

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, quite often people complain about the immorality of the TV series and movies, but it is true that there are good productions. Perhaps in the days of Holy Week, as well as dedicating time to the liturgical ceremonies, there is also a time of rest and entertainment. Here are some ideas based on the Christopher Awards, an award created in 1949 and presented to writers, producers, directors and illustrators whose work affirms the highest values of the human spirit. Here are some of the winners of this year. Feature Films. Buck Brannaman, the real-life “horse whisperer” who transcended a childhood with an abusive father to become a gentle healer of troubled horses and human beings, is the subject of the Cedar Creek Productions documentary, Buck. From DreamWorks Pictures and Touchstone Pictures, The Help gives a voice to African-American housemaids in 1960s-era Jackson, Mississippi, who struggled to maintain their self-worth and human dignity in the face of bigotry and humiliation. Jim Henson’s charming, wise-cracking characters are introduced to a new generation in Walt Disney Pictures’ The Muppets which reunites Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang to save their old theater, while learning lessons about the importance of laughter and the enduring power of friendship. Sony Pictures Classics’ Of Gods and Men dramatizes the true story of French monks in Algeria torn between their desire for safety and their commitment to serving the medical and social needs of the local populace during the nation’s civil war. From DreamWorks Pictures, War Horse revisits the courage, sacrifice and devastation involved in World War I through a story about the unwavering devotion between a young man and his horse. In ARC Entertainment’s The Way, an American doctor discovers his need for faith, community and forgiveness while completing the historical pilgrimage, called the Camino de Santiago, in honor of his late son. TV & Cable Non-violent activism in the face of racial injustice rests at the heart of the Emmy Award-winning American Experience: Freedom Riders (PBS/WGBH) about the courageous black and white Americans who endured mob violence to desegregate interstate travel in the South in 1961. For viewers of all faiths, Rev. Robert Barron’s 10-part mini-series, Catholicism (PBS/Word on Fire Ministries), travels around the world to explore the history, beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church through insightful spiritual commentary and breathtaking visuals of artistic treasures. Friendships with his old rabbi and an inner city minister awaken author Mitch Albom’s long dormant quest for God in this Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of his best-seller, Have a Little Faith (ABC-TV) ■ Fr. Agustín, Pastor.