Still here...

No, I haven't disappeared off the face of the planet. Although from my lack of online activity, you might have begun to wonder.

And no, I haven't abandoned this project (even though it's been three months since I've posted anything new). Enough with the 'no's' already!

Yes, I'm writing new resources.

Yes, those new resources are coming soon.

Yes, they will be for a la carte sale.

Yes, I've removed the subscription offerings. Why? Well, first, there weren't many who chose to acquire resources that way. Second, the pressure of producing multiple resources week in and week out wasn't really working with my life. (As the stay at home parent of three little ones whose income still comes mainly from Talks and a partnership, my weeks vary dramatically in terms of how much is going on outside the usual daily dress, feed, clean up after the kids.) And finally, this move provides me the freedom to focus more on creating resource products, both collections of those already published as well as new ventures.

And speaking of new ventures, another reason I've been quiet lately is my growing conviction that to really engage an audience and most effectively provide exciting resources one must enter the world of video. It's certainly where media on the web is headed and I don't want to be left behind. As such, I've been putting the pieces together for an in home video studio, complete with standing green screen, virtual office environment for the finished videos, and HD camera feeding directly into my iMac. Thus, coming within the next two weeks look for the first Pop Goes Catholicism videos to premier! I have plans for informal conversation starter types as well as more formal produced resource videos to accompany the PDF resources offered for sale alongside them. More details (and a sample!) coming soon.

As they say on TV: stay tuned!

PGC 31: (Reflection) Sherlock (2010 BBC TV Show)

Reflection Synopsis:

While on the one hand, this Sherlock provides a great example of using one's gifts and talents (a practice to which we Christians are all called both in general through our creation and in particular through our Baptism and especially our Confirmation), the purpose to which he uses them seems less clearly good. That call to use our gifts isn't just to use them for whatever purpose but rather to further the ends of our mission as Christians: to bring the love of God into this world, to transform it by introducing it to Christ. In other words, we are called to use our gifts to further the Good, the greatest good being a relationship with Jesus. Sherlock, who describes himself as a 'high functioning sociopath,' doesn't seem overly concerned with the good (certainly not at all concerned with the rules of law) but rather mainly in finding ways to stimulate his intellect. And that's where Sherlock's example turns from beneficial to detrimental.

Audio Reflection:

Relevant Links:

Sherlock Page on "the Beeb" (BBC)

Sherlock Page on PBS Masterpiece Mystery

Sherlock PBS Viewer Page
(streaming all 3 episodes of series 1
FOR ONE MORE WEEK: UNTIL DEC 27, 2010, go watch now!)

PGC 31: (Reflection) Sherlock (2010 BBC TV Show)

White Collar "Front Man"

Resource Summary

Sometimes we use lofty language to describe fairly simple things; this TV show episode demonstrates the rather lofty sounding 'violating the first tenet of Catholic Social Justice, the dignity of the human person' by the very simple expression "You're merely a tool in my belt."

Resource Notes

• Media: White Collar ("Front Man" Episode from Season One)
• Faith Topics: Human Dignity, Respect for People, Social Justice
• Related Quote Sample: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1931
• Discussion Question Sample: Who are you most likely to disrespect? Why?

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B.o.B.'s "Past My Shades"

Resource Summary

This rap song uses one central symbol ("you can't see past my shades") to talk about the important issue of looking beneath the surface, a concept central to Catholicism and easily spotted in the example of Jesus.

Resource Notes

• Media: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
• Faith Topics: Beneath The Surface, Morality, Respect for People
• Related Quote Sample: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1934-1938
• Discussion Question Sample: How easy is it for you to classify or categorize people and treat them accordingly?

Download the Resource Sheet!

Click here to access it.

Please note: by clicking the link above, your browser will most likely open the PDF document and display it in the browser window. To return to this webpage you will have to click your browser’s “Back” button. To download the PDF file to your own computer, you’ll need to ‘right click’ on the link and select the appropriate menu item (Save As…, Save File, Download Linked File, etc).

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Grown Ups

Resource Summary

In this rather sweet movie about childhood friends reuniting for a fourth of july weekend to commemorate their coach, the leader of the group purposefully throws a rematch basketball game seeing that winning it is more important to his opponent than it need be for himself, and that a lesson in losing might be good for his own son as well. In this clip we see a rather mundane but nonetheless instructive example of Jesus' call to love our enemies.

Resource Notes

• Media: Grown Ups
• Faith Topics: Christian Love, Loving Enemies
• Related Quote Sample: Matthew 5:38-48
• Discussion Question Sample: How well do you separate your feelings from your decisions?

Download the Resource Sheet!

Click here to access it.

Please note: by clicking the link above, your browser will most likely open the PDF document and display it in the browser window. To return to this webpage you will have to click your browser’s “Back” button. To download the PDF file to your own computer, you’ll need to ‘right click’ on the link and select the appropriate menu item (Save As…, Save File, Download Linked File, etc).

Thanks for your support!