Reviewed and Recommended by Catholic Traveller

A collection of movies, books, websites and other media that we've checked out and like.

January Picks -

www.osb.org - The Benedictine order is noted for its life of simplicity and contemplation.  Many monasteries run their own farms and practice sustainable living.  Guided by the Rule of Benedict, written in the 6th century A.D. these men and women exude a peace and joy that stems from their immersion in "ora et labora", prayer and work.  Yet, where can the layperson start who wishes to emulate thier pursuit of holiness in the real world?  I almost wish there was a "Rule of Benedict for Dummies" that would sort through the more difficult language and give a simple outline of life for dense minds such as mine.  Since I have not yet discovered this instruction manual, I have been finding it very helpful to peruse the Daily Reading from the Rule on www.osb.org, underneath which is a link to St. John's Abbey's Daily Reflection on the Rule.  Taking the Rule in tiny bites and applying it to my life just may help me get a little more on track with the way God wants me to live.

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Potters Hand Productions

Sedona, Arizona based theatre troupe puts on several productions a year, including a summer teen theatre workshop.  "Pilgrimage to Bethlehem" during December and "Journey to Jerusalem" on Easter weekend both take place on the streets of Tlaquepaque, the charming Sedona artists' colony.  Both events are free, well produced reenactments involving over 130 actors, singers, dancers and expert technicians of all ages.  Potters Hand Productions is a non-profit community theatre company.  For more information on these and other productions and to make a tax-deductible donation call executive director Jane Alden at 928-300-3968 or visit their website at www.pottershandproductions.com.

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Books -

Is There a Hole in the Boat? Tales of Travel in Panama Without a Car, by Darrin DuFord

This is a sometimes crude, frequently humorous look at travelling in third world countries.  The author pulls together incidents from his several trips to Panama to present a picture of the daily life of the real people living there.  Definitely not a view from a cruise ship DuFord uses his legs and public transportation - be it a dugout canoe, the back of a pick-up truck or a reconditioned American school bus - to meet the country and the people that tour groups dare not.

No five star hotels here, the lodgings include converted army barracks and cinder block rooms with dirt floors;  cuisine is often prepared out in the open from freshly caught ingredients such as barbequed jungle rodent or fried palm hearts.  Locals ply DuFord with their homebrews and offer guide service through the jungle.  The majority of villages have no electricity or running water and some have no drinkable water at all.  Meager incomes are derived from small scale farming, catering to the occasional tourist, and fishing.

Is There a Hole in the Boat? does contain quite a bit of profanity (in quotes from natives the author interacts with), but is an eye opener to real life in an underdeveloped country and a good read especially if you're considering mission work in such areas.

Copyright 2006, by Darrin DuFord, available in PDF or paperback from www.booklocker.com

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Dressing With Dignity

Written by Colleen Hammond

We need more books like this.  Modest dress seems to have been greatly ignored by the church since the seventies.  Doctrinal guidelines do still exist, however, and Mrs. Hammond guides us through them.  She presents common sense and spiritually sound reasons for dressing modestly - for both men and women.  Muslims, Jews and our brothers and sisters in other Christian churches seem to "get" modesty; we as Catholics need to get back to it.

Some of the church writings Mrs. Hammond cites on this subject may be hard to swallow,  even for Catholics who really want to dress more appropriately.  Her research rings true, unfortunately,  and even though her presentation of modesty being almost solely the responsibility of the woman may be offensive to some (like me), when viewed from the perspective of a person doing what he or she can to live out their personal vocation (single, married, religious), that particular slant of opinion can be overlooked.

Finally, the book provides extensive resources, mostly websites, for modest clothing and further reading on the subject of modest dress.  Many of the websites are interesting in and of themselves.  These links, as well as the book, are also available from her website:  www.colleenhammond.com.

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Movies - 

Monasteries, A Stressed Out American's Search for Solitude

1998, Wild Canary; documentary by Jim Murphy; 60 min.

From the medieval archabbey of St. Meinrad's in Indiana, to the adobe mission and strutting peacocks of Holy Trinity in Arizona, world-weary Christians are offered retreat and respite by the monks and nuns of seven U.S. and one Canadian monastery.  Travellers are invited to join in the prayer and work routine of the communities, or encouraged just to relax and slow down for a bit.  Jim Murphy, popular Catholic speaker and trainer, presents an inside look at each of the monasteries, and interviews those who reside there, as well as visitors.  Contact info is provided for each, so that prospective visitors can obtain further information.  This DVD is available from most Christian book and video sources or directly from Jim's website www.veracruzcm.com.

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Mother Theresa