ENRICHMENT
- Evening of Spiritual Insight — 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at St. Steven Parish in Sun Lakes (map). Fr. John Amsberry, who led parishioners on a Lenten Mission, is back to lead local Catholics in prayer and grace. Part of the parish’s ongoing 25th anniversary celebration. Fr. Amsberry‘s book, “More of You,” will also be available for signing.
- “Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic” Day of Reflection — 8:30 a.m. Mass followed by two sessions and lunch at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale (map). Hosted by Women’s Sodality. Tom Perna will highlight key points from Matthew Kelly’s book, “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic.” Day included time for adoration, reflection, confession and Benediction. Concludes with the Rosary. Cost: $20 per person. RSVP: Sandy at (602) 430-6602 or Grace at (480) 946-6328.
- Cool Haciendas — 9a.m.-noon Oct. 19 at Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale (map). Four professionals, including one woman religious, who work in the field of caring for the environment, will help attendees examine our household energy footprint and explore ways to reduce it. Info.
FALL PLAYS
- “Once On This Island” — Oct. 18-19 at Xavier College Preparatory (map). Fable of Ti Moune, a young, poor girl who falls in love with the wealthy Daniel. The “star crossed” lovers struggle to change their fates. They fight against class, tradition, and prejudice. Info. More details and future productions.
- “Our Town” — Oct. 18-19 at Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale (map). Full flyer.
- “Play On!” — Oct. 18-20 at Seton College Preparatory (map). Hilarious story of a theater group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script. Act I is a rehearsal of the dreadful show, Act II is the near disastrous dress rehearsal, and the final act is the actual performance. Info.
FESTIVALS
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 19 at sacred Heart Catholic School in Prescott (map). Costumes are optional. Pumpkin baking contest, bungee run, games, food, treats and more. Info.
- 4-10 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Benedict Parish/St. John Bosco School in Ahwatukee (map). It’s the first attempt of combining the parish’s festival and the school’s Harvest Fest into one community bridging celebration. Info.
BENEFIT DINNERS
- No Passport Required Cultural Dinner — 6-10 p.m. Oct. 20 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in east Phoenix (map). Benefits The Welcome to America Project, which a Scottsdale Catholic founded in 2001 and which welcomes up to three refugee families every Saturday to Arizona by bringing neighborly love, furnishings and other basic necessities. Info on dinner and tickets. Related story on refugees from the Congo.
- Taste of Chandler — 6-10 p.m. Oct. 19 in Chandler. Taste foods from 30-some restaurants. A portion of your ticket benefits St. Joseph the Worker which connects those living in shelters and other disadvantaged clients with the vital resources (interview clothes, work material and licenses) to secure meaningful work. Info.
ON TV
- Francis: The Pope from the New World — 2 p.m. Oct. 20 on FOX Business Network (channel finder). This hour-long Knights of Columbus production introduces audiences to Christ’s vicar on Earth. It unveils the personality, passion and extraordinary faith of the new Pope. Shot on location in Buenos Aires, and featuring interviews with close friends, collaborators, the poor of Buenos Aires, fellow priests and his official biographer – this documentary film traces the remarkable rise of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Info.
- “The Knights of St. John” — 2-3 p.m. Oct. 19, on EWTN and livstreamed online. An overview of the 1,000 year history of The Knights of St. John, an order whose purpose evolved from hospital service to militaristic defense of the faith, then reverted to the care of the sick and needy.
- “The Singing Nun” — 5-7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 on TCM. Hollywood’s 1966 tribute to the joyful spirit of a young Dominican nun is colorful, sentimental and lively, though Henry Koster’s glossy direction is out of tune with the reality of a basically interior story about the difficulty of secular fame for a member of a religious community. Greer Garson as the mother superior turns in a well-balanced performance while Debbie Reynolds sings prettily and Agnes Moorehead provides comic relief. There is some pleasant amusement, a little uplift and the music of “Soeur Sourire” is well worth hearing. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I (general patronage). Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
- Schoenstatt Opening of the Jubilee Year — 11 p.m. Oct. 18 on EWTN and livstreamed online. The Schoenstatt movement celebrates the opening of its Jubilee Year with important delegates of the Church and representatives of Schoenstatt International.
