Please join us in welcoming Valerie Schultz to our roster of bloggers Valerie is a regular contributor to America writing on a variety of topics related to family and parish life Her most recent article The Peculiar Grace of Failure recounted her struggles as a first-year teacher Here s a

The wonderful British actor Paul Scofield has died I first saw A Man for All Seasons in high school and was mesmerized by it I haven t seen watched in years but reading a few lines from Robert Bolt s screenplay brought the scenes vividly to life Here s Thomas talking to his daughter M

This week s New Yorker includes an excellent letter from three of Bishop Paul Moore s children responding to their sister s article outing their father in the March 3 issue I also found Honor Moore s article distasteful a few scenes felt too choreographed almost as if they were played

America editor Drew Christiansen S J recently appeared on a panel on War Peace and People of Faith at Marquette University The lecture was part of Marquette s Mission Week and also featured John Dear S J and James Turner Johnson The good folks at Marquette recorded the event and poste

Matt Malone S J once described himself as a terminal politico so you can imagine how much fun he s having this month It s like every day is Christmas--or every Tuesday at least Around here we re fortunate to hear his insights over lunch or during editorial meetings and now we re e

This a clip from of African American Lives 2 which aired on PBS in New York last night Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr the documentary traces the genealogy of Morgan Freeman Chris Rock Tina Turner and other famous African Americans It s fascinating stuff so look out for the next instal

In this week s America Richard Blake S J reviews Atonement The film fails to measure up to the stunning novel he writes but few films can disappoint on such a high level This is a busy time of year for Fr Blake who has already reviewed Michael Clayton and

The best picture nominee has stirred up a lively debate on this question Much of the discussion revolves around why the eponymous character a 16-year-old high school student decides to have her baby when she accidentally becomes pregnant Here s a quick roundup In Slate Ann Hubert suggests t

How long should a good homily be That question is often discussed A related question--but one that is not often addressed--is how long goes a homily have to be In other words how short is too short I got to thinking about this question this weekend while visiting a parish in Massachusetts The

America Associate Editor Jim Martin S J has been interviewed by Catholic Digest Fr Jim talks about his new book A Jesuit Off-Broadway which chronicles his experiences as a theological adviser during the production of the Public Theater s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot CD So what did