Steven and Christian discuss being exposed to darkness through art and whether or not there is merit in pressing through things that are difficult to watch. They deal with themes of light and dark, weaker brothers and stronger brothers, and why neither of them could make it past (or in Christian’s case through) the first episode of the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad. As always, the guys end with a top 5 list.

This week, the guys talk about the Russian novel, Laurus. They discuss issues of transcendence and transformation, hope and healing, and as usual, a big fat dose of death and resurrection. They conclude with their Top 5 Stories of Redemption.

The guys recently watched Forks Over Knives, a documentary about the dangers of meat consumption. Join Steve and Christian as they discuss the film, the cultural importance of food, and the sacramental nature of all things. They close with their Top 5 Meals of All Time.

This week, the guys watch Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. They discuss how the narrative was deeper than in the original cartoon version, the power of self-sacrificial love, and the reality that what we do (both good and bad) touches everything. They close with their Top 5 Most Unlikely Couples.

The guys watched Martin Scorcese’s newest film, Silence, and it left them feeling…conflicted. Join Steve and Christian as they discuss immanent expressions of faith, the gruesome (and hopeful) reality of martyrdom, the pain of the dark night of the soul, and the depth of the Lenten struggle. They close with their Top 5 Conflicted Characters of All Time.

This week, Emma and Christina read (and watched) A Light Between Oceans. Join them as they discuss the danger of spiritual delusion, the path toward true love and repentance, and how the film adaptation missed the heart of the novel. They close with their Top 5 Worst Book-To-Film Adaptions.

This week, the guys read the 2011 novel Ready Player One. The book, itself an homage to video games and the 80s, prompted discussions of human personhood, the journey of the spiritual life, and how love can pierce through our obsession with the illusory. They close with their Top 5 Classic Video Games.

This week, the girls take on Disney’s animated film, Moana. They discuss the power of Christian vocation, the quest to find ourselves in Christ, and the uniqueness of the Christian salvation narrative—they even occasionally sing while doing so. They close with their Top 5 Disney Animal Sidekicks.

The girls read Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, and even Christina loved it. They discuss how each of us is broken, how our response to that brokenness shapes us, and how each of us is called to become holy in a unique way. They close with the Top 5 Women With a Cause.

The girls watched Netflix’s Original Series The Crown. They discuss portrayals of marriage, the need for leaders to be held to higher standards, and questions of what it means to be authentically oneself. The end with their Top 5 British-isms.

The girls take on the new star-studded Ocean’s 8. They discuss how it’s harder to look for God when things are going great, the impact of storytelling in our lives, and how community ought to be formed around a shared vision of a common goal. They close with their Top 5 Actresses That Weren’t in Ocean’s 8.

The guys take on Isaac Asimov’s classic sci-fi short story, “The Last Question.” They discuss ever-changing views on technology, the inherent meaning in God’s act of creation, and the answer to the ultimate question: what happens when we die? They close with their Top 5 Characters with Artificial Intelligence.

This week, the guys take on one of the greatest bands of all time: The Beatles. They discuss how the band represented a beacon of hope in a bleak time, the burden of the immanent frame, and how the human person must find ways to reach toward life. They close with their Top 5 Most Influential Musical Acts.

The guys discuss The National’s newest album, I Am Easy To Find. They touch on the complexity of being human, how longing touches on the most universal of human desires, and how hard it is to make peace with pain. They close with their Top 5 Sad Songs.

Live from New York, it’s PCCH! The guys discuss the epic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. The touch on topics such as friendship, the human obsession with power, and where hope can be found. Fr. Andrew joins the guys for a Q&A;, as well as a special quiz designed just for him.

The guys reflect on the 2010 film, Inception. They discuss the nature of consciousness, the relationship between the mind and the human person, and the importance of conversion over inception.

The girls discuss the classic 80's film, The Breakfast Club. They discuss issues of identity, generational sin, and the community of God's Kingdom.

"Wherever I go, he goes." Steve and Christian watched season 2 of the amazing Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian." The guys discuss the difference between tradition and traditionalism; the empire's evil; and discerning the Way. Philanthropy Spotlight: We're also shining a light on the Astoria Food Pantry, a neighborhood mutual aid project that provides high-quality fresh food to 200 people per week. In 2021, they plan to both continue the programs that they started in 2020 and expand operations to some new projects to serve the community. Learn more on their website: https://www.astoriafoodpantry.com.

"Buongiorno, principessa!" Steve, Christian, Emma, and Christina watched the classic Italian film, "Life is Beautiful." This is our season finale. We'll be back later in the year!

The girls discuss the Broadway-to-Silver-Screen musical, Dear Evan Hansen. They touch on themes such as the role of social media in trying to be authentic, the complexity of the human person, and the need for community in support.

Christina and Emma invite Hibbah to join the conversation around the fourth season of the Amazon Prime Original, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. They discuss questions of what it means to be a woman, different types of friends, and community. All that, plus what they're cooking!

Fr. Philip challenges us to respond in humble obedience to the resurrected Christ, following the example of the Myrrhbearers.

Like the Saints, our path to holiness will be through the daily struggle to be faithful in small ways that few will notice or celebrate.

Fr. Philip calls us to engage in the practices of prayer, fasting and generosity - the basic building blocks of Christian faithfulness.

Fr. Philip calls us to actively engage in the journey towards the Kingdom of God through the Dormition Fast.

Are we participating in the new creation that Christ offers to us through his life, death and resurrection?

Are we coming to Christ with a humble and sincere faith? If so, then we too will experience the gracious mercy which Jesus gives to all who reach out to Him in faith.

Who exactly belongs in the story of Jesus - the perfect as well as the imperfect, the sinner as well as the saint? Perhaps the true meaning of Christmas is more shocking than we first imagined.

Is the cross a symbol of death or life, victory or defeat? This Lent we are called once again to take up our cross and follow our Savior, setting us free from the fear of death.

Entering the final week of Lent, we are reminded once again of our own weakness and failings and our needs for the mercy of God.

We are called to bear witness of the resurrected Lord, along with St. Thomas, who sought to know Christ through a personal experience with Him.

The Myrrh-Bearers lived a life of service for the flourishing of the Church, much like the early Deacons, modeling the kind of life that all Christians are called to live.

Being set free from those things which possess us is just the beginning of the process of salvation.

Observing the Feast of the Transfiguration means that we enter into our own change into the likeness of Jesus Christ through the many opportunities provided to us by the Church.

Our favorite sins drive us into the isolation of the wilderness, away from the healing power of Jesus. Once healed, the best witness to the transforming power of Christ is the personal story of those set free.

Responding to the call to come to the heavenly banquet requires us to leave behind those things to which we are enslaved.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the genealogy of Jesus, and healing work of redemption that comes through Christ.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus during his baptism and upon His followers as beautiful epiphanies in the world.

Fr. Philip LeMasters addresses the healing of our souls in light of the Saints like Sts. Cosmas and Damian the Holy Unmercenaries.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Fr. Philip LeMasters explains our connection with the ancestors of Jesus.

Fr. Philip LeMasters asks, "Can physical things, including our bodies, become holy?"

Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the Gospel reading of the healing of the paralytic.

Fr. Philip LeMasters invites us to embrace humility, as did St. Mary of Egypt who became a model of sanctity through the healing of her soul.

Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the healing of paralytic.

Fr. Philip LeMasters shares from Luke 4:16-22, reminding us that earthly distinctions between different groups of people have no significance in the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reminds us to keep our attention on Christ.

Fr. Philip LeMasters shares about the rich, foolish farmer. "The barn of the rich fool was a pagan temple in which he worshiped only himself. If we live according to the standards of our world of corruption, we will become just like him by seeking to lay up treasures for ourselves to the point that we will shut ourselves out of the new life that Christ has brought to the world."

Christ came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.

In today’s gospel lesson, there were people so used to focusing on their daily routines and worldly responsibilities that they had lost the ability to recognize something new and joyful. One owned real estate, another had animals, and a third was married. Even though these are commonplace conditions, they used them to justify their refusal to accept the invitation to the great party. No one forced them to do so; instead, they excused themselves. As a result, the master commanded his servant to “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.” Because there was still room, the master ordered him to go out even further to “the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”