ON FAITH & MEDIA | Christmas at Maxwell's

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Christmas at Maxwell's

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Source: Catholic News Service

Ohio-based wine merchant (Andrew May) copes with the cancer-related illness of his wife (Jack Hourigan), while raising their two children (Charlie and Julia May), and struggling with profound guilt about the past, until an elderly nursing home resident (Angus May) changes their lives at Christmas time in this Ohio-set tale. Inspired by personal experience, director-writer William C. Laufer (who also plays a priest) has made a heartfelt film with admirable messages about God's forgiveness, the strength of family and being a good Samaritan, and features a touching conclusion, but the picturesque film is handicapped by languid pacing, an episodic script and mostly colorless performances, except for a reasonably convincing Hourigan. Mild profanity, crass expressions, mild sexual innuendo and mature thematic material. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

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Rita of Cascia: Like Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rita of Cascia was a wife, mother, widow and member of a religious community. Her holiness was reflected in each phase of her life.
<p>Born at Roccaporena in central Italy, Rita wanted to become a nun but was pressured at a young age into marrying a harsh and cruel man. During her 18-year marriage, she bore and raised two sons. After her husband was killed in a brawl and her sons had died, Rita tried to join the Augustinian nuns in Cascia. Unsuccessful at first because she was a widow, Rita eventually succeeded. </p><p>Over the years, her austerity, prayerfulness and charity became legendary. When she developed wounds on her forehead, people quickly associated them with the wounds from Christ's crown of thorns. She meditated frequently on Christ's passion. Her care for the sick nuns was especially loving. She also counseled lay people who came to her monastery. </p><p>Beatified in 1626, Rita was not canonized until 1900. She has acquired the reputation, together with St. Jude, as a saint of impossible cases. Many people visit her tomb each year.</p>

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