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Jane Austen Book Club, The

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Source: Catholic News Service

Genteel, nicely acted "chick flick" about friends (Kathy Baker, Maria Bello and Emily Blunt) who start a book-discussion group on Jane Austen as a catharsis for their friend (Amy Brenneman) whose husband (Jimmy Smits) has announced he's leaving her, and who hope she'll fall for the young man (Hugh Dancy) who's joined the group. Writer-director Robin Swicord moves the action at too leisurely a pace, and though the story is for the most part resolved on moral lines -- with most of the characters doing the right thing, thanks to the lessons they've learned in the Austen novels -- and there are several poignant moments, the premise seems contrived, and a relatively minor lesbian subplot is morally questionable. Casual acceptance of premarital sex and divorce, nongraphic sexual encounters, an inappropriate teacher-student flirtation, same-sex attraction, adultery theme, some rough and crude words, and drug use. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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John I: Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
<p>When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West. </p><p>When John returned to Rome, he found that the emperor had begun to suspect his friendship with his eastern rival. </p><p>On his way home, John was imprisoned when he reached Ravenna because the emperor suspected a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently from the treatment he had received.</p>

You should lead by your example in family, among friends and neighbors, and with colleagues and coworkers or fellow students. Your examples should include putting community above self, placing respect for the dignity of others ahead of self-gratification, and demonstrating love above all.

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