Today on Kresta - February 23, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Feb. 23

4:00 – The Grace Card
The Grace Card is a deeply Christian film directed by David Evans and starring Louis Gossett Jr. Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erode his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and everyone else. Can Mac and Sam Wright, his new patrol partner, somehow join forces to help one another when it's impossible to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. never underestimate the power of God's love. Writer / Director David Evans joins us to discuss the film.

4:20 – Al on the feast of St. Polycarp
St. Polycarp (d. 156) , bishop of Smyrna, disciple of St. John the Apostle and friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. Saint Ignatius of Antioch praised his single-minded devotion. He told Polycarp "your mind is grounded in God as on an immovable rock." Polycarp had no tolerance for heresy. Marcion, the leader of the Marcionites who followed a dualistic heresy, confronted Polycarp and demanded respect by saying, "Recognize us, Polycarp." Polycarp responded, "I recognize you, yes, I recognize the son of Satan." St. Polycarp never sought martyrdom, but at age 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive. When he was tied up to be burned, Polycarp prayed, and the flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger. Al discusses this extraordinary Saint.

4:40 – Hollywood Anecdotes in this month of Reagan's 100th Birthday and the Oscars this weekend
This month we celebrated the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan and this weekend will be the Oscars. Stephen Schohett , author of Hollywood Stories, takes us behind the scene of Reagan's acting career, his wit and wisdom on set and he takes us behind the curtain of the Oscars to predict winners and discuss how the awards have changed and developed over the years.

5:00 – The WI, OH and IN Union Protests and Catholic Social Teaching
Amid unprecedented protests in the state of Wisconsin over Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to sharply limit bargaining rights for union employees, the state's Catholic bishops underscored the "moral obligation" of protecting workers' rights and called for lawmakers to carefully evaluate the difficult situation. Gov. Walker faces a deficit of $137 million in the current state budget and the prospect of a $3.6 billion debt within the next two years. A spokesman for the WI Bishops Conference said ""Because you support workers or the right of unions to assert and affirm their interests, (it) doesn't follow that every claim made by workers is valid." Sam Gregg from the Acton Institute is here to look at the protests and Catholic Social Teaching.

5:20 – Direct To My Desk