Christopher Closeup

Author Jeff Gottesfeld discusses his Christopher Award-winning children's book "Food for Hope," in which he profiles Catholic hero and role model John van Hengel, who created food banks for the hungry, inspired by his faith and the hardships of his life.

Christopher Award-winning author Gary Jansen discusses his latest book "Meditations at Midnight," in which he creatively explores the many ways he has encountered God through the years – and in which he uses poetry to revisit Jesus's passion and crucifixion.

Eric Clayton, the author of "Cannonball Moments" and "My Life with the Jedi" further discusses the connection between Ignatian spirituality and Star Wars, how we can all learn to be contemplatives in action, and how we can integrate the wounds we have endured to find wholeness and healing.

Eric Clayton, the author of "Cannonball Moments" and "My Life with the Jedi" discusses the influence St. Ignatius of Loyola has had on his life and faith, how we can respond to cannonball moments in our lives, and why Eric finds great value in the spirituality of "Star Wars."

Joy Marie Clarkson, the author of "You Are a Tree," explores what exactly that title means, why it was inspired by Scripture, and how the words and images we use to describe ourselves can improve our lives and relationship with God.

Award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger discusses her memoir "While You Were Out," which addresses the ways that mental illness and suicide affected her large Catholic family. Meg also talks about reducing the stigma around mental illness so people can work towards a more hopeful future.

Author and speaker Sister Ave Clark explores ways that we can make the

Advent and Christmas seasons "a pilgrimage of light" by embracing stillness in a

variety of ways, and by looking for God's presence in challenging times. She also

offers thoughts on how the infirm and homebound can grow closer to God.

Beloved chef, author, and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich discusses her 25th anniversary as a cooking show host on PBS, the blessings that grandparents bring to a child's life, immigrating to the United States with the help of Catholic Charities, how her mother taught her the virtue of helping those in need, and how she continues to live out her Catholic faith.

Deacon Ed Shoener, the co-founder of the Association of Catholic Mental Health

Ministers, reveals the heartbreak of his daughter Katie's suicide (brought on by

bipolar disorder), the need to reduce the stigma and dispel myths around mental

illness in church circles, and the ways he hopes to bring Christ to those living with

mental health issues and their families.

Sister Caroline Tweedy, RSM, the Executive Director of St. John's Bread and Life food pantry, discusses the ways in which the program helps thousands of food insecure people every week, her longtime passion for serving society's poor and marginalized, and how working at a home for the developmentally disabled helped her see God's presence in all people, regardless of their physical conditions or circumstances.