"The Two Towers", the second part of Peter Jackson's blockbuster film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, was let loose on an expectant nation on Dec. 18, 2002. Over the coming months and years it will be watched by millions of moviegoers throughout the world, most of whom will be unaware that they are watching a film version of what its author called "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work."

It was a better year for families at the movies than in quite some time. There were more worthwhile family flicks in 2002 than in the previous two years combined and 2002 was a remarkable movie year for religion.

In Italy, the Gothic style never really took hold. In a land built on classical antiquity, Gothic was seen as outlandish, alien, and un-Italian. Consequently, Gothic architecture was increasingly regarded with contempt. In fact, the 15th-century Italian architect Filarete (1400-69) once declared: A curse on those who thought of such rubbish! Only barbarians can have brought it into Italy.

Innovative Romanesque elements such as the ambulatory and the masonry vault became more common during the early 12th century, as the emerging Gothic culture left its mark on the refined Romanesque architecture of the day.

The career of Frank Capra coincided with the golden age of Hollywood, and many of his films are recognized as classics. Still, most critics seem not to have noticed that Capra's work reflects a profoundly Catholic vision of reality, a vision framed by the Sermon on the Mount.

Phil Vischer is a man who usually lets his vegetables do the talking for him. But recently Vischer talked about his new movie, "Jonah," why Christians aren't funny and why PG movies might be better for your kids.

Veggie Tales has been called "the biggest pop culture phenomenon you've never heard of." That may be an exaggeration. There are probably even bigger ones you've never heard of, but then I've never heard of them either, so I can't tell you about them.

The other day, while I was meditating on morality and Mr. H. Pitt, I was, so to speak, snatched up and put into a jury box to try people. The snatching took some weeks, but to me it seemed something sudden and arbitrary. I was put into this box because I lived in Battersea, and my name began with a C.

I think it only fair to give an example of a sentence that is truly Catholic. And I am going to turn to a real expert on the subject, Walker Percy. He was a Catholic who knew what the Catholic faith is. He was a novelist who knew what words are all about.

The churches of the Romanesque era were the fruits of a thoroughly Catholic culture. Not only did they serve as places of worship and devotion, but also as centers of the community.