“How Many Stephen Colberts Are There?”

The most famous Catholic on television transforms himself from suburban dad to comedy TV show host every week night. An article in the New York Times about Stephen Colbert talks about how lately, TV Colbert has taken to the real world to weigh in on the working conditions of immigrant farm workers, the role of super PACs, and Republican primaries.

Share this article with the young adults in your parish and start a discussion about the role their faith plays in other parts of their lives — work, family, dating/relationships.

In the article Colbert also talks about the tragic death of his father and two brothers. His mother played an important role in helping Colbert avoid bitterness about the deaths. He says of his mother, “She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that’s directly related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain — it’s that the pain is actually a gift. What’s the option? God doesn’t really give you another choice.” Ask young adults what they think about Colbert’s mother’s response. Is the pain of a tragedy actually a gift?