Annie Stratford Festival 2025 A Review

Annie

2025

Stratford Festival

Director Donna Feore

Choreographer Donna Feore

Music Director Laura Burton

Set and Costume Designer Michael Gianfrancesco

Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell

Projection Designer Sean Nieuwenhuis

Sound Designer Haley Parcher

Additional Dance Music Arrangements and Orchestrations David Dabbon 

Fight Director Anita Nittoly

This was the fourth of six planned shows this season my son, and I attended with shows ranging from late May to mid-October. This one my youngest daughter also attended, at 14 she absolutely loved this production. Over the last few years my son, who is now 17, and I have attended a number of plays in Stratford at the festival, and each year we have an ever growing list of shows we want to see. This year his younger sister found a love for theatre and this is the third show she joined us for. We eagerly await the announcements of the season’s shows and often buy our tickets early in the winter. The other shows we have seen or plan to see this season are Macbeth , As You Like It, The Winter's Tale, Annie, Anne of Green Gables, and Goblin Oedipus. This is an excellent production, fantastically staged. 

All three of us loved this production. It was a wonderful experience from the beginning to the end. There were so many excellent elements in this production.  

The summary of the play on the festival site states:

““YOU'RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED WITHOUT A SMILE” 

Annie has reigned as one of the world’s most beloved family musicals since its original six-year Broadway run. Annie Bennett is the iconic mop-topped orphan who knows the sun will come out tomorrow for her, no matter how dark it gets today. (Even if “today” is under the domain of Miss Hannigan, the caretaker of the orphanage and an over-the-top misopedist.) When Annie and her scrappy dog, Sandy, are taken in by the secretary of the billionaire Oliver Warbucks, the girl's lifelong search to find her birth parents sets off a chain of wacky, heartwarming adventures.”

The synopsis in the house program states:

“Annie is an optimistic, redheaded orphan determined to find her happily ever after—a family. In pursuit of this dream, she escapes her orphanage and, on the streets of New York City, encounters a stray dog which she names Sandy. Unfortunately, Annie is soon captured by a police officer, forcing Sandy to flee. The officer takes Annie back to the orphanage, where the dreadful caretaker, Miss Aggie Hannigan, waits.

Not long after, Grace Farrell, the kind secretary of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, arrives and chooses Annie to bring along to the holiday festivities happening at the mansion. Once the pair learns of Annie’s lifelong search for her birth parents, they begin to help the young girl in her quest, leading to a series of exciting—and rocky—adventures. In a heartwarming conclusion, Warbucks declares his intent to adopt the lovable Annie, culminating in a joyful reunion with her scrappy dog, Sandy.”

After the play we have an almost an hour drive home, and usually spend the time discussing the performance. One of the things we often discuss is favourite performers. We each come up with our list, this time there is significant overlap.

My top ranking for the performers would be:

Harper Rae Asch as Annie

Laura Condlln as Miss Aggie Hannigan

Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Grace Farrell

Dan Chameroy as Oliver Warbucks

Derek Kwan as Drake

My son's top picks are:

Mark Uhre as Rooster Hannigan

Laura Condlln as Miss Aggie Hannigan

Harper Rae Asch as Annie

Dan Chameroy as Oliver Warbucks

Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Grace Farrell

My daughters were:

Derek Kwan as Drake

Harper Rae Asch as Annie

Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Grace Farrell

Laura Condlln as Miss Aggie Hannigan

Dan Chameroy as Oliver Warbucks

The full cast is:

Annie - Harper Rae Asch

Oliver Warbucks - Dan Chameroy

Miss Aggie Hannigan - Laura Condlln

Grace Farrell - Jennifer Rider-Shaw

Rooster Hannigan - Mark Uhre

Lily St. Regis - Amanda Lundgren

The Orphans

Pepper - Cydnee Abbott

Clara - Evonny Harker

Molly - Harmony Holder

July - Isla Horner

Duffy - Sofia Grace Otta

Audrey - Olivia Padfield

Kate - Jessica Reddy

Tessie - Addison Wagman

New York City Features

Mr. Bundles - Derek Kwan

Dog Catcher - Eric Abel

Assistant Dog Catcher - Jordan Goodridge

Lt. Ward - Stephen Patterson

Star-To-Be - Jamie Murray

The Mansion

Drake - Derek Kwan

Mrs. Pugh - Sara-Jeanne Hosie

Mrs. Greer - Bethany Kovarik

Cecille - Carla Bennett

Annette - Bonnie Jordan

Judge Brandeis - Alex Kelly

The Radio Station

Bert Healy - Henry Firmston

Connie Boylan - Bonnie Jordan

Ronnie Boylan - Gracie Mack

Bonnie Boylan - Jamie Murray

Fred Mccracken/Wacky - Devon Michael Brown

Jimmy Johnson/Foley Artist - Jason Sermonia

Floor Manager - Jordan Goodridge

The White House

President Roosevelt - Stephen Patterson

Hull - Eric Abel

Kaltenborn - Devon Michael Brown

Howe - Jordan Goodridge

Perkins - Sara-Jeanne Hosie

Ickes - Alex Kelly

Morganthau - Jordan Mah

St. Mark’s Community, Pedestrians, Hooverville Inhabitants, Servants, Chauffeurs, Club Patrons

Eric Abel, Carla Bennett, Devon Michael Brown, Henry Firmston, Jordan Goodridge, Hazel Heaney, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Bonnie Jordan, Alex Kelly, Bethany Kovarik, Derek Kwan, Fae Lewis, Gracie Mack, Jordan Mah, Jamie Murray, Stephen Patterson, Jason Sermonia

Swings

Jarret Cody, Christine Desjardins, Anthony Macpherson, Ali Powell

Sandy - Clue, Uno

Understudies

Rooster Hannigan - Eric Abel

President Roosevelt - Jarret Cody

Molly - Evonny Harker

Pepper, Clara, July, Duffy - Hazel Heaney

Daisy - Isla Horner

Miss Aggie Hannigan - Sara-Jeanne Hosie

Grace Farrell - Bonnie Jordan and Bethany Kovarik

Oliver Warbucks - Alex Kelly

Audrey, Kate, Tessie - Fae Lewis

Lily St. Regis - Gracie Mack

Mr. Bundles, Drake - Jordan Mah

Annie - Olivia Padfield

Francis - Jessica Reddy

Mrs. Pugh, Perkins - Michele Shuster

As mentioned all three of us loved this production, and my son went back and saw it in der a week with friends. Not since Carol Burnett have I seen a performer embody the role of Miss Hannigan so completely. All three of us though Annie was perfect. But also we each talked about how we could have see Jamie Mac in the role of Rooster. 

This is the second show we have seen directed by Donna Feore, and we thought she did an amazing job. And when I found out she had choreographed it as well, just wow! Feore in her director’s note states:

“Annie is an orphan. By herself in the world, she faces a very real struggle for survival.

A child alone lacks protection and guidance unless someone steps in to care for them. Maybe that act involves love or just simple decency, but that support makes all the difference.

Where we came from and where we want to go define who and what we aspire to be—our vision shapes us. Annie has only her “imagined” parents and past to shape her vision, yet her choices always assume wonderful prospects. She embodies the best of every human reaction to adversity and she speaks to us in a language so simple and clear that it’s hard to deny her power.

So, why Annie and why now?

Today, we face many of the same issues that plagued the world during the Depression Era depicted in the play. We share the huge disparity between rich and poor and the daily insecurity and unpredictability that almost everyone deals with. This gives us an insight into Annie’s world and, perhaps, shines a guiding light in our own.

Annie has always been a fabulous show. Now, its relevance and resonance appeal to me in a visceral way. That may be due to the fact that it’s filled with children and dogs—I love them both. Also, its message of optimism and mutual support is something that moves me. Annie’s journey is filled with many, many challenges but her response to those challenges is to stand up, speak up and carry on.

I want to be Annie when I grow up!”

She concludes her note hoping whose who attend the production will be delighted, and all three of us were resoundingly.

This was another absolutely wonderful production from the cast, crew and artistic team at the Stratford Festival. And as of the writing of this review the show has been extended with many new dates far into the fall, so if you have not got tickets yet there are even more shows to choose from. An amazing production we can easily recommend. 

Note: Photos by David Hou/Stratford Festival.

Reviews of Other Stratford Productions:

Richard III – 2022

Hamlet – 2022

The Miser – 2022

King Lear – 2023

Frankenstein Revived – 2023

Grand Magic – 2023

A Wrinkle in Time – 2023

Goblin MacBeth - 2023

Something Rotten – 2024

Romeo & Juliette – 2024

Cymbeline – 2024

Twelfth Night – 2024

Macbeth - 2025 

As You Like It - 2025  

The Winter's Tale - 2025 

Annie - 2025 

Anne of Green Gables - 2025 

Goblin Oedipus -  2025 

…

Reviews of Shakespeare Movies:

Cymbeline – 2014

The Hallow Crown 2012-2016

Macbeth - 2015

…

Related Posts:

A Weekend of Three’s A Trip to Stratford

Romeo & Juliet - Oxford School Shakespeare 

MacBeth - Oxford School Shakespeare 

King Lear - Oxford School Shakespeare 

Cymbeline - The Pelican Shakespeare

Twelfth Night - The Pelican Shakespeare

Macbeth - Pelican Shakespeare 

As You Like It - Pelican Shakespeare  

The Winter's Tale - Pelican Shakespeare

…

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz The Brave Witness - Paddy Bréagnamh - Mini Saints & Missionaries Library

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz: 

The Brave Witness

Paddy Bréagnamh

Pettyfeather Publishing

ISBN 9798281937139

ASIN B0F6XQR2N5

This is the fourth of five volumes currently available in the Mini Saints & Missionaries Library that I have read. To date I have enjoyed them all and recommended a few of them to several people. I especially loved the volume on Pope Leo XIV. The description of the book is:

“When faith is tested, true courage shines.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz: The Brave Witness from Manila brings young readers ages 8–10 into the powerful true story of the first Filipino saint—a man who chose God over fear and became a hero of faith.

In this inspiring chapter book, kids will discover:

How a boy from Manila grew up to be a faithful scribe and family man

How Lorenzo’s brave choice led him to a dangerous journey across the sea

How he stayed true to his faith even in the face of persecution and death

Perfect for:

Catholic schools, homeschool families, and faith-based libraries

Celebrating Filipino heritage and saints from around the world

Inspiring kids with real stories of courage, faith, and hope

Plus:

Timeline of Lorenzo’s life

Glossary of key terms

Reflection questions for discussion or journaling

Whether your child is learning about saints for the first time or looking for stories of real-world bravery, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is a powerful reminder that ordinary people can live extraordinary lives.

Be brave. Be faithful. Be a witness.”

I do not know if the author, Paddy Bréagnamh, is a real name or pen name, I can only find the 5 volumes in this series and the one on Saint Patrick in several bookstores online. This fourth volume I have read in the series is a great read and I look forward to the remaining one. The chapters and sections in the volume are:

Introduction 

Introduction Chapter

 1: A Boy from Binondo Chapter

 2: A Family Man with Big Dreams Chapter

 3: A Dangerous Accusation Chapter

 4: A Voyage of Faith Chapter

 5: Captured in Japan Chapter

 6: A Courageous Choice Chapter

 7: A Hero’s Legacy Chapter

 8: Be Brave Like Lorenzo 

Timeline of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz’s Life 

Glossary 

Reflection Questions 

Mini Saints Library Series Note 

This volume is written for young readers, it would be considered an early chapter book. Each chapter has an illustration on the chapter title page. The material is well put together. It is a great introduction to this lesser known saint. I highlighted a few passages while reading this volume they are:

“”Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was not a king or a great general. He was a son, a husband, a father, and a man who loved God deeply. When trouble came, Lorenzo didn’t give up his faith—he stood strong, even when it was hard. He reminds us that ordinary people, living ordinary lives, can do extraordinary things with God's help. This is the true story of a boy from Manila who became the first Filipino saint—and who shows us that with courage and trust in God, we can all be brave witnesses too.”

“Because of his faith, Lorenzo gave up his life that day—the first Filipino martyr to die for Christ.”

“After carefully studying his life and the miracles connected to his prayers, Pope John Paul II declared Lorenzo a saint in 1987.”

“He was the first Filipino saint in history.”

“Today, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of the Philippines, of overseas workers, and of people facing unfair trials.”

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. This book was my introduction to Saint Lorenzo. I found this a very inspiring and challenging witness. At the end of the volume is a selection of reflection questions for group discussion with kids. It was a wonderful little read. I very much enjoyed this volume. I can easily recommend it, and this Mini Saints and Missionaries Series.  

  

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books in the Mini Saints & Missionaries Library Series:

From Pirates to Parades: The Story of Saint Patrick and His Day

Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Boy Who Showed the World Jesus 

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz: The Brave Witness 

Pope Leo XIV: From Chicago to the Vatican: The First American Pope 

Saint Joan of Arc: The Girl Who Heard God's Call 

Venerable Augustus Tolton: Priest of Freedom 

Saint Thomas the Apostle: From Doubt to Devotion

…

Saints of the Yellow Fever - Maolsheachlann Tiernan Ó Ceallaigh

Saints of the Yellow Fever

In the summer of 1878, in Memphis in Tennessee,

There walked through the streets of the city a demon that eyes could not see.

It brought with it desolation; full five thousand lives were cut short.

In the guise of the Yellow Fever, King Death held a gruesome court.

Nobody knew where it came from, and nothing could hold it back.

Its shadow fell further than Memphis, this plague they called “Yellow Jack”.

It ravaged through New Orleans, St. Louis, and Vicksburg, too

And twice ten thousand pitiful souls it swiftly, painfully slew.

Whoever could leave the cities had left, whoever could flee had fled,

And only the poor were left behind, to tremble among the dead.

And yet, in this Valley of Darkness, one fellowship chose to toil:

The valiant priests of the Catholic faith, and many from Erin’s Isle.

O’Brien and Fahey and Kelly, McGarvey and Mooney and Ryan,

All names of the Christian soldiers who fell on this dread battle-line.

When one had died of the deadly plague, another would take his place.

The Saints of the Yellow Fever, the infantry of God’s grace.

When all had abandoned the dying, God’s ministers still came near

To give them the precious Viaticum, their last confessions to hear,

To take from the arms of dead mothers the poor infant left all alone,

To hold a last drink to burning lips, to witness a dying groan.

In the city of Chattanooga they still speak of Patrick Ryan

From Nenagh in Tipperary, a young priest as brave a lion.

His tomb lies in the Basilica. The valiant path that he trod

Has won him the love of its people, the title of Servant of God.

So hail to the martyrs of Memphis, their brothers wherever they fell,

A beacon to burn for the ages, a breathtaking story to tell.

McGarvey and Mooney and Kelly, names bright with an unfading gloss.

The saints of the Yellow Fever, who fell at the foot of the Cross.

     By Maolsheachlann Tiernan Ó Ceallaigh

     (Posted with permission.)

Yellow Fever Martyrs Church & Museum.

Books by Maolsheachlann Tiernan Ó Ceallaigh:

Inspiration from the Saints: Stories from the Lives of Catholic Holy Men and Women

...

Poems by by Maolsheachlann Tiernan Ó Ceallaigh:

Poem for St. Bridget's Day

Saints of the Yellow Fever 

...

Unsinkable - Gordon Korman - Titanic Book 1

Unsinkable 

Titanic Series Book 1

Gordon Korman

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545123310

eISBN 9780545388481

ASIN B0057XLE5U

This book was originally published in 2011. According to Goodreads there are 27 editions of the first volume in this series, including editions in English, French, and Spanish editions listed. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 65 of his books including this volume, a few of them more than once. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I am over half way thorough his canon, and have completed all the stand alone books and am now just working my way through the remaining series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged, and I am always entertained. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them. 

The description of this volume states:

“The ultimate action/adventure trilogy begins, with #1 bestselling author Gordon Korman plunging readers into the heart of the Titanic.

The Titanic is meant to be unsinkable, but as it begins its maiden voyage, there's plenty of danger waiting for four of its young passengers. Paddy is a stowaway, escaping a deadly past. Sophie's mother is delivered to the ship by police - after she and Sophie have been arrested. Juliana's father is an eccentric whose riches can barely hide his madness. And Alfie is hiding a secret that could get him kicked off the ship immediately. The lives of these four passengers will be forever linked with the fate of Titanic. And the farther they get from shore, the more the danger looms. ...”

About the author at the back of this volume we are informed:

“GORDON KORMAN started writing novels when he was about the same age as the characters in this book, with his first novel, This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!, published when he was fourteen. Since then, his novels have sold millions of copies around the world. Most recently, he is the author of Swindle, Zoobreak, and Framed, the trilogies Island, Everest, Dive, and Kidnapped, and the series On the Run. His other novels include No More Dead Dogs and Son of the Mob. He lives in New York with his family, and can be found on his website.”

I do not think there is anyone not familiar with the story of the Titanic, this version of historical fiction by Korman helps us experience the events through several different sets of eyes, mostly youth; youth from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. From a street urchin in Dublin, To an aristocrats daughter, to a young man who faked his age to serve on the ship with his father, to a girl who constantly seems embarrassed by her mother’s political activism. Other than the prologue the events in this instalment of this series take place between, Wednesday, March 27, 1912, 2:12 P.M. and Friday, April 12, 1912, 4:35 P.M.. 

I admit I have never been much into the story of the Titanic, I have never seen the movie, and it is on my all-time list to never see, but if the rest of this trilogy is as a good as this first instalment, and it were do but put to film, I would go to see it with no hesitation.

This story is another excellent read from Korman’s masterful pen. 

It is historical fiction at its best. And coming from a long line of Irish men, the Irish thugs presented here seem very familiar. I also love the hits at the Whitechapel killings and history around those events are intriguing. And then the numerous historical figures that are actually part of these events. Masterfully written historical fiction, sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike! 

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall  (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish!  (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

         (formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

          (aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

          (formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)

…

Bugs Potter Series:

Who is Bugs Potter? (1980)

Bugs Potter LIVE at Nickaninny (1983)

…

Jeremy Bloom Series:

The D−Poems of Jeremy Bloom (1992)

The Last-Place Sports Poems of Jeremy Bloom (1996)

…

Monday Night Football Series:

The Quarterback Exchange (1997)

Running Back Conversion (1997)

Super Bowl Switch (1997)

Heavy Artillery (1997)

Ultimate Scoring Machine (1998)

NFL Rules! Bloopers, Pranks, Upsets, and Touchdowns (1998)

…

Masterminds Series:

Masterminds (2015)

Masterminds: Criminal Destiny (2016)

Masterminds: Payback (2017)

…

Slapshots Series:

The Stars From Mars (1999)

All-Mars All-Stars/The Dream Team (1999)

The Face-off Phony (2000)

Cup Crazy (2000)

Ouch I got slapped (2023)

…

4-in-1 Slapshots: The Complete Collection (2008)

…

Nose Pickers Series:

Nose Pickers from Outer Space! (1999)

Planet of the Nose Pickers (2000)

Your Mummy Is a Nose Picker (2000)

Invasion of the Nose Pickers (2001)

…

4-in-1 The Ultimate Nose-Picker Collection (2006)

…

Island Series:

Shipwreck (2001)

Survival (2001)

Escape (2001)

…

3-in-1 Island Trilogy Collection (2006)

…

Son of the Mob Series:

Son of the Mob (2002)

Son of the Mob 2: Hollywood Hustle (2004)

…

Everest Series:

The Contest (2002)

The Climb (2002)

The Summit (2002)

…

Everest Trilogy Box Set (2002)

Dive Series:

The Discovery (2003)

The Deep (2003)

The Danger (2003)

…

On the Run Series:

Chasing the Falconers (2005)

The Fugitive Factor (2005)

Now You See Them, Now You Don't (2005)

The Stowaway Solution (2005)

Public Enemies (2005)

Hunting the Hunter (2006)

…

Kidnapped Series:

The Abduction (2006)

The Search (2006)

The Rescue (2006)

…

Swindle Series:

Swindle (2008)

Zoobreak (2009)

Framed (2010)

Showoff (2012)

Hideout (2013)

Jackpot (2014)

Unleashed (2015)

Jingle (2016)

…

Titanic Series:

Unsinkable (2011)

Collision Course (2011)

S.O.S (2011)

…

The 39 Clues Series:

One False Note (2008)

The Emperor's Code (2010)

Vespers Rising (2011)

The Medusa Plot (2011)

Flashpoint (2014)

…

Hypnotists Series:

The Hypnotists (2013)

Memory Maze (2014)

The Dragonfly Effect (2015)

…

Ungifted Series:

Ungifted (2012)

Supergifted (2018)

Hypergifted (2026)

…

Slacker Series:

Slacker (2016)
Level 13 (2019)

...

Non Series Books:

I Want to Go Home! (1981)

Our Man Weston (1982)

No Coins, Please (1984)

Don't Care High (1985)

Son of Interflux (1986)

A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag (1987)

Radio 5th Grade (1989)

Losing Joe's Place (1990)

The Twinkie Squad (1992)

The Toilet Paper Tigers (1993)

Why Did the Underwear Cross the Road (1994)

The Chicken Doesn't Skate (1996)

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire (1997)

The Sixth Grade Nickname Game (1998)

No More Dead Dogs (2000)

Maxx Comedy: The Funniest Kid in America (2003) 

Jake, Reinvented (2003)

Born To Rock (2006)

Schooled (2007)

The Juvie Three (2008)

Pop (2009)

Restart (2017)

What's His Face? (2018)

The Unteachables (2019)

Notorious (2019)

War Stories (2020)

Game On (contains The Chicken Doesn’t Skate and The Toilet Paper Tigers (2021)

Unplugged (2021)

Linked (2021)

Operation Do-Over (2022)

The Fort (2022)

The Super Teacher Project (2023)

Mixed Up (2023)

Slugfest (2024)

Faker (2024)

Old School (2025)

Snoop (2025)

… 

Gordon Korman - Sheelagh Matthews - Remarkable Writers 

Gordon Korman Children’s Storytellers - Chris Bowman

...

10 Things Pope Leo XIV Wants You to Know - Sister Gemma Morató Sendra, OP - Liguori Publications

10 Things Pope Leo XIV Wants You to Know

Sr. Gemma Morató Sendra, OP

Liguori Publications

ISBN 9780764828980

eISBN 9780764872785

ASIN B0F9ZS6L4J

From the day of his election I have been looking for books by and about Pope Leo XIV. When I encountered this work I was very excited because I had only recently read 10 Things Pope Benedict Wants You to Know, which I absolutely loved. I was excited to get the eBook of this the day it released. 

The descriptions of the book is:

“A new era begins for the Church with Pope Leo XIV--Augustinian friar, missionary for distant lands, bishop among the poor, prefect entrusted with appointing pastors throughout the world, and now successor to Peter. Above all, Leo XIV has proven to be a tireless seeker of Truth. His vocation was born of that restlessness of heart to which Saint Augustine gave expression: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." In the Augustinian spirit, Leo XIV has trusted the power of the gospel to shape his style: humble yet firm, quiet yet courageous. His path has been marked by service, listening, and quiet fidelity--a shepherd who walks with seekers, unafraid of their questions, patient in accompaniment.

So, what does Pope Leo XIV want us to know in order to live the gospel more faithfully? How can we ensure that Christ remains the center of our lives? Leo XIV invites us to live a faith that is alive and open to the world. The following pages explore ten themes inspired by his first Urbi et Orbi blessing as Peter's successor, given on May 8, 2025. Here we're invited to embrace a posture of listening from one who has made that his life's work.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction A New Chapter for the Church

 1. Seek God With a Restless Heart

 2. Be Artisans of Peace

 3. God Loves Us Unconditionally

 4. Evil Will Not Prevail

 5. Jesus the Good Shepherd

 6. To Be Missionaries

 7. We Want to Be a Synodal Church

 8. A United Church

 9. A Church That Builds Bridges

10. Mary Walks With Us

A Pontificate with Roots and a Future

I highlighted several passages while working through this volume, some of them are:

“The election of Pope Leo XIV marks a significant turning point in the life of the Church. At a time when the world is grappling with division, disillusionment, and rapid change, the Holy Spirit has raised up a shepherd whose life story is quietly revolutionary—marked not by power or prestige but by simplicity, community, and tireless service.”

“Instead, there was a quiet reverence, a humble gaze, and a message that was deeply intentional. “Peace be with you,” he said—echoing the first words of the risen Christ. And with those words, a tone was set for his entire pontificate: one of peace, humility, fraternity, and mission.”

“The ten themes in this booklet are drawn directly from profound reflections on the first days of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. They are not abstract theological statements, nor are they policy points. They are the fruit of a life rooted in prayer, community, and love for the gospel. They are the compass points of a Church that dares to dream again—of peace, unity, dialogue, and shared discipleship.”

“As you read these ten themes, allow them to challenge, comfort, and inspire. Because in Leo XIV, the Church has not just found a pope—it has found a fellow pilgrim. One who reminds us, gently but firmly, that the journey of faith is not one we walk alone, but together. In the one Christ, we are one.”

“As an Augustinian, Leo XIV does not seek God in abstract doctrines but in lived relationships. He believes that the Christian cannot claim to follow Christ without belonging to the Church.”

“What distinguishes Pope Leo’s restlessness is that it does not seek answers for the sake of certainty but for the sake of love. It is a restlessness that pushes the Church beyond complacency and into deeper intimacy with God and solidarity with others. It is not about intellectual control but about humble openness.”

“To seek God with a restless heart is to live with longing, humility, and hope. It means refusing to settle for mediocrity and choosing instead the path of inner transformation and outward service. This is the journey Pope Leo invites us to take with him—not toward comfort but toward communion.”

“Pope Leo XIV knew exactly what he was doing. He was inviting the Church—and the world—into the heart of Christ’s message: peace, not as comfort but as a calling.”

“He invited people to rediscover fraternity as the pathway to peace, and listening as the method by which that peace is built. To speak of peace, he said, is to speak of transformation, reconciliation, and justice woven into daily life.”

“Peace is built not by policy alone but by the daily conversion of hearts. By seeking the suffering, welcoming the excluded, and healing the wounded, the Church becomes the living instrument of Christ’s peace.”

“God does not wait for us to be good before he loves us. He loves us into goodness. He embraces us while we are still far off. His love is freely given, faithful, and unconditional.”

“The Church must not merely teach doctrine; it must communicate beauty. People are drawn not by obligation, but by attraction—by the radiant joy of knowing they are loved and welcomed by God.”

“The Christian life, he insists, is not an insurance policy for suffering but a mission born from love. To know we are loved is to be sent. The gospel is not preserved; it is proclaimed through lives that radiate this love.”

“The phrase “do not be afraid,” repeated often by Christ and echoed by Pope John Paul II, is central to Leo XIV’s message. He repeats it now—not as a slogan but as an invitation. “Do not be afraid,” he says to young people discerning their vocations, to families burdened by uncertainty, to communities facing persecution. God is with us. He never abandons his people.”

“The bishop, he says, must walk in three places: ahead to lead, among to accompany, and behind to gather the weak. This is not his theory—this is his witness.”

“The Church of the twenty-first century cannot afford to work in silos or speak from pedestals. It must work—and walk—together, with the Spirit at the center. That is how the Church becomes what it is meant to be: a people on pilgrimage, united not by uniformity but by love.”

“And so, he invites us—bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople—to walk with him. Not behind him. With him. As a united Church. Rooted in Christ. Open to one another. Sent forth to the world as a sign of healing and hope.”

“To build bridges is not to compromise truth. On the contrary, it is to allow truth to do what it was always meant to do: bring people together. Pope Leo insists that the gospel cannot be preached in a spirit of antagonism. Truth is not a weapon—it is a gift. And the Christian does not impose it; he proposes it, shares it, lives it.”

“This is not easy work. Bridge-building requires humility, patience, and the willingness to be misunderstood. But it is the most urgent task of the Church in a divided world. Pope Leo XIV calls the Church to be what it truly is: a sign of God’s desire to draw all people to himself, across every divide. And he calls each of us to take up the mission—not with fear, but with open hearts.”

“Mary is not just a figure in the background of the Church’s story—she walks with us. For Pope Leo XIV, Mary is not distant, idealized, or inaccessible. She is close. She is Mother.”

“This Marian style is what Pope Leo desires for the Church: a community that discerns, listens, walks together, and remains close to the suffering.”

“To entrust ourselves to Mary, he says, is not to escape reality—it is to enter it with grace. In her presence, we find room to breathe, space to trust, and strength to begin again. And so, Pope Leo XIV places his pontificate under her mantle—not as ornament, but as protection. Not as symbol, but as direction. 

Mary walks with us. And where she walks, Christ is never far.”

“In these opening days of his papacy, the themes that have already surfaced reveal the contours of a Church that is both rooted and forward-looking. From his first message—“Peace be with you”—to his firm assurance that “Evil will not prevail,” to his quiet gesture of entrusting everything to Mary, Leo XIV has begun his mission not with force, but with faith. A faith shaped by the dusty roads of northern Peru, by the spiritual discipline of Augustinian community life, and by years of listening, discerning, and accompanying. This is a pope who embodies what he preaches. He is not a distant theologian or a detached bureaucrat. He is a shepherd who has walked among his people, who knows what it means to lead with tears, to celebrate with the poor, and to break bread with those at the margins. His authority is not built on image or strategy, but on experience—deeply human, deeply spiritual.”

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. It is a good little read an primer on the thought and teachings of Pope Leo XIV as extrapolated from his first weeks in office. This volume was a good little volume and easy to engage with. It is a good little primer on Pope Leo XIV. And an excerpt of a longer volume that is publishing soon, I have seen two titles for that work: Pope Leo XIV: Restless Heart, Faithful Shepherd and Pope Leo XIV: In My Own Words. A good work to start with.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Link to reviews of other books by and about Pope Leo XVI.

Books about Pope Leo XIV:

LEO XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope - Matthew Bunson

When the White Smoke Clears: A Guide to Pope Leo XIV's Early Days

- Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, Dr. Edward Sri, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Fr. Josh Johnson, and Katie Prejean McGrady

Pope Leo XIV - Jesús Colina

Pope Leo XIV Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy - Christopher White

Pope Leo XIV - Paddy Bréagnamh - Mini Saints & Missionaries Library

10 Things Pope Leo XIV Wants You to Know - Sister Gemma Morató Sendra, OP 

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Books By Pope Leo XVI:

God Loves Everyone: The Essential Pope Leo XIV

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Related Posts:

A Prayer of the Day Prayer for our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV

A Prayer of the Day Prayer Imploring for Holy Popes 

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Monster In The Second Reel - Richard Paolinelli - Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 15

Monster In The Second Reel

Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 15

Richard Paolinelli

Tuscany Bay Books

ASIN B0FBFQMS6X

A few years ago I read 14 volumes in the Dreams of the Storyteller Series. I really enjoyed these short stories and novellas. And I was very excited when Paolinelli announced he was releasing two more tales in this series. This series is mainly comprised of stories that had appeared in Anthologies and are not published as stand along stories. My first encounter with Paolinelli’s work was in the Anthology; Cracked An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories edited by Bokerah Brumley, since then I have read work by Richard over 35 times. And I have greatly enjoyued his work across many genres, and a number of series.

Richard is not only an author but the driving force behind Tuscany Bay Books, I have read many volumes from the Bay by a number of authors and all have been well worth the read. This was one of several two short stories that dropped in the collection Dreams Of The Storyteller in 2025. There are now collection of 16 volumes in this collection, the first 2 date from 2014, 1 from 2022, and several in 2023, And now these 2 new ones in 2025.

The description of this story is:

“On a cold snowy night in a small North Dakota town in 1956, a man parks near the town's movie theater. He brings a special movie being "previewed across the country" to select audiences.

A small group of people happily take advantage of the free movie.

Only they will get much more than they bargained for once the second reel of the film begins rolling. Trapped inside the theater, at the mercy of a blood-thirsty, supernatural creature, only divine intervention can save them.

Or a mysterious man wearing the robes of a Jesuit priest who seems to appear out of the thin, cold, snowy night air....”

In the author’s forward Richard states:

“I feel like this one needs a bit of an explanation.

This short story started out as a potential entry into Kevin J. Anderson’s Movies, Monsters, and Mayhem anthology he put together a few years back. I had entered it and it made it through a few rounds of cuts.

But, alas, it did not make it through the final cut.

But, like any good monster in such stories, it refused to stay dead.

Enter Edward Willett. He’s been a guest on my podcast, and I on his. Every year, through his own imprint, Shadowpaw Press, he invites his guests for that year to submit a short story for his Shaper of Worlds series.

As I was a guest in Year 4, this story that you are about to read was submitted and accepted into Volume 4 of Ed’s series.

Now that well over a year has passed since that book released, I can now add this story to my Dreams of the Storytellers series. After reading this, you should grab a copy of In The Place Called Har-Magedon.

It’s the first, and so far only, time I’ve had a main character appear in two separate stories.

As for my I chose this man from history to be the main character? Well, let’s just say I believe that anyone can be redeemed, no matter how far they’ve fallen.

Even the most notorious traitor in history.

One last note, this story takes place in Steele, North Dakota. It was written a few years before I moved to the town for the second time in my life). At the time, I had no idea I was moving back here.

If you happen to drop by to visit the town, the rust-painted building that serves as a roller-skating rink used to be a bowling alley from 1960-2004.

But at this location, prior to 1960, there used to be a movie theater. It was quickly torn down and the bowling alley built on the site.

I’m not saying, I’m just saying…”

This is a dark and disturbing story, especially once we start putting all the pieces together. It is a chilling tale for mature readers. And having read both stories that contain this surprising character, I can only hope there will be more.   

This is another great short story from Paolinelli’s masterful pen. It really took me by surprise and I had a pretty good idea who the surprise character was going to be. I can easily recommend this story for mature readers!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!

For reviews of all books from Tuscany Bay click here.

Books by Richard Paolinelli:

Maelstrom

When the Gods Fell

The Calling

The Last Lonely Trail

A Zombie Christmas Carol

The Woman Returns

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Infinity Series:

Escaping Infinity

Exploring Infinity

Expanding Infinity

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Starguest 4th Age Series:

Ranger

Galen’s Way

Galen’s Blade

Galen's Heart

Cassandra's Line

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Timeless Series:

The Timeless

Secret of the Sphinx

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Jack Del Rio Series:

Reservations

Betrayals

Endgames

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Del Rio Omnibus Edition

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Divine Trolls Comedies:

The Fall Of The House Of 770 Vile Aromas 

The Corvo

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SeaDragon:

SeaDragon 1 May 1986

SeaDragon 2 June 1996

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Seadragon Novels:

Seadragon 

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Dreams Of The Storyteller:

Legacy Of Death

The Invited

The Fall Of Denver

Nothing Ever Happens Here

Icarus Falls

The 13th Medallion

At Homeworld's End

The Last Human

Phantoms' Lodge

Polar Shift

Extinction Point

CAG

The Enemy Of My Enemy

Barn Wars

Monster In The Second Reel 

In The Place Called Har-Magedon 

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Dreams of the Storyteller Overview of Series

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Sherlock Holmes Pastiches:

Sherlock Holmes: A Lesson In Mercy

Sherlock Holmes: The Woman Returns 

Sherlock Holmes: The Misplaced Mystery Writer

Sherlock Holmes: Nevermore or, The Mystery Of The Albino Raven

Sherlock Holmes: The Substitute Thief

Sherlock Holmes: The Assassination Of Alan Pinkerton

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Sherlock Holmes Pastiches Overview of Series

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Non Fiction:

Perfection’s Arbiter

From The Fields

The Space Shuttle: 1981–2011 

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Contributed to:

To Be Men 

Cracked

Places Beyond The Wild

Space Force Building The Legacy

Secret Stairs 

A Tribute To H.G. Wells (2019 Edition)

Beyond Watson 

Holmes Away From Home, Vol. 2 

Sherlock Holmes Adventures In The Realms Of H.G. Wells 

Sherlock Holmes Aventures In The Realms Of Edgar Allan Poe

The Art Of Sherlock Holmes 

The Mx Book Of New Sherlock Holmes Stories, Part Xxii

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Planetary Anthology Series:

Sol

Earth

Luna

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto

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Best Of Planetary Anthology Series

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