Christmas 2023 | Page 2

Chieftain - FALL 2023 , VOL . 63 NO . 1 02

NEWS & FEATURES

2023 Brings Home a Series of Record-Breaking Movies

In the past year , the cinematic world has put forth a series of hit films that have altered the view people have toward the arena of movie production . Ticket sales are up from 2022 .

The Chieftain newspaper team asked the student body of Brother Rice in a survey what the best movie of the year was to which 377 students responded . The results revealed a clear sense of favoritism toward Christopher Nolan ’ s “ Oppenheimer ” and Sony ’ s “ Spider-Man : Across the Spider-Verse .” Nolan ’ s historical , eye-opening picture just slightly ruled out Sony ’ s magnificent animated portrayal of Spider-Man at 41 % to 38 %. Other movies

By Chris Cardellio ‘ 25 Chieftain Staff

Spotlight : New Priest , Father John Joins Brother Rice Community

By Warren Marshall ‘ 24 Chieftain Staff

Who are you in a couple words ?

“ A beloved child of God who is privileged to be apart of the Archdiocese of Detroit , also a father of two daughters ”

What made you become a priest ?

“ That ’ s a loaded question . I ’ m not one of those individuals who have those traditional vocation stories .

I wasn ’ t a little kid who grew up pretending to be a priest ; it never really was on my radar . The chaplain

Photo Credit : Archdiocese of Detroit Facebook

Father John Dudek after being ordained in 2021

at Bishop Gallin , where I attended , saw my vocation and reached out to my mom and dad . I applied for the seminary . I ended up in the seminary right out of high school for 2 and a half years , but during that time , I met

in the poll included “ Barbie ” and “ The Super Mario Bros .” Movie . However , these movies did not nearly match up to the likings of the two winners .

Although the overwhelming majority of the voters would say otherwise , “ Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 ” takes the title for the best summer movie of 2023 . Packed with action and suspense , this film served as a perfect send-off to the rag-tag crew of space vigilantes so profoundly recognizable in the cinematic realm . The build-up of the stories and emotions from the previous movies of the Guardians trilogy is what truly sets the film apart from the others . a young lady who I was married to for 20 years . We eventually separated , and I got an annulment . My kids said I should be a deacon . I went to my spiritual director about becoming a deacon ; he said I should become a priest .

Now , 7 years later , I ’ m a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit . I ’ ve never been happier or at peace .”

Favorite bible verse ?

“ Comes from the Book of James : ‘ Mercy triumphs over judgment .’ Those who are merciful will receive mercy , and only God can pass judgment on anyone .

Photo Credit : Universal Pictures

Oppenheimer was an immediate success . Not only did its history give the movie a hand in theaters but also incredible popularity that was possible through social media . However , the film did have criticisms . “ The story was well thought out ,” says junior Jad Assaf . “ But the writers couldn ’ t fully draw out the many characters in such a small time frame .”

Photo Credit : Sony Entertainment

In the context of rating movies , Spider-man : Across the Spider-Verse pretty much held a positive liking to its audience . The movie itself , however , lacks assurance regarding the story ’ s end , which is always irritating for the viewer . “ For a sequel , it was very enjoyable , but I was mad they left us on a cliffhanger ,”

junior Max McCarthy adds .

What hobbies or interests have you been pursuing lately ?

I am a runner ; I ’ ve been running for 14 years . I am in the process of running a half marathon . I ’ ve trained for 4 marathons . I ’ ve completed 2 marathons ; the other 2 I never made it to the starting line due to injury . My goal is to run a marathon in my 50s and 60s .”

Any words of advice to the Brother Rice community ?

“ The harder you work today the easier your life

will be down the road ”