Wicked: For Good – watch by Jan. 10. [In Theaters and Amazon]

Conclave – watch by Jan. 17 [Amazon]

Elio – watch by Jan. 24 [Disney+]

A Secret Love – watch by Jan 31 [Netflix]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – watch by Feb. 7 [Disney+]

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – watch by Feb. 14 [Netflix]

1. Why do you think Glinda works so hard to maintain a false persona? Have you ever been tempted to do the same?

2. How would you describe the sense of powerlessness felt by the animals? How did ignoring this targeted injustice escalate to other people groups in the movie?

3. Who have you encountered that has permanently changed you for the good? How did they impact you?

4. Who inspires you to fight for justice?

Bonus: Who inspires you be your most authentic self?

1. What is Dean Thomas Lawrence actually trying to accomplish? At the start, what does he believe his role is in the conclave — and how does that sense of duty begin to shift once the political and spiritual pressures become real?

2. What forces are shaping each of the leading candidates?
As you watch Bellini, Adeyemi, Tremblay, and Tedesco, notice:

• • Who is driven by fear?
  • Who by ideology?
  • Who by power?
  • Who by genuine faith?
    How do those forces show up inside the conclave?

3. Where do you see the world shaping faith instead of faith shaping the world? In what moments do politics, image, money, nationalism, or control influence decisions that should be spiritual?

4. What are they willing to sacrifice to become pope? As ambition rises, what do the contenders give up — integrity, relationships, truth, humility, or even their own souls?

5. What role does Sr. Agnes play in the story? How does her presence contrast with the men in power? What kind of authority does she hold — even without a title?

6. Dean Lawrence’s opening homily: Was it a quiet campaign speech for himself — or a genuine longing for change in the church? What clues do you see that reveal his true heart?

7. What flips the switch for Lawrence? When does he move from restraint to action?
What moment pushes him to choose conviction over caution? 

1. Elio finds himself feeling like a burden to his aunt. His aunt, in turn, feels like she is a failure in caring for Elio. Which of the two characters do you relate to most?

2. Elio believes that the only people who wanted him are gone and that there is nothing about him to want. Describe a time where you’ve wondered if there is anything about you to want.

3. Why do we spend time trying to connect with people who “don’t get” us? Why do we lie about who we are when what we really want is authenic connection?

4. Sometimes we completely miss that the people who want to be our family are right in front of us (and not in outter space). Who is a part of your unexpected family today? When did you realize they were your family? How has church played a role in this for you?

1. While this documentary is subtle in its story telling, it still evokes many emotions – from the celebration of love, to fiery assumptions made by well-meaning relatives. What parts of this film made you angry, mournful, and hopeful?

2. In your own words, what is it like to hold the most important part of your life a secret for 60 years?

3. How has the Church “missed out” by not honoring the life and legacy of our LGBTQ+ elders?

4. At one point in the film, Pat says, “This is what everybody needs – that you felt loved and cared about.” How do you relate to this statement?

4. Consider 1 Corithians 13:1-7. These verses, while often read at weddings, have more to do with humbleness. Relate these verses to the journey of those we saw in the film. 

1. The characters in this film all have different voices trying to influence their choices including well-meaning family and friends who project their own life’s fears and desires onto others. Who are the voices that have influenced your life choices the most? How do you distinguish what is right for you among all the voices?

2. Shang-Chi, Xu Xialing,and Katy all have voices of self-doubt that carry them to dark places to compensate for their emotional pain. How do you relate? How do you move past the voice of doubt to a place of wholeness?

3. The movie quote below, when spoken, changes the tradjectory of the battle for Shang-Chi. Do you find this to be true?

“You are a product of all who came before you. The legacy of your family, the good and the bad, it is all a part of who you are. Stop hiding from yourself. It only prolongs the pain”

4. Shang-Chi knows right away that the voice his father hears is not really that of his mother. In John 10:1-5, Jesus uses a parable to describe how his followers learn to hear and follow his voice. What are the commonalities here? How does one learn to distinguish the voice of love and truth over all others?

1. In the movie Wicks leads the congregation through power, fear, and image. Judd leads through service, humility and mercy. What has been your response when dealing with faith leaders using these approaches to direct people?

2. Consider how the priests in the film differ in their use or ritual and confession. When used to help and heal how do rituals draw you closer to your faith? How are rituals used to keep people away when they are meant to draw people closer.

3. What role do secrets play within a church community?  Discuss the secrets that struck you the most in the film and in real life. When are times when you felt that you have had to keep a secret or hide something from God and the Church?

4. How did the characters make Jesus’ death and resurrection into a human image during Holy Week? What do we find when we are looking for something in Jesus’ but it isn’t there? What needs to be lost in order to be found?  

5. Detective Benoit Blanc comes to help solve the murder.  What does he see in Fr. Jud?  What do you wish your church community would see in you? 

 6. Where do you see God’s grace in this movie?