WHAT TO SEE: Coping with challenge-seasons through faith, reliance

Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming
Lorena Segura York, Alexandra Boylan, Garrett Westton, Bill Engvall
Run time: 94 min • Not Rated

Change is a fact of life, but we would more easily weather inevitable challenges and transitions if they would line up politely and come at us one at a time. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works. Sometimes multiple challenges hit concurrently, and in attempting to cope with them all we are pushed to our limits or beyond.

That’s the situation facing empty-nesters Alexa and John Taylor in the sequel Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming, released directly to DVD and streaming services this past September. Already caring for Alexa’s dementia-stricken mother and with Alexa about to return to the workforce to take on an exciting new job, the Taylors learn their grown twins are returning home: their daughter, Ravyn, announces a surprise engagement, while their son, Beau, must rehab from a serious leg injury that ended his budding pro-football career. As if that’s not enough of a game-changer, Alexa must contend with her daughter’s prospective mother-in-law — Alexa’s own ex-best-friend — who takes the lead on planning Ravyn’s wedding, much to Alexa’s indignation.

Stung by the rivalry and a “fear of missing out,” Alexa insists on doing it all. John urges Alexa to accept some help with the wedding planning and her mother’s care, as do the women in Alexa’s Bible study group, but her strong will and “I got this” attitude prevail until it becomes clear she doesn’t “got this” at all. Meanwhile, Beau’s old high school coach invites him to be his offensive coordinator, but Beau must learn a few lessons in true leadership after his brash arrogance diminishes his respect among his players.

Catching Faith 2 is a squeaky clean family film with some positive things to say, but it tries to accomplish much amid a meandering script. Its key takeaway, however, is on point: while faith and good intentions can carry us far, it’s not a sign of failure to ask help from

GERALD KORSON is a Legatus magazine staff writer.