NCR WEEKEND: Día de los Muertos and zombie movies, special Halloween treats: Some Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) ofrendas in Los Angeles honor those who have died from COVID-19. Zombie movies are more than about a good scare. Spooked by newsy turmoil? An NCR columnist suggests turning off the noise in our heads, at least for a time. Día de los Muertos remembers those who have passed on Lucy Grindon reports how the Mexican custom of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a longstanding cultural happening in Los Angeles. Ofrendas, offerings for the dead, are a large part of the celebrations. Grindon watched as two older gentlemen were honored by people who did not even know them in their lifetimes. But that is the point of the celebration. People offer favorite foods and, in one case, a photo featuring a Dodgers' cap. This year's celebration has added poignancy, as those who have fallen from COVID-19 are remembered in a special way. Grindon noted one saying posted during the celebration that called on all not to lose hope in what has been a difficult year. Read the article here (with lots of photos).  Zombie movies offer more than a scare Zombie movies have been a Hollywood staple since 1932. Moviegoers like a good scare, and films like "The Exorcist" created box office windfalls. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video was a huge hit in the 1980s, and the recent "Get Out" garnered numerous awards. Such films are often good for more than a scare, writes Pauline Sr. Rose Pacatte. The zombie myth has its roots in West Africa and Haiti. The movies often explore profound moral issues. "Get Out," for example, provided a bitter sardonic look at racism, while "The Exorcist," with its hero Jesuit fighting the devil, was proclaimed as a great promotion for the Catholic Church. Sometimes it's the smaller, overlooked films, such as the cult classic "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and the more recent "Juan of the Dead" that offer poignant social commentary. "Juan of the Dead" is a Cuban film, in Spanish, that offers a barbed look at Castro's revolution amid ghoulish gore. Read Sister Rose's zombie review here. Turning off the uproar Kathy Finley notes it is important to turn off the noise and escape to a quiet place, even if just for a few hours. It's a value to keep alive, even during hectic times. It is a habit she developed when her children were young, and has kept at it years later. She brings along a journal and spiritual reading, and takes time to hear what God has to say. A favorite Scripture passage describes the road to Emmaus, and what Jesus has to say to his disciples is worth reflecting upon. Read the full column here. More headlines Omaha bishop responds to election column by local theologians: Not a lot of attention is paid to the quirk in the voting process that means Omaha, Nebraska, and its suburbs now have an electoral vote. Trump and Biden are running neck-and-neck there, and if this election comes down to the wire, it could prove pivotal. So this controversy could have consequences.   Rev. William Barber talks about uplifting the poor via political action: Social justice activist Rev. Barber, whose work has focused on galvanizing religious-minded people to fight for the oppressed and break through the stereotype of Christians as narrow-minded right wingers, talks about his new book.   The Catholic vote is important once again: Jesuit Fr. Tom Reese points out that Catholics are usually on the winning side of presidential elections. While it is a diverse group and not a bloc, politicians are aware that as Catholics go, so goes the country.   More Background: Michael Sean Winters on electoral politics and church social teaching  Why some Latino Catholics are leaning towards Trump Final thoughts Spooked by this year's election? NCR series puts it all into perspective. See our total coverage. View the full series here. Happy Halloween! (And All Saints Day), Peter Feuerherd News Editor [email protected] Featured Advertisers Join Sacred Heart & Seton Hall Universities for a virtual conference on the Catholic intellectual tradition in higher education Oct. 29-31. Register today to attend Fairfield University’s free online Fall 2020 webinar lectures, sponsored by the Center for Catholic Studies. Visit fairfield.edu/cs for details. 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