Temple Grandin

We enjoyed this moving  story of a girl, then young woman's struggle with autism, based on a real person. It would not be appropriate for young children because they might become confused or upset by some of the images. My one concern is that after seeing this movie parents of autistic children will have unrealistic expectations for their children. I know more than one autistic child who is not even close to being as verbal as she is.

An End to the Vocations Crisis

Fishers of Men

Posted By Elizabeth Yank On September 2, 2006 @ 12:00 am In Arts & Entertainment | Catholic Exchange

With this film, the vocations crisis could end. That may sound like an exaggeration, but if you saw this extraordinary film you would agree. Fishers of Men is a powerful documentary! In our media driven culture, this movie was produced with the young person in mind. The images are bold, colorful, and exciting. The script is fast-paced and multi-layered with many themes running at the same time. Yet the strength of this film lies in its message. It spells out the truth in no uncertain terms. The priesthood is a calling from God. “The priesthood is tough. It is for real men. You have to be a real man if you want to become a priest.”
One of the greatest examples of a good and holy priest is Pope John Paul II. Watching clips of him brings back many emotional memories. What is his unabashed message to young people, “Be not afraid.”
Who should watch this film? While the target audience is young men considering the priesthood, every Catholic should watch this film. Catholics would have a far greater understanding of the role of the priest, his mission, and his calling if they would watch this film. The priest has been given one of the greatest gifts by God; to change bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to nourish our bodies and souls. Do we fully comprehend the incredible magnitude of this gift, or do we take it for granted?
The priest’s mission is to serve. Mothers and fathers should certainly be able to relate to that calling. The priest has been called to serve us at many moments in our lives. We see images of priests baptizing babies, celebrating mass, presiding at a wedding, blessing a closed coffin, hearing confessions, and offering absolution to a dying young man. We see images of priests as chaplains in the military, visiting the elderly in a nursing home, hearing a confession of someone in prison, and greeting people after mass.
After seeing this impressive film, parents might not hesitate to give their sons their blessing when they ask to join the priesthood. Friends and relatives would no longer plant the seeds of doubt and discouragement. They would say, “Wow! You want to be a priest! That is great!”
Priests should watch this film to renew their sense of hope and mission. We see a broad range of men from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds expressing their love, joy, and enthusiasm of the priesthood.
Young people should watch this film, so that boys would be open to the calling to the priesthood and girls would have a greater respect for who the priest represents. Young people do, in fact, understand the importance of the role of the priest. In the film, there is a series of interviews with young people who attended World Youth Day in Cologne saying why they value priests.
Catholic schools should have their students watch it and discuss it in their classrooms. Parents should watch it with their children at home. Elderly people should watch it and pray for vocations to the priesthood.
As you can see, I think everyone should watch this film, because they would be moved to think and act. If there are not enough priests to serve a diocese, I need to ask myself, “What have I done?” Have I prayed for our priests and bishops? Have I prayed for vocations? We are all called to evangelize.
Let me add that I am not a video person. I would much prefer to read a book. This film is gripping. Fishers of Men immerses our senses in the reality we so easily forget. In daily life, it is so easy to see the human faults of our priests. But who is he? What is he doing for us? He is laying down his life as Jesus did. He is bringing us the sacraments. Without sacraments, where would we be? Watch this film. You will be amazed, refreshed, and renewed in the love of your Catholic faith.
See also:
Fishers of Men 2005 www.grassrootsfilms.com
Catholic Exchange:
An End to the Vocations Crisis

Available through Nineveh's Crossing: http://ninevehscrossing.com/Order-FOM.php

Lenten Hair Cuts

My son needed his hair cut. His eight-year-old sister even commented that his eyes are in his hair. No, sweetie, his hair is in his eyes. Haircutting in our house means we all watch a movie while the “victim,” perched on a wobbly stool, gets his head shaved by mom. Well, it used to be shaved when the boys were little tykes, but now the constant reminder is, “Not too much, mom.”

So I checked out our DVD/video collection. No one seemed interested in Learning How to Sing or Darwinism on Trial, so I kept hunting. Oh, another day, another time. Then I found the perfect fit. It is Lent after all. I announced, “We are going to watch, I Don’t Believe in God, I Know God by Fr. Rick Wendell.” The rabble rousers did not rise up in arms.

After setting up the temporary barber shop, we popped in the DVD and all settled in to watch, while I snipped away. Let me say it is hard to concentrate on cutting hair when you are listening to, that is, watching a captivating speaker. I really didn’t expect it to be so engrossing. The poor “child” is lucky he didn’t lose any flesh on his ears or receive any nicks on his skin.

Recorded before a live audience, Fr. Rick recounts the dramatic account of his life story. Beginning with his youth, he relates his conversation or reconversion to the faith, depending on how you look at it, since he never really practiced it. But most amazingly of all is his death experience. This is the moment that transformed him.

Through his mother’s request, God gave him another chance at life. The doctors could not resuscitate him. He lay in ER, brain dead, his body waiting to have his organs harvested, when his mother begged God to bring her son back, whole or not at all.

While she was pleading for his life, he was experiencing the afterlife. Totally entranced by the immense power of God’s love, he had no desire to return. But
God had other plans.

Eventually, God brought him back to life, miraculously, without any complications. After he returned, he felt God had given him this chance for a purpose. Initially engaged to be married, they broke the engagement because of financial circumstances.

While God’s call was certainly dramatic, he resisted it. Being a priest was the last thing on earth he could imagine himself to be. Up to this point, he had lived anything but a holy life. Eventually, he succumbed to the “hound of heaven.” Thankfully, he answered God’s call to the priesthood, a life of service to God and his people.

I urge you to view this DVD. It is a beacon of hope in a world gone awry. There still are conversions in the world, dramatic conversions, displaying the immense power of God’s love.

Available at www.jmjmediagroup.com

Published by Catholic Exchange April 2, 2009.
Lenten Hair Cuts