This week: A love letter from Fred. A new version of Mary of Nazareth. Jackie Francois on the “ache of singlehood.” Father Barron’s new video on the Real Presence. The Knights of Columbus’ “Big Mountain Jesus.” You have a new friend request… Shocking prayers from Iowa Democrats.
This is the story of a love affair. Fred Stobaugh lost Lorraine, his wife of almost 73 years, only 1 month earlier. Lacking musical and technical skills, he entered an on-line video song contest by writing and sending lyrics in a manila envelope to the record company.
(Oh Sweet Lorraine is now available in the Google Play and iTunes stores.)
A new version of Mary of Nazareth is coming on September 8th from Ignatius Press. It is a re-edit of a previously released, much longer movie. The original had mixed reviews, but reviewers of the Ignatius version are enthusiastic. Fr. Donald Calloway writes:
A few weeks ago, they asked me to review it and I was so in awe of what I viewed that this is what I wrote for them: “The most stunning portrayal of the Virgin Mary on film. It will make you want to love her more than ever. An absolute masterpiece!” Yes, my friends, we finally have a movie that gets Mary totally right! Trust me, I am super duper hard to please when it comes to any portrayal of Mary in film, but this one nailed it entirely!
Jackie Francois (a recent newly wed) is an effective evangelist to young folks. I have featured aspect her video on the Eucharist previously. This video from 3 years ago is another excellent video she calls the “Ache of Singlehood”:
Speaking of the Eucharist, a new video was published on Monday: “Fr. Barron comments on The Sacrament of the Eucharist as Real Presence.” It’s very good.
The Knights of Columbus have installed and maintained a WWII memorial statue of Jesus on land they leased for almost 60 years. Well funded atheists seeking to have it removed were defeated in federal district court in a sensible and fair ruling. They are now appealing to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
I love the intersection of creativity and faith shown on church signs. The really good ones reach out and make people think. Here is one I saw on Father Junjun Amaya’s blog:
Iowa Democrats pray for unfettered legal rights to kill children in the womb. The sound is poor in this video, but I can make out their disordered prayers to a “lord.” I assume that would be the lord of darkness and death, not the Lord God Almighty who created and sustains the innocent and defenseless lives they wish to literally crush. I realize in their dark and twisted faith, contrary to God and nature alike, abortion is a cherished sacrament called herein the “blessing of choice.” May the true God of all creation have mercy on them for their blasphemous intentions and lead them out of darkness by His light.
Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!
Excited and hopeful to see the new Mary of Nazareth film. I love hearing the children’s voices and noises during the “prayer” for continued access to abortion. What a mockery of prayer. Do these people not know that God is the God of love and life? The author of life? They need prayers to save themselves from their hypocrisy.
That Mary film does look good. Have a great week.