“It is the oldest icon” says L’Osservatore Romano
(However, it seems no one has yet been able to take a photo of it. As soon as one makes it to the Internet, I will post it.)
Icon of St. Paul by Russian iconographer Andrei Rublev late 14th early 15th century (not the one discovered in Rome)
Mendes’ new comedy explores meaning of marriage in America | National Catholic Reporter
Here is my review of AWAY WE GO in the National Catholic Reporter.
Be sure to check out my reviews of The HURT LOCKER and THE STONING OF SORAYA M. (below) that are opening this weekend.
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When I was at the University of Dayton last week, Richard Drabik and I made this YouTube video to explain the link between faith formation and media literacy. The online certificate course will begin in January 2010, but you can take courses now (like prerequestites for the program). See http://vlc.udayton.edu.
CNN Headline News just announced that Michael Jackson has just died at UCLA Hospital at the age of 50. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Beverly Hills about 12:20pm this afternoon and went into a coma. HLN is reporting that other news sources are announcing the death but that they are still trying to confirm it.
Michael Jackson was a true genius and an icon, an ambiguous, charismatic artist who defined the international pop world for about twenty-five years if you count from his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show ion 1969.
His final years have been marked by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, marriages, divorces, odd behavior. Some commentators are saying prescription drugs and anorexia may have contributed to his death.
Michael Jackson’s music and voice is the soundtrack running throughout the lives of people whose music he touched.
Remember HEAL THE WORLD? This is my favorite Jackson song. Hearing it, seeing the music video, before all the allegations, was like a prayer. The sentiments that prompted this song are what I will remember. He once said that HEAL THE WORLD is the song he was “most proud to have created.”
I grew up in the 60’s and then entered the convent. My experience of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were through new members entering the community and hearing the songs on the radio. Fr. Pierre Babin, OMI, a master audio-visual catechist used THRILLER over and over in his presentations, year after year, as a universal phenomenon of music and culture and Jackson’s ability to reach people.
The pundits are already carrying out the autopsy on Jackson’s life. If anything, I hope anyone who wants to be part of the music industry, or any part of the entertainment industry, will realize that these are businesses with commercial interests. Human dignity and care for persons always takes a hit when profit is involved.
May he rest in peace and condolences to his family and his fans.
or
Check out my reviews of The Stoning of Soraya M. and The Hurt Locker Reviews in the
August, 2009 issue of St. Anthony Messenger Magazine. Both of these films deal with violence in the Middle East that concern all people of good will. Both films are exceptionally well-made and thoughtful viewers will find much to ponder.
St. Anthony Messenger cover, August 2009
This is a good starter list published by the National Catholic Register for the Year of the Priest – though I think it leaves off some very good other films about priests. For some reason they are staying with U.S. films and it does not include films about bishops or popes. The list does bring in DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST, directed by Robert Bresson.
The Bing Crosby films may be classics but I think they present a very romanticized vision of the priesthood. KEYS OF THE KINGDOM, the book and the film, predate Vatican II, as does DIARY, but both breathe the spirit of the council.
I would add:
Keeping the Faith , The Third Miracle, Becket (OK he became the Archbishop of Canterbury…). There are challenging films as well: True Confessions, John Sayles’ MEN WITH GUNS (one of the story lines is about a priest), El CRIMEN DE PADRE AMARO, Graham Greene’s THE POWER AND THE GLORY (1933; Preston Sturges wrote the screenplay); ROMERO (there was the archbishop as well as the priests who worked with him; now available on DVD).
Feel free to add your favorite film by commenting.
Visit the University of Dayton\’s Online Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation for information about the Media Literacy Education certificate course and the courses that are available now (including the prerequisites). You can sign up for the next session of online courses now. You can sign up for the certificate program in late 2009.
Participants in the 2008 Advanced Certificate in Media Literacy Program tour Sony Studios in Culver City to experience a working studio.
Culver City – The Pauline Center for Media Studies has announced a variety of events scheduled for July and August, 2009. All events will take place at the Center located at 3908 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230.
“These courses and events have academic, pastoral and spirituality dimensions” said Sister Rose Pacatte, MEd in Media Studies, director of the Pauline Center. “Each one offers a unique opportunity for training and experience in ways to engage in both critical and pastoral ways with our media culture.”
The Advanced Certificate Course in Media Literacy runs from July 19-25. The certificate is recognized by the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and San Francisco and the Dioceses of Orange and San Diego as a catechist specialization. Sr. Gretchen Hailer, RSHM a media and faith formation specialist and Nick Pernisco, instructor in communications and media literacy education of Santa Monica College, will be among the presenters.
Dr. Khanh Bui of Pepperdine University and a catechist at Our Lady of Malibu Parish said of the Advanced Certificate Course in Media Literacy: “I am so grateful that I attended your summer workshop on media literacy. The training that I received there has transformed the way I teach for the better. More specifically, students consistently comment favorably on my PowerPoint presentations, which embed short and appropriate YouTube videos, illustrative images, impactful pictures, current graphs, audio recordings, and more. It was your workshop that convinced me of the power and effectiveness of PowerPoint presentations when they are prepared appropriately.”
Participants this year are coming from across the United States and Singapore.
The deadline for registration for the week-long media literacy course is July 5. Spaces are limited.
The National Film Retreat, now in its 10th year, will take place from July 31-August 2. “The focus of the retreat is a meaningful way to conclude the Year of St. Paul,” explained Sr. Hosea M. Rupprecht, an associate at the Pauline Center. “We have chosen four great themes of St. Paul to frame the retreat: the encounter with God, transformation, life as participation, Christ as head of all creation.” The tentative slate of films includes Pulp Fiction, Wall-e, Contact, The Price of Sugar, and Joe vs. the Volcano. Spaces are limited. The deadline for registration is July 20.
Cinema Divina: Shared Praxis and Prayer is a course of the Graduate Theological Institute Program offered by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP, will be the instructor. This course will run from 1pm-4pm, August 10-14 and can be taken for graduate credit or it can be audited. For more information and to register for this event only, please contact Sr. Rita J. Stuckey, I.H.M., D. Min., at (213) 637-7275 or at srrjstuckey@la-archdiocese.org.
The Movie Bible Nights will take place as scheduled on Saturday, July 11 (The Magnificent Seven) and Saturday, August 8 (Alive!) beginning promptly at 6:30pm. No registration is required for the movie Bible nights.
Sister Rose's My Movies Weblog 
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