Summer “cinema divina” retreat at home!

My column this month outlines how you can make a retreat from your seat if you are unable to a retreat house.

For Lent this year, the Pauline Center for Media Studies hosted a six-part weekly program using The Way, starring Martin Sheen. In the film written and directed by Sheen’s son, Emilio Estevez, Sheen plays Tom Avery, a widower who travels to France to bring home the body of his son who died in an accident. Tom discovers his son had just set out to make
the 800-kilometer pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James of Compostela and resolves to
take his place on the Camino (see October 2011 St. Anthony Messenger).

Because we wanted to keep the motif of the pilgrimage, even though we met at our center and people arrived by bus or car, our slogan was “If you can’t walk it with your feet, you can do it from your seat!” The same can be said for an annual retreat, which can be made at home if you’re unable to get away to a retreat house. Summertime is ideal to live out Jesus’ invitation to the disciples in Mark 6:31: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted
place and rest a while.”

Narrative films are an ideal way to bridge faith and life, using the format and methodology of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. A Scripture verse that reflects Tom’s reality and journey in The Way is John 9:11.

Continue reading the On Faith and Media column here

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen opens March 9

I’ve seen this and will be reviewing it soon. I must say, I really liked it. It’s a dream that imagines faith and possibility.

 

Tree of Life screening in 35mm + panel Jan. 14, 2012, UCLA

Pauline Center for Media Studies announces summer media programs

 

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 10^th 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.